Installation Guide

SOLID WOOD FLOORING 3/4˝ (19 MM) STRIP AND PLANK INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
FOR MECHANICALLY FASTENED; STAPLE, NAIL OR CLEAT APPLICATIONS; GLUE DOWN APPLICATIONS
II. PREPARATION
STORAGE AND HANDLING
• Solid hardwood flooring should be stored in the environment in which it is expected to perform. Deliver the materials
to an environmentally controlled site. The wood subflooring materials must not exceed 12% moisture content. Using
a reliable wood moisture meter, measure and document the moisture content of both the subfloor and the hardwood
flooring, to determine proper moisture content. The difference between the moisture content of the wood subfloor
and the wood flooring must not exceed 3% (2% for plank). Check the moisture content of multiple boards. A good
representation is to check 40 boards for every 1,000 sq. ft.
• Acclimate the hardwood flooring on or off the job, as necessary, to meet these moisture content requirements. Store
in a dry place, being sure to provide at least a four-inch air space under cartons that are stored upon “on-grade”
concrete floors. Flooring should not be delivered until the building has been enclosed, with windows and doors in
place, and until cement work, plastering and all other “wet” work is completed and dry. Concrete should be at least
60 days old.
JOB-SITE CONDITIONS
• Do not deliver wood flooring to any jobsite or install wood flooring until the building is fully enclosed and protected
from exterior weather conditions with all windows, doors, exterior siding, soffits, roof coverings, insulation and
ventilation in place.
• All concrete, masonry, framing members, drywall, paint and other “wet” work should be thoroughly dry. The wall
coverings should be in place and the painting completed, except for the final coat on the base molding. When
possible, delay installation of base molding until flooring installation is complete. Basements and crawl spaces must
be dry and well ventilated.
• Exterior grading should be complete with surface drainage, offering a minimum drop of 3˝ in 10´ (7.6 cm in 3.05 m),
to direct flow of water away from the structure. All gutters and downspouts
should be in place.
• Solid hardwood flooring may be installed on- or above- grade level.
Installation of a suitable subfloor is required over concrete. Do not install in
full bathrooms.
• Crawl spaces must be a minimum of 18˝ (46 cm) from the ground to the
underside of the joists. A ground cover of 6-20 mil black polyethylene film
is highly recommended as a vapor barrier with joints lapped 6˝ (15 cm) and
sealed with moisture resistant tape. The crawl space should have perimeter
venting equal to a minimum of 1.5% of the crawl space square footage. These
vents should be properly located to foster cross ventilation (Figure 1). Where
necessary, local regulations prevail.
• The installation site should have a consistent room temperature of 60-80° F
(16-27° C) and humidity of 30-50% for 14 days prior to and during installation
and until occupied.
SUBFLOOR CONDITIONS
• CLEAN - Subfloor must be free of wax, paint, oil, sealers, adhesives and other debris.
• LEVEL/FLAT – Subfloor must be within 3/16” in 10’ (5 mm in 3 m) and/or 1/8” in 6’ (3 mm in 2 m). Sand high areas
or joints. For best results, flatten low spots with a maximum 6 layers of 15# builders felt, plywood or shims (not
leveling compounds).
• DRY - Check and document moisture content of the subfloor with the appropriate moisture test. Install moisture
retardant materials if needed or desired. (See plank installation note in Section IV) In order to best prevent/reduce
risk of moisture, moisture retardant materials must meet minimum perm standards of 3 > 50 ASTM D4869-88,
Type I or F.S. UU-B-790a, Type I, Grade D, Style 1a. Most Asphalt saturated papers, 15# felt,30# felt or Grade D kraft
paper meet this perm rating. Install the vapor retarder over the wood subfloors prior to installing nail down flooring.
Overlap the seams a minimum of 4 inches or more. (common brown kraft builder paper and red rosin generally do
not qualify as vapor retarders). Concrete subfloors must be a minimum of 30 days old before testing begins.
• STRUCTURALLY SOUND - Any areas that are loose or squeak must be nailed or screwed. Wood panels should exhibit
an adequate fastening pattern, glued/screwed or nailed as system requires, using an acceptable nailing pattern.
Typical nailing: every 6˝ (15 cm) along bearing edges and every 12˝ (31 cm) along intermediate supports. Flatten any
swollen edges as necessary. Replace any water-damaged, swollen or delaminated subflooring or underlayments.
NOTE: Subfloors with excessive vertical movement should be avoided. Optimum performance of hardwood floor
covering products occurs when there is little horizontal or vertical movement of the subfloor. If the subfloor has
excessive vertical movement (deflection) before installation of the flooring, it is likely it will do so after installation of
the flooring is complete.
SUBFLOORS WITH RADIANT HEAT
DO NOT INSTALL THIS PRODUCT OVER SUBFLOORS WITH RADIANT HEAT.
TOOLS & ACCESSORIES NEEDED
IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO USE THE PROPER ADAPTERS, FACE PLATES, AS WELL AS STAPLES OR CLEATS.
USING IMPROPER FASTENERS, MACHINES AND/OR AIR PRESSURE CAN CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE.
For All Installation Methods
• Chalk line & chalk • Recommended hardwood flooring cleaner • Tape measure • Hammer
• Moisture meter (wood, concrete or both) • Broom • Hand saw or jamb saw • Eye protection
• Transition and wall moldings • Premium Urethane construction adhesive for floors wider than 4˝ (10 cm)
• Refer to recommended products
For Mechanically Fastened Installations
• Nail set • Electric power saw • NIOSH-designated dust mask • Electric drill and bits
• Compressor and hose w/in-line regulator for pneumatic tools
• “Blind’ fastening machine for 3/4˝ (19 mm) flooring (see note below)* w/1-1/2˝ or 2˝ (4-5 cm) fasteners
• Pneumatic finish nailer with 1-1/2˝ or 2˝ (4-5 cm) nails • 6-8d finish nails
Use a “Blind” nailing machine designed for installing 3/4˝ (19 mm) hardwood flooring using
staples or cleats. The nailing machine MUST HAVE a protective foot attachment to prevent edge
bruising and finish damage.
*NOTE: The flooring manufacturer does not recommend nor endorse any specific brand or type of
mechanical fastener.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING AHF PRODUCTS FLOORING. If properly installed and
cared for your new flooring will be easy to maintain and will look great for years to come. If you have questions or
comments, please visit us at www.ahfproducts.com or 1 866-243-2726.
These directions are based on industry standards and best practices. Failure to follow these installation instructions
may result in damage to the flooring and void the floor’s warranty.
• For complete warranty information call 1-866-243-2726 or go to www.ahfproducts.com.
• For technical or installation questions, or to request a Safety Data Sheet, please call 1-866-243-2726 or visit
www.hardwoodexpert.com our technical website.
• For general questions or comments, please visit us at www.ahfproducts.com or call 1-866-243-2726.
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Owner/Installer Responsibility
Beautiful hardwood floors are a product of nature and therefore, not perfect. Our hardwood floors are manufactured in
accordance with accepted industry standards. For optimum performing hardwood flooring, carefully read and follow
these installation instructions.
• These hardwood floors were manufactured in accordance with accepted industry standards, which permit grading
deficiencies not to exceed 5%. These grading deficiencies may be of a manufacturing or natural type. When flooring
is ordered, 5% must be added to the actual square footage needed for cutting and grading allowance (10% for
diagonal installations; 10-15% for glue down installation).
• Solid hardwood flooring makes it impossible to guarantee perfectly straight pieces, as natural curvature
characteristics are inherent to the product and are NOT considered defects. Therefore, when installing using the glue
down installation system, plan for a higher waste factor (10%-15%).
• The owner/installer has final inspection responsibility as to grade, manufacture and factory finish. Inspection of all
flooring should be done prior to installation. The flooring should also be carefully examined for color, finish and
quality before installing it.
• The installer must use reasonable selectivity and not use or cut off pieces with deficiencies, whatever the cause.
Should an individual piece be doubtful as to grade, manufacture or factory finish, the installer should not use that
piece. If material is not acceptable, do not install it and contact the seller immediately.
• Prior to installation of any hardwood flooring product, the owner/installer must determine that the job-site
environment and the sub-surfaces involved meet or exceed all applicable standards. Recommendations of the
construction and materials industries, as well as local codes, should be followed. These instructions recommend
that the construction and subfloor be clean, dry, stiff, structurally sound and flat. The manufacturer declines any
responsibility for job failure resulting from, or associated with, subfloor and substrates or job-site environmental
deficiencies.
• Use of stain, filler or putty stick for touch-up and appropriate products for correcting subfloor voids is accepted as
part of normal installation procedures.
1
ATTENTION INSTALLERS
SAWING, SANDING AND MACHINING WOOD PRODUCTS CAN PRODUCE WOOD DUST. AIRBORNE
WOOD DUST CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY, EYE AND SKIN IRRITATION. THE INTERNATIONAL
AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER (IARC) HAS CLASSIFIED WOOD DUST AS A NASAL
CARCINOGEN IN HUMANS.
Precautionary Measures: If power tools are used, they should be equipped with a dust collector. If high dust levels
are encountered, use an appropriate NIOSH-designated dust mask. Avoid dust contact with eye and skin.
First Aid Measures in Case of Irritation: In case of irritation, flush eyes or skin with water for at least 15 minutes.
If you have any technical or installation questions, or to request a Safety Data Sheet, please call 1 866 243 2726
or visit our technical website at www.hardwoodexpert.ahfproducts.com.
IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE FOR MINNESOTA RESIDENTS ONLY:
THESE BUILDING MATERIALS EMIT FORMALDEHYDE. EYE, NOSE, AND THROAT IRRITATION, HEADACHE,
NAUSEA AND A VARIETY OF ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, HAVE BEEN
REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE. ELDERLY PERSONS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, AS
WELL AS ANYONE WITH A HISTORY OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, OR LUNG PROBLEMS, MAY BE AT GREATER RISK.
RESEARCH IS CONTINUING ON THE POSSIBLE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE.
REDUCED VENTILATION MAY ALLOW FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE
INDOOR AIR. HIGH INDOOR TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY RAISE FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS. WHEN A HOME
IS LOCATED IN AREAS SUBJECT TO EXTREME SUMMER TEMPERATURES, AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM
CAN BE USED TO CONTROL INDOOR TEMPERATURE LEVELS. OTHER MEANS OF CONTROLLED MECHANICAL
VENTILATION CAN BE USED TO REDUCE LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE, CONSULT YOUR
DOCTOR OR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Our Family of Brands
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES: Bruce
®
Summit Select
™
All In One Premium Adhesive, Bruce
®
Summit Select Unlimited
Moisture Vapor Barrier Elastomeric Wood Flooring Adhesive
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVE REMOVER: Low Odor mineral spirits
RECOMMENDED CLEANER: Bruce
®
Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
CAUTION: WOOD DUST
WARNING: EXISTING IN-PLACE RESILIENT FLOOR COVERING AND ASPHALTIC
ADHESIVES. DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW, BEADBLAST, OR
MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING
FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVE, OR OTHER ADHESIVE.
These existing in-place products may contain asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica.
Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard.
Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm.
Unless positively certain that the existing in-place product is a non-asbestos-containing material, you must
presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine asbestos
content and may govern removal and disposal of material.
See current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication Recommended Work Practices
for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for instructions on removing all resilient floor covering structures or
contact your retailer.
AHF floor coverings and adhesives do NOT contain asbestos.
™
Soil Line
2nd Floor
(above ground level)
1st Floor
(ground level)
Basement
(below ground level)
Figure 1
Protective Foot