Installation Guide

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Meritage Flooring Installation Guide
Installation
Glue-Down T&G Installation Method
Recommended Adhesive Products
The selection, use and suitability of any adhesive/moisture control system is at the discretion and responsibility of the installer.
Always use a moisture barrier and adhesive system manufactured by the same company – never mix products. CALI recommends
using Titebond flooring adhesive and moisture barrier systems in accordance with manufactures specifications to receive
Titebond’s Platinum installation warranty. Remember: always follow flooring adhesive recommendations. CALI does not warrant
against adhesive related problems.
Recommended Glue-Down Floor Tools
• Flooring adhesive: Zero-VOC Adhesive by Titebond® • Undercut or jamb saw
• Adhesive trowel as recommended by adhesive manufacturer • Hammer
• Moisture barrier if needed (see Moisture Barrier Requirements) • Tape measure
• Tapping block (trimmed piece of flooring) • Chalk line
• Wood or plastic spacers (5/8-inch) • Carpenter square
• Flat bar or pull bar • Earplugs and safety glasses
• Miter saw (chop-saw) • Table saw
• 3M blue painters tape #2080 • Damp rag
• Adhesive Remover Wipes (Bostik or Titebond)
Glue-Down Installation Steps
1. Before you start, ensure that the job site, subfloor and environmental conditions are
acceptable for installation of CALI engineered hardwood flooring. All requirements
specified in CALI’s Installation Guidelines must be met.
2. Always use a sealer or moisture barrier when installing on concrete. CALI
recommends Titebond® 531+ Moisture Control System.
3. Allow at least a 5/8-inch space for expansion around the perimeter of the room and
all vertical objects using spacers. Also see section: “Expansion Space is Required”.
4. Dry-lay a couple rows before starting installation to confirm your layout plan.
5. Begin installation next to an outside wall. This is the best reference for establishing
a straight working line.
6. Starter row may need to be rip cut depending on measurements of room. It is a
best practice to measure your room and divide by the plank size to ensure your last
piece does not end up less than 2-inch. The ideal outcome is your first row and last
row have the same width size.
7. Lay the first row of flooring with groove facing the wall. Hold starter row in place by
blind nailing using 6d finish nails or gluing.
8. Connect short side of second plank together with mating side of the first plank.
9. Cut last plank and complete row. Use the remaining plank to start second row.
10. Offset end joints of consecutive rows by a minimum of 6-inch for best appearance
11. With the first row in place, trowel out some adhesive and lay second row by
connecting short edges of planks first. Use a pull bar to tap long edges together.
12. Never spread to much adhesive at one time. It is recommended to spread about an
arms length at a time (2-3 rows max)
13. Always check your working lines to be sure the floor is still aligned.
14. Use tapping block to fit planks together, but be careful not to let installed floor move
on the wet adhesive while you are working.
15. The last row may require rip cutting the planks to size.
16. Flooring planks on perimeter of room may require weight on them until adhesive
cures enough to hold them down.
After Installation
• Always remove any adhesive from the surface of the flooring (smudges, fingerprints,
etc.) before it dries. Use Titebond’s Adhesive Remover or Bostik’s Ultimate Adhesive
Remover Towels to immediately remove any adhesive on flooring surface as you go.
• Allow the newly installed floor to fully cure based on adhesive recommendations
before walking or moving furniture onto the floor.
Wood or plastic
Stagger End Joints Avoid “H” Joints
Note: Although H joints do not void
a warranty, they can decrease the
overall structural strength of the
flooring therefore Cali never
recommends H joint installation.
spacers 5/8"