Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsBruce ManualsEngineered HardwoodTime Honored Charcoal Hickory 3/8 in. T x 6 in. W Wire Brushed Engineered Hardwood Flooring (30.6 sq. ft./Case)

LOCKING HARDWOOD WITH LOCK&FOLD

™

TECHNOLOGY INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

FOR STAPLE DOWN, MECHANICALLY FASTENED, FLOATING AND GLUE DOWN APPLICATIONS

STORAGE AND HANDLING

• Handle and unload with care. Store in a dry place being sure to provide at least a 4˝ (10 cm) air space under cartons,

which are stored upon “on-grade” concrete ﬂoors. Flooring shall not be delivered until the building has been

enclosed with windows, doors are in place, and cement work, plastering and all other “wet” work is completed and

dry. Concrete should be at least 60 days old. Although it is not necessary to acclimate engineered ﬂooring it is best

to store it in the environment in which it is expected to perform prior to installation. Do not open cartons of locking

hardwood ﬂooring in advance of installation.

• The installation site should have a consistent room temperature of 60-80°F (16-27°C) and humidity of 30-50% for 14

days prior to and during installation and until occupied.

TOOLS & ACCESSORIES NEEDED

• Broom • Pencil • Safety glasses • Matching ﬁller • Moisture meter (wood, concrete or both)

• Transition and wall moldings as needed • Hand saw, table saw, circular saw or band saw • Premium Underlayment

• Tape measure • Carpenter square • Hammer or rubber mallet • Vinyl/plastic tapping block • Pull-bar • Utility knife

• NIOSH – designated dust mask • Recommended wood glue • 3M Scotch-Blue

™

2080 Tape

• Recommended hardwood ﬂooring cleaner

(Add for Glue-Down Installations)

• Recommended adhesive and adhesive remover

• 1/4˝ x 1/2˝ x 3/16˝ (6 mm x 13 mm x 8 mm) V-Notch

trowel (Figure 1)

• 1/2˝ x 15/32˝ V-notch or 1/4˝ x 1/4˝ for Moisture

barrier and sound control or other adhesive

manufacturer’s trowel

(Add for Mechanically Fastened/Staple-Down

Installations) **PowerNail 2000F or Stanley-Bostitch 2025K (Only)

• 1˝ Staples/fasteners (minimum) • 20 gauge Fasteners • Compressor and hose • Nylon/Plastic tapping block

• In-line regulator

SUBFLOOR CONDITIONS

Floating ﬂoors may be installed over any subﬂoor that is structurally sound, ﬂat, clean, and dry on all grade levels. All

substrates must meet or exceed all applicable building codes and be:

• CLEAN – Subﬂoor must be free of wax, paint, oil, sealers, adhesives and other debris.

• FLAT – Within 3/16˝ in 10´ (5 mm in 3 m) and/or 1/8˝ in 6´ (3 mm in 2 m). Sand high areas or joints. Fill low areas

with a latex additive cementitious leveling compound of 3,000-PSI minimum compressive strength patch and

underlayment. Follow the instructions of the leveling compound manufacturer. Leveling compounds must be tested

for moisture to ensure they are within the speciﬁed requirements for proper installation.

• DRY – Check and document moisture content of the subﬂoor using the appropriate moisture test. Moisture content

of wood subﬂoors must not exceed 12% as indicated by a wood moisture meter, and be within 3% moisture content

of the product being installed.

• STRUCTURALLY SOUND – Nail or screw any loose areas that squeak. Wood panels should exhibit an adequate

nailing pattern. A typical pattern is 6” (15 cm) along bearing edges and 12” (30 cm) along intermediate supports.

Flatten edge swell as necessary. Replace any water-damaged, swollen or delaminated subﬂooring or underlayments.

NOTE: Avoid subﬂoors with excessive vertical movement. Optimum performance of hardwood ﬂoor covering products

occurs when there is little horizontal or vertical movement of the subﬂoor. If the subﬂoor has excessive vertical

movement (deﬂection) before the installation of the ﬂooring it is likely it will do so after installation of the ﬂooring is

complete. As ﬂooring manufacturers we are unable to evaluate each engineered system. Spacing and spans, as well as

their engineering methods, are the responsibility of the builder, engineer, architect on consumer, who is better able to

evaluate the expected result based on site related performance.

Concrete

(Glue-Down and Floating Installations Only)

The ﬂooring can be glued directly to concrete with a minimum compressive strength of 3000 PSI. Do not install over

a concrete sealer or painted concrete. If present, remove by grinding or sanding. Do not install over slick, heavily

troweled or burnished concrete. Roughen the surface as necessary by sanding or grinding. Use an appropriate NIOSH-

designated dust mask. Floating ﬂoors can be installed over any structurally sound concrete.

Concrete Moisture Tests

All concrete subﬂoors should be tested, and results documented, for moisture content. Visual checks may not be

reliable. Test several areas, especially near exterior walls and walls containing plumbing. Acceptable test methods for

subﬂoor moisture content include:

• Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter Meter (Figure 2): Moisture

readings should not exceed 4.5 on the upper scale. (Figure 2 shows

an unacceptable reading of over 4.5) Concrete Moisture Meters give

qualitative reading results-not quantitative ones. These results are a

quick way to determine if further testing is required.

NOTE: The following tests are required in residential/commercial

applications. Either or both tests are acceptable.

• Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM F 1869): The maximum moisture

transfer must not exceed 3 lbs./1000 ft.

in 24 hrs. With this test.

• RH Levels in Concrete Using In-situ Probes (ASTM F 2170) should

not exceed 75%.

“DRY” CONCRETE, AS DEFINED BY THESE TESTS CAN BE WET AT

OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR. THESE TESTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A DRY SLAB.

Moisture Retardant Systems

If excessive moisture is present or anticipated, use Bruce

Summit Select adhesive or Bruce

ProConnect Plus

adhesive or inexpensive sheet vinyl must be used to reduce vapor intrusion.

• Bruce

Summit Select

™

All In One adhesive: Apply the adhesive using the trowel that is listed on every pail. Flooring

can be installed immediately after applying the adhesive. Bruce

Connect

™

Plus 90% RH and 10lb CC.

• Bruce Proconnect Plus Vapor Barrier adhesive: Apply the adhesive using the recommended trowel size for moisture

barrier applications. Flooring can be installed immediately after applying the adhesive

• Sheet vinyl: An inexpensive sheet vinyl or “slip-sheet” (felt-backed with vinyl wear layer) may be installed. Use

a premium grade, alkali resistant adhesive and a full spread application system to properly bond the vinyl to

the subﬂoor. Follow the sheet vinyl manufacturer’s instructions for installation procedures. A bond test may be

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING AHF PRODUCTS FLOORING. When properly installed

and cared for, your new ﬂooring will be easy to maintain and will keep its great look for years.

These directions are based on industry standards and best practices. Failure to follow these installation instructions

may result in damage to the ﬂooring and void the ﬂoor’s warranty.

• For complete warranty information call 1-866-243-2726 or go to www.ahfproducts.com.

• For technical or installation questions, or to request a Safety Data Sheet, please call 1-866-243-2726 or visit

www.hardwoodexpert.com our technical website.

• For general questions or comments, please visit us at www.ahfproducts.com or call 1-866-243-2726.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Owner/Installer Responsibility

NOTE: Lock&Fold hardwood ﬂooring is installed using a ﬂoating ﬂoor installation. A 1/2˝ expansion zone must be

maintained at all vertical obstructions including doorways and transition strips. The ﬂooring cannot be ﬁt tight against

any vertical surface such as stairways, walls or pipes. Do not attach or pinch the ﬂooring to the subﬂoor at any point

in the installation when using a ﬂoating installation, including gluing, nailing or by any other methods. Do not restrict

horizontal motion of the ﬂoor by wedging planks under other surfaces, such as door jambs, base molding, or existing

transition strips.

Beautiful hardwood ﬂoors are a product of nature and therefore, not perfect. Our hardwood ﬂoors are manufactured

in accordance with accepted industry standards, which permit grading deﬁciencies not to exceed 5%. These grading

deﬁciencies may be of a manufacturing or natural type. When ﬂooring is ordered, 5% must be added to the actual

square footage needed for cutting and grading allowance (10% for diagonal installations).

• The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for ﬁnal inspection of product quality. Inspection of all ﬂooring should

be done prior to installation. Carefully examine ﬂooring for color, ﬁnish and quality before installing it. If material is

not acceptable, do not install it. Contact the seller immediately.

NOTE: These directions are based on industry standards and best practices. Failure to follow these installation

instructions may result in damage to the ﬂooring and void the ﬂoor’s warranty. For complete warranty information call

1-866-243-2726 or go to www.ahfproducts.com.

• Prior to installation of any hardwood ﬂooring product, the owner/installer must determine that the job-site environment

and the sub-surfaces involved meet or exceed all applicable standards. Recommendations of the construction and

materials industries, as well as local codes, must be followed. These instructions recommend that the construction and

subﬂoor be clean, dry, stiff, structurally sound, and ﬂat. The manufacturer declines any responsibility for job failure

resulting from, or associated with, subﬂoor and substrates or job-site environmental deﬁciencies.

• Prior to installation, the owner/installer has ﬁnal inspection responsibility as to grade, manufacture, and factory ﬁnish.

The installer must use reasonable selectivity and hold out or cut off pieces with deﬁciencies, whatever the cause. Should

an individual piece be doubtful as to grade, manufacture, or factory ﬁnish, the installer should not use the piece.

• Use of stain, ﬁller, or putty stick for touch-up and appropriate products for correcting subﬂoor voids is accepted as

part of normal installation procedures.

ATTENTION INSTALLERS

SAWING, SANDING AND MACHINING WOOD PRODUCTS CAN PRODUCE WOOD DUST. AIRBORNE

WOOD DUST CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY, EYE AND SKIN IRRITATION. THE INTERNATIONAL

AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER (IARC) HAS CLASSIFIED WOOD DUST AS A NASAL

CARCINOGEN IN HUMANS.

Precautionary Measures: If power tools are used, they should be equipped with a dust collector. If high dust levels

are encountered, use an appropriate NIOSH-designated dust mask. Avoid dust contact with eye and skin.

First Aid Measures in Case of Irritation: In case of irritation, ﬂush eyes or skin with water for at least 15 minutes.

If you have any technical or installation questions, or to request a Safety Data Sheet, please call 1 866 243 2726

or visit www.hardwoodexpert.com our technical website.

IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE FOR MINNESOTA RESIDENTS ONLY:

THESE BUILDING MATERIALS EMIT FORMALDEHYDE. EYE, NOSE, AND THROAT IRRITATION, HEADACHE,

NAUSEA AND A VARIETY OF ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, HAVE BEEN

REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE. ELDERLY PERSONS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, AS

WELL AS ANYONE WITH A HISTORY OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, OR LUNG PROBLEMS, MAY BE AT GREATER RISK.

RESEARCH IS CONTINUING ON THE POSSIBLE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE.

REDUCED VENTILATION MAY ALLOW FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE

INDOOR AIR. HIGH INDOOR TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY RAISE FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS. WHEN A HOME

IS LOCATED IN AREAS SUBJECT TO EXTREME SUMMER TEMPERATURES, AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

CAN BE USED TO CONTROL INDOOR TEMPERATURE LEVELS. OTHER MEANS OF CONTROLLED MECHANICAL

VENTILATION CAN BE USED TO REDUCE LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE, CONSULT YOUR

DOCTOR OR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

Our Family of Brands

RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES: Bruce

ProConnect

™

Plus modiﬁed urethane Flooring Adhesive, Bruce

Equalizer Pro

Moisture cured Urethane Adhesive, Bruce

Summit Select

™

All In One Adhesive

RECOMMENDED ADHESIVE REMOVER: Low Odor mineral spirits

RECOMMENDED CLEANER: Bruce

Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner

RECOMMENDED UNDERLAYMENT (Floating installation system only): Premium Underlayment

RECOMMENDED WOOD GLUE (Floating installation if needed): Bruce

EverSeal

™

Hardwood & Laminate Flooring Adhesive

CAUTION: WOOD DUST

Figure 1

Figure 2

WARNING:

EXISTING IN-PLACE RESILIENT FLOOR COVERING AND ASPHALTIC

ADHESIVES. DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW, BEADBLAST, OR

MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING

FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVE, OR OTHER ADHESIVE.

These existing in-place products may contain asbestos ﬁbers and/or crystalline silica.

Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard.

Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos ﬁbers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm.

Unless positively certain that the existing in-place product is a non-asbestos-containing material, you must

presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine asbestos

content and may govern removal and disposal of material.

See current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication Recommended Work Practices

for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for instructions on removing all resilient ﬂoor covering structures or

AHF Products Inc. 866-243-2726.

AHF ﬂoor coverings and adhesives do NOT contain asbestos.

Summary of content (3 pages)

PAGE 1
Our Family of Brands LOCKING HARDWOOD WITH LOCK&FOLD™ TECHNOLOGY INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STAPLE DOWN, MECHANICALLY FASTENED, FLOATING AND GLUE DOWN APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES: Bruce® ProConnect™ Plus modified urethane Flooring Adhesive, Bruce® Equalizer Pro Moisture cured Urethane Adhesive, Bruce® Summit Select™ All In One Adhesive RECOMMENDED ADHESIVE REMOVER: Low Odor mineral spirits RECOMMENDED CLEANER: Bruce® Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner RECOMMENDED UNDERLAYMENT (Floating installati
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required as an adhesion test. Install several small areas (3´ x 3´) (1 m x 1 m) and allow the vinyl to set for 72 hours. Remove the vinyl. If the backing remains attached to the concrete, the subfloor should be acceptable for sheet vinyl installation. Install the sheet vinyl and allow the adhesive to cure for 24 hours prior to beginning installation. Degloss as necessary to create an adequate adhesive bond. Always check for adequate adhesive bond.
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STEP 8: Completing the Installation NOTE: Clean adhesive from the surface of the floor frequently, using the recommended adhesive cleaner. Urethane adhesives become extremely difficult to remove when cured. Do not use 3M Scotch-Blue™ 2080 Tape before adhesive is removed from the surface. Use clean towels, changed frequently, to prevent haze and adhesive residue. • Check for a tight fit between all edges and ends of each plank.