Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsBruce ManualsEngineered HardwoodColony Collection Oak Fall Meadow 3/8 in. T x 3 in. W x Random L Engineered Hardwood Flooring (31.5 sq. ft./case)

ENGINEERED HARDWOOD 3/8˝, 7/16˝, 1/2˝ & 9/16˝ (10 MM,11MM,13MM & 14 MM)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

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

II. PREPARATION

STORAGE AND HANDLING

• Handle and unload with care. Store in a dry place being sure to provide at least a four-inch air space under cartons

which are stored upon “on-grade” concrete ﬂoors. Flooring should 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.

• 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. Check adhesive label for adhesive storage limitations.

JOB-SITE CONDITIONS

• The building should be enclosed with all outside doors and windows in place. All concrete, masonry, framing members,

drywall, paint and other “wet” work should be thoroughly dry. The wall coverings should be in place and the painting

completed, except for the ﬁnal coat on the base molding. When possible, delay installation of base molding until ﬂooring

installation is complete. Basements and crawl spaces must be dry and well ventilated.

• Exterior grading should be complete with surface drainage, offering a minimum

drop of 3˝ in 10´ (7.6 cm in 3.05 m) to direct ﬂow of water away from the

structure. All gutters and downspouts should be in place.

• Engineered ﬂooring may be installed below-, on- or above-grade level. Do not

install in full bathrooms.

• Crawl spaces must be a minimum of 18˝ (46 cm) from the ground to the

underside of the joists. A ground cover of 6-20 mil black polyethylene ﬁlm is

essential as a vapor barrier with joints lapped 6˝ (15 cm) and sealed with moisture

resistant tape. The crawl space should have perimeter venting equal to a minimum

of 1.5% of the crawl space square footage. These vents should be properly located

to foster cross ventilation (Figure 1).

• Where necessary, local regulations prevail.

• 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.

SUBFLOOR CONDITIONS

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

• LEVEL/FLAT – Subﬂoor must be 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. If the ﬂoor is to be glued down, ﬁll low areas with a latex additive cementitious leveling compound of 3,000-PSI

minimum compressive strength Patch, Underlayment & Embossing Leveler with Underlayment Additive. Follow the

instructions of the leveling compound manufacturer, but make certain the leveling compounds are completely DRY

before beginning installation. When mechanically fastening the ﬂoor down, ﬂatten low spots with a maximum of 6 layers

of 15# builders felt, plywood or shims (not leveling compounds). Leveling materials must provide a structurally sound

subﬂoor that does not affect the holding power of the fastener.

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

must a minimum of 30 days old before testing begins.

• STRUCTURALLY SOUND – Any areas that are loose or squeak, must be nailed or screwed. Wood panels should exhibit

an adequate fastening pattern, glued/screwed or nailed as system requires, using an acceptable nailing pattern. Typical:

6˝ (15 cm) along bearing edges and 12˝ (31 cm) along intermediate supports. Flatten edge swell as necessary. Replace

any water-damaged, swollen or delaminated subﬂooring or underlayments.

• Subﬂoors with excessive vertical movement should be avoided. 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 installation of the ﬂooring, it is likely it will do so after installation of the ﬂooring is complete.

SUBFLOORS WITH RADIANT HEAT

• NOTE: Always make certain the product selected is recommended for this type application. System must be operational

and heated for at least 7 days prior to beginning the installation.

• Use an incremental control strategy that brings the ﬂoor through temperature changes gradually which may include an

external thermostat.

• Turn off heat and let subﬂoor cool down to room temperature 3-4 hours prior to starting the job.

• BEFORE installation begins, ascertain that the heating system is designed and controlled for wood ﬂooring and that the

circuit does not include other ﬂoor covering types. Failure to do so may cause excessive heat damage and shrinkage.

NOTE: Refer to radiant heat system manufacturer’s precautions for staple down installation. Beware of stapling through

radiant tubing or mesh.

• After installation, turn the heating system back on immediately. The ﬁnished ﬂoor surface must not exceed 85°F (29˚C)

throughout the life of the ﬂoor.

• Radiant heating systems normally create dry heat that can lower interior humidity levels. It may be necessary to add

humidity with humidiﬁers to maintain the recommended levels (30-50%) and prevent damage to the wood ﬂoor.

• The ﬂooring should be end-glued over radiant heat to reduce longitudinal shrinkage. Apply a bead of the recommended

wood glue to the groove end then insert the tongue. Wipe excess adhesive away immediately.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING AHF PRODUCTS FLOORING. If properly installed and

cared for your new ﬂooring will be easy to maintain and will look great for years to come. If you have questions or

comments, please visit us at www.ahfproducts.com or 1 866-243-2726.

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.

NOTE: Do not staple down traditionally ﬁnished Pecan, Maple or Hickory products. All species of hand-scraped

products (such as American Scrape & Rural Living) can be stapled down with 20 gauge staples (1˝ minimum length

for 3/8˝ – 1/2˝ engineered hardwood, for 9/16˝ hardwood use 1-1/4˝ fasteners). Birch, Hickory, Maple and Pecan hand-

scraped products can be stapled down using the recommended fastening machines.

FOR PRODUCTS WIDER THAN 5˝: In addition to the use of mechanical fasteners, assisted glue applications should be

used. The glue should be a premium grade urethane construction adhesive applied in a serpentine pattern to the back

of each board. Then follow the recommended fastening pattern.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Owner/Installer Responsibility

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

accordance with accepted industry standards. For optimum performing hardwood ﬂooring, carefully read and follow

these installation instructions.

• These hardwood ﬂoors were 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 has ﬁnal inspection responsibility as to grade, manufacture and factory ﬁnish. Inspection of all

ﬂooring should be done prior to installation. The ﬂooring should also be carefully examined for color, ﬁnish and

quality before installing it.

• The installer must use reasonable selectivity and not use 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 that

piece. If material is not acceptable, do not install it and contact the seller immediately.

• 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, should 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.

• 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.

RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES: Bruce

ProConnect

™

Plus, Bruce Equalizer Pro, Bruce Summit Select

™

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 and joint gluing): Bruce EverSeal

™

Adhesive

Soil Line

2nd Floor

(above ground level)

1st Floor

(ground level)

Basement

(below ground level)

Figure 1

Our Family of Brands

™

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 our technical website at www.hardwoodexpert.ahfproducts.com.

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.

CAUTION: WOOD DUST

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

contact your retailer or AHF Products at 1 866-243-2726.

AHF ﬂoor coverings and adhesives do NOT contain asbestos.

Summary of content (4 pages)

PAGE 1
Our Family of Brands ™ ENGINEERED HARDWOOD 3/8˝, 7/16˝, 1/2˝ & 9/16˝ (10 MM,11MM,13MM & 14 MM) INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STAPLE-DOWN, MECHANICALLY FASTENED, FLOATING AND GLUE-DOWN APPLICATIONS.
PAGE 2
TOOLS & ACCESSORIES NEEDED joist spacing and thinner subflooring materials. When wider joist spacing of 19.2˝ or greater is used at least one of the following options must be used: Option 1: When wider joist spacing of 19.2˝ or greater is used, additional plywood subfloor material must be added to reduce movement and deflection. Option 2: In addition to the use of mechanical fasteners, assisted glue applications must be used.
PAGE 3
STEP 1: Doorway and Wall Preparation (All Installation Methods) • Undercut door casings and jambs. Remove any existing base, shoe molding or doorway thresholds. These items can be replaced after installation. All door casings and jambs should be undercut to avoid difficult scribe cuts (Figure 4).
PAGE 4
STEP 5: Complete the Installation (All Installation Methods) • Remove all tape and clean the floor with the recommended hardwood flooring cleaner. • Trim all underlayment (floating only) and install or re-install any transition pieces, reducer strips, T-moldings, thresholds, bases and/or quarter round moldings that may be needed. These products are available pre-finished to blend with your flooring (see below). Nail moldings into the wall, not the floor.