Installation Guide

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
3/8˝ & 1/2˝
(10 mm and 13 mm)
ENGINEERED PRODUCTS
FOR STAPLE-DOWN, MECHANICALLY FASTENED,
FLOATING AND GLUE-DOWN APPLICATIONS
INSTRUCCIONES DE INSTALACIÓN
3/8˝ y 1/2˝
(10 mm y 13 mm)
PRODUCTOS PROCESADOS
PARA APLICACIONES GRAPADAS, DE SUJECIÓN
MECANIZADA, FLOTANTES O CON PEGAMENTO
INSTRUCTIONS D’INSTALLATION
10 mm et 13 mm
(3/8 po et 1/2 po)
PRODUITS DE REVÊTEMENT DE
SOL S’INGÉNIERIE
POUR LES APPLICATIONS FIXÉES MÉCANIQUEMENT OU
À L’AIDE D’AGRAFES, COLLÉES ET FLOTTANTES
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES: ProConnect
™
Flooring Adhesive, Equalizer
Urethane Adhesive, Summit
™
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVE REMOVER: Low Odor mineral spirits
RECOMMENDED CLEANER: Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner or
Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
RECOMMENDED UNDERLAYMENT (Floating installation system only): Quiet
Comfort Premium or Quiet Comfort
RECOMMENDED WOOD GLUE (Floating installation and joint gluing):
EverSeal
™
Adhesive
ADHÉSIFS RECOMMANDÉS : Adhésif pour revêtement de sol ProConnect
MC
, Adhésif à
base d’uréthane Equalizer, Summit
MC
DISSOLVANT D’ADHÉSIF RECOMMANDÉ : Essence minérale à sfaible odeur
PRODUIT NETTOYANT RECOMMANDÉ : Nettoyant pour revêtements de sol en bois
dur et stratifiés Bruce
SOUS-COUCHE RECOMMANDÉE (installation de plancher flottant uniquement) :
Quiet Comfort Qualité supérieure ou Quiet Comfort
COLLE À BOIS RECOMMANDÉE (installation de plancher flottant et encollage des
joints) : Adhésif EverSeal
MC
ADHESIVOS RECOMENDADOS: Adhesivo de revestimiento para piso ProConnect
™
,
adhesivo de uretano Equalizer, Summit
™
REMOVEDOR DE ADHESIVO RECOMENDADO: Alcoholes minerales con poco olor
LIMPIADOR RECOMENDADO: Limpiador para pisos de madera dura o laminados
de Bruce
BASE DE PISO RECOMENDADA (Sistema de instalación flotante solamente): Quiet
Comfort de primera calidad o Quiet Comfort
PEGAMENTO PARA MADERA RECOMENDADO (Instalación flotante y encolado de
junta): Adhesivo EverSeal
™
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES: ProConnect
™
Flooring Adhesive, Equalizer
Urethane Adhesive, Summit
™
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVE REMOVER: Low Odor mineral spirits
RECOMMENDED CLEANER: Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner or
Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
RECOMMENDED UNDERLAYMENT (Floating installation system only): Quiet
Comfort Premium or Quiet Comfort
RECOMMENDED WOOD GLUE (Floating installation and joint gluing):
EverSeal
™
Adhesive
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVES: ProConnect
™
Flooring Adhesive, Equalizer
Urethane Adhesive, Summit
™
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVE REMOVER: Low Odor mineral spirits
RECOMMENDED CLEANER: Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner or
Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
RECOMMENDED UNDERLAYMENT (Floating installation system only): Quiet
Comfort Premium or Quiet Comfort
RECOMMENDED WOOD GLUE (Floating installation and joint gluing):
EverSeal
™
Adhesive
ADHÉSIFS RECOMMANDÉS : Adhésif pour revêtement de sol ProConnect
MC
, Adhésif à
base d’uréthane Equalizer, Summit
MC
DISSOLVANT D’ADHÉSIF RECOMMANDÉ : Essence minérale à sfaible odeur
PRODUIT NETTOYANT RECOMMANDÉ : Nettoyant pour revêtements de sol en bois
dur et stratifiés Bruce
SOUS-COUCHE RECOMMANDÉE (installation de plancher flottant uniquement) :
Quiet Comfort Qualité supérieure ou Quiet Comfort
COLLE À BOIS RECOMMANDÉE (installation de plancher flottant et encollage des
joints) : Adhésif EverSeal
MC
ADHÉSIFS RECOMMANDÉS : Adhésif pour revêtement de sol ProConnect
MC
, Adhésif à
base d’uréthane Equalizer, Summit
MC
DISSOLVANT D’ADHÉSIF RECOMMANDÉ : Essence minérale à sfaible odeur
PRODUIT NETTOYANT RECOMMANDÉ : Nettoyant pour revêtements de sol en bois
dur et stratifiés Bruce
SOUS-COUCHE RECOMMANDÉE (installation de plancher flottant uniquement) :
Quiet Comfort Qualité supérieure ou Quiet Comfort
COLLE À BOIS RECOMMANDÉE (installation de plancher flottant et encollage des
joints) : Adhésif EverSeal
MC
ADHESIVOS RECOMENDADOS: Adhesivo de revestimiento para piso ProConnect
™
,
adhesivo de uretano Equalizer, Summit
™
REMOVEDOR DE ADHESIVO RECOMENDADO: Alcoholes minerales con poco olor
LIMPIADOR RECOMENDADO: Limpiador para pisos de madera dura o laminados
de Bruce
BASE DE PISO RECOMENDADA (Sistema de instalación flotante solamente): Quiet
Comfort de primera calidad o Quiet Comfort
PEGAMENTO PARA MADERA RECOMENDADO (Instalación flotante y encolado de
junta): Adhesivo EverSeal
™
ADHESIVOS RECOMENDADOS: Adhesivo de revestimiento para piso ProConnect
™
,
adhesivo de uretano Equalizer, Summit
™
REMOVEDOR DE ADHESIVO RECOMENDADO: Alcoholes minerales con poco olor
LIMPIADOR RECOMENDADO: Limpiador para pisos de madera dura o laminados
de Bruce
BASE DE PISO RECOMENDADA (Sistema de instalación flotante solamente): Quiet
Comfort de primera calidad o Quiet Comfort
PEGAMENTO PARA MADERA RECOMENDADO (Instalación flotante y encolado de
junta): Adhesivo EverSeal
™
Note: All species of hand-scraped products (such as American Scrape, Century
Farm, Legacy Manor, Artestian Hand Tooled & Rural Living) can be stapled
down with 20 gauge staples (1˝ minimum length). Birch, Hickory, Maple and
Pecan hand-scraped products can be stapled down using the recommended
fastening machines.
For Products wider than 5˝: In addition to the use of mechanical fasteners,
assisted glue applications should be used. The glue should be a premium
grade urethane construction adhesive applied in a serpentine pattern to the
back of each board. Then follow the recommended fastening pattern.
Remarque : Toutes les espèces de produits grattées à la main (comme American
Scrape, Century Farm, Legacy Manor, Artestian Hand Tooled et Rural Living)
peuvent être agrafés à l’aide d’agrafes de calibre 20 (longueur minimum de 1
po). Les produits grattés à la main en bouleau, hickory, érable et pacane peuvent
être agrafés en utilisant les agrafeuses recommandées.
Pour les produits ayant une largeur supérieure à 13 cm (5 po) : En plus de
l’utilisation d’agrafes mécaniques, l’application d’adhésif devrait être effectuée.
La colle devrait être un adhésif de construction à base d’uréthane de qualité
supérieure appliquée en serpentin à l’endos de chaque planche. Poursuivez
ensuite la méthode de fixation recommandée.
Nota: Todas las especies de productos raspados a mano (tales como los de
American Scrape, Century Farm, Legacy Manor, Artestian Hand Tooled & Rural
Living) se pueden fijar con grapas de calibre 20 (de 1˝ mínimo de largo). Los
productos raspados a mano de Birch, Hickory, Maple y Pecan se pueden grapar
utilizando las máquinas de fijación recomendadas.
Para productos más anchos de 5˝ (13cm): Adicionalmente al uso de fijadores
mecánicos, se debe utilizar aplicaciones de pegamento como refuerzo. El
pegamento debe ser un adhesivo de construcción a base de uretano de primera
calidad y aplicarse en un patrón de serpentín a la parte posterior de cada tabla.
Luego siga las recomendaciones del patrón de fijación.
For complete warranty information call 1 866 243 2726 or visit www.ahfproduct.com.
• 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.
• Engineered flooring may be installed below-, on- or above-grade level. 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 essential 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.
• Permanent air conditioning and heating systems should be in place and operating.
The installation site should have a consistent room temperature of 60-80°F (16-
27°C) and humidity of 35-55% 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 – 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. If the floor is
to be glued down, fill low areas with a latex additive cementitious leveling compound of 3,000-PSI minimum compressive
strength such as Armstrong S-194 Patch, Underlayment & Embossing Leveler with S-195 Underlayment Additive. Follow the
instructions of the leveling compound manufacturer, but make certain the leveling compounds are completely DRY before
beginning installation. When mechanically fastening the floor down, flatten low spots with a maximum of 6 layers of 15#
builders felt, plywood or shims (not leveling compounds). Leveling materials must provide a structurally sound subfloor that
does not affect the holding power of the fastener.
• DRY – Check and document moisture content of the subfloor using the appropriate moisture test. Concrete subfloors must
be a minimum of 30 days old before testing begins.
• STRUCTURALLY SOUND – Nail or screw any areas that are loose or squeak. Wood panels should exhibit an adequate
fastening pattern, glued/screwed or nailed as system requires, using an acceptable nailing pattern. Typical: 6˝ (15 cm) along
bearing edges and 12˝ (31 cm) along intermediate supports. Flatten edge swell as necessary. Replace any water-damaged,
swollen or delaminated subflooring or underlayments.
• Avoid subfloors with excessive vertical movement. 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
NOTE: Always make certain the product selected is recommended for this type application. The following products are not
recommended to be installed over radiant heat subfloors: Global Exotics System must be operational and heated for at least 7
days prior to beginning the installation.
• Use an incremental control strategy that brings the floor through temperature changes gradually which may include an
external thermostat.
• Turn off heat and let subfloor cool down to room temperature 3-4 hours prior to starting the job.
• BEFORE installation begins, ascertain that the heating system is designed and controlled for wood flooring and that the circuit
does not include other floor covering types. Failure to do so may cause excessive heat damage and shrinkage. NOTE: Refer to
radiant heat system manufacturer’s precautions for staple down installation. Beware of stapling through radiant tubing or mesh.
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, 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).
• The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for final inspection of product quality. Inspection of all flooring should be done
prior to installation. Carefully examine flooring for color, finish and quality before installing it. 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, must 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.
• Prior to installation, the owner/installer has final inspection responsibility as to grade, manufacture and factory finish. The
installer must use reasonable selectivity and hold out 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 the piece.
• 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
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 or AHF Products 1 866 243 2726.
The floor covering or adhesive in this package does NOT contain asbestos.
ATTENTION INSTALLERS
CAUTION: WOOD DUST
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 Material Safety Data Sheet,
please call 1 866 243 2726 or visit www.floorexpert.com, our technical website.
MINNESOTA RESIDENTIAL FORMALDEHYDE REGULATION: IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE 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 TO BE 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.
Do not staple down products that exceed 6˝ in
width or Pecan, Maple or Hickory Products
N’agrafez pas les produits dépassant 13 cm (6 po) de largeur ou les
produits en bois de pacane, érable ou hickory
No fije con grapas los productos que exceden 6˝ (13cm) de ancho ni los
productos Pecan, Maple o Hickory
Do not staple down products that exceed 6˝ in width
or Pecan, Maple, Northshore
®
, or Hickory Products
Do not staple down products that exceed 6˝ in width
or Pecan, Maple, or Hickory Products
N’agrafez pas les produits dépassant 6 po de largeur ou les produits en
bois de pacane, érable, Northshore
MD
ou hickory
N’agrafez pas les produits dépassant 6 po de largeur ou les produits en
bois de pacane, érable ou hickory
No fije con grapas los productos que exceden 6˝ de ancho ni los productos
Pecan, Maple, Northshore
®
o Hickory
No fije con grapas los productos que exceden 6˝ de ancho ni los productos
Pecan, Maple o Hickory
Soil Line
2nd Floor
(above ground level)
1st Floor
(ground level)
Basement
(below ground level)
Figure 1
II. PREPARATION
Storage and Handling
• Handle and unload with care. Store in a dry place being sure to provide at least a four-inch air space under cartons which are
stored upon “on-grade” concrete floors. Flooring should not be delivered until the building has been enclosed with windows
doors are in place, and cement work, plastering and all other “wet” work is completed and dry.
• Although it is not necessary to acclimate engineered flooring it is best to store it in the environment in which it is expected to
perform prior to installation. Check adhesive label for adhesive storage limitations.
Job-Site Conditions
• The building should be enclosed with all outside doors and windows 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.