Installation Guide

For Assistance, Call: 1-800-986-3460
HomeDepot.com/homedecorators
Installation Instructions
Laminate Flooring (For Indoor Use Only)
Grade Levels
Above Grade
On Grade
Below Grade
CAUTION: Use safety glasses and gloves when cutting this product. During
the cutting process, laminate may create wood dust; be sure to install in a
well-ventilated area.
OWNER/INSTALLER RESPONSIBILITY
The owner is advised to be at home during the installation for consultation/
direction. The owner and installer should discuss installation and layout to
maximize satisfaction. If this is not possible, consultation should be done prior to
installation. Installers should be familiar with installation guidelines from North
American Laminate Floor Association (nalfa.com). The owner/installer assumes
all responsibility for product quality of completed installation.
PERFORM PRE-INSTALL INSPECTION. FOR CLAIMS PURPOSES, YOU ARE ALLOWED
TO OPEN UP TO 4 BOXES FOR PRODUCT INSPECTION. DO NOT OPEN ALL THE
BOXES. OPENING ALL THE BOXES CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE
PRODUCT. INSPECT ALL THE PLANKS IN THESE 4 BOXES CAREFULLY. EXAMINE
FLOORING FOR COLOR, FINISH AND QUALITY. IF YOU DISCOVER THAT PRODUCTS
ARE DEFECTIVE, OR IF MATERIAL IS QUESTIONABLE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE
RETAILER. IF YOU ARE SATISFIED, PROCEED WITH INSTALLATION.
Prior to installation, rack up planks from several boxes to ensure uniform
distribution of colors, shades and characters in the installed ooring.
Purchase ooring to be installed in one large area at the same time. Product
purchased at a later time than the rst purchase may vary beyond your
expectations.
Accessories, trims and moldings are manufactured to coordinate with the varied
appearances of the oor planks. Any exact matches are coincidental. Non-
matching accessories are not defective products.
This product is manufactured according to strict quality standards. In the event
that defects are discovered in the eld, the industry standards permit a defect
tolerance not to exceed 5%. An additional 5% (10% for diagonal installations)
should be factored in for cutting wastage and grading allowances.
During installation, inspect the planks continuously. Defects that can be seen
from a standing position should be cut off or held out. Installing defective planks
implies acceptance.
Squeaking and clicking noises are the result of interactions among ooring, joists
and suboors when they move. Limiting the movements of the ooring system
usually eliminates most of these noises. Sometimes, it is impossible to eliminate
them completely and minor squeaking or clicking noises are to be accepted as
normal ooring phenomenon.
Minor scratches can generally be repaired with the use of putty, stain or ller. It
is an industry standard practice of ooring installation and it should be accepted
as normal by the home owner.
To assure the warranty is not inadvertently voided, before proceeding with any
activity that is not covered in this manual, please contact our Customer Support
Team at 800-986-3460.
ACCLIMATION AND IN-SERVICE CONDITIONS
Acclimation is the process of adjusting (conditioning) the moisture content of
laminate ooring to the environment in which it is expected to perform. The
laminate ooring is fully acclimated when its moisture content and dimensions
(width and length) are stable. For example, the averaged dimensions and
moisture content remain constant for 2 consecutive days. Flooring must
acclimate for as long as necessary to reach fully acclimated stage. Acclimation
time varies depending on geographical area, interior climate control and time of
the year. Minimum acclimation time is 48 hours.
Elevate cartons from the oor by placing them on 2x2 in. lumber or equivalent.
Place spacers (3/4 in. to 1 in. sticks) between each layer or cross stack the
layers for maximum exposure to ambient conditions. Acclimation temperature
range is 60°F-80°F and relative humidity (RH) of 35%-60%. Conditions in which
the oor was acclimated should be maintained continuously thereafter.
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
Concrete suboors must:
Have minimum rated strength of 3000 psi.
Be level to within 1/8 in. in a 6 ft. span or 3/16 in. in a 10 ft. span; no bumps or
low spots. High spots can be removed by grinding; depressions can be lled with
patching compound formulated for use in oor installation.
Be clean; no construction debris, soil, mud and any other objects on or adhering
to the oor; if necessary, scrape and sweep away before the installation; no
protrusions of nails, debris, metals should remain.
New concrete slab must cure for at least 90 days. It must have a minimum 10 mil
polyethylene sheet between the ground and the concrete.
Be free from moisture related conditions which can damage the installed
ooring.
CONCRETE MOISTURE
Test all concrete suboors for moisture content and document the results. Visual
checks are not reliable.
Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near walls containing
plumbing, near foundation walls and in the center of the room. Minimum sample
size is 3 samples per 1000 sq. ft. of area and one test for every additional 1000
sq. ft. thereafter.
Moisture content should meet one of the following criteria:
Less than 5% when tested using Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter.
Less than 316 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hours when using Calcium Chloride
test (ASTM F-1869).
Less than 2.5% when using Calcium Carbide (CM) test (ASTM D-4944-04
monied).
NOTE: Concrete moisture content may be acceptable the time of the test.
These tests do not guarantee a perpetual “dry” concrete slab. The concrete slab
moisture content can vary at other times of the year. We are not responsible for
moisture-related damage to installed ooring.
LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE
Light weight concrete is concrete with a rated strength that is less than 3000
psi. Perform a quick check by drawing a nail across the top; if it leaves an
indentation, it is probably light concrete.
WOOD SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
The suboor must be clean; no presence of construction debris, soil, mud and
any other objects on or adhering to the oor; no protrusions of nails, debris, or
metals should remain. If necessary, scrape and sweep the suboor before the
installation.
The suboor must be structurally sound and stable; no movements or squeaks;
no loose panels or loose nails; no signs of ply de-lamination or other damages.
Repair all shortcomings before installation.
The suboor must be at; no visible bumps or low spots; the suboor should
be at to within 1/8 in. in 6 ft. span or 3/16 in. in 10 ft. Test for moisture using
a reliable moisture meter. Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways,
near foundation walls, near walls containing plumbing lines and in the center of
the room. Measure 20 locations per 1000 sq. ft. Moisture content of the suboor
should be less than 14%. Moisture content difference between the suboor and
ooring should be 2% or less.
1
Pre-Installation