Installation Guide

Drop & Lock Glueless Floating Floor Installation Instructions Page 4 of 6 Revised 8/12/14
Before Laying: Measure the room at right angle to the direction of the planks. For best visual effect, planks in the final
row should be at least 2 inches wide (half width of plank minimum). For this purpose, planks in the first row can be cut to
smaller size. Shuffle planks in order to obtain a pleasant blend of shades. Lay planks preferably following the direction of
the main source of light. We recommend laying on wooden floors crossways to the existing floorboard. Planks must not be
nailed or screwed to the subfloor. Base boards and molding must not be fixed in a way which restricts the movement of
the floor.
Expansion Gaps: provide 3/8" (10 mm) expansion gaps to the walls and other fixed objects. Areas greater than 900 sq. ft
(100 m²) or 30 feet (10 m) in either direction, transitions between rooms, and asymmetrical areas require extra expansion
gaps utilizing a T-Mold.
INSTALLING THE FIRST ROW:
1. Starting from the LEFT with the tongue facing the wall, carefully place the first board in place.
Use spacers along the wall allowing required expansion gap (3/8" or 10 mm). (Figure 1)
2. Align the next piece by overlapping the end of the first board so that the joint is tight when the
board lays flat. Some slight adjustment of the board may be necessary to assure a tight fit.
Place spacers against wall to restrain movement and maintain expansion gap.
3. Continue in this manner until reaching the final plank in the first row.
4. Cut the final board piece to length allowing for the required expansion gap.
5. Place spacers against wall to restrain movement and maintain expansion gap.
CONTINUING THE INSTALLATION:
1. Begin the second row with the cut piece from the first row. (Figure 2) If the cut piece is shorter than
8" (20 cm), do not use it. Instead, begin with a new board that is at least 8” in length and allows 8"
between the end joints on the adjacent planks.
2. Position the first board in place by angling it up slightly, pushing forward and interlocking the side
tongue. (Figure 3) Slide the board to the left as necessary to align the edges of the end joint.
3. Carefully push the board down until the tongue and groove lock together on the side and ends.
(Figure 4)
4. A slight tap with a tapping block is necessary to complete the interlock.
5. Restrain the movement of the board by inserting a spacer in the expansion gap at the end of the
board.
6. Install the remaining boards and rows in the same manner. (Figures 3 & 4)
7. Cut the last board to size allowing for the required expansion gap. Place spacers against wall to
restrain movement and maintain expansion gap. If necessary, complete the tight fit by tapping the
board into place with a pull bar.
8. Whenever practical, use cut pieces from previous rows as the starter board to reduce waste.
9. Maintain 8” spacing between end joints after the first four rows for best appearance.
Figure 1
Figure 2
> 8 in.
Figure 3
Figure 4