General Lonseal Installation Information
Before Installation
The installer must verify that all products are correct for the project, and ensure that the pattern, color, style, and lot numbers match those called for in the finish schedule as specified for the project. The installer must also verify that the site conditions will permit installation per Lonseal’s requirements.
Before beginning the project, the installer should become familiar with all technical documents related to the installation. All instructions for these products must be thoroughly reviewed, noting all cautions, disclaimers, and warnings.
Store all products in the installation area for a minimum of 48 hours before installation, with the flooring being kept in its packaging and standing on end. Storage and acclimation temperature must be between 65 and 85 °F, with the relative humidity between 35 and 55%.
If the flooring is not allowed to acclimate properly, expansion or contraction of the flooring may occur after installation. This can lead to issues like buckling, edge curl, gapping at the perimeter, or seam separation.
After acclimation, unroll and allow the flooring to lay flat. This process may take multiple hours, depending on the previous storage temperature, acclimation temperature, and how tightly wound the material was on the roll. Allow extra length when cutting, as shrinkage may occur if temperatures are unstable from acclimation to installation.
Permanent installations require a full glue-down installation with welded seams.
Heat Welding for Indoor Installation
Specific welding threads for each color and product of LonSeal flooring are available for purchase. Some installations require special nozzles.
Heat welding is recommended for heavy traffic areas and all healthcare buildings.
Chemical Welding for Indoor Installation
Chemical seam sealer, Lonsealer, should only be used in light traffic areas, and where the temperature will remain in a moderate zone with little fluctuation.
Butt seaming methods with no seam sealer are primarily used in stages and TV Studios that do not want seams to show up on camera. This can also be effective when using the #650 Epoxy Adhesive as some of the adhesive will be pushed into the seam area and act as a sealer to some extent. Wipe any excess adhesive up on the surface of the vinyl immediately with Ethyl Alchohol or it will be permanent.
Waterproof Exterior LonDeck Installations
LonDeck must be overlap-welded to ensure the installation is waterproof. This process uses heat to fuse one sheet to another. Unless noted otherwise, all overlaps must be a minimum of 1-1/2 inch (3.8 cm) wide.
Using Tape for Installations
- Commercial, interior building with HVAC and a temperature range between 65-85 degrees: #813 Premium Bond Adhesive and the DFT (tape) under the seam to keep the seam area free of any adhesive. Then heat weld or use Lonsealer to treat the seam.
- Stages, TV Studios, Dance Floors: #650 Epoxy Adhesive. Some dance studios may want heat-welded seams and if so, use the DFT (tape) and heat-weld. Lonsealer will not hold up to dancing.
- Boats, vehicles, machinery, trade show floors (prefabricated), or any application that will experience temperature variations below 65 and above 85 degrees Fahrenheit: #650 Epoxy, #400 Contact, or LONTAPE which is a permanent tape system and requires 100% coverage.
Using Tape for Temporary Installations
For temporary dance, stage, or theater flooring, double-sided tape and SHOWTAPE can be used to hold the flooring down. Use SHOWTAPE on the perimeters of the floor.
* Always follow the instructions for the specific product that you are purchasing.