Installation Guide

Installation Instructions: 11-5/8” Cork
JOBSITE CONDITIONS:
• Structure must be completely enclosed (including exterior
windows and doors). Gutters, downspouts, and exterior grading
should direct drainage away from the structures foundation.
Basements and crawl spaces must be dry and well ventilated. Crawl
spacesmustbecoveredatgroundlevelwitha6-milpolyethylenelm
with seams overlapped and tapped completely. Heating and cooling
systems must be operating for a minimum of 14 days, maintaining a
room temperature of 65F and 35-65% RH.
FLOORING ACCLIMATION AND STORAGE:
• Flooringrequires48hoursjobsiteacclimation.Leaveooringin
packaging, and remove plastic wrapping only when ready to install.
Transportandstorecorkooringinalayingposition.Iftheooring
needs to be stored, leave in packaging, laying down raised off of
suboor(fullysupportedtopreventsagging).Storeonlyinaclimate
controlled area, minimum 65F room temperature, between 35-65%
Relative Humidity.
APPROVED INSTALLATION METHOD:
• This ooring features a glueless locking system for oating
installationonly. This ooring is factorynishedandrequiresno
additionalsealing.Note:Thisooringdoesnotrequireacushioned
underlayment as the bottom cork layer serves this purpose. All
installationsdorequireapolyethylenelmmoisturevaporbarrier
as noted in the “Installing The Floor” section.
INSTALLATION LOCATIONS:
• Indoors only, in year round climate controlled rooms (temperature
60-80F,  Relative Humidity 35-65%). Cork ooring products are
based on natural materials and will expand and contact through
heating and non-heating seasons thus experiencing some separation
between the planks at different times during the year. Such
separations are not considered a product defect.
• Can be installed ON, ABOVE, AND BELOW GRADE over
mostanydry,at,clean,andstructurallysoundsolidsurfacesuch
asooringgradeplywood&OSBboard,particleboard,concrete,
lightweightconcrete,andsoundlysecuredexistingoors(linoleum,
vinyl, tile, etc.). Do not install over soft surfaces such as carpet. Not
approvedorwarrantedforinstallationinafullbath.Corkooring
planks and stairnose moldings also are not approved for use on stair
treads.
• Can be installed over in-oor radiant heat systems (maximum
82F, maximum 5F temperature change plus or minus in a 24 hour
period).  Follow installation instructions of the suboor heating
system manufacturer, contractor, or contact the system supplier.
CHECKING SUBFLOOR FLATNESS:
• Useastraightedgetochecksubooratness.Thesuboorshould
beattowithin.12”(1/8”)ina6-1/2’area.Checkvariousareas
throughoutthesuboor.Highareasneedtobesanded and low
areaslled.Highorlowareascouldcausetheoatedoortoex
causingsqueaking,popping,orothernoises.Overtimethisexing
could cause the locking system to weaken resulting in gaps or loose
boardsintheoor.Neversandanyareaorexistingoororcured
adhesive suspected to contain asbestos or crystalline silica (such
as resilient vinyl or linoleum, or the adhesives used to bond them).
CHECKING MOISTURE CONTENT OF SUBFLOOR:
•  All suboors must be dry. Wooden and concrete suboors
require insulation against moisture. See “Installing the Floor” section
for added details.
WOODEN SUBFLOORS:
• Using a reputable manufacturers moisture meter for wood sub-
oors,thesuboormoisturecontentshouldnotexceed14%.Also,
themoisturecontentreadingsbetweenthesuboorandthenew
ooringshouldnotexceed4%.
CONCRETE SUBFLOORS:
• One of the following moisture tests is recommended:
(A) Calcium Chloride Test / maximum 3.0 pounds
(B) Tramex Moisture Meter / maximum reading of 4.5
(C) Delmhorst BD2100 Moisture Meter / reading of green/dry.
LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE FLOORS:
• Test as follows:
(A) For concrete screeds / <2,0% CM Instrument
(B) For anhydrite screeds / <0,5% CM Instrument
• Keep documentation of all moisture readings. If results indicate
a moisture problem exists, DO NOT INSTALL THE FLOOR. Most
moisture problems can be corrected easily (sealing, etc..). When
corrected,retestthesuboor.
SUGGESTED TOOLS / MATERIALS:
Polyethylene Film (2 or 6 mil), Adhesive tape, Tapping Block, 3/8”
Wood or Plastic Spacers, Measuring Tape, Safety Glasses, Dust
Mask, Chalk Line, Square, Pencil, Wood Chisel, Circular or Rip
Saw, Jamb Saw
PRE-PLANNING TIPS:
• Inspect ooring in adequate light before installing. Removeany
boardswith visibledefectsor damage. Defectiveooring thatis
returned unused will be replaced. Contact your supplier.
• Slightly bowed (curved) boards can be installed and are not con-
sidered to be defective.
• Wheninstallingooring,alwaysworkfromseveralcartonsblend-
ing lighter and darker boards to achieve a more uniform appearance.
• When cutting or sanding Engineered Cork Flooring it is recom-
mended that you wear a 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.Thisoatingoorrequires
a 3/8” expansion space around the perimeter of the room, and
around any vertical object (cabinets, columns, etc.). 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ifitisnotallowedtooatfreely.Beespecially
careful when installing moldings and trim not to nail through the
oatingoor.
• Decidethedirectiontheooringwillbeinstalledintheroom.If
possible, it is best to install perpendicular to the direction of the
ooringjoists.Flooringwillbeaccentedbestifinstalledparallelto
the largest windows in the room.
• Larger areas require additional expansion space. In areas larger
than 24 ft. length in either direction, allow an additional ¼” space
forevery12ft.inlengthabove24ft.(Example:Fora36’x36’size
room,allow5/8”expansion(normal3/8”plus¼”spaceforthe12’
above24’)aroundtheperimeteroftheroom.
• Pre-plan the number of rows (base off of board face width).
Oftenthelastrowwillneedtoberippedlengthwisetot.Ifthe
measurement for the last row is less than 2”, it would be best to rip
theboardsintherstandlastrowsforbalance.Iftheboardshave
to be narrower that 2”, use a high quality carpenters glue to secure
the boards to the wider adjoining boards.
• Remove any base, shoe, or threshold moldings before installation.