Installation Guide

INSTALLATION GUIDE
Read all instructions before installation.
Laminate ooring should never be nailed or glued to the
suboor. The oor should not be installed against any
xed, vertical objects.
IMPORTANT
 Allow a minimum of 5/16 inch expansion space around
the perimeter of the room and any xed objects.
 Use T-mouldings for rooms wider or longer than 30 feet
and openings less than 6 feet.
 Stagger boards by a minimum of 12 inches.
 Do not install in rooms with relative humidity exceeding
70%.
 Flooring should be installed and maintained in a climate
controlled environment with ambient temperature
between 60ºF - 80ºF and a relative humidity of 35% -
70%.
 The minimum length for the rst and last plank per row
is 12 inches.
SUGGESTED TOOLS AND MATERIALS:
 Laminate installation kit (including spacers, tapping
block, pull bar)
 Premium grade laminate ooring underlayment (for
ooring without an attached pad)
 Hammer
 Table or hand saw
 Carbide-tipped circular saw blades
 Vacuum
 Tape measure
 Duct tape
 Premium laminate glue
 Sandpaper
 Level
 Age-resistant, non-permeable polyethylene vapor
barrier (0.008 inch) - for installations over concrete
 Safety glasses
 Gloves
Caution: use safety glasses and gloves when cutting this
product. During the cutting process, laminate may create
wood dust; install in a well-ventilated area.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SUBFLOORING:
Laminate ooring can be installed over most oors;
substrates should be structurally sound and immobile.
Before installing ooring, ensure the suboor is leveled
within 3/16 inch in 10 feet. Irregularities in the suboor
should be smoothed using a hydraulic cement base
patching and leveling compound.
Wood:
 Suspended wood suboors should have a minimum of
18 inches of well-ventilated air space above the ground.
 The moisture content of the wood suboor should not
exceed 12%.
Concrete:
 New concrete subooring should be cured for at least
90 days prior to installation. (Moisture test: moisture
vapor<3 lbs/1,000 sq ft/24 hours per ASTM 1869
calcium chloride test).
 Install 0.008 inch age-resistant, non-permeable
polyethylene vapor barrier over the concrete suboor.
Tape seams with adhesive tape, such as duct tape. The
vapor barrier should be installed up the wall by 1 inch.
 For sheet vinyl, tile and wood subooring, the moisture
content of the wood suboor should not exceed 12%.
Carpeting:
 Remove deep-pile carpeting and padding prior to
installation.
 Laminate ooring can be installed over industrial direct
glue-down carpeting that was installed over wood
suboors without padding.
 Carpet installed over concrete must be removed. See
instructions for installation over a concrete suboor.
Radiant Heating Systems:
 Laminate ooring can be installed on under-oor radiant
heating systems if the heating element is installed into
wood or concrete suboors.
 Lower heating system to 60ºF for 1 week before
installation.
 After installation, slowly increase the temperature in
increments of 10ºF per hour
 Surface temperature must not exceed 85ºF.
 Follow installation instructions for wood or concrete as
outlined above.
CONDITIONING:
Allow laminate ooring to acclimate to room temperature
(between 65F-75ºF) by placing the packaged ooring at in
the room for a minimum of 48 hours prior to installation. Do
not remove the plastic wrapping.
ROOM PREPARATION:
1. Remove all existing mouldings.
2. If room has electric baseboard heaters, leave a minimum
of 1/2 inch between the surface of the ooring and the
bottom of the heaters, allowing heat to circulate.
3. Check door clearances and make necessary
adjustments before laying the ooring. Door mouldings
(jambs) should be undercut to accommodate the
thickness of the ooring as well as the underlayment
(whether pre-attached or installed separately).
4. Install underlayment per manufacturer’s instructions
(for ooring without attached pad).
5. Inspect each plank for defects prior to installation. Do
not install defective planks; installation of defective
planks implies acceptance of material.
6. Determine which direction to lay the planks. If installing
in narrow hallways or small rooms, the area will appear
larger if ooring is laid parallel to the longest wall.
Clarion Laminates REV 08/2015
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