Installation Guide

Document ID#: MWPHF021224_SOLID_ENG&SP
Fastening
Use caution to avoid edge and face damage during installation. Special footer plates are
available for flooring tools to protect factory finished flooring faces and edges.
Use backer boards of 1/2” plywood ripped to an appropriate width to establish straight
lines. Backer boards should be secured to the subfloor and carefully aligned with starter
lines.
Use flooring fasteners (cleat or staple) with a preferred length of 2” (plywood over
concrete would be 1 ½” in length) designed for solid hardwood flooring. Air pressure
should be regulated so the fastener seats properly but does not split the tongue or wood
below it.
Nailing schedule is standard per NWFA guidelines, for plank flooring (3 1/4” or wider)
the fastener schedule is every 6”- 8” along the length of the plank and 1”-3” from end
joints. Refer to NWFA Installation Guidelines, Sec IV, Appendix F.
Face nail only as required with 7d or 8d finish nails or cleats, 1/2” from the groove, pre-
drilling the nail holes to prevent splitting. Nailing schedule is 10-12” O.C. Face nails
should be counter sunk and covered by molding or properly filled.
Adhesive/Fastener Installation:
On wider width planks (4” and wider), combining adhesives and fasteners is an option
to minimize flooring movement after installation. For best results apply a perpendicular
bead of adhesive to the subfloor every 6”-8” apart for each row of flooring.
Underlayment paper must be omitted when using adhesives. Use a quality urethane
flooring adhesive recommended by the adhesive manufacturer for solid hardwood
installations. Follow all practices recommended by the adhesive manufacturer
including vapor barrier systems, adhesive temperature, room temperature and
humidity, proper ventilation, spread rate, open time, safety procedures and equipment,
cleanup and cure time. Avoid allowing adhesive residue to dry on the face of the
flooring. Special cleaners are available (from the adhesive manufacturer) to remove any
residue.