The Armstrong Stone Collection is a variety of laminate flooring designed to resemble solid stone flooring like marble, granite or sandstone. This material costs just a fraction of the price of real stone, and is available in tiled or solid flooring options. It is made from a composite base topped with a printed picture of stone, then topped with a clear urethane wear layer. Armstrong laminate is designed as a floating floor system, making it easy for DIY homeowners to install using simple tools and techniques.
Instructions
1. Measure your floor. Multiply the length and width of the space to determine the square footage, then use this value to purchase the correct amount of flooring. Buy about 5 percent more material than you think you'll need, as some will be lost to cutting. Set the material into the room where in will be installed and allow it to acclimate to temperature and humidity levels for 24 hours before installation.
2. Prepare your subfloor. Armstrong laminate can be installed over any clean, level and dry surface. It should not be floating floors or carpet thicker than 1/4 inch. If installing over a wood subfloor, remove any stray nails or staples, and make sure all are nailed securely in place. Prep concrete by grinding away high spots and filling low areas with a leveling compound.
3. Cover the floor with an Armstrong foam underlayment product. This material helps to keep the floor warm and comfortable underfoot, and also acts as barrier against moisture. Butt each row of material together and tape the seams together with duct tape. Do not overlap the foam or attach it to the subfloor.
4. Place your first row of material against the longest wall in the room. Create a 1/4-inch expansion joint along the wall using plastic spacers. Cut the planks as needed with a power or hand saw. Place the boards face up when cutting them with a hand saw, or face down when using a power saw. This will minimize damage to the finished surface.
5. Plan the pattern you will use before installing your second row of flooring. Many Armstrong laminate products not only have the color and appearance of stone, but also have printed to resemble stone tiles. If your floor has these grout lines, you'll want to align the grout lines along each row while still staggering the end of each section of laminate. To do this, it may be necessary to start each row with a cut board that will allow the grout lines to align while preventing alignment of the boards themselves.
6. Connect your second row of flooring with the first. Hold the plank at a 45 degree angle and slide the tongue of one board into the adjacent groove. Press down on the board until it snaps in place and lies flat on the floor. You may need to use a pull bar to connect the final row. Make sure to maintain a 1/4 inch expansion joint when you reach the opposite wall.
7. Remove spacers and add floor boards or trim around the room to cover expansion gaps and complete the project.
Tags: grout lines, Armstrong laminate, Armstrong Stone, Armstrong Stone Collection, expansion joint, floor boards, installed over