Installation Guide

existing vinyl oors, as they may contain asbestos.
INSTALLATION TOOLS
For all installation methods:
Tape measure Pencil Chalk Line Crosscut Power Saw 3M Scotch Blue™ 2080 Tape
¼” Spacers Hammer Tapping Block Pull Bar
Acceptable suboor types:
CDX Underlayment Grade Plywood (at least ½” thick) Underlayment Grade Particleboard
OSB (at least ¾” thick) Concrete Slab Existing Wood or Laminate Floor
Ceramic Tile Resilient Tile Sheet Vinyl
STARTING YOUR INSTALLATION
Because houses and buildings, as well as adjacent hardwood or laminate oors, expand and contract, Natural Floors
recommends leaving a ¼” expansion gap between the perimeter walls and any adjacent hardwood oor.
Work from several open boxes of ooring and “dry lay” the oor before permanently laying the oor. This will allow
you to select varying textures, colors, and sheens, and to arrange them in a harmonious pattern. Remember, it is the
installers’ responsibility to determine the expectations of what the nished oor will look like with the end user rst and
then to cull out pieces that do not meet those expectations.
Begin installation next to an outside wall. This is usually the straightest and best reference for establishing a straight
working line. Establish this line by measuring an equal distance from the wall at both ends and snapping a chalk line.
The distance you measure from the wall should be the width of a plank or tile. You may need to scribe cut the rst row
of planks or tiles to match the wall in order to make a straight working line if the wall is out of straight.
You may want to position a few rows before starting installation to conrm your layout decision and working line.
When laying ooring, stagger end joints from row to row by at least 8” (20 cm) for planks, and equal to 12” (51 cm or
a half piece) for tiles. For plank installations, you can use the cut-off end to begin the next row when cutting the last
plank in a row to t. If cut-off end is less than 8”, discard it and instead cut a new plank at a random length (at least 8”
in length) and use it to start the next row. For tile installations, always begin a row with either a full tile or a half tile so
that the joints are consistently staggered in a “brick work” type pattern. Always begin each row from the same side of
the room.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Inspection: Prior to installation, inspect material in daylight for visible faults/damage. Check if suboor/site conditions
comply with the specications described in these instructions. If you are not satised, do not install, and contact your
supplier.
Before laying: Measure the room at right angle to the direction of the ooring. For the best visual effect, planks or tiles
in the nal row should be at least at least 1/3 the width of the plank or tile. For this purpose, planks or tiles in the rst
row can be cut to smaller size. Shufe boards in order to obtain a pleasant blend of shades. Lay boards, preferably
following the direction of the main source of light. We recommend laying on wooden oors crossways to the existing
oorboards.
Step 1: Begin installation working from
left to right. Insert spacers at ends and
edges where planks meet wall.
Step 2: Lock short end of plank by
inserting tongue into groove at an angle
and drop in place. Continue to end of
rst row.
Step 3: Use leftover plank from rst row
as starter for second row. There must
be at least 8” between plank end joints
on adjacent rows.
FOR TILE INSTALLATIONS: The
distance between end joints should be
equal to 12” for proper appearance.
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