Installation Guide

DENALI PINE 8MM | FOLD DOWN MODEL #41394
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HOMEDEPOT.COM/HOMEDECORATORS
Please contact 1-888-864-4520 for further assistance.
MAXIMUM ROOM SIZE / ADJACENT ROOMS
Home Decorators Collection laminate floors can be installed in a single room up to 33 ft. (10 m) in length and 26 ft. (8 m) in width.
Installations in rooms that are over the maximum allowable length and width must use T-moldings. Also use T-moldings when installing
laminate floors to separate adjacent rooms (i.e. through doorways).
INSTALLATION LAYOUT
There are no rules when it comes to the layout of your installation. Typically, laminate flooring installations are laid out parallel to the longest
wall in the room or perpendicular to the main window in the room.
Subfloor Preparation
Home Decorators Collection laminate floors can be installed over many types of subfloors as long as they are properly prepared and meet the
required criteria outlined in this section.
GENERAL SUBFLOOR PREPARATION AND PRECAUTIONS
□ Subfloors must be clean and free of dirt and debris prior to
installation.
□ Subfloors must be structurally sound prior to installation.
□ Subfloor moisture must be tested prior to installation and should
not exceed 12% through the installation area.
□ Carpet is not a suitable underlay for laminate floors. All carpet,
carpet pad, and carpet tack should be removed prior to
installation.
□ Variations in the subfloor flatness should not exceed 3/16 in. per
10 ft. (2 mm/m). Floors must be leveled to meet this specification
prior to installation. Level by filling depressed areas with flooring
leveling compound and sanding or grinding down any raised
areas.
□ Installations over hydronic radiant heated subfloors are
acceptable but temperatures should never exceed 80°F (27°C).
Radiant heat systems must be operating for a minimum of
3 weeks prior to installation of Home Decorators Collection
laminate floors to ensure the subfloor meets the moisture
requirements.
WOOD SUBFLOOR PREPARATION
□ Wood subfloors must be structurally sound and screwed or
nailed to supporting beams.
□ A 6 mil (0.15 mm) polyethylene vapor barrier must be used if
installing laminate floors over wood subfloors applied directly to
concrete.
□ If installing floors over a crawl space, install a 6 mil (0.15 mm)
vapor barrier:
□ Overlap vapor barrier edges by 8 in. (20 cm) and seal with
moisture resistant adhesive tape.
□ Run the vapor barrier ¾ in. (2 cm) up the wall and trim
after the wall base is installed.
□ Crawl space should be dry and vented as per local
building code.
□ Underlay must be installed prior to installing the laminate floors.
□ Underlay edges should not be overlapped. Butt end edges
together and seal with adhesive tape.
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR PREPARATION
□ Concrete subfloors must be properly cured and allowed to dry for
at least 60 days prior to installation. Test the concrete subfloor
for moisture prior to installation. To do so:
1. Tape 3 ft. x 3 ft. (91 cm x 91 cm) pieces of polyethylene vapor
barrier to the subfloor.
2. If condensation appears on the film after 24 hours or concrete
appears dark in color, moisture is likely present and a Calcium
Chloride test must be performed.
3. The maximum allowable moisture emission is 5.0 lbs/1000 ft
2
per 24 hours (2.26 kg/101.6 m
2
per 24 hours).
□ A 0.12 in. (3 mm) thick underlay and 6 mil (0.15 mm)
polyethylene vapor barrier must be used when installing over
concrete.
□ Overlap vapor barrier edges by 8 in. (20 cm) and seal with
moisture resistant adhesive tape.
□ Run the vapor barrier ¾ in. (2 cm) up the wall and trim after the
wall base is installed.
□ The underlay must be installed prior to installation of laminate
floors.
□ Do not overlap underlay edges. Butt end edges together and seal
with adhesive tape.
VINYL (SHEET/TILE), LINOLEUM, AND CERAMIC TILE SUBFLOOR
PREPARATION
□ If vinyl, linoleum, or ceramic tile is installed over concrete, install
a 6 mil (0.15 mm) vapor barrier over it:
□ Overlap vapor barrier edges by 8 in. (20 cm) up the wall and
trim after the wall base is installed.
□ Run the vapor barrier ¾ in. (2 cm) up the wall and trim after the
wall base is installed.
□ Underlay must be installed prior to installing the laminate floors.
□ Underlay edges should not be overlapped. Butt end edges
together and seal with adhesive tape.