Installation Guide

Doc. ID: 124 Rev: 5 Effective: 8/2015 Page | 5
• Until power nailer can be used safely, additional rows may require pre-drilling through the tongue; blind nailing it with 8d nails;
countersinking the nails.
• Use a spline or slip tongue whenever a change of board direction is needed. Splines should be glued to the groove and nailed into place.
• If the last row is less than 1” wide, it should first be glued at the joints to the previous uninstalled row and the joined unit should be face-
nailed as one.
• Occasionally, a piece may be slightly bowed. Nail one end first, then use the pry bar to push the other end in place, nailing as you go.
Glue-Down Installation Tips
• ALWAYS REFER TO THE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FLOORING ADHESIVE LABEL. The information given here is for typical installation.
Adjust it according to adhesive manufacturer’s instruction.
• Dry-lay means the glue has to set before placing floor planks in it. Wet-lay means the glue does not need to set before placing floor on it.
• Use trowel as specified by adhesive manufacturer.
• Continuously check the transfer of adhesive THROUGHOUT the installation process. If the adhesive no longer transfers to the back of the
flooring material, it must be removed and new adhesive applied.
• Work your way out of the room.
• After the installation is completed, keep the floor free from daily foot traffic for a minimum of 24 hours to allow adhesive to properly cure.
Cutting the Last Row to Width
• Most often the entire length of the last row will need to be cut so that it is narrow enough to fit the remaining space.
• Measure the distance between the floor face edge (exclude the tongue) to the wall. Subtract 3/4” from this measurement for expansion
gap. Draw a line. Cut through the line. Discard the excess piece. Proceed with installation.
Pre-Install Activities
• Lay out the board from several cartons. Rack the boards to give you the appearance you want. Random or repeat pattern is a matter
of preference. Colors and shades should be mixed up evenly. End joints should be staggered; minimum ends stager is 6” and varied.
• Inspect plank quality and grading. If flooring is defective, contact dealer or the store immediately and discontinue installation.
• Lay out trim moldings in advance and find planks or strips whose shade closely coordinates the floor. Set these aside for future use.
• Remove existing base, shoe molding or threshold carefully. Moldings can be used to cover the 3/4” expansion gap left around the
edge of the room.
• Subfloors should be clean prior to the floor installation.
• Undercut door jamb and casings using a handsaw laid flat on a piece of scrap flooring.
• Install the underlayment (if used) according to underlayment manufacture instructions.
• Always use protective foot/pad and proper height adapter plate on the fastening machine to prevent face damage, mallet damage,
and edge bruising.
• TEST FIRE THE POWER NAILER ON SACRIFICIAL FLOOR PLANK ONTO A BOARD. CHECK NAIL PENETRATION. CHECK FOR IMPACT
DAMAGE ON FLOOR FACE. CHECK FOR SPLITTING TONGUE.