Floor Requirements for Installation Instructions WOOD FIBER FUSION may be applied over both plywood and OSB flooring. The flooring must be structurally sound and built to code with movement joints placed in accordance to industry standards. Joist • For a 16” o.c. joist, I-joist, or floor truss, use a minimum subfloor thickness of 5/8” (16 mm). Tongue-and-groove with a 1/8” (3 mm) gap between sheets. • For a 19.2” o.c. joist, I-joist, or floor truss, use a minimum subfloor thickness of 3/4” (19 mm). Tongue-and-groove with a 1/8” (3 mm) gap between sheets. • For 24” o.c. I-joist, or floor truss, use a double layer of plywood. Use a minimum subfloor thickness of 3/4”(19 mm) and an added layer of 3/8” (10 mm) subfloor as a second layer. Substrate Preparation • Verify subfloor is properly fastened, structurally sound and built to code. Must comply to TCNA substrate requirements, defined in 2014 TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation. • Clear any dust, paint, oil, wax or possible mortar bond breaker. • Subfloor should be flat and even. Any leveling must be done prior to installing FIBER FUSION. Thin-set Mortar and Grout A modified thin-set in accordance to ANSI A118.14 and/or ANSI 118.11 may be used as well as unmodified thin-set mortar in accordance to ANSI A118.1 when installing FIBER FUSION. Note: Modified Thin-set is Recommended. Waterproof FIBER FUSION may be used as a waterproof product with additional installation instructions. Without these steps FIBER FUSION acts to protect the area from most water due to the water resistant fabric. Note: Please See Waterproofing Installation Instructions. CONCRETE FIBER FUSION may be applied over any structurally sound concrete. It may be applied over concrete that is cracked or pre-stressed. Requirements: • Slab must be structurally sound. • Must be free of wax, oil, dirt or any other bond breakers. • Must be flat and prepared prior to install of FIBER FUSION. • Assure the relative humidity level is within accordance to ASTM F2170 Standard test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs. FIBER FUSION may help reduce some relative humidity with the permeability of the fabric. • Cracks in the concrete subfloor must exhibit in-plane movement only. Thin-set Mortar and Grout A modified thin-set in accordance to ANSI A118.14 and/or ANSI 118.11 may be used as well as unmodified thin-set mortar in accordance to ANSI A118.1 when installing FIBER FUSION. Note: Modified Thin-set is Recommended. Movement Joints: Movement joints must be installed in accordance with normal industry standards. HEATED FLOORS FIBER FUSION may be installed over electric thin mat or wire heating floor systems. Follow heated floor manufacturers instructions for the heated mat installation. Preparation For wood and concrete floors refer to the above flooring requirements. Prepare floor in accordance to the heating systems manufacturer. FIBER FUSION may be installed over the radiant heat mat in the same manner as it would be over a concrete or wood surface. TOOLS • 1/4” or V- notch trowel for installing FIBER FUSION • Appropriate Thin-set Mortar - 50 lb bag for 150-200 ft2 when installing FIBER FUSION - 50 lb bag for about 30-40 ft2 when setting tile • Carpet knife • Tile float or roller page 1/2 FIBER FUSION Installation Instructions Following the steps properly while installing FIBER FUSION is essential to the success of your installation. • • • • • • • • Mix mortar according to the manufacturer instructions on the looser side. Starting from the wall and using the appropriate thin-set mortar begin troweling out the mortar using a 1/4” x 3/16” V-notch trowel. Trowel enough area to cover with a portion of FIBER FUSION then work your way down while rolling out the mat. Place FIBER FUSION into the mortar with the fabric side down with the selvedge edge exposed and away from the wall. A float trowel or roller should be used to ensure that the fabric is embedded to the mortar. Roll the area until any air pockets are eliminated. Lift up a corner to ensure there is full coverage of thin-set mortar on the fabric. Align the end and side sections of FIBER FUSION and apply mortar to the selvedge edge and subfloor. Roll the product out as done previously. Continue working the product out while making sure the joints are butted tightly and the selvedge edge is covered. Continue this pattern until the area is complete. At roll ends or butt joints place a piece of scrap FIBER FUSION fabric with the core removed from it under both pieces and trowel or roll into the thin-set mortar. Place additional mortar on the fabric and continue with the installation, assuring the fabric covers the entire seam edge. Installing Tile over FIBER FUSION All tile must be installed according to the tile manufacturers recommended installation instructions. • • • • Tile may be installed over FIBER FUSION as soon as FIBER FUSION has been installed and embedded into place. Trowel the appropriate mortar using the appropriate size trowel recommended by the tile manufacturer depending on the tile size. Ensure the mortar has filled the entangled net and encased into the filaments. Embed the tiles into the setting materials. Periodically lift the tile to make sure the tile has appropriate coverage. Waterproofing Installation Follow these steps for waterproofing only • • • • Apply thin-set at the wall joints. Place FIBER FUSION 5” Waterproofing Band in the center between the wall and floor. Trace additional thin-set over the tape using the flat side of the trowel ensuring 100% bond and no excess mortar or air pockets. Place additional tape below where one roll ends and a new roll begins, and where no selvage edge is provided. Secure with mortar on top and bottom. Cover with FIBER FUSION. LIMITATIONS This product is not intended for use in areas with standing water. This is including but not limited to fountains, pools, and tiled tubs. This product is not intended to be used as a wear surface. Do not bond directly to particle board, vinyl flooring, metal or other surfaces not approved. Quick Step by Step Instructions Place loosely mixed mortar on the subfloor with 1/4” x 3/16” v-notch trowel. Roll FIBER FUSION™ out over the mortar thin-set with selvedge seam facing the opposite direction of the wall and the fabric facing the floor. Press mat down with a float or roller ensuring a good bond. Apply mortar over the selvedge edge and the next section of the subfloor. Apply the non-selvedge edge side facing the wall and continue this pattern until room is complete. Once all of FIBER FUSION™ is installed please follow manufacturer’s installation guidelines for tile. Note: Periodically check the coverage by lifting the mat. page 2/2 Distributed by: Lumber Liquidators Services LLC 1-800-427-3966 3000 John Deere Road www.norgetools.com Toano, VA 23168