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Trims & Transitions | Furniture & Appliances | Care & Maintenance | Repair & Replace a Tile| Download a PDF of FAQs
Q. Can I install Avaire directly over the vinyl floor in my kitchen?
A. Yes. Avaire can be installed directly over a vinyl floor without any special underlayment.
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Q. Can Avaire Tile be installed over radiant heat?
A. Yes. Avaire is approved for installation above radiant heat. It works best with QuietWarmth, a heated underlayment designed specifically for floating floors. Please Note: Avaire should not be installed above heating systems that could expose the grid to temperatures above 115° F.
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Q. Can Avaire be installed over an engineered joist system with joists that are 19-2 on center with 3/4" OSB?
A. Yes. Engineered systems work well with Avaire as long as the floor is within the tolerance of 1/4" in 10'.
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Q. If I install Avaire tile over my hardwood floor, will the hardwood be damaged if I ever choose to remove my Avaire floor?
A. While Avaire shouldn’t damage your wood floor, it may need to be refinished and door casings replaced if undercut.
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Q. My old vinyl tile floor is missing a few pieces. Do I have to remove the whole floor to install Avaire?
A. No. If the vinyl tile is well bonded to its sub-floor and only a few pieces are missing, just use cement based patching compound to fill the missing areas. Then, once the floor is flat, Avaire can be installed. Use caution when removing loose tile as some vinyl tiles may contain asbestos.
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Q. I changed my mind from traditional tile to Avaire, but I already have cement board installed. Can I install Avaire over the cement board?
A. Avaire is very versatile and can be installed over many different subfloors including cement board.
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Q. Many floors cannot be installed over a particle board. Can Avaire be installed over this type of sub-floor?
A. Yes. Avaire can be installed over particle board as long as the floor is flat and structurally sound.
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Q. Can Avaire be installed over ceramic tile?
A. Yes. Avaire can be installed over ceramic tile as long as the floor is within a tolerance of 1/4" in 10', and any loose or broken tiles are removed and patched with a portland cement based patching compound. Consideration must also be taken to address the height at the transitions and the door casings.
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Q. Can I install Avaire on my countertops?
A. Avaire is not recommended for installation on countertops. However, Avaire Flexible Grout is an excellent choice for any traditional tile installation including countertops.
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Q. Do I have to remove the paint off my concrete floor before I install Avaire?
A. Since Avaire is not bonded to the sub-floor; Avaire may be installed directly over a painted floor.
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Q. My third floor condo has lightweight concrete, and I'm told that primers and sealers need to be applied before my tile floor can be installed. Is this necessary with Avaire?
A. As long as the lightweight concrete is flat within tolerance 1/4" in 10' and structurally sound, it won't be necessary to prime the floor before installing Avaire.
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Q. Are there any deflection requirements for Avaire floor?
A. The floor must not have defection greater than 1/360 of the span when measured under a 300 lb concentrated load. (See ASTM C 627).
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Q. Can Avaire Tiles be installed in a bathroom?
A. Yes. Avaire is ideal for any indoor environment such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, etc. Avaire should not, however, be installed in higher moisture areas such as shower pans and saunas.
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Q. Can Avaire be installed outdoors?
A. Avaire is not recommended for use in outdoor environments. Outdoor installations are not covered under the Avaire 10-year limited warranty.
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Q. Can Avaire be installed in an environment reaching below freezing temperatures?
A. Results from extensive freeze-thaw tests indicate theAvaire system and grout performs well in applications, such as 3-season porches or summer homes, as long as they are indoor applications and not subjected to rain, snow, standing water, or any other environment where moisture would get under the system.
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Q. Can Avaire be installed on stairs?
A. Yes, but it will need to be fully adhered using a high quality construction adhesive and a stair nosing at the edge.
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Q. Can I install Avaire under a wood or gas burning stove?
A. Avaire should not be installed under wood or gas burning stoves or fireplaces.
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