Installation Guide

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 chosen adhesive manufacturer for
recommendations as to what self-leveling/patching material is compatible with their specific adhesive product(s).
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 to the
direction of the floor joists. ATTENTION: “ENGINEERED” FLOORING CANNOT BE DIRECTLY INSTALLED OVER 1’X6” SUB-FLOORING. THE
NWFA REQUIRES AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF 1/2" PLYWOOD BE PLACED AND SECURED (screwing schedule 6” to 8” around perimeter
and every 12” in the field using 1 ¼” TO 1 ½” LONG DECK SCREWS.
ATTENTION: ENGINEERED FLOORING CANNOT BE INSTALLED DIRECTLY OVER 1” X 6” PLANK TYPE SUB-FLOORING. MANUFACTURER
REQUIRES AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF 1/2" PLYWOOD (CDX or better) BE PLACED AND SECURED TO THE 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). NOR CAN ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING BE MECHANICALLY FASTENED OVER A FOAM/FELT TYPE
PAD/UNDERLAYMENT AS IT CAN/WILL RESULT IN SQUEAKY FLOOR SYNDROM.
Terrazzo or Vinyl: Before installing with a glue-down method over terrazzo or vinyl type surfaces etc., first consult with the adhesive manufacturer, as
they will be able to provide you with specific information regarding the necessary steps that are required in order to properly prepare the surface for
installation.
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. or 30 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: Plywood Sub-Floor under SUB-
FLOOR REQUIREMENTS.
Vapor Protection Systems/Adhesives: 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: MANUFATURE DOES NOT OFFER
WARRANTY COVERAGE AGAINST MOISTURE RELATED CLAIM/FAILURES…ANY/ALL MOISTURE RELATED CLAIMS, AS WELL AS BOND
RELEASE RELATED CLAIMS FALLS UNDER THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE ADHESIVE MANUFACTURER. IN THE EVENT OF A
MOISTURE CAUSED/RELATED CLAIM, AND/OR BOND RELEASE RELATED CLAIM, MANUFACTURER WILL DIRECT YOU TO THE
ADHESIVE MANUFACTURER AS SAID CLAIM TYPES FALL UNDER THEIR WARRANTY PROGRAMS.
INSTALLING THE FLOOR
Required Tools and Accessories for Nail and Glue down Installations:
Please refer to the National Wood Flooring Association’s Technical Publication N0. A300 Tools of the Trade. “What Contractors Need for Hardwood
Flooring Installation”.
Control Environment: Meter the moisture content level of the flooring again and make sure it has stabilized with the surrounding controlled
environment based on 35 to 55 percent relative humidity and 60 to 80 Fahrenheit. An uncontrolled environment can/will lead to the following
conditions: Shrinkage/gapping, cupping, warping, twisting, buckling, checking, splitting, compression stress, blisters due to urethane
shear, and even wear-layer and/or inner ply separation. Manufacturer will not warrant any/all damages caused by moisture/atmospheric
related causes/conditions.
Undercut Door Casings and Jambs: Undercut all door casings and jambs 1/16” higher than the thickness of the “finished” flooring being installed.
You can achieve this by using a hand jamb saw using a piece of the flooring as your height gage or use an adjustable power jamb saw adjusted to the
appropriate height.
Box Rule (3-5): Before beginning the actual installation, provide proper layout of flooring by working out of multiple boxes of material (3 to 5) is
recommended in order to achieve a more uniform color tone, and grain appearance throughout the installation.
Blending Rule: Where wood flooring transitions into support moldings (i.e. stair treads, stair nosing’s, reducer’s, T-molds, end-caps etc.) pick boards
that better blend to the color tone of the molding to avoid a drastic change in color tones between the trim molding and the floor. Your goal is to
gradually transition into the molding’s color tone so as to avoid a distinct color variance between the wood floor and the trim moldings.