AITN Newsletter
Transcription
AITN Newsletter
AITN Newsletter Armstrong Installation Training Network Manager’s Message Here is to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013. We at Armstrong want to take a moment to thank you for your commitment and dedication to our network. We also would like to increase the frequency of our communication to you regarding new products, changes to the network and certification processes, and new knowledge that may help you do your job better. This newsletter is our first attempt at fulfilling this need. As a member of the AITN, you can expect to see these newsletters on a quarterly basis. As we continue to develop and mold the format of this newsletter into the most useful publication we can, we will need your feedback on what you would like to see included, or what works and what does not work. Feel free to communicate this to Rick Herr ([email protected]), Tim Provence Ar ms t r o n g World Industr ie s, Inc . ([email protected]) or myself ([email protected]). We are excited about the content of this first issue, as it highlights a lot of the exciting new products and product changes that were developed and launched to market in 2012. We also recognize our good friend, Michael Roettele, for the AITN Lifetime Achievement Award he was presented in 2012. As you read, please pay attention to the recent updates to the ACIP certification process. This issue is packed with good information you can use to help you install Armstrong floor products. Regards, Brian Beakler Manager, AFP Installation and Technical Services Volume 1, Issue 1 February 7, 2013 Inside this issue: S-761 Seam Adhesive 2 Update New Armstrong American Scrape 3 New Summit Wood Adhesive 4 Michael Roettele Lifetime Achievement 5 ACIP Certification Changes 6 Environmental Effects on Wood Flooring 7 When Laminate “Talks 9 Back” New Use for S-289 Adhesive Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is excited to announce that our current S-289 releasable adhesive is now also approved for permanent use for residential lay-flat vinyl sheet floors, including fiberglass floors and StrataMax. Permanent bond is achieved by utilizing a fine-notch trowel and installing the floor after 10 minutes, while the adhesive is wet. The releasable bond continues to be installed utilizing a short nap roller, with a 45- to 60-minute open time. The following are some key benefits of this product: Can be used as both a releasable AND permanent adhesive for lay-flat sheet floors Releasable installation allows for easy removal and repairs Permanent installation creates a strong, permanent bond to the floor The releasable installation is also approved for LVT (Natural Living & Natural Personality) Strong initial grab Backed by the Armstrong Guaranteed Installation System Page 2 Safety First: Cutting Basics Whether cutting wood or laminate flooring, linoleum or Strata Max always keep your blade(s) sharp! When cutting more rigid materials like linoleum let the blade do the work, avoid using excess pressure. Besides producing a jagged cut, increased pressure greatly increases the chance of a slip. If your hand is shaking you are pushing too hard! Use a notched or hook blade to finish relief and fit cuts at the wall. Keep your free hand out of the path of the blade. REMEMBER: Always use your PPE; safety glasses, NIOSH approved dust mask and hearing protection. The Training Corner: 2012 Recap In 2012, 6,107 installers were trained and 577 Installers were certified through the ACIP. J.J. Haines led the way with 815 installers trained and 84 installers certified in 2012. Thank you to all who participated in training and congratulations to those who achieved certification status last year! For more information regarding the certification process, please see page six. AITN Newsletter Page 3 AITN Newsletter New Product: Armstrong American Scrape Armstrong Floor Products, a leader in the design and manufacture of residential flooring, introduces American Scrape, a new American-made genuine scraped hardwood. American Scrape features richly textured solid and engineered hardwood floors, inspired by the rugged beauty of the American landscape. This special collection is offered in domestic hickory, known for its rustic character and superior hardness, and oak, an American classic. Everything about these floors has an American stamp – wide width planks (5”) and dramatic colors named for diverse regions around the country. American Scrape leverages Armstrong’s industry-leading scale and a new technology to deliver beautiful, genuine scraped wood products at very appealing prices. Each floor is made in the USA. 1900s to planting hardwoods to replace the wood it uses to make floors today. A portion of the sales from the American Scrape collection will be dedicated to supporting Homes for Our Troops (HFOT), a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization that builds specially adapted homes for the nation’s severely injured veterans. Installation Tip: Heat Welding When heat welding inside and outside corners, use two small pieces of blue tape on the floor to prevent scorching/burning when starting or stopping the weld. Leave the tape approx 1/8” from the starting and stopping point of the groove, and weld right onto the tape. This helps achieve a strong weld at the starting and stopping point without damaging the floor and the tape comes off easily with no residue. -Provided by Tim Provence American Scrape, Engineered Hardwood, Hickory American Quality, Guaranteed to Last Over 90% of all Armstrong hardwood flooring is manufactured in the U.S., including the new American Scrape collection, using local raw materials. As the leading manufacturer of flooring in North America, Armstrong is committed to sustaining natural resources and reducing its environmental impact. Armstrong has a long history of recycling and environmental stewardship – from re-using cork waste for linoleum floors in the early Meet the Trainer: Rick Herr Rick is starting his 45th year with Armstrong. Rick spent his first 30 years in new product development for resilient and carpet products. He was involved in the development of Designer Solarian II and the Cleansweep coating as well as the seam coater for residential sheet products. Rick has four U.S. Patents on products and coatings. In the past 15 years, he has served as the Installation and Technical Services Representative for the eastern U.S. and Canada. Rick currently resides in Lancaster, PA. AITN Newsletter Page 4 Spotlight on: Michael Roettele Michael Roettele began installing floors in 1970. In 1982, he accepted a job with Armstrong World Industries as a Regional Installation Specialist. Michael became Coordinator of Installation Services for Armstrong in Lancaster, PA in 1996. During the fall of 2000 he built and trained in a 3000 sq.ft. training center for the Adleta Company in Carrolton, TX. He then moved to Summerville, SC in 2003 and started FloorArt Consulting, offering comprehensive consulting, installation training, testing and inspections. He has now returned to Carrollton and built a new school, a state of the art training and technical center located at the Adleta Company. Michael received the AITN Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 for his outstanding contributions to the AITN. Michael, congratulations again, and thank you for your contributions and dedication. Michael Roettele with the 2012 AITN Lifetime Achievement Award. Striations BBT Receives Award Armstrong Commercial Flooring's Biobased Tile, STRIATIONS BBT® has earned a coveted Silver 2012 Nightingale Award, an award program sponsored by Contract magazine and The Center for Health Design and Healthcare Design.12, that recognizes the best in excellence and innovation in healthcare product design. The 2012 Nightingale Awards winners are selected by a panel of healthcare industry and design professionals and honor new evidence-based, innovative healthcare products introduced to the U.S. market since November 2011. Each product is evaluated on merits of overall contribution to the quality of healthcare, functionality, quality/ durability, aesthetics/style, environmental sustainability and pricing. A distinguished panel of interior designers and architects that specialize in healthcare design judge the products. STRIATIONS BBT delivers stylish, linear visuals in a PVC free tile with 85% limestone and 10% preconsumer recycled content. It offers a sophisticated linear visual for creating unconventional design options in a rich neutral palette. All Armstrong resilient products contribute to better indoor air quality because of their low VOC emissions and third-party FloorScore™ certification / California Section 01350. options to create dazzling flooring layouts. Plus, these design features are presented in a PVC free tile made with 85% recycled limestone, reducing the impact on the environment,” she said. “Since Armstrong is the only company to have this patentpending biobased formula, it is the only company that is able to bring these advanced solutions to healthcare.” “I am proud of the artistic quality of this line. Armstrong is truly honored to accept this award and all of the designers and architects who contributed their opinion to help create this line can share in this honor,” she added. STRIATIONS BBT was cited by judges for its versatile visual impact, lasting performance and green attributes. The line merges soothing healthcare colors and a soft, striated visual to fit any healthcare environment. The high-end design also meets customers’ maintenance, cost and durability requirements. According to Julia Pierce, Director, Marketing and Design, “This environmentally friendly tile collection offers an exciting visual inspired by the natural qualities found in ancient stone and time-weathered wood. To further give the illusion of real wood and stone, we’ve designed Striations BBT with a 12” x 24” linear format, offering our customers unlimited “This product is perfect for our healthcare customers who look for environmental benefits at a value price point,” said Mike Garvin, sales manager, who accepted the award on behalf of Armstrong. “Since Armstrong is the only company to have this patent-pending biobased formula, it is the only company that is able to bring these advanced solutions to healthcare.” Look for the 2012 Nightingale winners on the Contract magazine website www.contractmagazine.com and the Center for Health Design site at www.healthdesign.org. AITN Newsletter Page 5 Test Your Knowledge A. B. C. D. When installing a residential sheet material over an existing embossed resilient floor, which product can be used as an embossing leveler? S-184 mixed with S-185 S-194 mixed with S-195 S-183 mixed with S-185 S-172 mixed with S-195 2. Engineered wood flooring should be end glued with PVA adhesive when installing over radiant heated floors. A. True B. False 3. The recommended application of S-543 is: A. Trowel with a 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/8” notch, followed by a 1/2” nap paint roller B. Trowel with a fine notch 1/32” x 1/16” x 5/64” install set in wet, no open time C. Trowel with a fine notch 1/32” x 1/16” x 1/32” install dry to touch D. Trowel with a fine notch 1/32” x 1/16” x 5/64”, followed by a medium to short nap paint roller 4. To minimize pattern repeats, always pull from at least___ cartons of Laminate flooring while installing. A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 6 Answers: 1. B, 2. A, 3. D, 4. B 1. Page 6 AITN Newsletter Update: ACIP Certification Changes With 10 years and 9,000+ certified installers, the Armstrong Certified Installer Program (ACIP) continues to grow. Consumers, architects, general contractors, and retail customers ask for, or require, Armstrong Certified Installers for their projects. With the rapid changes in flooring products, adhesives, and installation systems, it is critical for a certified installer to remain knowledgeable. With this in mind, the next step for the ACIP will be a requirement for the certified installer to update their certification every three years to maintain the financial benefits* of their certification. To update a certification, the certified installer must pass the current open book written test with a score of 80% or higher. The current open book written test is available at www.floorexpert.com/InstallerTraining, follow the instructions to complete the update. THERE IS NO LONGER A COST TO UPDATE A CERTIFICATION Certification updates are available for each category of certification: Commercial Sheet (includes commercial sheet and linoleum categories) Residential Sheet (includes residential sheet, res roto, and res roto sheet categories) Laminate Hardwood Installers have four options to complete the test: Download the documents to your local computer and complete the registration form and answer template. Print the document and complete the registration form and answer template. Call 800-356-9301 ext. 5874 or 8701 or email [email protected] or [email protected] to request a hard copy of the documents. Be sure to include your current address and phone number when requesting the hard copy. Attend a regional update seminar through one of our distributor trainers and complete the test at the seminar. Instructions to complete the certification update: All answers can be found within www.floorexpert.com or within the current version of the F-5061. Complete the registration form. Place answers on the answer template, and when completed, submit registration form and answer template to: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Attn: Rick Herr 2500 Columbia Avenue Lancaster, PA 17604 *NOTE: Failure to update a certification within one year of renewal date will void the financial benefits of certification. ACIP Benefits: When an installation fails due to installer error, and it was installed by an Armstrong Certified Installer using the Armstrong Guaranteed Installation System recommendations, Armstrong will supply all the Armstrong flooring materials and Armstrong installation products for its repair or replacement up to a retail value of $1,000 for residential and laminate installations and $2,500 for commercial, linoleum, and wood. Retailer’s cost will be used to determine the material portion of the adjustment. For residential sheet, residential roto, commercial, linoleum, and laminate, Armstrong will pay the certified installer $125 not to install obviously defective material. This does not apply for wood certification. Page 7 AITN Newsletter Environmental Effects on Wood Flooring—Part 1 By Brian Beakler, Ph.D. As part of the AITN, it is likely that most of you have installed either solid or engineered wood floor in your past. Some of you may install wood everyday. Regardless of your level of experience with wood, there is one critical aspect that you, the installer, must take into account in order to produce a quality installation that is claim free control the moisture content. The most critical aspect of properly manufacturing, installing or maintaining any wood or wood-based product is the ability to control it’s moisture content. Wood is a “hygroscopic” material, meaning it is “water loving,” and it has an affinity to gain and lose moisture depending on the environment in which it resides. When wood gains or loses moisture it changes dimension. Dimensional change in solid and engineered (to a lesser extent) wood flooring can create havoc, and depending on the amount of dimensional change (which is closely tied to the moisture content), defects such as buckling, gapping, checking, splitting, cupping and crowning will occur. It is important to understand a bit about the manufacturing process and how the ambient atmospheric conditions can affect the performance of wood flooring products. Armstrong manufactures all of its solid and engineered wood flooring products in a way that all product going into the box has a moisture content (MC) between 6% and 9%. Moisture content is defined as the weight of the water contained in the wood, expressed as a percentage of the weight of the dry wood. Wood products produced for interior applications in the U.S. and Canada are generally manufactured to hold the 5% - 9% MC range. The reason for this specific range is that the interior environments in the region hold approximately that same atmospheric MC, also known as equilibrium moisture content (EMC), year round. EMC is defined as the moisture content at which wood neither gains nor loses moisture when surrounded by air at a given relative humidity and temperature. In essence, when wood at a specific moisture content is placed into an environment which does not match it’s moisture content, the wood will gain or lose moisture until equilibrium with the environment is met. The result of this gain or loss in moisture content is dimensional change. It is highly recommended that wood flooring products be “acclimated” to the environment in which they are going to be installed. This acclimation, when done properly (proper acclimation will be discussed in Part 2 of this series), will allow the individual flooring planks to gain or lose moisture and change dimension prior to being fastened to the subfloor. Most issues occur when proper acclimation is not completed prior to installing. Typically, this results in gapping between boards (in drier conditions) and buckling or crushing (in wetter conditions). For example, if an installer staples 3/4” thick, 3-1/4” wide northern red oak flooring with an average out of the box MC of 6% in an interior atmosphere that has a 11% EMC without proper acclimation, he or she can expect to get approximately 4.4 inches of expansion in an installation that is 20 feet in width. Nearly all of the dimensional change in wood flooring is across its width and through its thickness, and there is virtually no dimensional change along it’s length. Once the floor is properly installed, it is critical that the floor is maintained in a relative humidity (RH) between 35% and 55% and at a temperature between 60°F and 80°F. These conditions of RH and temperature produce a range in EMC between 7% and 10%, which is very closely aligned to the manufactured moisture content of most products. Occasionally, and usually only on special request, the manufacturer will dry and process the material so that the MC matches the EMC for specific dry or wet environments (example: Phoenix and Houston, respectively). Maintenance of EMC conditions in the interior environment will insure that the installation remains stable and performs at its peak throughout it’s useful life. An old professor of mine once said, “95% of all problems that you will experience in wood in your career will be moisture-related in one way or another.” Thus far, he is correct. So, next time you install a wood floor, be conscious of the need to control the moisture content. Meet the Trainer: Tim Provence Tim has spent the past 11 years with Armstrong serving as the Installation and Technical Services Representative covering the western U.S. and Canada. Prior to that, Tim was the AITN installation trainer for Armstrong distributor, Tri West, LTD. He began his career in flooring installation in 1974, and from 1981-1997 Tim was a licensed flooring installer in California. Tim currently resides in Aguanga, California. Page 8 AITN Newsletter Updated Installation Adhesive Chart - Part 1 Page 9 AITN Newsletter When Laminate “Talks Back” By Todd Weldon Laminate flooring has evolved extensively since its introduction in the early 90’s. One of the most significant changes is the transition from fully glued joint systems to “Lock and Fold” or “glueless” installation systems. The introduction of locking laminate has helped to foster a quick, more cost effective and less “messy” installation as opposed to previous “glued together” installation systems. While these locking systems have demonstrated numerous benefits, their advent has had some unintended and undesirable consequences. The greatest of these is the occurrence of “noise.” When laminate flooring makes noise, regardless of the reason, it is always the result of friction at the joints. All properly made locking laminate flooring products are capable of making occasional or incidental noise at some time during the service life of the floor. However, laminate noise that is repetitive, constant and widespread is not normal and should not be tolerated. Although the causes of this type of noise are limited to manufacturing, site related conditions or installation deficiencies, pinpointing the exact cause can be problematic after the installation. Below are three of the most prevalent causes of laminate flooring noise. Manufacturing: Laminate that is milled improperly can make noise at the joints. If laminate is milled too tightly, it will make noise right out of the carton, and will never go away. If widespread noise is observed at install in a properly prepared site - DO NOT PROCEED! Consequently, if a noise situation develops over time, this is a clear indication that you have to look elsewhere for the source of the issue. Proper Environment: Sustained high relative humidity/moisture issues will cause swelling in the joints. Although more dimensionally stable than wood flooring products, laminate being a wood composite product, is subject to its environment and will expand and contract accordingly. As joint swelling occurs, noise is often the result. When this occurs, if the joints have not been permanently damaged, it may take several weeks of exposure to low relative humidity to correct. To help prevent this from occurring, Armstrong recommends a relative humidity range of 35% to 55%. Installation Deficiencies: Lack of required expansion space is the #1 installation related cause of “noisy” laminate. As the floor cycles through normal seasonal changes, if no expansion space is available or pinch points are created, the joints push on each other creating tension. This tension in turn manifests itself in the form of noise when walked upon. Armstrong’s expansion space and transition strip requirements are based on mathematics that take into account the rate in which laminate will shrink or swell when exposed to normal household fluctuations in relative humidity. When installed without these minimum expansion space requirements, the floor will react adversely during “normal” seasonal changes. Therefore, it’s critical to allow for the proper expansion space around the room’s perimeter during installation. Armstrong R&D, through the continuous improvement process, has made several improvements to its laminate products to make them less likely to make noise in any situation. These include a new lock design and the addition of wax at the joints on a number of our laminate products. In addition to these efforts, Armstrong has added noise testing as part of the qualifying measure for each production audit of our laminate products. While these measures have helped to dramatically reduce the occurrence of noise in Armstrong laminate products, there is no substitute for proper installation and maintenance. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2500 Columbia Avenue Lancaster, PA 17604 717-397-0611 www.armstrong.com www.floorexpert.com Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of floors and ceilings. In 2011, Armstrong's consolidated net sales from continuing operations totaled approximately $2.7 billion. Based in Lancaster, Pa., Armstrong operates 32 plants in eight countries and has approximately 8,500 employees worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.armstrong.com/. Armstrong markets the most extensive portfolio of residential and commercial floor products available - hardwood, laminate, linoleum, vinyl sheet and tile, ceramic and BioBased Tile® under the brand names Armstrong®, Bruce® and Robbins®. The company's global acoustical ceiling and suspension systems business is 90 percent commercial – offices, healthcare, education, retail, transportation and other segments – and 10 percent residential. Established in 1860, Armstrong celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2010. Armstrong Endorses Swiffer for Wood Flooring Armstrong has partnered with Procter & Gamble to endorse Swiffer® brand floor care products on wood floors. The Armstrong endorsement will appear on all Swiffer products recommended for wood floors, including the Swiffer® Sweeper and WetJet® Wood products. The Armstrong-endorsed products will appear in North American retail, grocery and do-it-yourself channel, including mass market retailer floor displays. Swiffer products reach over 92% of where all North American floor care purchases are made. At Wal-Mart alone, over 100 million customers per week will see the endorsement. “The Armstrong endorsement of Swiffer brands is a winning combination which can increase Swiffer sales and enhance Armstrong’s image as a flooring leader;” says Steve Poole, Vice President, New Business Development. Wendy Booker, Product Manager, Installation and Maintenance Products adds, “This partnership supports the strategy of expanding our brand presence in the floor care market.” Starting in July 2013, the endorsement will appear on Swiffer product packaging, and the endorsement may appear in various aspects of the Swiffer marketing elements, including website promotions and television commercials as well.