Installation Guide

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Odyssey Flooring Installation Guide
Here is an example of how to use the Moisture Content of Wood chart:
• My home is normally and currently maintained at an average temperature of: 70°F
• My home is normally and currently maintained at an average relative humidity of: 40% RH
• The combination of 70°F and 40%RH on the chart shows that the floor should be acclimated moisture
content of: 7.7%
• The value of 7.7% MC falls within the shaded area on the chart.
Continue to acclimate the flooring until the flooring moisture content varies less than 3% from the subfloor (e.g. if subfloor
has a moisture content of 6%, the maximum moisture content of the flooring should be 9%). Testing of the flooring, subfloor
and relative humidity of the job site can determine this (see Subfloor & Flooring Moisture Testing) sections.
Note: Acclimate engineered hardwood flooring for a minimum of 72 hours. Not properly acclimating wood flooring may
cause excessive expansion, shrinkage, dimensional distortion or structural damage. The worst-case scenario is one in
which wood flooring is stored outside of the area in which the wood is to be installed. Acclimation is the responsibility of the
installer/homeowner.
Radiant Heat Systems
NOTE: Flooring styles with hickory veneers (such as Delphi Hickory, Corinth Hickory, and Helios Hickory) cannot be
installed with radiant heat. Damage caused by or resulting from installation of a flooring style with a hickory veneer over
radiant heat systems is not covered under warranty.
CALI flooring is only recommended for use over radiant heat systems if the special requirements specified by the National
Wood Flooring Association are met (please refer to the NWFA’s Radiant Heat Guidelines). Ensuring stable job site
conditions, subfloor suitability and proper acclimation are especially important when installing over a radiant heat system. It
is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that the recommended environmental conditions are met for installation. Refer
to your radiant heat system manufacturer to determine its compatibility with hardwood flooring, and to learn the specific
requirements for installation.
For the Odyssey collection only the use of Oak and Maple floor products are permitted with radiant heat. Hickory floor
products are not covered under warranty.
• Because of the wide variety of systems on the market (Hydronic, embedded in concrete, electrical wire/coil, heating
film/mat) each with its own features and applications it is recommended that the user consult with the radiant heating
provider for best practices, installation methods and proper subfloors.
• Typically the floating installation method is the most suitable for use with radiant heat systems.
• Radiant heat system must be turned on and in operation for at least 6 days before installation.
• The flooring must be acclimated per CALI’s engineered hardwood acclimation instruction over the radiant heat with the
system turned on throughout the acclimation timeframe.
• The system must be turned down to 65°F and maintained 24 hours prior to installation.
• Once install is complete, turn system back on and slowly bring back up to normal operating temperature over a period
4-5 days.
• Surface temperature of the flooring should never exceed 82 F. The use of an in floor sensor is highly recommended.
Consult with your radiant heating system manufacturer to successfully limit the maximum temperature.
• Always remember that rugs placed over radiant heated flooring can increase the surface temperature in that area by 3°
to 5°F degrees.
• Relative Humidity must be maintained between 30% to 55%. The use of a humidifier may be necessary to achieve this.
• When turning off the radiant heat system it must be turned down slowly at a rate of 1.5° degrees per day. You should
never just turn the system off.
• For additional information on radiant heating systems please refer to http://www.radiantpanelassociation.org or the
NWFA’s Radiant Heat Guidelines.
Pre-Installation