Installation Guidelines
SUB-FLOOR REQUIREMENTS
Cleanliness: For glue down applications, the subfloor MUST be free from any/all paint, oil, greases, drywall
mud/dust, release agents and all other types of residues/contaminates.
Floor Flatness: The subfloor should be level in general however; it MUST be flat to within 3/16” over a 10-foot
radius, in all directions. When using a self-leveling or patch type product to correct for floor flatness issues.
ALWAYS consult with the adhesive manufacturer for recommendations as to what self-leveling/patching
material is compatible with their specific adhesive product(s).
to the direction of the floor joists.
ATTENTION: ENGINEERED FLOORING CANNOT BE INSTALLED DIRECTLY OVER 1” X 6” PLANK TYPE
SUB-FLOORING. WE REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF 1/2" PLYWOOD (CDX or better) BE PLACED
AND SECUREDHE SURFACE OF THE 1” X 6” SUB-FLOOR FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. RECOMMENDED
FASTENERS: 1 ¼” TO 1 ½” LONG DECK SCREWS (screwing schedule 6” to 8” around perimeter and every
12” in the field). IN ADDITION, THE ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING CANNOT BE MECHANICALLY
FASTENED OVER A FOAM/FELT TYPE PAD/UNDERLAYMENT AS IT CAN/WILL RESULT IN SQUEAKY
FLOOR SYNDROM, WHICH IS NOT A COVERED UNDER OUR WARRANTY PROGRAM…
Terrazzo or Vinyl: Before installing with a glue-down method over terrazzo or vinyl type surfaces, you must first
consult with the adhesive manufacturer as they can/will provide you with specific information pertaining to the
steps required for a successful installation.
Concrete Slab: The concrete substrate must be dry. Newly poured Concrete slabs will require a minimum
120 to 210 day drying period depending on the size and depth of the slab and weather conditions. Please follow
ASTM standard F-1869-4, which is the specific preparation/application instruction for calcium chloride
testing.
CDX Plywood: CDX plywood when properly installed over the surface of a concrete slab, or lightweight concrete
sub-straight (following manufacturer/industry standards), it is strongly recommended that the plywood be
covered with an additional layer of 15 lb tar saturated felt paper, or an asphalt laminated paper meeting UU-B-
790a, Grade B, I, Style 1a (Aqua Bar), prior to installing the floor. NOTE: If the plywood is glued down it is
mandatory that the installer(s) follow the adhesive manufacturers’ guidelines so as not to void any/all applicable
warranties.
Raised Foundation: Ground level of a raised foundation sub-floor must be completely covered with an industry
approved moisture vapor retarding system such as 1 layer of 15 lb. tar saturated felt paper, or an asphalt
laminated paper meeting UU-B-790a, Grade B, Type I, Style 1a (i.e. Aqua Bar). Installations over raised
foundations (joist type or pier and beam type construction) must conform to the following requirements: Joist
span of 16” on center requires a “minimum” of 5/8” CDX plywood; 19.2” span requires a minimum of ¾” CDX
and 24” spans require a minimum of 1” interlocking tongue and grove CDX plywood. NOTE: If OSB is used as
a sub-flooring material, please refer to SECTION: Raised Foundation/Sub-Floor, under SUB-FLOOR
REQUIREMENTS.
Vapor Protection Systems/Adhesives: The engineered wood flooring CANNOT BE INSTALLED
DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A CONCRETE SLAB WITHOUT THE USE OF A VAPOR RETARDING
SYSTEM IF THE MOISTURE EMISSION RATE (based on the calcium chloride test) EXCEEDS 3 lbs. IN 24
HOURS OVER 1,000 SQ. FT. OF CONCRETE FLOORING SURFACE. If the moisture emission rate exceeds
3 lbs. before, during and after the installation for the life of the floor, then consult with the adhesive
manufacturer to determine which of their products best suits your installation needs. Failure to do so
can/will void all applicable warranties. NOTE: WE DO NOT OFFER WARRANTY COVERAGE AGAINST
MOISTURE RELATED CLAIM/FAILURES…ANY/ALL MOISTURE RELATED CLAIMS, AS WELL AS BOND
RELEASE RELATED CLAIMS, FALL UNDER THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE ADHESIVE
MANUFACTURER…NOT US. IN THE EVENT OF A MOISTURE CAUSED/RELATED CLAIM,
AND/OR BOND RELEASE RELATED CLAIM, WE WILL TURNDOWN THE CLAIM AND DIRECT YOU TO
THE ADHESIVE MANUFACTURER AS SAID CLAIM TYPES FALL UNDER THEIR WARRANTY
PROGRAMS.
can be found in the National Wood Flooring Association’s Technical Publication No. A100 Water and
Wood. “How Moisture Affects Wood”.
Moisture: Job site must be dry with no visible moisture. To ensure the job site is ready for hardwood flooring,
installer MUST conduct necessary moisture tests (i.e. Calcium Chloride testing when installing over a concrete
slab, or with approved Calibrated Pin Type Moisture Meters when installing over wood sub floors). All testing
results MUST be carefully recorded and made available to the homeowner before work begins. Electronic
moisture meters designed to measure moisture content in concrete slabs are NOT recognized by us as a viable
way to determine if a moisture vapor retarding system is needed/necessary prior to installing the floor.
Job-Site Evaluation: Contractor/installer MUST perform a pre-installation job site evaluation. The
contractor/installer MUST determine the following: Does the lot/structure sit on an alluvial plain? If so, is water
run off directed away from the side of the building? Does the roof gutter system direct water to a main drainage
system that carries water away from the side of the building? Is there adequate drainage around landscape and
hardscape to carry water away from the side of the building? Also, check the surrounding concrete walkways
and driveways for signs of efflorescence and/or algae growth. Check surrounding planters for over watering as
well as make sure sprinklers are directing water spray away from the side of the building.
Wet Work: All wet work such as plastering; painting and any/all masonry or tile work MUST be completed prior
to delivering the flooring to the job-site.
Grade Level: Our engineered flooring is designed to be installed on all grade levels: on grade, below grade and
above grade. However, you MUST follow the adhesive manufacturer’s guidelines since they can/will take
precedence over our installation recommendations when it comes to sub-strate preparation, moisture testing
and attachment to the sub-strate. NOTE: if any part of the soil surrounding the structure is 3” above the
floor of any level, consider that level below-grade.
HVAC System: The installation site MUST have a consistent room temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
and 35 to 55 percent relative humidity respectively. The structure MUST be fully enclosed with interior climate
controls operating for at least 5 days before delivering flooring to the jobsite. Moreover, recommended
temperature and humidity levels MUST continue during and after installation for the life of the floor. If heating/air-
conditioning/humidification systems are in operating condition, they need to be operating. If it is not possible for
the permanent heating/air-conditioning/humidification systems to be operating before, during and after
installation, a temporary heating/air-conditioning/humidification system that mimics “manufacturer” specified
temperature and humidity conditions can enable the installation to proceed until a permanent heating/air-
conditioning/humidification system has been installed and is operating.
Sub-floor: The sub-floor MUST be free from paint, oil, grease, dust, drywall mud, sealers, release agents and
all other types of residues/contaminates.
Crawl Space: The soil within the crawl space MUST be covered with “black” 6-mil polyethylene sheeting
overlapping the seams a minimum of 12” followed by taping the seams the entire length of the over-laps with 3’
wide clear packing tape. Make sure to run the poly sheeting up the stem wall 4 to 6” but DO NOT tape, as this
will allow for “controlled” evacuation of gaseous water vapors into the crawl space atmosphere, which in turn
should be carried out through the venting system. Per industry standards in order to foster proper airflow there
MUST be at least 1 ½ vents for every 100 sq. ft. of crawl space area. The distances between the surface of the
soil and the bottom of the sub floor should/must have a clearance of 18 to 24 inches. It is the installer’s
responsibility to determine (prior to installing the flooring) that the perimeter of the crawl space contains
the correct amount of vents for the size of the crawl space and that no vents have been blocked i.e. by
masonry concrete patios, etc. Local building codes may differ. Follow local building codes. See Figure
1-1. NOTE: It is not uncommon to have as much as 14 to 17 gallons of water emitting from the soil in a 24-hour
period, over 1000 sq. ft. of crawl space. Moisture related failures resulting from not covering the crawl space soil
with 6-mil poly sheeting will not be warranted by us.
Moisture Emission: Per NWFA/our recommendations/requirements, it is generally recognized when
installing engineered wood flooring directly to the surface of a concrete slab (without the use of an
industry/manufacturer approved vapor retarding system), the maximum “allowable” moisture emission rate
(passing through the surface of the slab) as expressed by the Calcium Chloride test is 3.0 pounds per 1,000 sq.
ft. per 24 hours before, during and after installation for the life of the floor.
Raised Foundation - Sub-Floor: When plywood/osb is used as a sub-floor, the moisture content difference
MUST NOT exceed more than 4% between the finished wood floor and the plywood/OSB sub-floor. Sub-floor
panels should conform to U.S. Voluntary Product Standard PS1-07, Construction and Industrial Plywood and/or
U.S. Voluntary PS 2-04 and/or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325.0-92 Construction Sheathing.
Other CSA standards also apply. Note: Both CD EXPOSURE 1 plywood and OSB Exposure 1 sub-floor panels
are appropriate sub-flooring materials. Plywood size for sub-floor is suggested to be standard ¾” x 4’ x 8’ panels,
with an expansion gap of ¼” between panels, and stagger full sheets by ½. Cross kerf the back of each panel
every 1’ x 3/8” deep. Plywood/OSB sub-floor should run at a 45-degree angle (preferred) or perpendicular