401 JONES STREET | DALTON, GA 30720-3464 | PHONE (800) 872-8426 | PHONE (706) 275-0345 | FAX (706) 226-8293 | WWW.HEALTHIERCHOICE.COM

Installation

INSTALLATION DESCRIPTIONStretch-in installation involves installing carpet under tension over carpet cushion. The carpet is fastened to tack strips at all walls and other vertical abutments around the perimeter of the area. The procedures presented here are consistent with carpet industry standards such as those described in CRI 105 Section 7.

PREPARATION PROCEDURE

• Sub-floors must be structurally sound and free of any foreign objects that might compromise the cushion or its intended use.

• Installation should not commence until the HVAC system is operational and the indoor temperature is between 65ºF to 95ºF and the humidity ranges from 10% to 65%.NOTE: These conditions must be maintained for at least 48 hours prior to, during, and 72 hours after installation completion. It is recommended that a minimum indoor temperature of 50ºF be maintained consistently regardless of the age of the installation. Allow carpet and cushion to acclimate to ambient conditions per carpet manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Install appropriate tack strips per carpet manufacturer’s recommendation.

CUSHION INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

• Install cushion with the foam side up and the woven material side down to the sub-floor. NOTE: The foam skin of our carpet cushion acts as a moisture barrier, the polypropylene fabric on the back of our cushion is there for dimensional stability, it is not a moisture barrier and should be installed down to the subfloor.

• Carpet cushion should be installed in the longest continuous lengths possible, with the seams placed at right angles to the carpet seams or at least 6-inches to one side of the carpet seam.

• Cut the cushion with a sharp utility knife and where possible, fold the cushion over and cut from the back side through the polypropylene fabric.

• Cushion should be installed flush with the inside contour of the tack strip and securely fastened to the sub-floor with staples or adhesive at the seams and around the perimeter of each room.

CAUTION: Do not make tight fitting compression seams.

• Cushion seams should be made up loosely and covered with 2-inch wide moisture resistant tape to achieve moisture barrier protection and to prevent cushion seams from showing through carpet.

CARPET INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

• Install carpet per manufacturer’s recommendation. Do not glue carpet to the cushion. This product is not designed for double-glue installations.

Healthier Choice

R-120610

401 JONES STREET | DALTON, GA 30720-3464 | PHONE (800) 872-8426 | PHONE (706) 275-0345 | FAX (706) 226-8293 | WWW.HEALTHIERCHOICE.COM

Installation

General Tips for Best Carpet Seams*

- Seam Location - Whenever possible, run seams into the source of light to minimizeshadows highlighting the seam.

- Tape Selection - Wider tape (6 inch) allows the stretch to be distributed over a widerarea. Although, they cannot eliminate the mechanics of peaking, wide tape maymake the condition less distinct.

- Seaming Iron Temperature - A setting on the iron that is too hot will cause thepolymeric carpet backings to distort and shrink. Shrinkage of the carpet backingaccentuates seam peaking.

- Seam Edges - All cut edges must be sealed prior to, or during, the seamingprocedure. Latex-based seam sealer or thermoplastic sealers are acceptable.When using latex type seam sealer, it should be applied to edges and smoothedwith the fingertip to allow quicker drying time and to avoid transfer to the seaming iron. Regardless of the adhesive it must be applied in a manner thatencapsulates the primary and secondary backings. Also, backrolling the carpetedges prior to applying seam tape will help reduce peaking.

- Pre-stretching - Pre-stretch the carpet parallel to the seam the recommended 1% to1½% for about 18 inches on both sides of the seam. This relieves some of thestress the seaming tape must withstand.

- Construct on a Flat, Rigid Surface - Make all seams over a firm flat surface. The use ofa thin smooth piece of plywood, hardboard, or other material between the carpetand the cushion is ideal for this purpose.

Installers can minimize visible seams by using quality products, by following theabove tips, and by following the industry standard for installation, CRI-105. Problemscan also be minimized if retail sales representatives discuss with consumers theinstallation characteristics of the products being purchased so each understands thatinvisible seams may not be possible to achieve.

*From CRI Technical Bulletin, “Peaking seams in Stretch-In carpet installation”.

Healthier Choice

R-120610