Installation Instructions

ManualsBrandsSawyer's Fine Flooring ManualsFlooring & Rugs3/4" x 24" Knot Unfinished Hardwood Floor Medallion Inlay

INSTALLATION OF WOOF FLOOR MEDALLIONS AND BORDERS

See general wood floor guidelines and requirements at the end of the document.

Before attempting to install an inlay, border, feature strip or other ornamental element,

inspect the floor to check for wear layer thickness, nail spacing and pops and squeaks

between the flooring and the subfloor. In a floor over a basement or crawl space, get

underneath the floor to check the subfloor for integrity and support.

The steps for installing inlays in an existing floor are almost the same as those for installing an

inlay in a new unfinished floor, although of course precautions must be taken not to damage

the existing flooring. We offer products that are designed to match the thickness and the

sheen levels of factory-finished flooring.

Before installation, check the product to ensure there are no missing parts or damage in

shipping. If a shop drawing was required, compare the drawing to the inlay for accuracy in

measurements, thickness and selection of species.

Subfloor flatness is critical in flooring installations that include borders, inlays and flooring

patterns. Any irregularity in the subfloor will be mirrored in the finished floor.

If the product requires acclimation, the HVAC system or a dehumidifier needs to be operating,

with temperature and humidity levels acceptable for normal living conditions. It is

recommended to achieve 50+/-10% level of humidity in the house prior to installation.

Acclimate the inlay for at least 48 hours in the room where it will be installed.

Please note: installing medallions and border inlays requires advanced wood flooring installation or carpentry skills and

experience. We recommend hiring a professional flooring installer with proper knowledge and tools to complete the job.

Summary of content (9 pages)

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INSTALLATION OF WOOF FLOOR MEDALLIONS AND BORDERS Please note: installing medallions and border inlays requires advanced wood flooring installation or carpentry skills and experience. We recommend hiring a professional flooring installer with proper knowledge and tools to complete the job. See general wood floor guidelines and requirements at the end of the document.
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INSTALLATION OF MEDALLIONS Tools and equipment required for the job: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Humidifier or dehumidifier (optional). Installation template included in the shipment. Tape measure, rulers and removable marker. Small finishing nails or a double-sided mounting tape. Plunge router with a pattern router bit with a top bearing. Nail set. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Pry bar. Corner chisel and hand scraper (optional). Dry vacuum cleaner. One or several strips of thin fabric or tape. Wood floor adhesive and a trowel.
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2. Installation template included in the shipment can be used to cut the flooring to the proper size and shape. The template will reduce the chance of making bad cuts outside the proposed area for the inlay. Fasten the template to the flooring. The template can be fastened with double-sided tape, or by finish nailing into the field flooring between the floor boards. If nailing, place the nails between boards, to reduce damage to flooring.
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If you expose nails on any pass, use a nail set to drive the nail further into the floor and out of the way of the router bit. Use a pry bar to remove any hardwood flooring still attached to the subfloor inside the cut area. For medallion shapes with sharp corners, use a sharp chisel or a corner chisel to clean up areas, not removed by the router bit. Check the subfloor for critical defects or high areas and remove them as necessary with a hand scraper or a chisel. Vacuum the subfloor to remove all debris.
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IMPORTANT! Install the inlay as soon as possible after routing the outline; delaying inlay installation may allow the field to close around the outline. We recommend using Bostik’s Best adhesive for wood flooring. View Bostik’s Best Technical Data Sheet here. Apply adhesive to the subfloor in a thickness that will match the overall elevation of the floor. Spread adhesive evenly. Install the inlay, weighing it to ensure a good fit, and let the inlay set up in the adhesive.
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INSTALLATION OF BORDERS Tools specific to border installation: ✓ Circular saw with a guide and a fine-cutting blade. ✓ Plumb line. ✓ Staples. The borders are usually installed about 12-18 inches away from the walls or as required by the room layout. A border can outline a limited functional area within a larger room. See the Medallion installation section above for common tools and techniques. Most borders repeat the interior pattern design at intervals.
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2. Clean and vacuum the flooring in the cutting area. Spread the approved adhesive onto the subfloor. Use the trowel size and profile recommended by the adhesive manufacturer and heed the flash-time and open-time directions. We recommend using Bostik’s Best adhesive. Install the corner blocks (if used) and border.
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(continued) Tongue-and-groove borders can be blind-nailed along with the field. Where the border runs parallel to the field, the border can be blind-nailed in the same direction as the field. Where the border runs perpendicular to the field, rout a groove in the ends of the field boards, then insert a slip-tongue. The groove side of the border can then be installed against the slip-tongue and the border can be blind-nailed.
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INSTALLATION GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS Your hardwood inlay is a natural organic product which is affected by the humidity levels in the air around it. Both before and after installation it will absorb or release moisture. Wood is a natural material that seeks to be in balance with its surroundings. Hardwood destined for use in wood floors are carefully kiln-dried for that purpose. Typically, hardwood will expand during the summer months and shrink in the winter.