Installation Guide

Engineered Strand Installation Guidelines
Engineered Strand
Bamboo Flooring
Introduction
Thank you for choosing Wellmade™ Engineered Strand
Bamboo! You have selected one of the highest quality
engineered floors available. Our engineered flooring is a
combination of the best natural materials and state-of-
the-art manufacturing technology. It features multiple
layers of wood bonded together with an E1 emission
(formaldehyde) compliant adhesive that exceeds all
current emission standards including CARB 2012; and
cross-ply laminated to provide better stability with regard
to expansion/contraction. The surface layer is designed
to be refinished multiple times, even though it is unlikely
that this will ever be necessary. This is due to our
newest, most durable finish we have ever made. Our
proprietary finish system utilizing PPG® acrylated
urethane finish with aluminum oxide consists of 13
layers to provide one of the most durable finishes
available. Please carefully read the following in order to
ensure that you know what to expect, and so that you
can enjoy your hardwood floor for many years to come.
Please keep in mind that all hardwood flooring will
scratch, dent, and change color over time.
Therefore, you will need to decide if hardwood is
suitable for your home or lifestyle. Because
hardwood is a product of nature, you may
experience shading variations. There will be shading
variations within the cartons, and when installing,
you should work out of several cartons, and mix
them in a natural random shading pattern that is
pleasing to your eye. If you find very dark or very
light boards in the carton, that are not consistent
with the other flooring, put them aside. These should
be used in areas like closets or other areas that are
not readily visible. It is the responsibility of the
person installing the floor to inspect the flooring for
defects and finish issues prior to installation. Should
an individual piece be doubtful as to quality, do not
install. Installation of the boards constitute
acceptance. All wood flooring will expand and
contract. Although engineered flooring is more
stable than solid flooring in regard to
expansion/contraction, small gaps may appear
between the boards during low humidity conditions,
and are considered normal. The use of stains, fillers,
and putty sticks for touch-up is accepted as part of
normal installation procedure. In addition, naturally
occurring mineral streaks and knots are not
considered defects. Scratches, dents, shading, and
color changes due to oxidation or UV exposure are
also considered normal for all hardwood flooring.
They are not covered by our Warranty, as we cannot
control the conditions under which they can occur.
Tips for a Successful Installation
1. Read all instructions/warranty first: Get all your
questions answered before you start installing the floor.
2. Amount of flooring needed: Buy enough flooring
to equal at least 105% of the square footage of your
room, for waste allowance.
3. While it is technically not necessary to acclimate
engineered flooring, it is always best to store the
material in the area that it will be installed, under normal
living conditions. Normal living conditions can be
defined as having and maintaining a temperature
between 50° - 70° and relative humidity (air) between
35% - 55%. It is recommended that humidifier/de-
humidifier be used to maintain relative humidity. Our
engineered flooring is kiln dried and leaves the factory
between 6% - 8%. Always avoid installing the floor
under very dry or very humid conditions, it is best to
install when conditions are about the same as it will be
most of the year. Also, when installing over radiant heat
flooring, be sure to contact the system manufacturer to
determine that it is compatible with hardwood flooring.
4. Be aware of moisture problems: Moisture can
ruin any floor. Always look out for potential moisture
problems, especially in basements and crawl spaces.
5. Checking for moisture: Use a Delmhorst J-4 (or
equivalent) moisture meter for wood, or a Tramex
Concrete Moisture Encounter meter (or equivalent) for
concrete. You can also use a calcium chloride test for
concrete. If the Tramex moisture meter is more than 4.5,
or the calcium chloride test is more than 3 pounds per
1000 square feet, you will need to consult with a
professional to correct the problem. Always check for
moisture in at least several areas of the subfloor, as well
as the flooring. The wood substrate should not be more
that 12% moisture content. The moisture difference
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