Installation Guide
GENERAL INFORMATION
ATTENTION INSTALLERS
WARNING: Installation of wood product may create wood dust, which is
known to the state of California to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust
or use a dust mask or other safeguards for personal protection.
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 classied
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, ush eyes or
skin with water for at least 15 minutes.
All Engineered wood products meet and exceed CARB Phase2 compliance
requirements. Certied by the HPVA (TPC-8)
Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which include
NIOSH or OSHA approved dust masks, safety goggles and work gloves.
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
ENGINEERED WOOD INSTALLATION
3/8” OR 1/2” TONGUE & GROOVE: FLOAT, NAIL/STAPLE & FULL SPREAD GLUEDOWN
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION.
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
oor covering structures.
If you have technical or installation questions please call 1-800-258-5758
IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE FOR RESIDENTS OF MINNESOTA 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 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.
JOBSITE CONDITIONS
• Structure must be completely enclosed (including exterior windows and doors).
• Gutters, downspouts, and exterior grading should direct drainage away from the
structure’s foundation.
• Basements and crawl spaces must be dry and well ventilated. Crawl spaces
must be covered at ground level with a 6 mil polyethylene (poly) film with seams
overlapped and taped completely.
• Before installation begins, heating and cooling systems must be in operation for
a minimum of 14 days, maintaining a room temperature of 60-80°F degrees, and 35-
55% Relative Humidity. A humidifier or a dehumidifier may be required in some areas
to maintain these levels. Gapping and cupping are only a few of the conditions that
can develop these conditions are not maintained.
FLOORING ACCLIMATION & STORAGE
• Our Tongue & Groove Engineered wood ooring does not require
jobsite acclimation.
• If the ooring needs to be stored on the jobsite:
- Leave in package, store laying at, packages raised off of suboor (adequately
supported to prevent sagging).
- Store in a climate controlled area, 60-80°F degrees room temperature, between
35-55% RH.
INSTALLATION METHODS
• Engineered wood ooring features a tongue & groove system designed for
multiple installation methods; Float, Nail/Staple & full spread gluedown.
RADIANT HEATING SYSTEMS
• Only Oak, American Cherry and Walnut species are approved for use over in-
oor radiant heat systems.
• The radiant heat system must be designed and installed correctly according to the
manufacturer’s specifications.
• The suboor should never exceed 80°F. The overall layout and internal tubing
must remain consistent in heat range throughout the entire oor. “Hot” and “Cold”
spots within the system can alter oor performance, and void the warranty.
• Prior to beginning any installation, concrete suboors with radiant heat installed
should not exceed 2 lbs. using a standard calcium chloride test.
• Plywood suboors should not exceed a 3% difference in moisture content prior
to installation.
• To ensure a successful installation and allow excess moisture to evaporate, the
heating system should be operational and running for a minimum of 14 days prior
to installation, three to four days prior to installing the oor the system should
be reduced or shut off. At time of installation, the suboor
must be between 64-68ºF.
• Radiant heat setting temperature should be adjusted
gradually and never vary more than 15º F seasonally.
• When using radiant suboor heating, heat should be
increased in 5º increments. Never exceed 80ºF.
INSTALLATION LOCATIONS
• Can be installed ON, ABOVE, and BELOW GRADE
• Can be installed on most any dry, at, clean, and
structurally sound solid surface including ooring grade
plywood & OSB board, concrete, and soundly secured
existing oors (linoleum, vinyl, tile, etc.). When doing oating
installation only, also over particle board and lightweight concrete.
• Not warranted for installing in full bathrooms.
PRE-PLANNING
• Slightly bowed (curved) boards can be installed and are not considered to
be defective.
• When cutting or sanding wood ooring it is recommended that you wear
a protective dust mask to avoid inhaling wood dust, and safety glasses for
eye protection.
• A oating oor expands and contracts with the seasons and should never be
restricted in any way. Be careful not to put fasteners (nails, screws, etc.) through the
oor or “pinch” the oor under doorways, cabinets, etc. This could cause the oor
to pull apart or buckle because it is not allowed to oat freely. Be especially careful
PRE-INSTALLATION PLANNING
ABOVE GRADE
ON GRADE
BELOW GR ADE
GRADE LEVEL
SUITABLE
APPLICATIONS:
S2718-11111
THIS PRODUCT MANUFACTURED USING CARB
PHASE II AND TSCA TITLE VI COMPLIANT MATERIALS.
WARNING: Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can
expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the State of California
to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or
other safeguards for personal protection. For more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/wood-dust.