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Carton decoder · Armstrong

# How to read an Armstrong (AHF) carton

How AHF, the company behind Armstrong Flooring, prints run numbers and manufacture dates on the carton end, and what to check before mixing Armstrong boxes.

[Find or sell boxes](https://flooringfx.com/post/)See model strings

Asking is always free.

ARMSTRONG CARTON END EXAMPLE

- **STYLE:** Pryzm

- **COLOR:** Salvaged Plank White

- **MODEL:** PC001

- **RUN NUMBER:** 29.10.2020

- **READS AS:** day.month.year

- **MFG DATE:** same as the run

Example Armstrong label fields from the sources below. Your carton may show fewer.

## Run number and manufacture date

Armstrong residential flooring is now part of AHF Products, which also owns Bruce. AHF’s vinyl install instructions explain the run number in detail. The same instructions say to check style, color, quantity and run before you open anything.

> “CHECK RUN NUMBERS AND MANUFACTURE DATE: To determine manufacture date, locate the run number on the short end of the carton. It is the eight-digit number separated by decimal points… DAY.MONTH.YEAR-29.10.2020.” [AHF 5 mm loose lay installation instructions](https://www.ahfcontract.com/cdn/content/sites/10/5mm-Loose-Lay-Installation.pdf?download=true)

## Before you open anything

The same instructions tell installers to “verify that the material is of the correct style, color, quantity, and run numbers” and to open several cartons and mix them as they install. Minor shade variation within one run is expected. If a leftover box comes from a different run, lay a plank next to the floor in daylight before you commit. For claims, AHF sends owners back to the retailer with the receipt ([AHF FAQs](https://armstrong.prod-west.ahfproducts.com/residential/en-us/customer-service-support/flooring-faqs.html)).

The AHF document quoted here is for its 5 mm loose-lay vinyl. FlooringFX has not found a matching rule for Armstrong engineered wood, so treat the run-number format as confirmed for vinyl only.

## How to read it, step by step

1. **Check style, color and quantity**
AHF tells installers to verify style, color, quantity and run numbers before starting.
1. **Find the run number**
It is on the short end of the carton, eight digits separated by dots.
1. **Read it as a date**
Day, month, year. 29.10.2020 means 29 October 2020, the manufacture date.
1. **Keep the receipt**
AHF’s claims process starts with the retailer and the model number on the receipt.

**Short a few boxes, or holding spares?**

Post the model string and a carton-end photo. When spare boxes are listed, FlooringFX checks them against every open request. Asking is always free.

[Find or sell boxes](https://flooringfx.com/post/)

## Armstrong model strings readers have asked about

| Color | Line | Model string | Material | Requests |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Engineered Oak Chestnut |  | 4657CH | Engineered or solid wood | 1 |  |
| Salvaged Plank White | Pryzm | PC001 | Vinyl plank | 1 | [Guide](https://flooringfx.com/reuse-closet-flooring-planks/) |

Requests are ranges of reader comments naming the color. Model strings are as readers copied them from their cartons.

## Open on the Match board now

| Type | Color | Model string |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wanted | Alterna Bloomfield Slate Ginger Root | D8166 | [Open listing](https://flooringfx.com/listing/26/) |
| Wanted | Engineered Oak Chestnut | 4657CH | [Open listing](https://flooringfx.com/listing/7/) |
| Wanted | Armstrong Pryzm Salvaged Plank White | PC001 | [Open listing](https://flooringfx.com/listing/14/) |

## Questions about Armstrong cartons

**Where is the manufacture date on an Armstrong vinyl box?**

In the run number on the short end of the carton. It reads day.month.year, for example 29.10.2020.

**Who makes Armstrong flooring now?**

Armstrong residential flooring is part of AHF Products, which also makes Bruce.

**Does this work for Armstrong engineered wood?**

FlooringFX has only confirmed the run-number format in AHF’s vinyl instructions. For wood, photograph the whole carton end and post it.

## Also useful

[All brands in the decoder](https://flooringfx.com/decoder/)
[Dye lots and batch codes](https://flooringfx.com/dye-lots-batch-codes-leftover-flooring-match/)
[What to photograph on a carton](https://flooringfx.com/photograph-flooring-carton-for-match/)
[Same color name, different brands](https://flooringfx.com/flooring-name-collisions-same-color-different-brands/)

## Sources

- [AHF 5 mm loose lay installation instructions](https://www.ahfcontract.com/cdn/content/sites/10/5mm-Loose-Lay-Installation.pdf?download=true)
- [Armstrong Flooring residential FAQs (AHF)](https://armstrong.prod-west.ahfproducts.com/residential/en-us/customer-service-support/flooring-faqs.html)

## Have Armstrong boxes, or need some?

Asking is always free. Post what the label says and FlooringFX matches it against spare boxes people list.

[Find or sell boxes](https://flooringfx.com/post/)
[See open requests](https://flooringfx.com/match-listings/)

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Source: https://flooringfx.com/decoder/armstrong/
FlooringFX (https://flooringfx.com/) is a free help site for finding discontinued hard-surface flooring matches.