MARCH/APRIL 2011
!
L VE WWW.FCIMAG.COM
Green Installation tallation Guide Waterproofing and Vapor Proofing p. 14 Green Installation Techniques p. 33 Waste Water Disposal p. 48
Beginning B gi i g on Page 31
Whatever the blueprints call for... -!0%)æHASæTHEæSOLUTIONæFORæALLæYOURæWOOD mOORæINSTALLATIONæ CHALLENGES æWITHæNEWæPRODUCTSæDESIGNEDæFORæVIRTUALLYæANYTHINGæ THEæDESIGNERæCANæTHROWæATæYOU
NEW additions to MAPEI’s wood-floor installation portfolio include: sæUltrabond ECO ® 985ææHYBRID POLYMER BASED æMOISTURE CONTROLæANDæ æ SOUND REDUCINGæWOOD mOORINGæADHESIVE æWHICHæISæISOCYANATE FREE æULTRAæLOWæ æ INæ6/#SæANDæODOR æANDæVERYæEASYæTOæCLEANæUP sæUltrabond ECO 970ææPREMIUMæTOUGH SETTINGæWOOD mOORINGæADHESIVE æANæ æ EXCELLENTæLATEX BASEDæSOLUTIONæFORæINSTALLINGæENGINEEREDæANDæMOSTæTRADITIONALæ æ PRElNISHEDæSOLIDæHARDWOODæmOORINGææ
Come visit us at NWFA 2011
&ORæMOREæINFORMATIONæONæ-!0%)SæENTIREæWOOD mOORINGæLINE æ VISITæWWWMAPEICOM
!PRIL¬¬n¬¬s¬Booth # 1205 at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
CIRCLE 35
THE PERFECT WORK COMPANION
FOR ENGINEERED FLOORING
Through thick and thin, the new Bostitch engineered flooring staplers will stand by your side until the job is finished. They offer a host of innovations such as tool-free adjustable precision knobs for fast and easy installation, a wider range of adjustments to accommodate the latest trends in engineered flooring, and exclusive non-marring profile tips to protect your work during installation. Choose the tools that flooring professionals trust most ... choose Bostitch.
®
Visit us at www.bostitch.com to learn more about these and other flooring-related products. CIRCLE 33 © 2010 The Stanley Works.
www.bostitch.com
March/April 2011 Q Volume 18, No. 2
F eatures On the cover: An installation of polyolefin-backed carpet tile using MAPEI’s Ultrabond ECO 885 adhesive. Photo courtesy of MAPEI.
FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER Volume 18, Issue 2 (ISSN 1099-9647) is published 7 times annually, Jan/Feb, Mar/ Apr, May/Jun, Jul, Aug/Sep, Oct/Nov and Dec, by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 22801 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364. Telephone: (818) 224-8035, Fax: (818) 224-8042. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923. Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER, P.O. Box 2149, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or KalbA@ bnpmedia.com.
All FCI “How-To” articles are written to provide insight into some of the key steps, tools and accessories required to professionally carry out the subject technique or installation. Be sure to obtain the product manufacturer’s installation/specification manuals and follow the company’s recommendations. More detailed and product-specific information is available through industry training schools, clinics, seminars and certification programs.
4
www.fcimag.com
8 14 31
Installing Rustic and Hand-Scraped Wood Flooring When installing rustic and hand-scrapped wood floors, it is important for the installer to determine exactly what look the customer expects, since there is a wide variation in the finished look of these types of floors. Mickey Moore explains the process for installing rustic and hand-scraped floors correctly.
Waterproofing and Vapor Proofing The concept of waterproofing a tile installation seems fairly simple, yet waterproofing failures continue to proliferate at an alarming rate. Dave Gobis gives an in-depth look at the waterproofing process and offers tips on avoiding waterproofing failures.
Green Installation One of the growing trends in flooring installation has been the rapid growth of “green” installation products and technologies. In this special section, Floor Covering Installer presents feature articles, products and news related to the important issue of green installation.
D epartments 6 24 28 30 53 54 56 59 60 62 62
On
Editorial Comment A Carpet Installer’s Notebook Surfaces/Ltr to Editor Industry News CTEF Tile Tip Resilient Installation Corner Products on Display Advertiser Index/Classifieds Installation Training Clinics and Schools Products Spotlight Distributor Marketplace
the Web
Green Installation Basics How much do you know about “green” installation? Find out with this Web-exclusive quiz.
Check out www.fcimag.com for this column, as well as the latest news and products.
March/April 2011
CIRCLE 41
®
Editorial
by JOHN MOORE
Editorial Staff
Phil Johnson ■ GROUP PUBLISHER
[email protected] John Moore ■ EDITOR
[email protected] Arpi Nalbandian ■ ASSOCIATE EDITOR
[email protected] Rick Arvidson ■ SR. ART DIRECTOR Jennifer Allen ■ PRODUCTION MANAGER
How Green is Your Installation Business?
Columnists: Michael Hetts, Jon Namba, Mickey Moore, David Gobis, Christopher Capobianco and Ray Thompson.
Publishing & Sales Office 22801 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 115 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 Phone: (818) 224-8035 Fax: (818) 224-8042 For advertising sales information, call (800) 835-4398 Phil Johnson ■ PUBLISHER
[email protected] Keith Parry ■ NORTHERN REGIONAL MANAGER (973) 248-6097 Scott Daniell ■ SOUTHERN REGIONAL MANAGER (770) 788-6377 Dan Lipman ■ WESTERN REGIONAL MANAGER (818) 224-8035 x 2206 Sharon Ward ■ INSIDE/CLASSIFIED SALES MANAGER (847) 405-4017
Corporate Office: 2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 700 Troy, MI 48084 Phone: (248) 362-3700 Fax: (248) 362-0317
BNP Media II, L.L.C.
Corporate Directors
Timothy A. Fausch ■ PUBLISHING John R. Schrei ■ PUBLISHING Scott Kesler ■ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Lisa L. Paulus ■ FINANCE Nikki Smith ■ DIRECTORIES Michael T. Powell ■ CREATIVE Beth A. Surowiec ■ CLEAR SEAS RESEARCH Vincent M. Miconi ■ PRODUCTION Ariane Claire ■ MARKETING Rita M. Foumia ■ CORPORATE STRATEGY DIRECTOR Marlene J. Witthoft ■ HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR Emily Patten ■ CONFERENCES & EVENTS
BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information Audience Development
Cassandra Haggard ■ AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Kelly Carlson ■ MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST Carolyn M. Alexander ■ AUDIENCE AUDIT COORDINATOR
For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: Tel. (847) 763-9534 or Fax (847) 763-9538 or e-mail
[email protected] List Rental Postal contact: Rob Liska at 800-223-2194 x726
[email protected] Email contact: Shawn Kingston at 800-409-4443-828
[email protected] www.fcimag.com
6
www.fcimag.com
FF
or the past several years, there has been an ongoing “green” revolution that is changing all aspects of the construction industry. Leading the way have been the manufacturers, who have spent millions of dollars developing “greener” products, both in terms of the energy and raw materials used to produce them, and their effect upon the environment after they are installed. While manufacturers, architects and specifiers seem to be comfortable with all things green, installers have some catching up to do. In preparation for this issue of Floor Covering Installer, I asked some installers what “green” means to them, and the typical answer I got was that it has to do with the way the flooring and installation products are manufactured. While that description is accurate, there is more to green installation than just choosing the most environmentally conscious products. Work habits such as use of dust filtration systems, properly disposing of waste water, and recycling old flooring also have an important impact on the carbon footprint of an installation, as well as a positive effect on our environment. With that in mind, this month Floor Covering Installer presents its annual “green” issue, featuring the latest environmentally conscious products and techniques to help installers get up to speed on everything related to green installation. CFI Master Installer Dave Garden kicks things off with an in-depth look at “Green Installation Techniques,” ways that installers can reduce their carbon footprint and damage to the environment while improving their profits. Jon Namba
March/April 2011
tackles a new subject, “Waste Water Disposal,” which has been largely overlooked by many installers. How many times have you seen a new flooring product emblazoned with information on how “green” it is and wondered how environmentally conscious it really is? Christopher Capobianco answers this and other green-related questions in his “Green Resilient Flooring Q&A.” In addition to these “green” installation-related feature articles, this issue also features a “Green Installation Guide” with full-page articles on the latest “green” installation products and technologies from leading manufacturers. In order to stay on top of all the companies involved with “green” flooring installation products and services, we have also included a “Green Installation Products Guide” that puts all the green information you need all in one place. Finally, rounding out this special issue, we have our “Green Matters” section, which features the latest green-related news. We hope that you enjoy this special issue of Floor Covering Installer, and that it will help you to work in a more environmentally conscious way, as well as boosting your bottom line. If there are other green-related subjects you would like to explore, be sure to visit our web site, www.fcimag.com, where all the past green-related subjects are FCI archived.
John Moore Editor
PATENT
PE
ND
ING
Thi ck n
™ ol ntr ess-Co
Sp ac e
gy o l o r Techn
Superior Adhesive, Moisture and Sound Protection in one SingleStep. :\WLYPVY(KOLZP]L4VPZ[\YL7YV[LJ[PVUHUK:V\UK9LK\J[PVU4LTIYHULPUVUL:PUNSL:[LW:H]L[PTLHUK TVUL`^P[O<S[YH:L[:PUNSL:[LW<S[YH:L[:PUNSL:[LWPZ[OLVUS`T\SP[M\UJ[PVUHSWYHJ[PJHSHKOLZP]L^P[O WH[LU[WLUKPUN;OPJRULZZ*VU[YVS;LJOUVSVN` ™ 7H[LU[7LUKPUN;OPJRULZZ*VU[YVS;LJOUVSVN`LUZ\YLZWYVWLYÄST[OPJR ULZZ LSPTPUH[PUNWVZZPIPSP[`VMPUZ[HSSLYLYYVY 5V\WWLYSPTP[MVYTVPZ[\YLJVU[LU[ 00* V]LYH ¹ZSHI^P[OUVJLPSPUNHZZLTIS` ^P[OJLPSPUNU00* 9LK\JLZ3HIVY*VZ[6UL:[LW]Z[^VVY[OYLLZ[LWZMVYTVPZ[\YLHUKVY ZV\UKYLK\J[PVU -VYHSSOHYK^VVKÅVVYPUNPUJS\KPUNZVSPKZIHTIVV LUNPULLYLKHUKWHYX\L[ -VYVUNYHKLILSV^NYHKLHIV]LNYHKLHWWSPJH[PVUZ =6*HUKJVU[HPUZ YLJ`JSLKJVU[LU[ ,HZ`[VZWYLHK :\WLYPVY[HJR *VU[HPUZ)VZ[PR»Z)SVJRHKLHU[PTPJYVIPHSWYV[LJ[PVU -VYTVYLPUMVYTH[PVUJHSS`V\YSVJHSKPZ[YPI\[VY VYH)VZ[PRJ\Z[VTLYZLY]PJLYLWYLZLU[H[P]L [VKH`H[1-800-7BOSTIK.
CIRCLE 29
ULTRA-SET® SingleStep ™
1-800-7BOSTIK
NWFA Tip Sheet
by MICKE Y MOORE
Installing Rustic and Hand-Scraped Wood Flooring
R R
ustic and or hand-scraped flooring is in the eye of the beholder. In today’s wood flooring market this look is the “in vogue” look. The definition or perception can mean 10 different looks to 10 different people. What do we mean by “Rustic” or “Hand Scraped”? Rustic can simply be character grade flooring such as a #2 Common grade or equivalent. It can mean wide planks and long length. It can mean knot holes and discoloration from mineral streaks and stains. It can mean a floor that is worn from years of traffic. The variations within each of these descriptions can be endless. For hand-scraped flooring the variations can be just as varied. The words mean someone has actually scraped the flooring with some kind of scraping tool. In today’s world this can also mean that a machine is used to impart the scraped look to the flooring, thus “factory finished hand scraped” flooring that is machine scraped.
Also, even a factory can employ laborers to hand scrape flooring. Much of the custom hand-scraped flooring is site scraped to the particular wishes of the consumer. With any custom floor setting customer expectations are critical. Samples of the finished product are generally needed to illustrate the look. And since the product is hand worked you must explain to the consumer all variations produced may not be shown in the sample but the sample is representative of the look. As the following descriptions show, the costs associated with this custom made product can be all over the spectrum from $10 to $20 per foot to $100+ dollars per foot. The more hand work and custom experience the higher the cost.
First is the rustic floor associated with the character marked grades of flooring. Our choices are endless. There can be wide plank which includes flooring from 3” to 10” even 12” wide. Widths can be randomly distributed, a repeat pattern, or all the same width. Performance of the wider widths will be a critical issue. Most customers can understand the seasonal gapping associated with plank flooring but refuse to accept cupping. Eased edges also help to camouflage the seasonal gaps and any board to board unevenness associated with the extra wide widths. All the directives for strip flooring should be followed with great attention paid to moisture issues both of the site and the flooring itself. Proper
Photo 1
Right: This is a sample panel presented to the owner and architect. The flooring is rustic grade 7” quartered white oak to be nailed down. The process-- heavily scraped along the grain, hand rubbed with 180 grit sand paper, dyed with an aniline dye, buffed with steel wool to show the highlights of the raised edges, stained the overall color, shellac applied and waxed.
About the Author
8
www.fcimag.com
Mickey Moore is an independent wood flooring consultant. Previously he was the technical director of the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA). He is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a degree in wood working technology and biology.
March/April 2011
CIRCLE 28
Photo 2
Left Top: This is a practice panel to work on technique. The darker area---Edges and ends pillowed after installation (notice the artificial end joint), dyed with aniline dye, hand scraped, hand rubbed with fine sand paper, stained for general color, shellac then waxed. White area----Edges pillowed after installation, water popped and hand scraped, hand rubbed with find paper, stained white, buffed with red pad and steel wool to lighten raised areas, shellac then waxed. Left Center: Finished floor. Product 5”, 5”, 3”, 3”, 10”, 10” rustic white oak planks hand pillowed. French Bleed solution applied, hand scraped with attention to knots and other characters, splits and knot holes filled with epoxy, areas with epoxy re-scraped, hand rubbed with fine paper, stained, shellac applied then waxed.
Photo 3
Photo 4
environmental conditions and associated acclimation is critical. Moisture gain and related expansion after installation will likely result in cupping or buckling, so err on the side to allow field spacing. Also, be sure to back seal wide plank flooring after acclimation to help prevent cupping related to moisture differences between back and face. Wider planks will generally require extra fastening. Screwing and plugging can work and be hidden using plugs mimicking the face grain of the installed planks. Inform the consumer the technique to be used so there are no surprises. Trim screws can also work and be hidden by the particular area of grain and proper fillers. The wider planks may not be end matched so
10
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
Left Below: This is the scraping tool with wood shaving curls from walnut plank flooring. Note the curls are not short but thin and long. Most all are 18” and longer. These are curls produced by a properly sharpened and burnished scraper blade. For larger jobs with more the one mechanic scraping, there is often one person designated to only sharpen the blades.
grooving and inserting a spline will likely be needed to engage the ends. In addition, blind nailing at ends can firm end joints and keep them from moving. Also, gluing ends or along plank edges may also be a fastening choice. Just remember that any repairs will be more difficult and may require subfloor repair as well. It is important with rustic flooring not to install defective pieces. Splits and larger cracks can be filled with clear epoxy. This not only fills the opening but glues the wood so a larger issue doesn’t develop. For those planks with splinters and splits that can develop into splinters, these may have the rustic look but can become safety issues so cut them out. Another issue: large knot holes that can become a tripping hazard for small heels. These knot holes can also be an extra character feature but safety is the primary issue to avoid liability. Either cut the area out or fill the hole with epoxy compound which can stand the expected traffic. The custom hand-scraped floor The choices for the hand-scraped floor are as varied as the number of contractors that do this type of work and can vary even from mechanic to mechanic in the same company. Here it is very important to set the customer’s expectations with a sample board or finished sample area of the floor (Photo 1). The procedures for the job must be the same as the sample presented. These floors are generally high-end floors that require extensive hand work. Be sure not to sell your talents short and wind up working for minimum wage with these custom floors. Many floors begin with an exotic or specially cut flooring species. Often the planks are prepared in the shop by pillowing or easing the edges. This is all done by hand with a small side wheel grinder and sanding wheel. The object is to not have a perfect factory like bevel but one with variation. The contractor may even want to bench scrape the boards before delivering them to the site. I can’t say it often enough, but moisture readings of the site and flooring as related to acclimation must never be overlooked to determine if everything is acceptable.
CIRCLE 12
Left: This is a cobblestone flooring panel that can be an entry floor. Students at an expert class completed this panel. The blocks are from 6” white oak planks, pillowed and installed, with a log cabin walnut border. Note the blocks alternate grain direction. The flooring was hand scraped, hand rubbed with fine paper, a sealer stain applied, then waxed.
Photo 5
Hand scraping often follows wetting the surface of the flooring. This wetting process can also be part of the coloring process to give a special antiqued look. A “French bleed” using
water and vinegar with steel wool to wet the surface and allow the solution to react with the tannins in the wood and impart the desired color can be one process. Bleaching can also be done and ®
Now more than EVER!
www.RapidRH.com 1-800-207-2486
10 Times Faster Lowest Cost per Test Simplest to Use Easiest to Comply with ASTM F2170 U.S. Patent 7,231,815. Additional patents pending
CIRCLE 2
12
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
adds to the old distressed look. Analine dyes and trans-tints mixed with water or alcohol for overall coloring are also used. With the wetted fibers the scraping can go somewhat easier. A good scraping tool and technique should produce thin shavings or curls 16” to 24” long (Photo 4). But, remember there is no such process called easy scraping it’s all hard work. During the process you can work the grain to dish it out and you can scrape aggressively around knots to high light for the raised effect (Photo 3). Wire brushing can also be a procedure used to give a worn appearance by removing the soft grain. There are sanding machine attachments that can give the wire brushed look. You can also distress the flooring by adding worm holes with a board and protruding nails, add nail holes for the reclaimed look, and use a dremel tool to custom distress areas. The overall look should be uniform with a random pattern and areas that are not prominently different from other areas. Finishing is next. With distressed and hand scraped floors they have to be prepared for the finish; just finishing after the scraping process will give a very uneven finish. Don’t use a screen or sanding disc on a hand scraped floor. Hand rub the entire floor with fine paper stick-it strips on a fiber pad. Use a buffer with a steel wool pad or a softer type driving pad and the stick-it type strips. Using a sanding disc or screen will remove much of the hand work you just created. Even the application of the finish is best accomplished by hand rubbing. The antique look often desired is best accomplished with a
Photo 6
penetration type finish. These finishes are referred to as hard wax oil finishes. They have the natural oils similar to the tongue oils but with resins that add a hardener to give more durability and protection from water events. Apply by hand rubbing and wiping away the excess. Two applications may be necessary to get the optimum protection and the desired patina. Shellac (universal, dewaxed, waxed) are frequently used for finishing these floors. After drying is complete an application of wax is normally used to complete the look with a satin like luster. You can use either a paste wax or liquid wax colored or neutral but be sure the final wax application is with
Left: Finished floor. 8” Burmese teak hand selected and custom milled to show space between plank edges. There are no gaps or easing of the plank ends. The planks were hand scraped in a ripple pattern, hand rubbed with 180 grit paper, stained provincial, 2 coats of shellac 50/50 solution applied, and 3 applications of paste wax.
paste wax to avoid scuffing. Since these custom floors are found in high-end homes maintenance is done by a cleaning contractor or site maintenance personnel. Be sure to educate them on the proper maintenance of the floors. Remember these are custom floors, unique, one of a kind. They are expensive and the owners expect the best and pay for that expertise. You don’t just decide to go out and bid a hand scraped job without special training. Your best training opportunity is to attend one of the expert classes specifically directed to the hand scraping techniques. Then, if you are lucky, try and work with an artisan that does these floors regularly. In any case after you attend a class make up some large panels at you home shop and practice and perfect your technique before attempting a job (Photo 2). These jobs can be an opportunity to set you above the competition and allow you to step to the next skill level as well as monetarily. I would like to thank my friend Daniel Boone for the hand-scraped photos shown with this article. FCI
Fits on all ajustable bases
by PRIMATECH
The roller base features: Fits on all fixed bases
02-2011
Delivering maximum COMFORT and SPEED US / CAN 1 (800) 363-1962 •
[email protected] • Highest gain of Time for the lowest Effort • Total precision of fastening • Left or right gliding without coming off the flooring board • Bearing-mounted rollers • Replaceable urethane wheels
in h you t See go, Boo Die 2026 San
CIRCLE 3
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
13
Waterproofing and Vapor Proofing by Dave Gobis
TT
he concept of waterproofing is easily understood; something either leaks or it doesn’t. Water leaks are easy to find; they always leave a trail such as a drop, trickle, stream, or occasionally, a small river. It comes as a surprise to many that because something is waterproof does not mean it is vapor proof. Water is a liquid molecule that is easily seen. Vapor on the other hand is a gas. We know when it is raining out because we clearly get wet. Humidity on the other hand (moisture vapor) can be very elusive to detect unless unusually high. When it comes to water and vapor proofing structures, the vapor part is very hard to detect and impossible without specific instruments. Both water and moisture vapor can be a very destructive force on many materials used in modern building construction. With tighter building envelopes there is a growing need to think in terms of moisture management which includes both liquid water and water vapor. Current industry standards only address the water aspect of moisture management. Older and less energy efficient methods of building construction used in the past would allow for drying vast amounts
About the Author
14
www.fcimag.com
of moisture or moisture vapor in a structure. That is no longer possible with the house wraps, insulation and other energy code requirements in place today. I am not sure how accurate or the basis of the statement
but one respected building science professional stated older homes were capable of dispersing hundreds of gallons of water in vapor form, but with newer homes, even 10 can be a problem with tight building envelopes.
This was one of 136 showers that was to receive floor-to-ceiling waterproofing in a hotel. The opposite side of the shower wall was covered with vinyl wall covering. Guests were complaining of mold smells within a year of the renovation.
David M. Gobis, a third-generation tile setter, is an independent Technical Consultant. He has been in the trade for over 37 years and owned a successful contracting business for many years prior to his current position. Mr. Gobis is an Author of over 100 trade related articles and a frequent speaker at industry events. He is member of the Construction Specification Institute, International Code Council, American Concrete Institute, National Tile Contractors Technical Committee, voting member of The American National Standards for Ceramic Tile Installation and Setting Materials (ANSI A108/118), American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM) C-21 Ceramic Whitewares, and Tile Council of America Installation Handbook committees. You can reach Dave via email,
[email protected] March/April 2011
Heavy duty performance in a lightweight epoxy grout.
s 0ART3OLIDS%POXY s.OSHRINKAGEORCUPPING s2ECYCLEDCONTENTQUALIlES FOR,%%$®
SMOOTHER. LIGHTER. EASIER TO USE. WE KNOW GROUT. WE’RE CUSTOM.
To learn more about CEG-Lite, get the free mobile app for your phone
http://gettag.mobi
CUSTOM GROUT SOLUTIONS CEG-Lite
www.customgroutsolutions.com 800-272-8786
Top Left: I think the workmanship here speaks for itself. Thus, it should have been no surprise that the contractor on this job did not waterproof the seams of this acrylic coated (waterproof) backer board after using a liquid system on the floor.
Bottom Left: Adequate film thickness is everything when using liquid waterproofing products. Typically multiple thin coats are required. Depending on the product they may be rolled, brushed, sprayed, or troweled.
Surprisingly, despite millions of dollars in tile-related water damages to structures every year, very little study has been done on effective moisture management for tile installation systems. Ceramic tile, given its limited use in the big picture of the building envelope, has not come under the moisture management microscope thus far. But, when you stop and consider that the average shower sees more moisture than a rain forest in a year, sooner or later we will get their attention. The overwhelming majority of tile and related moisture management is applicable to interior structures. The need for effective waterproofi ng and moisture management today is much greater than in the past for reasons already mentioned. As the level of moisture management needed and methods of construction vary widely there are very few products out there that work universally in every application. Manufacturers offer many different products so that those needs can be competitively met. The current tile industry test for waterproofi ng products, ANSI A118.10, uses a column of water over a piece of membrane that is visually inspected after 48 hours for evidence of moisture penetration. If no trace of water is observed (after 48 hours) the product is deemed waterproof. There is no requirement under waterproofi ng for vapor permeability. What is
16
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
permeability? It is the ability of vapor to pass through a given material. All materials, even steel are permeable. There is no such thing as an impermeable material; all building materials and variations thereof have different “perm” ratings. Under building code, a material with a perm rating of less than 1 is considered impermeable. How they arrive at that number is where things can get very technical so I will give you the short version. The test used to determine permeability is ASTM E-96. The test used for building code is ASTM E-96A. However, there are 5 versions of that test, 96A-96E, and all providing different values. To make things a little more complicated, different manufacturers test their products using the test that best suits them. For the purposes of this article, we will use the values under ASTM E96A Waterproofing products we typically use in the tile industry can vary widely in permeability from as little as .02 to as much as 4 and are still considered waterproof. That means they leave no visible water on the underside of the product being tested after being exposed to a column of water for several days. Vapor may pass, there is no restriction, but actual water may not. There may well be instances where we would not want any vapor (meaning minimal) penetration such as a steam shower that was in use 24/7 as vapor passage can have a cumulative effect on the wall cavity. Then again, there are instances where we want a waterproof surface but it needs to breathe, such as a tile installation over a concrete slab on grade in an area with a high water table. The variations of installation requirements can be numerous and should always be given through consideration prior to product selection. Let’s take a look at some examples. There is no tub/shower area where the wall cavity of a structure would not benefit from no water penetration and reduced moisture vapor. Regardless of what geographical area you reside in, it is always a bad idea to drive any type of moisture into the wall cavity whether composed of masonry or wood. Bad things happen when moisture is trapped in a confined space with little to no ventilation. While backer boards are generally unaffected by water some allow for relatively large quantities of moisture retention by drawing water from the cement grout or in some cases, absorbent wall tile. Not too many weeks go by without the “I used backerboard; why is
my tub and/or shower leaking” claim, falsely believing that all backer boards are waterproof. Ideally, tile in wet areas should be installed directly over surfaces that are both waterproof and have low permeability. This can be done in several ways. Some backer boards themselves have these properties and can be waterproofed by treating the seams. It can also be accomplished through liquid and sheet membranes, even a few certain types of thinset mortars. An added benefit of stopping water at the surface is the overall humidity in the surrounding area will be reduced by not having to provide the air to dry out a larger wet mass of wall due to the thinner moisture retaining profile of the tile and membrane. Very few homes or commercial structures have means of adequate ventilation to deal with the higher levels of moisture typical in the tight energy efficient building envelopes used today. Any reduction of moisture vapor is a welcome plus to healthy air.
All showers should be properly waterproofed. Showers which have a
With tighter building envelopes there is a growing need to think in terms of moisture management which includes both liquid water and water vapor. Current industry standards only address the water aspect of moisture management.
much greater surface area than tub/ showers and are typically more confining,
CTIOA
which also means less airflow. With all the products on the market at just as many price points there is simply no reason to not have an effective moisture management system in showers. Think of a shower as a rain forest contained in a tile structure with only one means of escape, the drain. The conventional full mortar shower was a tried and true method that has worked for hundreds of years when properly constructed. Today backer board and mortar shower bases are the common products used in shower applications. Most cement backer boards recommend a vapor retarder such as 15# roofing felt or 4 mill plastic over the studs prior to application of the board. In some geographical locations this is not allowed due to exterior vapor drive in the wall assembly. This makes a good case for recommending a full moisture management system in every shower. Steam showers have gone from a blip on the radar 10 years ago to an increasingly common installation. Steam is a vapor that will penetrate
More Ways to Stay Connected
Ceramic Tile Institute of America Inc. 12061 Jefferson Blvd. Culver City, CA Phone 310-574-7800 Fax 310-821-4655
[email protected] Offers Nationwide Service
!
L VE
Various Consulting Services Include: • Technical Assistance • Specification Review
• Product Development Assistance • Inspection Services • Expert Opinion/Witness • Testing Services • Forensic Research • Field Quality Control • Thermal Imaging • Specification Writing • Educational Services
Contact Your Representative
18
Gray LaFortune Executive Director
[email protected] Jeffrey Pompadur Hawaii and Pacific Dir.
[email protected] Dave Gobis Technical Consultant
[email protected] Ralph Williamson Southwest Dir.
[email protected] www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
Paul Wilson Asst. Executive Director
[email protected] Go to www.fcimag.com for more information
Substrate. Joint width. Tile type. Whatever the variables, one color consistent grout.
sNEWCOLORSnTOTAL s#ONSISTENTCOLOREVERYTIME s2ECYCLEDCONTENTQUALIlES FOR,%%$® s.EWPROTECTIVEPACKAGE
#/.3)34%.4,)'(47%)'(4-/2%#/,/234(!.%6%2 7%+./7'2/547%2%#534/-
CUSTOM GROUT SOLUTIONS CEG-Lite
www.customgroutsolutions.com 800-272-8786 To learn more about Prism Grout, get the free mobile app for your phone
http://gettag.mobi
the smallest pores without a moisture management system in-place but which one to use? This is a very gray area in both waterproofing products and code. Given their relatively new popularity, there is not a long history to draw on so we must apply some basic common sense principles. All areas of a steam shower must have an appropriate moisture management system. Water vapor in a
wall cavity is bad and without completely covering all surfaces with the appropriate membrane and sealing all penetrations troubles are likely. If the steam shower is somewhat of a novelty item, seeing only occasional use in a residential application, many waterproofing products with perm ratings higher than 1 may be up to the task. While there is no clear guidance yet from code or the tile industry documents,
Made for
TILE
Schluter®-DITRA
common sense says the greater the use, the less permeable the system should be to avoid damage to the surrounding structure. This limits the amount of liquid or trowel applied systems up to the task. Many do not recommend their products for commercial application which anticipates daily use for long periods of time. Actual anticipated use should be carefully and realistically evaluated. Make your choices wisely when working on steam showers in any setting. Throughout this article I have replaced the terms waterproofing with moisture management. When using this term we are correctly indicating that moisture in both liquid and vapor form should
Surprisingly, despite millions of dollars in tile-related water damages to structures every year, very little study has been done on effective moisture management for tile installation systems.
Uncoupling membrane for tiled floors Specifically designed for ceramic and stone tiled floors, DITRA provides the four essential functions that protect the integrity of the tile assembly and ensure a long-lasting installation: tUncoupling tWaterproofing
tVapor Management tLoad Support
tPrevents the main cause of cracked tiles tWaterproof to protect your subfloor tLightweight alternative to cement backerboard tEasy to handle and transport tCuts with utility knife or scissors – no saws and no dust tQuick and easy to install tNo-nonsense warranty The Schluter®-DITRA Installation Handbook is your comprehensive resource for tile installations over various substrates. To obtain your free copy, visit:
www.schluter.com or call 1-800-472-4588 CIRCLE 4
20
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
be managed. Once you can create the thought process in your customers that homes should be protected from not only leaks but excessive moisture vapor, you will find many will embrace or at a minimum be more receptive to the associated additional cost of moisture management. If we continually refer to moisture management as waterproofing you will most assuredly meet continued resistance in trying to explain the benefits of a drier tile installation in a tight building envelope. In the current market, a little extra income while providing your client with a healthier building is a winwin opportunity. FCI
The grout choices you want for the results you need. CUSTOM GROUT SOLUTIONS CEG-Lite
s!MERICAS -OST0REFERRED 'ROUT s!VAILABLEIN 0OPULAR#OLORS
s#ONSISTENT#OLOR %VERY4IME s-ADEWITH2ECYCLED #ONTENTFOR,%%$® #ERTIlCATION
s%XCELLENT3TAINAND #HEMICAL2ESISTANCE s4HE/NLY3OLIDS %POXY-ADEWITH 2ECYCLED#ONTENTFOR ,%%$®#ERTIlCATION
s3HORE!(ARDNESS FOR5SEIN(EAVY 4RAFlC!REAS s3ILICONE #AULK/FFEREDIN #OLORS0LUS#LEAR
PRODUCTS. PERFORMANCE. COLOR PALETTE. WE KNOW GROUT. WE’RE CUSTOM. www.customgroutsolutions.com 800-272-8786 To learn more about Custom Grout Solutions, get the free mobile app for your phone
http://gettag.mobi
Polyblend is the #1 most preferred brand of grout in America according to the 2009 CLEAReport™ by Clear Seas Research.
Plastic Tucking Tool
Metal Stair Tool
INNOVATION GET ANY S Loop Pile Cutter
Linoleum Knife
Cushion Back Cutter
Smooth Seam Roller
Star Wheel Roller
Personna is proud to introduce a new professional installer. With new handle notch construction, Personna tools So when your reputation depends on
To find a Personna® dealer near
Quick Heat Glue Gun
N DOESN’T SHARPER
Heat Bond Iron
Aviation Snips
Molding Lifter
Knee Kicker
line of carpet installation tools for the designs, improved features and top are built to last. And built to perform. it, reach for Personna.
you, call 1-800 336-4061 CIRCLE 1
Tack Strip Cutter
A Carpet Installer’s Notebook
by MICHAEL HET TS
Taking a Different Turn Around the Corner
LL
ast month I showed you a way of making the corner with oriental runners by making a diagonal (45 degree) seam across the landing. In my opinion, that is probably the best way to make the turn because of hiding the seam. Even though you are not matching the pattern, you can’t really because you are quarter turning the runner; you can fake it better with the diagonal cut. The only problem with the diagonal cut is that you have a seam right at the foot pivot point of the landing. Having said that, let’s look at an alternative method of making the turn. What I call a “square cut corner” opposed to the previous mentioned “diagonal cut corner” takes the same amount of carpet to complete the turn. (Photo A) The carpet from the first flight will need to come even with the carpet turning to go up the second flight. This gives us solid carpet at the pivot point and enough border to extend past the field and miter with the second carpet. Again we are faced with the problem of pattern match, which is not possible of course, when quarter turning. Pick the center point of the part of the pattern on the second flight and measure from that center point to the edge of the border (Photo B), 7
About the Author
24
www.fcimag.com
½ inches in this case. That is the same distance the pattern center should be from the border of the runner coming up the first flight. To do these turns properly it is sometime necessary to do the landing separately or start from
the landing and stretch the first flight from the top down. The border miters are done the same as explained in last month’s “Turning the Corner.” As I said last month, with either technique, dealing with a mid-floor
Photo A
Michael Hetts is a CFI Certified Master Installer who has worked in the carpet installation field since 1970. He is currently serving as northeastern sales representative for Crain Cutter Co.; previously he served as a technical manager for Roberts Consolidated Industries.
March/April 2011
BIGGER BADDER BETTER Wood Adhesives
Subfloor Preparation
Resilient Adhesives
Carpet p Adhes Ad A Adhesives hesives hesiv he si
Accessories ies
WI t N C his
HO PP ER!
The APAC brand represents an installer-proven line of floor-covering floor-coverring installation products custom-designed for almost any type of flooring and subfloor conditions. This new APAC-brand product offering brings you the same quality of products you’ve come to expect from APAC, but now with a revved-up new look as well as some exciting new products. To rev up the excitement on this new launch, we’re introducing the APAC Classic Performance Sweepstakes where you can purchase select APAC products and register to win a $40,000 custom chopper or one of many other great prizes. Visit your local distributor for details.
Rebuilt with more horsepower Nothing beats the high performance of APAC floor-covering installation products… except the chance to win this APAC custom chopper. Visit us on the Web at www.apacadhesives.com to see our completely new product portfolio and learn how you can win this chopper! CIRCLE 34
I
to look like this, oject r p r Installer! you Tile nt d a e ¿ ’t w Certi on $ a d ire $ ou h y $ f
Photo B
$
Photo C
For more information on becoming a Certi¿ed Tile Installer Visit www.tilecareer.com or call 864-222-2131 Certification provided by:
Signature Level Sponsors: $FSBNJD5JMFTPG*UBMZt$PWFSJOHTt$SPTTWJMMF *ODt$5%"t/5$"t5$/"t5JMFPG4QBJO
RECYCLED RUBBER PRODUCTS LEADER SINCE 1985 RB Silent-Tread™ Acoustical Underlayment • Superior noise reduction • Environmentally responsible • 20 year limited warranty • Easy and fast to install
RB Zip-Tile™ • The non skid surface is easy to clean and maintain • Zip-Tile™ is manufactured in the USA from recycled scrap tires • Installation is as easy as aligning tabs and pressing together
ISO 9001:2000 FM 96378
800-525-5530 • www.rbrubber.com • National Distribution Centers CIRCLE 6
26
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
landing, (one flight of stairs running to the floor above and one flight running to the floor below) is problematic. You will not be able to fool the eye on both turns. Most, well 90+ percent of the time, the pattern repeats will not match with the landing width or your more important need of keeping the runner centered on the stairs. This is a situation that the customer must be made aware of before starting the installation or actually it should be brought up during the sales process. This last photo (Photo C) shows both corner types side by side. Of course you should not mix the corner types on the same job. They each have their benefits. The diagonal looks better on some carpet, like the runner I used in these articles. On others it is of no matter and the “square cut” gives the benefit of not having the foot pivot point on the seam. How much to charge? Well, the “diagonal cut” will be faster than the “square cut.” You should figure an hour for the “diagonal cut” and an hour and a half to two hours for the “square cut.” FCI
ULTIMATE
Environmental Commitment !2$%8%NGINEERED#EMENTSAND4HE77(ENRY#OMPANYAREFULLYCOMMITTED to environmental sustainability. As industry leaders, we have led in the production of environmentally responsible products, as well as the implementation of environmentally responsible programs and processes at our facilities. GreenLineTM Environmental Technology is employed in the development and production of ARDEX & HENRY products. Our research scientists continually look to develop formulations with significant environmental benefits.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
Industry Leading Innovation HENRY was the first flooring adhesive brand TOINTRODUCESOLVENT FREEADHESIVESWITH ULTRA LOW6/#EMISSIONSANDVIRTUALLYNOODOR Most HENRY products can contribute to valuable LEED® points for qualified projects. All ARDEX cement powder products have low 6/#EMISSIONS)NADDITION !2$%8PRODUCTS can contribute to LEED® points in several CATEGORIESUNDER6ERSIONREQUIREMENTS
Company Wide Commitment In addition to an intense focus on the development of GreenLine Products, ARDEX & HENRY are committed corporate wide to programs and employee empowerment for “green” conservation efforts.
s2ECYCLINGPROGRAMSATALLFACILITIES s%NERGYCONSERVATIONTECHNOLOGY s!DOPT ! (IGHWAY0ROGRAM s'REENAREASPRESERVEDATOURFACILITIES s7ORKINGWITH(ABITATFOR(UMANITY
www.ardexamericas.com
www.wwhenry.com
888-512-7339 CIRCLE 72
!2$%8(%.29#ORPORATE#AMPUSs!LIQUIPPA 0!
Top Far Left: Attendance at installation-related training events was strong, despite weak overall attendance. Bottom Far Left: FCI columnist Jon Namba hosted a panel discussion on “Common Causes and Corrections for Installation Failures.” Panelists included (L to R): Gerald Sloan, technical director of the National Tile Contractors Association; Jim Walker, founder and ceo of International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI); and Don Conner of the National Wood Flooring Association. Top Left: FCI columnist Anthony Palandro explains the proper techniques for laminate plank replacement on the S2 stage at Surfaces 2011. Left: Sam Biondi, Jr. of MAPEI North America demonstrates the company’s Opticolor expoxy grout at Surfaces 2011.
Installation in the spotlight at Surfaces 2011
S
urfaces 2011 continues the show’s long-running tradition of installation training, with a wide variety of installation-related panel discussions and demonstrations throughout the show. Kicking things off on Jan. 25, Dan Westcott and Jack Dean of INSTALL presented a one-hour installationfocused education session on the exhibit floor’s live stage. The presentation focused on the importance of installation certification. Later that day, FCI columnist Jon Namba hosted a panel discussion on “Common Causes and Corrections for Installation Failures.” Panelists included Gerald Sloan, technical director of the National Tile Contractors Association; Don 28
www.fcimag.com
Conner of the National Wood Flooring Association; and Jim Walker, founder and ceo of International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI). Attendance for the 90-minute session was standing room only, as the panelists fielded questions from the audience covering installation of carpet, wood, ceramic and resilient flooring. Although the new venue took some readjustment from veteran show attendees, everyone seemed to agree that it was a considerable improvement over the previous venue. “This year’s Surfaces/Stone Expo show event was an event times 2, and the signage around the show floor displayed just that with the S2 logos,”
March/April 2011
said Jon Namba. “With the addition of Stone expo the show had more to offer the attendees than in years past. A new venue, the Mandalay Bay created a lot of renewed excitement for many who have weathered the storm of the economy.” “I felt that the change to Mandalay Bay, along with adding Stone Expo and its seminars, gave a person a great value for being at Surfaces,” said installer Roland Thompson. “Surfaces and the vendors did an outstanding job by putting together a lot more live demos on how their product was to be installed along with new product demos. It made me feel that the show was not just for retailers but everyone in the industry.
The layout was easy to follow to find the products you were looking for.” “Surfaces is always a great show because of the people involved,” said Jim Walker. “The Hanley Wood staff does an outstanding job of preparation and follow through so the rest of us can enjoy it. The seminars were well attended and I heard from those who visited with us at the CFI booth that they greatly appreciated the opportunity to attend them at no cost. There’s enough education at this event to assist everyone for the year ahead. It appeared that many took advantage of this information.” While overall attendance for the threeday event was decidedly mixed, attendance at the educational events was strong, with some events filled to capacity. “The educational events were great, not only with the added seminars of both show events but the fact that they were free if the attendees registered early,” said
Jon Namba, who has been a presenter at Surfaces for many years. “The response
Although the new venue took some readjustment from veteran show attendees, everyone seemed to agree that it was a considerable improvement over the previous venue.
from the attendees in regards to the free education and selection of seminars was
tremendous. Turnouts in several seminars were well over 150 attendees. I had the opportunity to moderate common causes of installation failures with Don Conner, Jim Walker, and Gerald Sloan. The seminar was a panel Q&A with questions from the audience that filled the 90 minutes without any problems. I also conducted a substrate preparation for Hardwood, Bamboo, and Laminate on Wednesday afternoon. The attendance was well over 100, far exceeding my expectations!” The S2 main stage, which was referred to in the past as the installation showcase, was another successful venue. There were sessions showcasing stone product maintenance, new adhesive technology for tackstrip and transitions, woven carpet, laminate repair, large format tile installation, moisture testing, requirements for installation certification, and inspectors working with retailers. FCI
letters to the editor Subject: Great Article, again! Hello again, Dave. Great article as usual. I make all my guys read as many as possible. Every part of the process and reasons for them are clear and convincing. I took and completed CTEF, and use every one of the steps you outline, including notching the studs out. These steps have helped me create standard conventional showers and work my way up to HUGE Parade of Homes showers walk-ins and better paying wet work. It never fails that year after year a new Tile setter starts working at our store and I’m the one getting paid a year or two later to tear it back out and do it step by step. It may take longer, it may cost a little more in the beginning, but it pays for itself every time under all that rain. Thanks for the justifications for all the rules for my guys; after all I just practice what you preached at CTEF. Troy Von Roenn, owner TVRTILES,LLC Boulder, Colo. CIRCLE 7
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
29
II ndustry News ndustry News Motorcycle sweepstakes launches new APAC branding
Calendar of Events FCICA 2011 Convention Albuquerque, NM, March 6-11 (248) 661-5015 • www.fcica.com Coverings 2011 Las Vegas, NV, March 14-17 www.coverings.com
D
istributors of the APAC brand of floor-covering adhesives are revving up for 2011 with a new look in product packaging and marketing support materials, supported by a custom motorcycle sweepstakes promotion. “APAC adhesives represent a robust, well respected brand known to floorcovering installers for its classic performance,” said Product Manager Jeff Johnson. “Our new brand redesign reinforces this image, and product information is now available in English and Spanish.” New products have also been added to complete the line. To kick off the new look, the APAC brand introduced a yearlong sweepstakes promotion at Surfaces 2011. Visitors to the company’s booth
were able see the grand prize, a custom chopper designed and built by Demon’s Cycle of Pompano Beach, Fla. Throughout the year, each time an installer buys select APAC products, he or she will find a sticker attached. Information from the sticker can be submitted via the APAC web site at www.apacadhesives.com to find out if the installer has won a chance at the grand prize or one of several lesser prizes. The grand prize will be awarded at Surfaces 2012. “The classic performance of this motorcycle is a great match to the performance of APAC products,” Johnson said. “We have a winning combination here, and we intend to have a great time with our customers while getting a lot of mileage out of the promotion.”
In memoriam: Albert Wahnon
A
lbert Wahnon, founder and coowner of Floor Covering News, passed away recently in Plainview, N.Y. following a massive heart attack. He was 90 years old. Born on February 7, 1920, Wahnon led a distinguished career in the military and floor covering industry. Following service as a paratrooper in WWII, he was editor and then publisher of Floor Covering Weekly from 1955 to 1986. In 1986, he founded Floor Covering News with business partner Michael Blick (vice president and publisher) and remained active in the business until his death as president, editor and publisher. Among his many accomplishments 30
www.fcimag.com
while reporting on the events of the floor covering industry for over 55 years was his role as a founding father and member of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation. “Al was my partner for 21 1/2 years and I will sorely miss him,” said Blick. “He was my friend and much more than a partner. We consulted on everything and as a team came to the right decisions for us and our business to grow.” “Before we became partners, I watched in awe as he built a competitive publication and had the respect of the entire industry. I will miss his wit, laughter and the fun we’ve had together for over 20 years,” Blick added.
March/April 2011
NWFA 2011 Convention San Diego, Calif., April 27-29 (800) 422-4556 • www.nwfa.org
Installation Design Showcase returns to Coverings 2011
A
designer’s vision for using tile and stone in a project is only as good as the installer’s workmanship. That industry axiom will be well illustrated during Coverings 2011, Mar. 14-17, at The Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas, with the presentation of the Installation Design Showcase. A combined liveaction demonstration and exhibit, the Showcase will feature conceptual bath vignettes by three leading designers, and their creations will take shape in full view of Coverings attendees as some of the most experienced tile contractors working today ply their skills to the installation. The National Tile Contractors Association, a Coverings co-sponsor, helped to spearhead this initiative, which is in its second year, and several of its members who are Five Star Recognition status are participating. The build begins a few days ahead of the official opening of the show, and will be completed by end of day Tuesday, Mar. 15. The exhibit will remain through the expo’s close. “In our view, the Installation Design Showcase is the crown jewel of this year’s Coverings and effectively tells the tile and stone story,” said Jennifer Hoff, president of events for National Trade Productions, which manages and produces Coverings.
Green Installation Guide
Green Guide .....................................31
Green Installation Techniques ......... 33
FCI magazine is proud to present the latest “green” products and technologies from leading manufacturers in the floor covering installation industry. Find out how these companies can help you stay on the cutting edge of installation technology.
The word “green” has become omnipresent when discussing any construction-related subject, including flooring installation, but what does it really mean? Dave Garden of CFI explains what “green” means for installers, and how green installation practices can make their businesses more profitable.
Bostik ........................................................................36 Custom Building Products ........................................39 Franklin International ................................................ 37 Henry ........................................................................42 MAPEI ...................................................................... 41 Stauf USA .................................................................40
Waste Water Disposal .....................48 Most installers don’t consider the consequences when they dump their wastewater into the nearest storm drain, but that wastewater contains a number of very damaging toxins that contribute to the destruction of the environment. Jon Namba examines this problem and offers tips on proper waste water disposal.
W.F. Taylor ................................................................38
“Green” Resilient Flooring Q&A ........50 Departments Green Matters ...........................................................32 Green Products Spotlight ..........................................43 Green Installation Products Guide ............................46
Everywhere you look today, there are a host of new products touting how “green” they are, but is it just hype? Christopher Capobianco answers this and other “green” questions in this thought-provoking Q&A.
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
31
green matters Consolidated Carpet reaches 2010 carpet recycling goal
sponsored by:
Karastan first to receive Wool: Clear Air certification
K
A recent reclamation project at Pfizer, Inc.
C
onsolidated Carpet has surpassed its goal for 2010, diverting 1,059,284 pounds of used materials from landfills as a part of its ConServe Reclamation Program. Since the 1980s, Consolidated Carpet has maintained its goal of averting material from landfills and supporting environmentally conscious practices of reuse. Consolidated Carpet has partnered with the industry’s leading manufacturers to assist in the collection process of used carpet to supply feed stock for some of the most innovative recycling programs in the flooring business. It is the third consecutive year that the company has surpassed its goal of diverting over 1,000,000 pounds of materials. Through the ConServe carpet recovery program, a renewed means of use is provided for anywhere from several hundred to several thousands of yards that would have been disposed in a non-environmentally sound manner. Consolidated Carpet, with its
32
www.fcimag.com
ConServe Reclamation Program, serves as a member of the Carpet America Recovery Effort which aims to achieve an objective of 40% landfill diversion by the year 2012. The ConServe Program also donates used flooring to charitable organizations such as the YMCA in Mamaroneck, New York and the Nazareth House in Downtown Manhattan. In addition, Consolidated Carpet recently donated linoleum flooring to the Pediatric Oncology treatment/family room at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, NJ. Consolidated Carpet also donated 6,000 yards of carpeting as well as flooring materials for the rebuilding of seven firehouses in New Orleans, following Hurricane Katrina. As one of the nation’s largest fullservice floor covering contractors, Consolidated Carpet leads the industry in environmentally conscious programs and is committed to providing innovative sustainable and reclamation services on every project.
March/April 2011
arastan is the first company to carry the new Wool: Clean Air Certified label from Wools of New Zealand, signifying its products meet LEED point requirements for indoor air quality, as well as California Section 01350 and Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) standards. “Solid scientific backing and high testing standards give the Wool: Clean Air Certified label impressive credibility that we are proud to carry on our products,” said Connie Berry, Karastan’s director marketing. “Wool is proven to significantly reduce indoor air contaminants within seven hours of installation and to keep contaminants out of the air for 30 years,” added Elise Demboski, WONZ’s exec director North America. Carpets and rugs containing a minimum of 50 percent wool are eligible for Wool: Clean Air certification. For more information, visit woolcleanair.com.
CCA Global Partners joins CARE
C
CA Global Partners is the latest flooring group to join Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) as a corporate member. CCA Global Chairman and co-CEO Howard Brodsky made the announcement during the recent annual stockholders’ meeting for the Carpet One Floor & Home division. “CCA Global is proud to be a corporate member of CARE, which complements CCA Global’s environmental leadership,” Brodsky said. “We encourage [CCA Global retailers] to join this organization.” CARE is a nationwide organization committed to the diversion and recycling of post-consumer carpet.
Green Installation Techniques By Dave Garden
II
f you are in the business of bidding jobs you know that customers are more educated than they used to be. When bidding a job there are many different concerns a customer may have about the products we are using in their home or place of business. The word “green” has been used in a much greater fashion over the past decade. Something that installers do not realize is that the greener they are the more money they make. What many installers do not know is that the products they are installing are already “green.” So the question that gets asked is what is “green”? “Green” as we refer to it deals with a carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is “the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person”. For us simple people, it is the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted. If you are going to bid a LEED project you are using a point system to determine how environmentally friendly your project is. Personally I like this idea. It keeps
the costs similar from bid to bid, so no one can really gain a large advantage without cutting their own profits. Most of us are never going to understand the ins and outs of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), but what we should understand the difference between materials advertised as “green” and those that are not. If you are dealing with hard surfaces this sounds simple, but it’s not. Just because wood is a natural product does not necessarily make it green. This all depends on the products finish. Nothing can just be
assumed. What you need to do is look for the correct labels. If you are installing a floating floor the underlayment could be an issue. Natural products such as cork may be better than plastic, but only if the manufacture allows it. The linoleum industry is working on ways to keep gasses from the linoleum from evaporating into our environment. Carpet manufactures are creating new fibers that are more environmentally friendly. Heck, most of us have been using recycled pad for years. These are all manufacturing remedies.
Right: A hepa vacuum is an essential part of any installer’s “green” toolkit.
About the Author
David S. Garden Is a CFI Master II certified carpet installer. He is also certified by the NWFA for Hardwood and Armstrong for laminate. Dave is also a certified inspector through FCITS. Dave is currently working as the Operation Manager for Installation Services, which serves the Detroit market.
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
33
Just because your truck is not brand new does not mean you can’t take care of it.
What can we do as installers to create an environmentally friendly or “green” atmosphere around us? Anyone of us whom has children does concern themselves with their well being and future. Most of us believe we should be leaving this earth in better shape than we got it. So what can we do to help? What
Through Tile Partners for Humanity, the tile industry’s charitable organization, you can make a difference in someone’s life. You can help low-income families build simple and durable homes, or other nonprofit organizations such as the Appalachian Youth Center in their construction projects. Your donations help TPFH to achieve their mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. There are so many ways you can contribute. All of us can take time to promote Tile Partners for Humanity within our industry. Manufacturers and distributors can donate excess or obsolete tile and tile-setting materials as well as gift-in-kind donations (such as this ad, which was generously created by MAPEI). Even installers can make a contribution: By volunteering time and labor, you can make sure the installations are sound. You can also make financial donations to TPFH on your next eBay sale by selecting TPFH as your nonprofit organization, or by becoming a financial sponsor of TPFH. For more information, please visit our website at www.tpfh.com or contact Lynn.Labuda@ tpfh.com or (770) 416-0200.
34
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
most people do not understand is that everything we do affects the world around us. What we drive, the way we drive. How we take care of our vehicles. Simple things we do every day help make us green. As installers we take care of our work trucks way better than we used to. We used to drive trucks with tires from the ‘60s. Some had treads, some were showing steel belts. It used to be common for a work truck to leak oil like a spaghetti strainer. These days have been over for a while. Simple economics has taught most of the installation community that a cleaner running vehicle regardless of age is cheaper to run than one that is always breaking down due to lack of simple maintenance. Conventional wisdom tells us that we will never get 40mpg in our work trucks. However, we do not need to settle for 5 mpg either. Where we throw our garbage affects our environment. Heck, what we eat can affect our environment. I have met a few installers whom I believed were just plain bad for the air quality around them after they ate lunch. The very first question that pops into my mind is about recycling. Do you recycle? Or do you just take your trash to the dump? One of the things that has changed in my area since I got into this trade is hauling away the customers old carpet and pad. We used to leave it outside in a pile. This is no longer acceptable. Hindsight being 20/20, I think removing the pile from the front of the house for a nominal fee is a good idea. You will never get a complaint about the customer’s kids hurting themselves on what you leave behind and you have increased your bottom line. It’s a win-win scenario. What you do with the old material after you leave is up to you. Behind the warehouse I work out of, there is a large trailer for recycling. We recycle everything we can. If you are in a situation that there is not enough room for a recycling trailer, there are many supply chains that have programs where they accept padding for recycling. I have a deal worked out with a local recycling company. I put all my carpet and pad into the trailer. Used carpet along side all scraps from the jobsite. This cuts my dumpster fee down tremendously. I get charged a flat rate for the trailer to be replaced with a new one. Then I get paid back for everything that can be recycled. If I make sure the trailer is packed correctly, I can break even on the cost. A method of marketing yourself as green can be done through the supplies we use. If you are using a direct-glue method for installation, the adhesive you use deserves some consideration. A lot of installers have been using green adhesives and do not even know it. Some adhesives are “greener” than others. Some supply houses only carry green adhesives others have a variety. They run in the same price range just omit less VOCs. Seam sealer can also be green. Any adhesive manufacture that sells products in the state of California has to adhere tougher standards than other states. How does any of this stuff affect the everyday installer who works for a retail outlet. Everything you do represents who you want to be. If you want to protect your environment, start with what you can control. The air quality that surrounds you affects both your health and your customer’s health. Make sure the carpet is vacuumed before you remove it. This does not have to be done by you, the customer can vacuum too. You just need to have this conversation to assign responsibility before you begin removing the old carpet. When you decide to vacuum, use a
These are pictures of a recycling trailer. Imagine how much money can be saved from your dumpster if you pack a trailer like this one correctly.
hepa vacuum, or one with a hepa filter. This does not sound like much, but it does promote goodwill. Something else I started doing is cover cupboard doors and counter tops with cardboard or plastic. I do this to protect the finish but, it also keeps whatever is inside the cupboards clean. You have to remember, as you work inside a home you are disturbing the surrounding environment. Dust gets everywhere. Another thing we can do is reuse garbage bags. This both saves money and the environment. I know a couple of installers who spent thirty bucks on the most expensive and thick bags they could find four years ago and just keep emptying them into our trailer. Sounds silly but it helps. These are just a few suggestions that can help you market yourself as someone who care about the world we live in. If the customer believes you are the type of person that is concerned about the environment, then to them you are. Something that rarely gets thought about is where your tools and supplies are manufactured. An American tradition is to get everything as inexpensive as possible. People want to maximize their dollar by shopping price instead of quality. This idea has pushed some manufactures to produce their product overseas. In order to produce a product in the USA, manufacturers have to follow pollution laws. These laws are not as stringent in other countries. You should understand
that there is a reason your tool is so cheap. Also understand that you could unknowingly be part of the problem. I am not going to get into which tools are made where or where your tackstrip is coming from, but you should find out. If you are
the type of person that cares, this could end up affecting what you purchase. The point is, most of us are more “green” than we realize. We just do not market it. If a client asks us what we do for the economy be prepared to answer. When you have your answers ready you look confident. This does make you appear more professional. Personally, I will take whatever edge I can get. There is an old saying though. if you are going to talk the talk. You better walk the walk. If you are going to talk a big game about how much you care, and you mix your floor prep next to your customer’s furnace. You will probably end up looking a bit disingenuous. Also if your installation is not right, none of this matters anyway. FCI
CIRCLE 8
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
35
green guide Bostik
Bostik’s Sustainable Innovation
C
onstruction of buildings has a significant impact on people and the environment. Paying attention to the needs of designers, construction project managers, building owner and occupiers, Bostik aims to market construction systems that are cleaner, healthier and more sustainable.
New Introductions to Bostik’s Green Product Portfolio: Bostik has recently introduced flooring solutions that meet or exceed the USGBC LEED V3 Green Building Rating System’s credits for Recycled Content and Rapidly Renewable Materials as well as Low Emitting Materials: Products that meet or exceed the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) credits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 Bostik’s Ultra-Set® SingleStep™ Wood Flooring Adhesive, Moisture Protection & Sound Reduction Membrane offers a VOC content of 0 g/L and contains 1% recycled materials. It is ideal installing
36
www.fcimag.com
all types of hardwood flooring including solids and bamboo and can be used for above-, on- and below-grade applications. Ultra-Set SingleStep is the only multifunctional, practical adhesive with patent-pending Thickness Control™ Spacer Technology that ensures proper film thickness and virtually eliminates installer error. Bostik TruColor Pre-Mixed Grout offers a VOC content of 35 g/L and contains 8% post-consumer recycled glass and is therefore an excellent product for green building projects. This premium, ready-to-use, pre-mixed product, is improving the quality and longevity of tile installations worldwide. It resists all types of stains including coffee, red wine, and tomato sauce and it never needs to be sealed. TruColor Grout surpasses the performance of epoxy and cement-based grouts, while being easier and faster to install. Bostik GreenFusion2™ Rubber Flooring Adhesive is a solvent-free*, twocomponent, trowel-applied, urethane
March/April 2011
adhesive specifically formulated for the installation of rubber flooring in the most demanding environments where extra heavy traffic, rolling loads or extreme climatic conditions may exist. GreenFusion2 is a 0-VOC formulation as calculated by SCAQMD Rule 1168 that contains 27% renewable content. Once cured, this adhesive is not adversely affected by exposure to moisture or water; its superior properties provide a tenacious bond to a variety of surfaces either indoors or outdoors. About Bostik, Inc. Bostik is a worldwide company with over 4,000 employees, 48 production faciltites and sales operations in 45 countries across 5 continents. Bostik’s parent company is Total, a 246 billion dollar multi-national company. 1-800- 7/BOSTIK (1-800-726-7845) www.bostik-us.com www.greenmission.bostik-us.com
green guide Franklin International
By: Mark Lamanno, Technical Marketing Manager, Franklin International, Flooring Adhesives
Titebond GREENchoice Helps Flooring Installers Meet Stringent VOC Regulations
F
looring installers who long have relied upon Titebond® adhesives can stick with that trusted brand to meet stringent regulations for VOC levels, too. Franklin International, makers of Titebond adhesives and sealants, offers a number of green adhesives and other flooring products that easily meet national and global green building VOC standards. These products bear the Titebond GREENchoice™ mark, indicating that they meet VOC regulations established or proposed by LEED (Green Building Standard 189), Green Building Initiative (Green Globes Design Standard) and the National Association of Homebuilders, in conjunction with the International Code Council (National Green Building Standard). Franklin pioneered the GREENchoice brand of eco-friendly products to provide the construction industry a complete line of green adhesives and sealants that perform as well as their solventbased counterparts. All GREENchoice products are formulated with environmentally superior technology for the toughest jobs. Titebond flooring products that merit the GREENchoice insignia include a trio of popular adhesives and a revolutionary sound and moisture control system. Titebond 811 Advantage Urethane Wood Flooring Adhesive offers a VOC content of only 65 g/L and is ideal for above-, on- and below-grade installations. It is highly resistant to
moisture, mold and mildew and allows for easy cleanup to save time on the job. Titebond 821 Premium Urethane Wood Flooring Adhesive is ideal for installers who want powerful green grab along with advanced green technology. With strong initial grab, Titebond 821 Premium is recommended for use with solid wood, including threequarter-inch shorts and solid strips one-half inch or less. It has a low VOC content of 77 g/L. When speed and LEED are of the essence, installers can turn to Titebond 741 Ultimate Wood Flooring Adhesive. This adhesive is comprised of 100 percent solids, containing no water or solvent, and is VOC-free once cured. And it cures in record time – allowing foot traffic on freshly laid wood floors within only four hours after installation. Most urethane adhesives require 24 hours cure time before floors are used. All three of these wood flooring adhesives can be used with Titebond 571 Sound & Moisture Control System for on- and above-grade concrete subfloors. Although it costs significantly less, this product is as effective at reducing sound transmission as either a cork or sound underlayment and has the added advantage of keeping out potentially damaging moisture vapor. It achieves an IIC rating of 69 and an STC rating of 66. Furthermore, Titebond 571 Sound & Moisture Control System includes an extended warranty when used as directed for on- and above-grade concrete subfloors with any of the above wood flooring adhesives – and provides the installer ease of mind over potential damage to either the installation or the environment. www.titebondgreenchoice.com for more information.
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
37
green guide W. F. Taylor
Meta-Tec® MS-Plus Advance™ with 1-coat application Glide-ON™ Trowel
N
ever satisfied with the status quo, W. F. Taylor introduces its new Taylor Meta-Tec® MS Plus Advance Wood Flooring Adhesive. With the introduction of this advanced next generation adhesive, W.F. Taylor has enhanced its highly successful 100% solids Meta-Tec® MS Plus modified silane polymer Wood Flooring Adhesive to offer even higher performance and greater user friendliness. In addition to excellent bonding properties for all types of wood flooring and bamboo, Taylor MetaTec ® MS Plus Advance now offers excellent concrete moisture inhibition and sound deadening properties in a single one coat application - using
38
www.fcimag.com
the Taylor Glide-On trowel (available through W.F. Taylor.) Further enhancements include extension of the working time of to lay into the adhesive up to 70 minutes dependent on job site conditions. Trowel ridge retention has been improved to create better handling and troweling and improved adhesive transfer to the back of the flooring. This improved MS-Plus ADVANCE RHEOLOGY now offered in four gallon pails gives the user the ability to ship 50% more adhesive per pallet, saving on freight and number of units required for the installation. Taylor Meta-Tec® MS Plus Advance Wood Flooring Adhesive retains all of the outstanding properties that have
March/April 2011
made it the most advanced wood-flooring adhesive on the market. Taylor Meta-Tec® MS Plus Advance may be used to install all types of wood and bamboo flooring. Meta-Tec® MS Plus Advance, along with Taylor 2071 and Taylor 2051, are the only wood flooring adhesives certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute for low VOC’s, thus meeting all indoor air quality requirements, and earning LEED credits. The inclusion of the patented Meta-Tec® cross-linking chemistry with modified silane polymer moisture cure properties give Taylor MS Plus Advance a unique dual curing system that is unmatched by any other modified silane polymer based products currently on the market.
green guide Custom Building Products
CEG-Lite from Custom Building Products is Industry’s Newest Green Epoxy Grout
C
ustom® Building Products has a long, proven history of commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. Now Custom has introduced CEG-Lite™ Commercial Epoxy Grout, the latest Custom product to carry its respected Build Green® label. A lightweight, 100 percent solids epoxy grout, CEG-Lite is formulated with CustomLite® Technology, using the same recycled content found in Custom’s other lightweight setting materials and making it the first 100 percent solids epoxy grout that contributes to LEED certification based on recycled content. Because of its high durability,
installations using CEG-Lite as part of a complete system from Custom may have a longer lifespan, thereby reducing materials that end up in landfills when projects are replaced. And CEG-Lite is sold in both 1- and 2-gallon sizes to help reduce waste. But CEG-Lite is more than just an environmentally-responsible epoxy grout. CEG-Lite represents a breakthrough in epoxy technology, delivering the high stain and chemical resistance professionals expect, combined with handling characteristics and versatility that far surpass other epoxy grouts. Its innovative formula gives CEG-Lite a smoother, creamier consistency that flows easily
into grout joints and works effectively to prevent sag on vertical applications without additives. It is color-fast, delivers uniform color, and can be used for grout joints ranging in size from 3/4-inch down to 1/16-inch. Because of its high strength and extreme resistance to acids, alkalies, solvents and other chemicals, CEG-Lite is ideal for heavy-duty applications such as chemical or food processing plants, restaurants or hospitals that CEG-Lite exceeds ANSI A118.3 standards, and can be used with virtually any type of tile. For more information, please visit www.custombuildingproducts.com.
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
39
green guide Stauf
Stauf Adhesives- Nothing but “Green”
S
tauf Adhesives, USA, a division of the 180 year old German chemical company, is a founding member of the European Association for the Control of Emissions in Products for Flooring Installation (GEV). The GEV developed a product classification system named EMICODE which is a simple, reliable guideline for the emission behavior of building products necessary to protect consumers and the environment. Today EMICODE ratings have become the standard throughout the environmentally demanding European business community. Flooring installation products earning the coveted “EMICODE EC 1” rating offer the greatest possible safety standards for indoor air pollution for both installers and homeowners. And the EMICODE standards have been found to be equal or better than any other current “green” ranking system used in the U.S.
40
www.fcimag.com
March 2011
Wolfgang Stauf, President and owner of Stauf USA, notes that “The GEV is the only “green” licensing organization I am aware of that mandates random, secret testing of the products it classifies. This means one can always be assured of the accuracy and quality of any GEV products’ and their “green” rating. There is no changing of formulas after testing and getting away with it!” Stauf noted that all but one of the wood floor adhesive products Stauf USA offers have been awarded the EMICODE EC 1 rating. Those products include:
• PUM-950 Power-Mastic, the only urethane-based adhesive on the market without any isocyanates to etch the finish and therefore offering easy clean-up • SMP-960 One-Step, a polymer-based adhesive that combines a sound and moisture barrier in one easy application • ACS-210 True-Seal is a water-based moisture sealer that works with any type wood floor Adhesive, as well as sheet vinyl, VCT and LVT adhesives, and dries in less than two hours
• M2A-900 Eco-Mastic, a water-based, quick-grab, least costly adhesive • SMP-940 Superior, a polymer-based, moisture-cured, isocyanate-free adhesive
“Stauf is proud of our long commitment to environmentally safe products” said Mr. Stauf. “Everything we develop has to meet those requirements first.”
green guide By: Diane Choate, Public Relations Specialist – MAPEI
MAPEI
MAPEI Exceeds Its Goal with American Forests Global ReLeaf Program
Left: Mr. Luigi Di Geso of MAPEI and Margo Dawley of American Forests’ Global ReLeaf program present a “golden shovel” to Mr. Robert Thomas and Mr. L.A. Train of Swiff-Train Company. (L-R: Luigi Di Geso, Robert Thomas, L.A. Train, Margo Dawley)
I
n 2010 MAPEI, a world leader in the manufacture of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for the building industry participated in the Global ReLeaf program with American Forests, the nation’s oldest citizen-based environmental organization. . As part of a socially sustainable promotion for its new urethane wood adhesives product line, MAPEI committed to contributing one dollar from every wood urethane product sold to American Forests’ Global ReLeaf program. Each dollar represents one tree planted to help reforest areas lost to fires and other disasters. MAPEI contributed almost $225,000 for the year. Environmental care means more to MAPEI than a simple image enhancer; rather, it is a fundamental part of the company’s philosophy, its corporate commitment and its industrial responsibility. For this reason, MAPEI works continuously on the development of products that are environmentally friendly. Foremost in these efforts is
MAPEI’s Ultrabond ECO ® line, a broad range of products with extremely low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions for the installation of floorcovering materials of all types The latest addition to the Ultrabond ECO brand is MAPEI’s line of urethane wood-flooring adhesives. Phthalatefree formulations, based on the use of rapidly renewable materials, have been incorporated into Ultrabond ECO 995, Ultrabond ECO 990, Ultrabond ECO 980 and Ultrabond ECO 975 adhesives to provide a wide range of bonding systems for nail-free wood flooring. Virtually odor-free, these ecofriendly products help contribute to the attainment of LEED points for green building projects, specifically in the areas of indoor environmental quality related to low-emitting materials (IEQ Credit 4) and the use of rapidly renewable materials (MR Credit 6). MAPEI has recently added Ultrabond ECO 985 to the line, a 3-in-1 wood adhesive that also
provides moisture control and soundreduction properties to wood flooring installations. During the 2011 Surfaces Trade Show in Las Vegas, MAPEI recognized distributors who participated in the American Forests Global ReLeaf program. MAPEI Americas President and CEO Luigi Di Geso awarded “golden shovels” to representatives from the top three companies: Mr. Michael Kort of Lumber Liquidators, Mr. L.A. Train and Mr. Robert Thomas of Swiff-Train Company, and Mr. Jim Christian of C&C Whole Supply, Inc. “These shovels represent the acres of trees that American Forests volunteers planted as a result these companies’ sales of MAPEI wood adhesive products in 2010,” Di Geso said. “Thanks to their efforts and the efforts of all our distributors who took part in this project, we exceeded our goal of 200,000 trees. We are very proud that MAPEI products played an important role in this environmental effort.”
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
41
green guide ARDEX
ARDEX & HENRY A Corporate Wide Environmental Commitment Recently introduced was the Eco-Friendly “Bag in a Box” packaging for some HENRY adhesives. This new packaging significantly reduces disposal of plastic pails and the box itself is recyclable. The convenient valve system allows for less adhesive to be left behind which means less adhesive waste to be disposed.
ARDEX and HENRY Corporate Campus – Aliquippa, PA.
A
RDEX Engineered Cements and The W.W. Henry Company are fully committed to environmental sustainability. As industry leaders we have spearheaded the production of environmentally responsible products, as well as the implementation of programs and processes at our facilities to be a more responsible neighbor to our environment.
GreenLine Environmental Technology is employed in the development and production of ARDEX & HENRY products. Our research scientists continually look to develop formulations that result in environmentally beneficial products. Our manufacturing facilities have implemented production processes to help minimize our environmental footprint. HENRY was the first flooring adhesive brand to introduce solvent-free adhesives with ultra-low VOC emissions and virtually no odor. Most all HENRY Adhesives meet CRI GreenLabel Plus standards and can contribute to valuable LEED® points for qualified projects. ARDEX products have also undergone independent testing for VOC emissions. All ARDEX cementitious powder products have low VOC emissions. In addition, most ARDEX products can contribute to LEED® points in several other categories. 42
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
Company Wide Commitment In addition to the focus on the development of ARDEX & HENRY GreenLine™ Products, ARDEX Americas is committed corporate-wide to environmental programs, as well as empowering our employees to be stewards for the environment. • Recycling programs established at all training, corporate & manufacturing facilities that has reduced dumpster waste by 50%. • Adopt-A-Highway Programs keep roads near our facilities clean from trash and debris • Green area conservation at our facilities preserves the surrounding environment and wildlife. • Energy conservation efforts including motion & energy efficient lighting, low flow water systems and more efficient machinery have been implemented throughout our facilities At ARDEX & HENRY environmental sustainability is not just a slogan, it’s part of our culture!
Your Best Choice for “Green” Installation Success
g reen produc t s spot lig ht
Maxxon MAPEI MAPEI Introduces New Isocyanatefree Wood Flooring Adhesive Ultrabond ECO® 985 is MAPEI’s premium single component, hybrid-polymer-based wood flooring adhesive that is 100% solids, isocyante free and easy to clean up. Ultrabond ECO 985 provides a strong bond and excellent sound reduction properties while it protects wood flooring from moisture vapor emissions coming through concrete slabs. For more information, visit www.mapei.com Circle #118 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Bostik Bostik’s “Low-VOC Product Portfolio” brochure should prove helpful to architects and owners required to provide validation from manufacturers of a product’s VOC compliance with the standard. This product can be obtained directly from Bostik in quanties you need to distribute to your customer base or can be downloaded from the www.bostik-us.com Circle #111 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Maxxon offers green underlayments and green Acousti-Mat sound control mats. These products now always contain recycled materials, are GREENGUARD Children & Schools certified, and may help contribute toward earning points for LEED-certified projects. The green sound control mats contain 40 percent pre-consumer recycled content. www.maxxon.com Circle #119 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
RB Rubber Bona Bona’s dust containment and waterborne products have significantly reduced the health and environmental hazards of hardwood floor care. Bona was the first and only manufacturer in the industry to offer a complete hardwood floor finishing and floor care system, GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified™ www.bona.com Circle #110 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Custom Building Products EBM-Lite™ Epoxy Bonding Mortar delivers high stain, chemical and impact resistance with superb handling characteristics. Formulated with CustomLite® Technologyit’s the first 100& solids epoxy contributing to LEED based on recycled content. Eligible for a Lifetime Systems Warranty. www. custombuildingproducts.com
RB Silent-Tread and RB Silent Tread XL (with moisture barrier), have been approved as an acoustical underlayment and crack suppressant for installation under most popular flooring types. These include hardwood, engineered glue down, floating laminate, and ceramic tile. www.rbrubber.com Circle #122 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Stauf Stauf introduces non-etching urethane adhesive Stauf Adhesives’s new PUM-950 PowerMastic urethane adhesive features a new formula that eliminates harmful isocyanates which etch the finish, leaving marks that cannot be removed, the company says. In addition, PUM-950 has twice the shear strength of the strongest competitor, is easier to clean and spread, and is a completely “green,” product, according to Stauf. www. staufusa.com Circle #121 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Ecore QT is made in the USA from recycled rubber and is designed for use under all floor finishes to solve any impact sound problem. QT is backed by over 200 independent laboratory and field tests. www.ecoreintl.com Circle #114 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
43
UFloor Systems UZIN MK 200 Wood Flooring Adhesive
MP Global Products While many manufacturers in the flooring industry are changing their products to attract environmentally concerned customers, MP Global Products has always been “Green.” Each month, the company uses approximately 760 tons of recycled fibers from the carpet and textile industries that normally would have gone into landfills. “We didn’t have to reinvent ourselves to be green.” www.quietwalk.com Circle #125 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
“UZIN MK 200 is a 1-component moisturecured STP (Silane Terminated Prepolymer) hybrid adhesive that combines the powerful flexibility of a PU (Polyurethane) adhesive with the advantages of modern MS (Modified Silane) technology.” www.ufloorsystems.com Circle #126 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
WW Henry HENRY® 430 Clear Pro™ Clear VCT Flooring Adhesive HENRY® 640 VinylLock™ Pressure Sensitive Vinyl Flooring Adhesive
Monocoat Monocoat is a plant-based wood finish that contains no volatile organic compounds, applies in one coat, and produces an extremely durable, lasting finish. Available in a clear finish and in 34 colors, all one-coat. For information visit www.monocoat.us or email
[email protected] Circle #129 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
HENRY® 430 and HENRY® 640 best-in-class resilient flooring adhesives received the RFCI FloorScore® Certification. Both products already carry the CRI GreenLabel PlusCertification and are manufactured with GreenLine® Environmental Technology. In addition, to further enhance the industry best performance features of these premium adhesives that include coverage, working time and ease of use, both products were also recently announced with moisture resistance improvements up to 90% RH. HENRY, the most trusted brand in flooring adhesives for over 75 years remains fully committed to environmental and innovation leadership for new and existing products www.wwhenry.com Circle #116 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Laticrete LATICRETE® SpectraLOCK® PRO Premium Grout* LATICRETE is once again setting the standard for grout. Introducing LATICRETE® SpectraLOCK® PRO Premium Grout*; it’s everything you love about LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout, only better. With the new and improved non-sag formula, it’s even easier to install on walls while providing full, flush joints on the floor. LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout is stainproof^^ in residential installations providing the customer ease of maintenance and a beautiful appearance year after year. www.laticrete.com Circle #117 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
44
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
WocaDirect WOCA Oil Finish for wood contains primarily cold pressed vegetable oils and aromatic hardening oils. WOCA durable wood finishes are environmentally responsible, sustainable, and nonpolluting, with no artificial color pigments or preservatives. For information visit www.wocadirect. com or email info@wocadirect. com Circle #128 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
DriTac WF Taylor W. F. Taylor introduces its new Taylor Meta-Tec® MS Plus Advance Wood Flooring Adhesive. Certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute for low VOC’s, thus meeting all indoor air quality requirements, and earning LEED credits. www.wftaylor.com Circle #124 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
DriTac 1001 All-In-One, DriTac Ultimate 3-In1, DriTac 7500 Eco-Urethane, DriTac 7700 Easy Clean, DriTac 9200 FasTac and DriTac 8000 Eco-Moisture Guard have all been certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus Program for Indoor Air Quality! Containing zero VOCs and solvents, they are now the undisputed products of choice for all “green” building projects. www. dritac.com Circle #113 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Roberts/QEP Roberts® R7901 Acrylic Vinyl Flooring Adhesive is a transitional pressure sensitive vinyl flooring adhesive designed for installing most vinyl flooring coverings and carpets over porous and non-porous substrates. May contribute to one or more LEED points. www.qep.com Circle #115 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Raising the Bar for Grout...
AGAIN! SNAP IT
For additional product information snap the image with your phone. Get the free app for your phone at http://gettag.mobi
LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout* ®
®
Introducing LATICRETE® SpectraLOCK® PRO Premium Grout* – it’s everything you love about LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout, only better. With the new and improved non-sag formula, it’s even easier to install on walls while providing full, flush joints on the floor. LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Premium Grout is stainproof** in residential installations providing the customer ease of maintenance and a beautiful appearance year after year. www.laticrete.com| 1.800.243.4788 * United States Patent No.: 6,881,768 (and other Patents). ^^StainProof (residential installation only) to common household cleaners, liquids and other goods. Clean all spills immediately. A-3068-0211 ©2011 LATICRETE International, Inc. LATICRETE, LATAPOXY, SPECTRALOCK and the logo are Registered Trademarks of LATICRETE International, Inc.
CIRCLE 9
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
45
green insta llation products guide
ARDEX Email:
[email protected] Phone: (724) 203-5000 Type of Green Products: Substrate Preparation, Concrete Restoration & Repair, Concrete Toppings and Tile & Stone Installation with GreenLine™ Environmental Technology
Bona US Email:
[email protected] Phone: (303) 923-6685 Type of Green Products: All of these categories are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified – except where noted it has met the additional criteria of being GREENGUARD Children & Schools Indoor Air Quality Certified: Adhesives, Sealers, Finishes, Recoat Systems, Filler, Maintenance products (GREENGUARD C&S), Dust containment machines, Sanding machines, Edgers, Buffers Abrasives, Sport Finishes (GREENGUARD C&S) Green Product Brands Names: Bona R851 Adhesive, Bona R850T Adhesive, Bona AmberSeal™, Bona DTS®, Bonaseal®, Bona Naturale®, Bona Traffic® Anti-Slip, Bona Traffic®, Bona Mega®, Bona Mega Booster™, Bona Novia®, Bona Prep®, Bona Pacific Filler®, Bona Professional Series Cleaner, Bona® Portable Dust Containment System, Bona® Atomic Trailer®, Bona® Belt, Bona® Edge, Bona® Edge XL, Bona® Mini Edge, Bona® DCS® Buffer, Bona® Blue Anti-Static Abrasives, Bona Sportive™, Bona Sportive™ 1K™
Bostik Email:
[email protected] Phone: (978) 750-7321 Type of Green Products: Setting Materials Green Product Brand Names: Ultra-Set® SingleStep™ Wood Flooring Adhesive, Moisture Protection & Sound Reduction Membrane; TruColor Pre-Mixed Grout; GreenFusion2™ Rubber Flooring Adhesive
46
www.fcimag.com
Custom Building Products Phone: (800) 272-8786 Email:
[email protected] Type of Green Products: Adhesives, Grouts, Mortars, Underlayments Green Product Brand Names: CEG-Lite Comemrcial Epoxy Grout; EBM-Lite Epoxy Bonding Mortar; EasyMat Tile & Stone Underlayment; LevelLite Self-Leveling Underlayment; OmniGrip Maximum Tile Adhesive; MegaLite and MegaLite Rapid Set Crack Prevention Mortar; ProLite and ProLite Rapid Set Tile & Stone Mortar; Prism Surecolor Grout
DriTac Flooring Products Email:
[email protected] Phone: (973) 614-9000 ext 243 Type of Green Products: Wood Flooring Adhesives, Concrete Sealers, Installation Products Green Product Brand Names: DriTac 1001 All-In-One, DriTac Ultimate, DriTac 7700 Easy Clean, DriTac 9200 Fastac, DriTac 7500 Eco-Urethane, DriTac MES 7000 Eco-Seal, DriTac Eco-8000 Moisture Guard, DriTac Eco-6200GR
ECORE International Email:
[email protected] Phone: (866) 326-5712 Type of Green Products: recycled rubber sound control underlayments Green Product Brands Names: QTscu (patent no. RE 41,945) and QTrbm
March/April 2011
Franklin International Email:
[email protected] Phone: (614) 445-1507 Type of Green Products: Wood Flooring Adhesives, Moisture Control Systems, Caulks, Sealants, Construction Adhesives Green Product Brand Names: Titebond; Greenchoice
WW Henry Email:
[email protected] Phone: (724) 203-5000 Type of Green Products: Flooring Adhesive Green Product Brands Names: HENRY® 430 Clear Pro™ Clear VCT Flooring Adhesive HENRY® 640 VinylLock™ Pressure Sensitive Vinyl Flooring Adhesive
LATICRETE International, Inc. Email:
[email protected] Phone: (800) 243-4788 Type of Green Products: Adhesives, Thin-set Mortars, Crack Suppression, Sound Control, Grouts, Underlayments, Waterproofing Membranes Green Product Brands Names: LATICRETE® SpectraLOCK® PRO PREMIUM Grout*, LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout, LATICRETE SpectraLOCK 2000 IG, LATICRETE Glass Tile Adhesive; LATICRETE Hydro Ban™, LATICRETE 125 Sound & Crack Adhesive, LATICRETE 254 Platinum, LATICRETE 255 MultiMax™, LATICRETE PermaColor™ Grout, LATICRETE 9235 Waterproofing Membrane, LATICRETE 86 LatiLevel™, LATICRETE 3701 Fortified
Mortar Bed, LATICRETE 3701 Mortar Admix/LATICRETE 226 Thick Bed Mortar, LATAPOXY 300 Adhesive, LATICRETE Hydro Barrier™, LATICRETE Sure Set™ , LATICRETE 253 Gold, LATICRETE 252 Silver, LATICRETE 272 Mortar, LATICRETE 317 Mortar, LATICRETE 220 Marble & Granite Mortar, LATICRETE 1776 Grout Enhancer, LATICRETE 1500 Sanded Grout LATICRETE 1600 Unsanded Grout, LATICRETE Blue 92 Anti-Fracture, Membrane/LATICRETE Crack Suppression Kit, LATAPOXY® 312 Vapor Reduction Membrane
MAPEI Corporation Email:
[email protected] Phone: (954) 246-8799 Type of Green Products: Floor Covering Installation Systems (FCIS) Green Product Brands Names: Ultrabond ECO 995 premium moisturecontrol, sound-reduction and wood-flooring adhesive; Ultrabond ECO 985 hybridpolymer-based, moisture-control and sound-reducing wood-flooring adhesive Ultrabond ECO 975 professional urethane engineered-wood-flooring adhesive; Ultrabond ECO 885 premium polyolefinbacked carpet adhesive; Ultrabond ECO 810 professional carpet tile adhesive
Maxxon Corporation Email:
[email protected] Phone: (800) 356-7887 Type of Green Products: Underlayments and Sound Control Mats Green Product Brands Names: Acousti-Mat®, Gyp-Crete 2000®/3.2K, Level-Right®, Therma-Floor® Dura-Cap®, Commercial Topping®
MP Global Products Email:
[email protected] Phone: (888) 379-9695 Type of Green Products: Underlayment Green Products Brand Names: QuietWalk, QuietWarmth, Insulayment, FiberBacker
Stauf Adhesives Email:
[email protected] Phone: (901) 230-1818 Type of Green Products: Wood Floor Adhesives, Sealers, Primers, Patching and Leveling Compounds Green Product Brand Names: M2A-900 Eco-Mastic; SMP-940 Superior; PUM-950 Power Mastic; SMP-960 One-Step
QEP Company Email:
[email protected] Phone: (561-994-5550 Type of Green Products: Cork Underlayment, Engineered and Solid Wood Floors, Wood Flooring Adhesive, Wall Base Adhesive, Felt-Back Sheet Vinyl Adhesive, Carpet Seam Sealer, VCT Adhesive, Carpet & Felt-Back Sheet Vinyl Adhesive, Carpet Adhesive, Indoor/Outdoor Carpet Adhesive, Vinyl Flooring Adhesive, Fiberglass Sheet Vinyl Adhesive Green Products Brand Names: Roberts, Harris Wood, QEP, Capitol Roberts latest introduction in our Green Products are the R1509 Solid Wood and Bamboo Flooring Adhesive, R1530 All-in-One Sound Barrier/ Moisture Barrier/Wood Flooring Adhesive and the R7901 Acrylic Vinyl Flooring Adhesive for solid vinyl tile and plank.
RB Rubber Products Email:
[email protected] Phone: (800) 525-5530 Type of Green Products: Flooring, underlayment Green Product Brands Names: RB Silent Tread, RB Silient Tread XL
UFLOOR Systems, Inc. Email: kirk.francis@ufloorsystems.com Phone: (866) 505-4810 Type of Green Products: Flooring Adhesives & Sealants, Moisture Mitigation Sealers, Wood Floor Sealers & Finishes, Hardwood Floor Care Green Product Brands Names: UZIN® MK 92 S Adhesive; MK 95 Adhesive; MK 97 Adhesive; MK 200 Adhesive; PE 260 Primer; PE 414 Turbo Primer; PE 480 Moisture Barrier Sealer PALLMANN® - Pall-X Bond Recoat Adhesion System; Pall-X 325 Waterborne Sealer; Pall-X 340 Waterborne Sealer; Pall-X 96 Waterborne Finish; Pall-X 98 Waterborne Finish; Magic Oil 2K Finish, Pallmann Hardwood Floor Cleaner
WF Taylor Co., Inc. Email:
[email protected] Phone: (951) 968-7087 Type of Green Products: Flooring Adhesives Green Product Brands Names: EnviroTec® Lines, Meta-Tec® Lines
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
47
Waste Water Disposal by Jon Namba
W W
ith all the awareness that is being promoted in regards to environmentally friendly adhesives, green building, Sustainable forest management (SFM), LEED, Greenguard, Global warming, and many more too numerous to mention, we’re having a hard time keeping up! We all live on one planet so, are you as an installer, doing your part (Photo 1)? Let’s talk about thin-set, mortar, grout, and other Portland-based wastewater. As an installer, where are you disposing of your wastewater? You have the usual sink (Photo 2), toilet, (Photo 3), and the drain (Photo 4). You also have the outdoor factors, shrubbery (Photo 5), or anywhere you can hide or camouflage the wastewater from being too obvious. The fact that Portlandbased products hydrate/cure and harden underwater is cause for concern when pouring wastewater down any sink, toilet, or drain. The sediments settle in the trap and begin to harden until the drain becomes clogged. At this time, a powerful plumbers snake or a good jackhammer comes in handy as that’s about the only way a completely clogged drain can be cleaned out. If you are not already using best practices for wastewater management, I
About the Author
48
www.fcimag.com
highly recommend that you get started implementing a plan to be prepared when regulations will be rquired or enforced. In many parts of the country, Storm water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), for Construction Activities are already in place and installers are having to comply with these regulations and having to go
through a learning curve. Photo 6 shows a washout containment set up by tile setters and being used on a construction site in Arizona. The containment area has posted signage to designate it as a “washout pit” (Photo 7). Installers pour their wastewater into the containment area, let the water evaporate, and then
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Jon Namba is an independent industry consultant, trainer, and speaker. He is currently the President of the National Wood Flooring Association, Certifi ed Professionals (CP). Background includes installer, former Director of Technical Services for the World Floor Covering Association, former Executive Director of International Certifi ed Floorcovering Installers Association. He can be reached at
[email protected].
March/April 2011
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo 7
Photo 8
dispose the container and debris into a trash receptacle. This eliminates any contaminants entering the soil and this is where the construction trades are making a positive impact on protecting the environment. The down side is that it does require time for any water to evaporate and that means that the containment must be in place until all the water has evaporated. For small jobs or where a wash out containment cannot be utilized, 30-gallon barrels with open tops/lids and handles are ideal (Photo 8). Make sure that you get the barrels that have the metal ring to hold the lid on tight for transporting. The 30-gallon barrels are not too big and can be easily lifted into the back of a truck with one or two people. You can generally find used barrels for a lot less than new ones. Pour your wastewater into the barrels and use this as your wash out also. If you’re going to be on the jobsite for more than one day, let the sediment settle overnight. The next day when you get ready to work, remove the clean water from the barrel without disturbing the
sediment. You can use this water for your mixing water for thinset or mortar so you’re actually recycling your wastewater
If you are not already using best practices for wastewater management, I highly recommend that you get started implementing a plan to be prepared when regulations will be rquired or enforced.
and keeping it to a minimum. When you’re all done, transport your wastewater back to your shop. Let the sediment settle,
remove as much water as you can without disturbing the sediment and place into another barrel. Now you can take the barrel with water to your next job and use it for more thinset or mortar. You will want several barrels as it takes a couple of days for the sediment to settle and harden enough to where you can just scrape or knock it out off the bottom of the barrel. If you’re not going to be using the water that you removed from the waste water barrel within a day or two, you can now dispose it down your drain or lawn without having to worry about contaminants as they have already been removed. We have been using this process for several years and it is an ideal way of disposal and recycling of wastewater. It also makes you look more professional as you now have an actual wash out station. You will not be cleaning your tools on the customers lawn or in the five-gallon bucket that then gets poured out somewhere on the job site. For more information on the SWPPP log onto, http://cfpub.epa.gov/ npdes/stormwater/swppp.cfm. FCI
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
49
Let’s Talk Resilient
by CHRISTOPHER CAPOBIANCO
“Green” Resilient Flooring Q&A
T T
his is the “green” issue of FCI so this article focuses on this topic with a focus on resilient flooring. Call it “green,” “sustainable,” “eco-friendly” or whatever, the market is full of products that are trying to fill the growing demand for these types of materials. For the sake of discussion here I will use the work “green,” overused as that word may be. This month marks six years that I have been in business for myself. As a consultant and an independent sales agent I have been all over the “green” resilient flooring market and there are a constant flow of questions from installers, dealers, flooring contractors, architects, interior designers and inspectors. As Chairman of FCICA, The Flooring Contractors Association, I presided over our recent mid year meeting, “Going Green” with FCICA. We had an entire day of educational sessions geared to flooring contractors on all things green and it really was interesting. For this column, I will share many of the questions I heard at those sessions and that come my way on a regular basis about “green” flooring. There are some great things going on in recycling old carpet and carpet cushion but here we will focus on the resilient industry.
About the Author
50
www.fcimag.com
Q: What makes a floor “green?” A: A lot of resilient flooring has some level of recycled content or is made of “renewable” materials. ASTM F 141 (Standard Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings) has two definitions – Pre Consumer and Post Consumer recycled content. Pre consumer is material that is manufacturing waste or “scrap” that in
the past may have been thrown away but today is used in a new product. There are a lot of rubber and vinyl resilient flooring products that use pre-consumer material. Post consumer means something that has been used and then when its life is over is recycled into another product rather than thrown away in a landfill or incinerator. For example, old tires are ground up
Recycled rubber flooring contains post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled rubber, and is often manufactured in cylindrical molds that are sheared into a thin layer to become sheet rubber flooring. Photo courtesy of Ultimate Systems LTD.
Christopher Capobianco is a fourth generation floor coverer, has been in the industry full time since 1978, and has owned his own consulting and sales company since 2004. You can see his past FCI columns, learn more abut him and contact him at his website FlooringAnswers.com.
March/April 2011
“PVC Free” on a lot of resilient flooring products and an increasing number of vinyl products just being called “resilient flooring” as some manufacturers seem to be avoiding using the word “vinyl, ” to make the product seem more “green” to people who think that PVC, is a bad thing. What’s PVC? According to the Vinyl New Service (VNS), “Vinyl is polyvinyl chloride or PVC, a special type of plastic. Like all plastic materials, vinyl is made from hydrocarbons (usually natural gas). But, unlike other plastics, vinyl is even more derived from common salt, so less fossil fuel is required to make vinyl than to make most other plastics.” The “anti-PVC” sentiment that is out there comes from claims that dioxin, a known health hazard, is produced as a byproduct of vinyl chloride manufacture and from incineration of waste PVC. How much of that comes from floor covering manufacturing and use is a subject of much debate. Linoleum uses natural ingredients and is one of the most popular “green” resilient flooring products. Properly installed, “lino” will last for generations. Photo courtesy of Forbo Linoleum.
and used in “recycled rubber” flooring, often mixed with “preconsumer” rubber. Another example is Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT), which has used pre-consumer recycled material for a long time. However, we learned at the FCICA mid year meeting about Tarkett’s initiatives in recycling old VCT into new tile. This is promising technology for keeping tons of old VCT out of landfills. As far as “renewable” resilient product, cork comes to mind right away. Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree. It gets peeled from the tree, the tree does not die and the bark grows back every nine years or so. That qualifies it as a “rapidly renewable” material. The main product from cork is bottle stoppers, or “corks”, and all of the waste cork or cork that is not suitable for stoppers is ground up and used for all the other materials made from cork such as floor tile. So, cork floors also quality as pre-consumer recycled. Cork is used in traditional cork tile that has been around over 100 years and linoleum, another classic resilient flooring material. Now, cork is fi nding its way into floating floors, underlayments and other resilient products like rubber tile and vinyl tile. Other criteria used in the “green” definition include distance it travels from manufacturing to job site, the types of chemicals that are used to install and maintain the floor, the methods that are used to manufacturer the material, the ability to recycle the floor after its life and a number of attributes that are outside the product itself. Q: What about vinyl? I heard it’s not “green.” A: This is a hot topic these days. There is more recycled content in vinyl floors today than ever. However, we are seeing
There are a lot of rubber and vinyl resilient flooring products that use pre-consumer material. Post consumer means something that has been used and then when its life is over is recycled into another product rather than thrown away in a landfill or incinerator.
However, on the other side of the story, VNS defends the green credentials of PVC and references a 2007 article in the UK publication, “What’s New in Building,” claiming that vinyl (PVC) flooring uses less energy in manufacturing, transportation and installation than natural flooring products – which often have to be transported from developing countries. It also “scores extremely well” in life-cycle analysis of the “in use” phase, since it has a decades-long life span and manufacturers have eliminated the need for costly chemical cleaning agents, seals and polishes. In addition, The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) panel on PVC (vinyl) in 2007 reaffirmed the conclusions of its earlier draft report that PVC should not be the subject of a negative credit in the USGBC LEED rating system. The report, by the Council’s Technical and Scientific Advisory
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
51
Q:Is there no other way to install cork tile than contact adhesive? What about a good pressuresensitive adhesive? A: I get asked this all the time. The short answer is NO! I have written about cork several times here in “Lets Talk Resilient,” including my December column about adhesives (Resilient Adhesive Update, FCI, December 2010). Virtually every complaint I have seen on cork with curling edges has been on floors installed with trowel-applied adhesive as opposed to contact. It may seem a longer process because of having to coat the back of the tile, but you can coat the tile a day ahead of time and done correctly contact adhesive is as fast or sometimes even faster than trowel-applied adhesives. The other benefits are that the installer can work on tip of the newly installed tile and the customer can use the floor immediately. And you will rarely see a curling edge.
To avoid curling edges on cork tile, always use contact adhesive.
Committee (TSAC), said materials-related credits are a “blunt instrument” that could steer designers to choose materials with a more negative life-cycle impact. The draft report issued in December 2004 reached a similar conclusion. Whether or not vinyl floors are a green material, there are a lot of alternative products on the market now and installers need to be aware. Q: What do I need to know about installing “PVC Free” flooring? A: Some products like rubber, cork and linoleum are well established and have specific installation characteristics, adhesives and methodologies. I have covered all of those materials here in “Let’s Talk Resilient.” However, there are a number of products that look like vinyl and are similar in that they are made from synthetic binders and fi llers. Vinyl flooring uses PVC as the binder and new products are using Polyolefin, “BioBased” materials and other polymers. The problem can be that these materials are harder to bond so the most important thing for installers to be aware of is the adhesive. They cut like other resilient products, need to be acclimated, rolled with a roller and so on. But, these products usually have a very specific adhesive requirement, so even though they may look like vinyl, don’t be tempted to use a vinyl adhesive on them. There have been a large number of cases where the floors just don’t stick! Also, if you are dong a renovation project, be sure to clean all the old adhesive off the substrate because there is the possibility of a chemical reaction between the different adhesives. Don’t be tempted to just “skimcoat” over the old adhesive with a patching compound. Take it off the floor.
52
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
Q: Is rubber “Green” and what do I need to know about installing it? A: Rubber was originally derived from latex, a milky liquid produced by certain trees and “tapped” much like the way maple syrup is. This is a “rapidly renewable” material that is refined for a variety of uses. However, this material can also be made synthetically so with a few exceptions, most of what we see in floors today is synthetic rubber, not natural rubber. There is also recycled rubber and rubber-cork flooring. So, even though most rubber flooring is a synthetic petrochemical-based product, the fact that it is “PVC Free” has a certain appeal, as I mentioned before. However rubber floor maintenance has many considering rubber as “green.” It can be maintained without finishes and cleaned with minimal use of chemicals – some manufacturers recommend just water! Fewer chemicals mean less environmental impact and lower cost, so rubber tile and sheet goods are more popular than ever. For the installer, rubber is a flexible and forgiving product to work with. However, it usually gets installed with “wet” adhesives, so it may not be as fast as other resilient products to install. Again, stay with ONLY the recommended adhesive and follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Check some of my past columns for more details. Q: How about the new lead paint rules? Do I have to worry about this? Many people in our industry haven’t heard the buzz about lead paint and many who know don’t think it affects our trade. Well, it does. A long time ago, a friend of mine in the industry said, “Lead will be the new asbestos,” because paint, wood f loor finishes and some types of f loor covering products like carpet and padding at one time contained lead. Lead poisoning is a very real health hazard, especially for children and pregnant women. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now enforcing a federal rule regarding “lead-safe” work practices, and the implementation of the measure affects all trades involved in renovation projects for pre-1978 residential and commercial child – occupied properties.
Tile Tip President George H.W. Bush signed the law in 1992 but enforcement is only now starting to occur. There is a one-day class and a certification called EPA Lead RRP Renovator Initial Training. A lot of people are not happy about it, but with fines that start at $37,500, this is serious. Your choice is to stop working in buildings built before 1978 or get certified. From the EPA website: As a contractor, you play an important role in helping to prevent lead exposure. Ordinary renovation and maintenance activities can create dust that contains lead. By following the lead-safe work
If the flooring is new, replacement can be pretty straightforward if the wrong flooring was installed. As contractors we have to admit the mistake and replace the flooring with the correct floor.
practices, you can prevent lead hazards. Understand that after April 22, 2010, federal law requires you to be certified and to use lead-safe work practices. To become certified, renovation contractors must submit an application and fee payment to EPA. Contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting jobs in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must, before beginning work, provide owners, tenants, and child-care facilities with a copy of EPA’s lead hazard information pamphlet. Contractors must document compliance with this requirement.
Q: What is IAQ all about? A: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a big issue these days on “green” projects and even where people are not thinking green. With allergies and worries about airborne dust, this is a big deal when you work in occupied spaces. I took the EPA Lead RRP class last June and learned a great deal about HEPA Vacuums. HEPA means high efficiency particulate air, and it’s a fi lter that is used to be sure that your “shop vac” doesn’t spit dust or other dangerous materials back into the air. This is beneficial for asthma and allergy sufferers, because the HEPA fi lter traps the fine particles, pollen, lead, fiberglass, and who knows what else. HEPA Vacuums have come down in price and I recommend that all installers use them for their own safety and the safety of their customers. Plus, it’s good public relations when you tell the customer you are using the latest technology to keep them safe. Q: Anything else installers need to know about “green?” A: Have a look at my column from a year ago (Green” Flooring Update, FCI, March 2010) I tried not to repeat myself in this column and last time I covered a lot about IAQ issues such as moisture’s impact on the indoor environment, which makes moisture testing and mitigation an important part of the resilient flooring installer’s life. I also covered a lot about VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) such as safe handling of any hazardous materials you may work with like solvent-based adhesives and seam sealers. There also is a lot to know about finishing and maintenance of floors, and a lot of installers are moving into this area of the business because they are being asked to do initial maintenance on new floors. For resilient flooring installers, being “green” is more than just so called “green” flooring products, although I hope you have learned more abut some materials you may not be familiar with. Work practices have a lot to do with it and there are more and more demands being made on our trade as our projects are being scrutinized for their environmental impact. FCI
Layout, Layout and Layout
A
s a new installer progresses, there are many skills required to be learned, practiced and mastered, including surface prep, keying in the mortar, straight line troweling, adequate mortar coverage, appropriate grouting and movement accommodation joints. But what is missing? The missing piece of this installation puzzle is layout. While all of these things are crucial to a good tile installation, without an accurate and eye-pleasing layout, there is a strong likelihood that the job will not be acceptable. An acceptable layout not only needs to look good, it should meet the ANSI Specifications. These requirements are found under the heading of A108.02.4.3 Workmanship, cutting, fitting and grout joint size. The first listing under this heading, 4.3.1 states; “Center and balance areas of tile, if possible. The next listing, 4.3.2 states, “An excessive amount of cuts shall not be made. Usually, no cuts smaller than half size should be made. Make all cuts on the outer edges of the field.” With these industry specifications in hand, there are only two things that need to happen. The layout needs to be centered and balanced in the room or area to be completed with the edge cuts being one half tile or larger. If this sounds easy, then why is proper layout sometimes so difficult? Actually it is not that difficult. What is missing in this equation is common sense. Common sense would tell you not to place a small piece (sliver) along the baseboard for two reasons. The first, it looks bad and instantly draws your eye to it. The second is that if the wall is at all wavy, and many times it is, the little skinny piece shows every flaw in the wall line as the sliver gets wider and narrower further detracting from the beauty of an otherwise perfect example of a properly installed project. The two attached photos say all that needs to be said. Next time do a proper (common sense) layout and give the tile industry another blue ribbon rather than a black eye.
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
53
Resilient Installation Corner
by RAY THOMPSON
Handling Basements and Moisture Issues
T T
he most challenging and difficult of resilient installations is the below-grade installation in basements. The term below grade means a slab that has been cut into a hillside or below the grade of the soil. When a basement or below grade installation is encountered it is necessary to pay strict attention to the slab for moisture conditions.
Vapor retarders (Photo 1): The first thing is to determine if a vapor retarder has been used. In residential installations vapor retarders either were not used or a poor grade of retarder was. Even though a plastic was used does not mean the vapor retarder is a good value. Many times a contractor will use a cheap plastic that is either too thin and will be easily punctured or is a plastic that is affected by ultraviolet light (sunlight) and will decay after the concrete is placed. A slab that is below grade is very susceptible to hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure, a term used loosely, only occurs below-grade and is the reason why so much caution must be used when installing in basements.
or buckets, dampness along any cracks in the concrete or alkali deposits along cracks and joints that will present a possible red flag regarding the possibility of moisture problems. Photo 2 shows an example of damp spots. Photo 3 shows an example of alkali deposits. Installers should plan to remove painted surfaces to prevent any bonding issues. If the surface is painted, look at the condition of the paint to see how well it is bonded to the concrete. This could be another sign of moisture in the concrete slab.
Finally, check the slab for porosity. The lack of porosity can be a sign of sealers or curing compounds. If on the slab, these should be removed as well Moisture testing (Photo 4): Moisture testing, unfortunately, is not done in most residential installations. Moisture testing should be done. It is the best way to safeguard against moisture related failures. The use of the RH (insitu) probe following the ASTM F-2170 protocol is the most accurate method of determining the moisture content
Photo 1
Visual examination: When you walk into a basement the first thing to do is to do a visual exam of the slab. Look for things like; damp spots under boxes and
About the Author
54
www.fcimag.com
Ray Thompson, Jr. is a renowned installation expert and president of the Ray Thompson Floorcovering Institute in Easton, WA. A veteran of the flooring industry for more than 42 years, Ray conducts resilient, hardwood and concrete moisture training programs for installers, retailers, distributors, and industry associations. He also serves as a consultant and operates his own inspection service. He can be reached at
[email protected].
March/April 2011
From Lignomat:
Quality moisture meters, proven measuring technology and expert advise. Give us a call today at
800-227-2105. Featuring:
Two-in-one Ligno-DuoTec BW pinless moisture meter Photo 2
Photo 5
with dual depth- dual function many applications - one meter
Scans 3/4” and 1/4” deep Photo 3
Photo 6
for wood, Bamboo, concrete, drywall. Adding RH BluePeg Sensor Ideal for the floor installer. See FCI Magazine Jan/Feb page 29. C I RC LE 10
Add RH BluePeg Sensor to the Ligno-Duo Tec BW Now you can measure Relative Humidity and Temperature of air.
Photo 4 of a slab. Each resilient manufacturer has there recommendation for the relative humidity requirements for their materials. Plus the RH probe test is faster and easier to do than the old calcium chloride tests, with a smaller margin of error. Moisture Treatments: If it is determined that a moisture condition exists, it will be necessary to treat the concrete with a moisture mitigation treatment. There are basically two types of treatments: Penetrants (Photo 5) are sprayed-on or in some instances rolled-on. They are designed to penetrate into the surface and create a barrier that slows the
Photo 7 migration of moisture out of the slab. When using penetrants, the amount of penetrant applied is critical; too little does not suffice and too much can result in a bonding issue. Coatings (Photo 6) are applied either with a roller or squeegee. Coatings are the more expensive of the moisture treatments and in my estimation the better of the moisture treatments. Coating to be effective must be applied in a specified thickness and often two coats. Moisture treatments are very important and rely upon a lot of attention to detail. (Photo 7) Failure to comply with installation requirements will result in an installation failure that can be very expensive. FCI
You can also use the meter for RH testing in concrete. Accurate, cost-effective solution with reusable sensors. Complys to ASTM F2170.
Lignomat
PO Box 30145, Portland OR 97294
800-227-21 05 00-227-2105 www .lignoma t.com www.lignoma .lignomat.com C I R C L E 11
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
55
Products on Display Custom Building Products CEG-Lite Commercial Epoxy Grout combines performance, ease of installation New from Custom Building Products, CEGLite™ Commercial Epoxy Grout is a lightweight 100-percent solids epoxy grout. Formulated with CustomLite® Technology, CEG-Lite offers high stain and chemical resistance, is color-fast, and can be used for horizontal or vertical grout joints ranging in size from 1/2-inch down to 1/16-inch, without sagging or slumping. www. custombuildingproducts.com
MAPEI
RB Rubber
Ultraflex™ LFT Rapid fast-setting mortar shortens installation time New from MAPEI, Ultraflex LFT Rapid is a rapid-setting, nonsag medium-bed and thinset mortar for large-format tile and stone. It can be used for interior/exterior floor, wall and countertop installations. This mortar has a high content of a unique dry polymer, resulting in excellent adhesion to the substrate and tile. Ultraflex LFT Rapid is Fast Track Ready™, allowing grouting in 3 to 4 hours, the company says. www.mapei.us For details, circle 170 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
RB introduces Zip-Tile interlocking flooring New from RB Rubber, RB Zip-Tile is an interlocking flooring product manufactured in the USA from recycled scrap tires and backed by RB Rubber’s factory warranty. Its unique tab design holds the tiles securely without expensive adhesives, tapes or labor, and allows for a square or brick installation pattern. Installation is as easy as aligning the tabs and pressing together with your fingers or using a rubber mallet. www.rbrubber.com For details, circle 168 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
wedi Wedi introduces Building Panel Premium Wedi’s new Building Panel Premium has a new tapered edge and smooth cement base finish – making it the faster, better, smoother solution for installing walls that are insulated, mold and waterproof, lightweight and durable. Old-fashioned drywall/cement boards are time consuming and messy; wedi Building Panel Premium is quick, simple and efficient, the company says. www. wedicorp.com For details, circle 166 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Schluter Systems Schluter-Kerdi-Line drain suitable for a variety of shower types The new Schluter-Kerdi-Line drain is a low-profile alternative to traditional shower drains that suits many different shower designs including wheelchair-accessible showers. The drain features an adjustable grate frame in an elegant square trim design to accommodate a range of tile thicknesses. Lengths range from 20” to 48”; available in three interchangeable grate designs. The integrated bonding flange provides for a secure connection to bonded waterproof membranes. www.schluter.com For details, circle 160 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
56
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
Duo-Fast Duo-Fast debuts 16-gauge hardwood flooring nailer Duo-Fast® Floor Fastening Systems has introduced the FloorMaster™ 250BN 16 Gauge Hardwood Flooring Finish Nailer, which provides installers with a faster, more accurate way to perform blind and face nailing when installing hardwood. The FloorMaster™ 250BN has a proprietary 45-degree detachable no-mar nailing guide, and no-mar pads that protect floors, walls and cabinets from marring, scratching or denting. www.duo-fast.com For details, circle 162 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Chart Your Course to Real
SUC CESS At Clear Seas Research we develop customized research solutions to identify:
The outlook for new/existing products Customer needs and expectations Optimal product price points Marketing messages with impact Your position in the industry Areas of customer satisfaction Opportunities for new solutions/products . . . and much more
CLEAR SEAS RESEARCH. Making the Complex Clear.
Find out how we can customize a research solution to help your bottom line. 248.786.1683
[email protected] www.clearseasresearch.com
An industry-focused market research company
As a CASRO member, we subscribe to the Code of Standards and Ethics for Survey Research established by the Council of American Survey Research Organizations.
FREE L!VE SUBSCRIPTION & READER INFORMATION CARD Please answer all questions to qualify and fax back to 630-739-9700 for your free subscription to FCI. March/April 2011 • expires: June 15, 2011 • 103RAC
1 2
Would you like to receive a FREE L!VE digital subscription to Floor Covering Installer? Please check your preferred format:
RFree Digital Version of FCI*
($35yr/US; $75yr/Foreign)
RYES!
Would you like to receive FCI’s FREE eNewsletter?
Signature (required) _________________________ Date ___________
Rno
R Print Version of FCI
*(Your e-mail address must be provided in the field noted “E-mail Address”)
3
RYES!
Rno
Print version payment information 1 year subscription: $35 (7 issues) Payment in US funds and must accompany order
Print Name ____________________ Title ________________________
Visa
Mastercard
AMEX
Company __________________________________________________ Signature
Date
Address ___________________________________________________ Credit Card #
City __________________________ State _______ Zip _____________ Work Phone ____________________ Work Fax ___________________
Expiration Date
E-mail* (required) ___________________________________________
Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe or or Renew or Renew Renew Online Online Online FREE FREE FREE
*If you provide your email address, it may be used by our advertisers to provide you with the information you’ve requested. • By providing your fax number, you’re giving us permission to fax subscription offers to you. • You will receive subscription and renewal notices from BNP Media via e-mail.
4 What is your primary business? (select ONE only) 04 R Distributor and their 01 R Self-Employed Personnel Installation Professional 02 RInstallation Contractor/ 05 R Manufacturer and their Personnel Workroom 06 ROther (specify) 03 R Retailer/Contractor 5
What is your primary job title? (select ONE only) 05 R Buyer/Purchasing 03 R Installer/Technician 06 R Sales/Marketing 04 RCertified Installer 07 ROther (specify) 01 R President/Owner 02 RSupervisor/Manager
6
What type of products do you install, sell, distribute and/or manufacture? (select ALL that apply) 09 R Residential Ceramic 01 R Residential Carpet Floors 02 RCommercial Carpet 10 R Commercial Ceramic 03 R Residential Resilient Floors 04 RCommercial Resilient 12 R Laminate Floors 05 R Pre-Finished Wood 11 ROther (specify) 06 R Unfinished Wood 07 R Residential Rubber 99 RNone of the Above Floors 08 R Commercial Rubber Floors
7
How many employees are in your company? (select ONE only)
01 R 1-5 employees 02 R6-20 employees
03 R 21-50 employees 04 R 51 or more employees
www.SubscribeForFree.com www.SubscribeForFree.com www.SubscribeForFree.com For free information on products or services in this issue, simply circle the respective reader service number below. READER SERVICE NUMBERS 001 002 003 004 005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012 013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025
026 027 028 029 030 031 032 033 034 035 036 037 038 039 040 041 042 043 044 045 046 047 048 049 050
051 052 053 054 055 056 057 058 059 060 061 062 063 064 065 066 067 068 069 070 071 072 073 074 075
076 077 078 079 080 081 082 083 084 085 086 087 088 089 090 091 092 093 094 095 096 097 098 099 100
101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125
126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150
151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175
176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200
Please fill out this card and MAIL it to: 440 Quadrangle Drive Suite E Bolingbrook, IL 60440 Or FAX to: 630-739-9700 For faster service, go online to: www.cdsreportnow.com/get?fci
A d Index Use the Reader Inquiry Card on opposite page to receive free information about products and/or services mentioned in Floor Covering Installer. Find the Reader Inquiry Number at the bottom of the ad or editorial item and circle the corresponding number on the Reader Inquiry Card.
Company Name
Pg No. RS No.
Company Name
Pg No. RS No.
American Safety Razor ........................... 22-23 (888) 254-2126 • www.asrco.com
1
Nissan North America.................................... 5 www.nissancommercialvehicles.com
41
APAC ............................................................ 25 (800) 747-2722 • www.apacadhesives.com
34
Primatech ..................................................... 13 (800) 363-1962 • www.primatech.ca
3
Bostik ............................................................. 7 (800) 7BOSTIK (726-7845) • www.bostik-us.com
29
Proknee ........................................................ 63 (800) 549-5018 • www.proknee.com
38
CTEF ....................................................... 24,53 (864) 222-2131 • www.tilecareer.com
RB Rubber Products .................................... 26 (800) 525-5530 • www.rbrubber.com
6
CTIOA ......................................................... 18 (310) 574-7800 • www.ctioa.org
Schluter Systems........................................... 30 (800) 472-4588 • www.schluter.com
4
Custom Building Products ............ 15,17,19,21 (800) 272-8786 www.custombuildingproducts.com
Stanley Bostitch ............................................. 3 (800) 556-6696 • www.bostitch.com
33
12
Stauf USA ..................................................... 64 (866) GLUEUSA • www.staufusa.com
64
Franklin International ................................. 11 (800) 347-4583 • www.titebond.com
9
W.F Taylor ...................................................... 9 (951) 360-6677 • www.wftaylor.com
28
LATICRETE ................................................ 45 (800) 243-4788 • www.laticrete.com
10,11
W.W. Henry Company ................................. 27 (800) 232-4832 • www.wwhenry.com
72
Lignomat USA .............................................. 55 (800) 227-2105 • www.lignomat.com
35
Wagner Electronic Products ........................ 12 (800) 207-2486 • www.RapidRH.com
2
MAPEI Corp. ................................................. 2 (954) 246-8888 • www.mapei.com MP Global Products .................................... 35 (888) 379-9695 • www.quietwalk.com
8
NAC Products .............................................. 29 (800) 633-4622 • www.nacproducts.com
7
Editor’s Note:
The Advertiser’s Index is provided as a service to our readers. No liability is created by nor accepted for any inadvertent errors or omissions.
C lassified Visit AECStore.com to view all of our technical guides, CDs and DVDs for industry pros.
Reprints: Contact Jennifer Allen For More Information call: 818-224-8035 x 2214
Classified Sales Contact Sharon Ward For More Information call: 847-405-4017
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
59
II nstallation Training Clinics & Schools nstallation Training Clinics & Schools 2011 Locations & Dates
Basic Carpet Installation (2 Days) $499 You will learn the history and construction of carpet; the Standards of Installation (CRI 104 and 105); site analysis and preparation: how to plan, measure, and estimate a residential installation (seam placement); how to interact professionally with customers in their homes; power stretching; glue-down installation; stair installation and pattern matching; and much, much more! Qualified installers will also receive a 1 year CFI Certification (R1) upon completing certification process. (Carpet mill tour included for Dalton, GA class only)
Basic Ceramic Tile Installation $499 You will learn about the construction of ceramic tile flooring; how to measure and lay out a residential installation; how to determine installation material required; floor and wall installation methods; corrective action for problem substrates; and TCNA and ANSI standards. (Ceramic mill tour included for Dallas, TX class only.)
Basic Wood and Laminate Installation $499 You will learn about the construction of wood and laminate flooring; how to measure and lay out a residential installation; how to do site analysis and moisture tests; how to prepare and look for problems in the sub-floor; how to interact professionally with the customer in their home; how to install above and below grade; about glue-down or floating; and how to install wood or laminate on stairs. (A tour of the wood and laminate manufacturing facilities is included in this course for the Danville, VA seminar only.)
Carpet International Certified Floor Covering Installers Association (CFI) and the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) educational programs include certification for carpet installation professionals, and installation
Editor’s Note:
60
www.fcimag.com
Lees Carpet Institute ensures that installers get personal training. Lees requires students to have five years of experience before being accepted into the program. Training adheres to CRI standards. For details, call (800) 443-2241. National Carpet Equipment conducts a variety of custom training courses to fit the student’s needs. Hands-on training covers all phases: rug design, carpet carving, sculpting, bas-relief, binding, hand tufting, fiber optic and more. For details, call 245-535-8206.
Laminate/Resilient Amtico International conducts a Floor Installation Training School. Classes are limited to 14 people per session. For details, call (404) 267-1900.
Upcoming Installation Classes Basic Carpet Installation/CFI Certification March 15-16; Dalton, GA April 12-13; Fontana, CA May 17-18; Mendota Heights, MN June 14-15; Teterboro, NJ July 12-13; Coppell, TX August 9-10; Denver, CO September 13-14; Waukesha, WI October 4-5; St. Louis, MO October 25-26; Dalton, GA
Wood and Laminate Installation April 13-14; St. Louis, MO May 10-11; Dalton, GA June 28-29; Fontana, CA July 26-27; Waukesha, WI August 23-24; Teterboro, NJ September 27-28; Coppell, TX October 11-12; Dalton, GA
®
For more information, visit www.mohawkuniversity.com or call (800) 664-2958
training for dealers, inspectors, in-house staff, and train-the-trainer programs. Certification is offered in residential, commercial (levels I and II), and Master levels. For more information, visit the CFI website at www.CFIinstallers.com, or call (816) 231-4646.
Domco provides a number of training methods to provide education on installation of all its resilient product offerings. For details, call (800) 227-4662. Forbo Installation Training includes an Associate and a Master Mechanic curriculum. For further details or to obtain an application, go to www.forboLinoleumNA.com or contact Forbo Technical Services at (800) 342-0604. The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA), the only trade association dedicated solely to the laminate flooring industry, offers a two-day Installer Certification Class available throughout the year. The comprehensive training curriculum covers all aspects of a quality laminate installation and will give the attendees the skills necessary to perform installations to high standards and craftsmanship in the field. To register or for more information, please call (202) 785-9500, visit www.nalfa.com. nora systems, Inc. offers a 2 1/2-day training seminar at its U.S. headquarters in Lawrence, MA. The nora Technical Academy provides training in the most recent industry developments. Attendees learn about the latest installation techniques, industry standards - including new moisture testing methods, equipment and subfloor preparation, and participate in extensive hands-on training. Contact your local nora representative at 800-332-NORA to register for an upcoming class. Northern Industries offers a three-day seamless flooring and waterproofing installation course. Course fee of $175 includes hands-on training and certification. For details, call (401) 821-2121. Pergo, Inc.’s Endorsed 2-Day Training Program includes installation topics and techniques, and Pergo provides the training facility, all tools and materials. Classes are limited to six students and are fi lled on a fi rstcome, fi rst-served basis. Call (800) 249-0042 or
[email protected].
These training clinics and schools cover a wide variety of floor covering installation subjects. Phone numbers are provided for you to get more information on schools in which you are interested. Also, be sure to check with your distributors for upcoming schools/clinics. Do you have a training program or clinic that you would like to include in this section? If so, please e-mail
[email protected] or call (818) 224-8035 ext. 2208.
March/April 2011
Tarkett Commercial offers a range of installation training opportunities ranging from job start-ups, local area contractor seminars to comprehensive training courses conducted at its training facility in Houston, TX, or at approved field locations. Additional training seminars are available for Inspectors, Specifiers and Estimators. Call (800) 366-2689, ext. 2709, or e-mail
[email protected]. TOLI International offers a daylong class, titled “Everything You Need to Know About installing TOLI.” For more information, call (888) TRY TOLI (1-888-879-8654).
Multiple Subjects Crain Cutter Co. conducts complete floor covering installation clinics at distributor locations. For details, contact the distributor listed in your area or Crain Cutter at (408) 946-6100. Flooring Consultants and Inspection Training Services (FCITS) offers certification classes for Carpet and Hard Surface flooring inspectors. IICRC CEU’s are also available. For information visit www.fcits.org or call (800) 462-2151. The Floor Covering Institute offers training on resilient and wood f looring installation, f loor preparation and moisture testing. Current course offerings include a basic five-day resilient installation school, five-day commercial and advanced classes, as well as classes on f loor preparation and wood f looring installation. There will also be oneday seminars covering moisture in concrete and moisture testing. For more information, contact Ray Thompson, rthompson@ cablespeed.com, or call (509) 674-1565. F.I.T.S. (Flooring Inspection Training Services) classes cover manufacturing, installation, maintenance, specifications, claimshandling report writing, communication skills, marketing and more. More information is available online at: www.fits4.org or call Tandy Reeves (888) 440-0699. All classes are accredited for continuing education. Flooring Technology Institute (FTI) presents a one-day course on field moisture testing and investigations of concrete and other substrate/subfloors. The Moisture Testing and Investigation course is $300. For more information, contact: Claudia@inspectionstoo. com, or www.inspectionstoo.com; (281) 2865197 (cell) or (281) 286-5197 (office); fax (281) 286-5198; 133 N. Friendswood Dr., Suite 158, Friendswood, TX 77546. INSTALL (International Standards and Training Alliance) is an alliance of mills, manufacturers, contractors and the floor covering arm of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Content includes, but is not limited to, classroom and on-the-job instruction in the theory and practice of proper floor preparation, installation and finishing procedures in all types of floor covering. For more information, visit www.installfloors.org or contact John McGrath, Director, at (215) 582-4108. The MAPEI Technical Institute offers courses in three different disciplines: Tile & Stone InstallationSystems (TSIS); Concrete Restoration
Systems (CRS); and Floor Covering Installation Systems (FCIS). Participants pay $300 to attend the courses, and then receive a $400 rebate coupon toward the purchase of MAPEI products. MAPEI provides free lodging and meals during the seminar. For more information on the MTI schedule or other details, please contact Sophia D’Amico at 954-246-8555. The Painters and Allied Trades (LMCI) is an industry resource for leadership education, knowledge exchange, and networking to improve the capabilities of the unionized finishing industry’s workforce. For details, visit www. LMCIonline.org or call 1-888-934-6474. Tile & Stone Aqua Mix offers the Independent Care & Maintenance Applicator program. The program will offer a wide range of training and techniques to its students. For more information, call (800) 366-6877, ext. 3056, or e-mail
[email protected]. The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) currently has over 30 educational and training courses available covering all facets of tile and the installation process. All methods comply with nationally recognized installation guidelines and will be presented in non-proprietary fashion. Both introductory and advanced courses are available. For more information, visit www. tileschool.org or call (864) 222-2131. The NTCA Training and Education program is administered by Justin Woelfel, Jr., NTCA Director of training and education. The threeday course, called Workshop+, costs $295. Customized courses can be designed for interested parties. The intent is to provide hands-on training opportunities for tile contractors. For details, call Justin Woelfel Jr. at (601) 939-2071. The National Training Center for Stone & Masonry Trades provides training in all aspects of the stone and tile industry, from design and installation to fabrication and restoration and maintenance. For details, call (404) 834-4800.
Underlayment/Subfloor Ardex Engineered Cements and the W.W. Henry Company offer installation training for installers, architects, construction managers and other professionals at The Ardex Technical Center in Aliquippa, PA. The comprehensive two-day training seminars combine classroom and hands-on training. To register for a seminar, you must be sponsored by an ARDEX employee. Registration forms, as well as additional course details are available on our website, www.ardex. com. If you have any questions, e-mail info@ ardex.com or call (888) 512-7339. Dependable Floor Products offers twoday training seminars on sub-floor preparation and Dependable products. Training includes classroom instruction and hands-on training with trowelable, moisture treatment, and self-leveling products. For details, call (800) 227-3434. LATICRETE International offers several seminars designed specifically for distributors, dealers, and others directly involved in the ceramic tile and stone industry. Attendees qualify for AIA/ CES Learning Units. For details, call (800) 2434788, or visit www.LATICRETE.com
Wood Armstrong Installation School offers a three-day installation workshop designed for beginning or intermediate installers. For details, call (800) 356-9301, ext. 5376, or visit www. floorexpert.com/installertraining. Basic Coatings offers the most comprehensive training program in the industry. With subjects ranging from basic product knowledge to advanced finishing, sanding, and installation techniques, Basic training programs are an essential asset for both the novice and the advanced flooring professional alike. Call Kellie Smithson at (800) 247-5471 ext. 3798 for more information about trainings offered at Basic’s 7,500 sq. ft. training facility and other trainings across the country. BonaKemi USA Training Team presents a four-day sanding and finishing schools for professional hardwood flooring contractors, floor covering dealers and salespeople. For more information, contact Betty Jo Hargrave at (303) 923-6632, or
[email protected]. Clarke American Sanders Sales Institute (CSI) is a detailed 3.5 day course that focuses on product knowledge of the Clarke American Sanders equipment. This is a special class, opened to qualified Clarke American Sanders distributor sales individuals. For more information, call (479) 750-8433 or visit www.americansanders.com. Decorative Flooring offers three curriculums: Basic, Specify/Marketing, Custom Installations. Led by industry veterans, and sponsored by Bostik, Pro-Coat, Powernail Co., and Festool, the courses range from one- to 2-1/2 days. For more information and to reserve your space, call Jim Garth at (877) 229-7720, or visit www. decorativeflooring.com. NWFA and the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) jointly sponsor a five-day Wood Flooring School. The course covers installation of both unfinished and factory finished solid strip, engineered, and parquet flooring; sanding and finishing of these products; repair and refinishing; trouble shooting; and other related subjects. For details, call NWFA at (800) 422-4556 or visit www.nwfa.org Schluter Systems offers an Innovation Workshop in Anaheim, CA, at the World Floor Covering Association. This 2-1/2 day course includes classroom discussions and valuable hands-on workshops that will provide attendees with innovative ceramic and stone tile installation systems and methods. For more information and to receive a list of dates and locations, call (800) 472-4588 (USA); (800) 667-8746 (Canada); or visit www.schluter.com.
Editor’s Note: These training clinics and schools cover a wide variety of floor covering installation subjects. Phone numbers are provided for you to get more information on schools in which you are interested. Also, be sure to check with your distributors for upcoming schools/clinics. Do you have a training program or clinic that you would like to include in this section? If so, please e-mail
[email protected] or call (818) 224-8035 ext. 2208.
March/April 2011
www.fcimag.com
61
D istributor Marketplace R.A.H. CARPET SUPPLIES, INC. In the NYC metro area, offering:
MOUNTAIN TRADE SUPPLY INC.
s 7AREHOUSE3ERVICES
2ECEIVINGANDSTORAGEFOROUT OF STATECONTRACTORS
s !CCESSTOCUTTINGmOOR s &ORKLIFTAVAILABLEFORLOADING s $ELIVERYQUOTESONREQUEST As well as a full line of flooring installation supplies and tools!
Colorado Springs
Colorado
Find us on Facebook,
[email protected] 551 Main Ave. 973-778-4759 (ph) Wallingtion, NJ 07057 973-778-1316 (fx)
Denver 4840 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 294-0226 2561 West 8th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 (303) 722-2097 3555 New Nichols Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (719) 528-8775
1- 8 0 0 - 8 4 8 -7 9 11
www.mountaintradesupply.com
■
■
New Jersey, y NYC Metro
6HUYLQJWKHÁRRULQJLQGXVWU\VLQFH
Distributor Marketplace
Sales Reprints: Contact Jennifer Allen For More Information call: 818-224-8035 x 2214
visit us online www.fcimag.com
Contact Sharon Ward For More Information call: 847-405-4017
P roducts SPOTLIGHT Tools 4 Flooring®
Custom Building CEG-Lite™ Commercial 100% Solids Epoxy Grout
The Professional’s Choice – Worldwide Largest Selection of Flooring Tools, Installation Products and Accessories • Most orders ship within 24 hours • Free shipping available • All major credit cards accepted • Secure on-line ordering • Lease-To-Own financing available Check out our Exclusive POWER BUYS! Call us toll-free 866.634.1189 www.tools4flooring.com Circle 118 on the Reader Inquiry Card.
62
www.fcimag.com
March/April 2011
CEG-Lite from Custom Building Products is Industry’s Greenest Epoxy Grout. A lightweight, 100 percent solids epoxy grout, CEG-Lite is formulated with CustomLite® Technology making it the first 100 percent solids epoxy grout that contributes to LEED certification based on recycled content. CEG-Lite represents a breakthrough in epoxy technology, delivering the high stain and chemical resistance professionals expect, combined with handling characteristics and versatility that far surpass other epoxy grouts. customgroutsolutions.com
S
UN
S
TREADMAN
CIRCLE 38
URETHANE. PERFECTED.
*
Patent Pending
Introducing a totally new and improved type of urethane wood flooring adhesive, Stauf’s one-of-a-kind PUM-950. No special solvents
*
required for clean-up and no problem cleaning up after it’s cured. No etching and wasted time dealing with call-backs. No isocyanates to harm the planet, making it safer for installers too. And nobody else has it. No wonder so many installers stick with Stauf. CIRCLE 64
www.staufusa.com
|
866.GLUEUSA
