Installation Guide
PERGO American Era 3/4” Solid Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions
4
WOOD SUBFLOOR MOISTURE CHECK
NOTE: To increase reliability, moisture testing should be performed after the HVAC system has been in operation for
minimum of 14 days. Excess moisture on any flooring substrate, if not identified and corrected prior to installation,
will cause floor covering failure. Warranties DO NOT cover products installed over improperly prepared subfloors,
substrates or environmental related deficiencies.
DO NOT INSTALL FLOORING IF MOISTURE TESTS RESULTS EXCEED RECOMMENDED LIMITS.
Wood Subfloor Moisture Content
Test both wood subfloor and wood flooring for moisture content using a reliable pin type moisture meter. The subfloor
material must not exceed 12% moisture content. The difference between the moisture content of the wood subfloor
and the hardwood flooring must not exceed 4%. For hardwood products greater than 3” wide, the moisture content of
the wood subfloor and hardwood floor should not differ more than 2%.
Installer should record moisture test results in the space provided on the page 8 of this document and leave with the
owner for their records.
NOTE: Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Use of a 6-mil black
polyethylene membrane is required to cover 100% of the crawl space earth
and run approximately 6” up the foundation walls. The seams of the 6-mil
poly should overlap 4” to 6” and should be taped to the foundation walls
using an aggressive tape such as duct tape. This will help retard moisture
that is emitted from the soil below. Crawl space clearance from ground to
underside of joist should be no less than 18”, and perimeter vent spacing
should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl space area
to provide cross ventilation.
To correct any subfloor conditions concerning moisture, either wait until the subfloor dries to meet specifications or
use an appropriate moisture barrier. For more information concerning moisture conditions, contact 1-800-33-PERGO.
BEFORE YOU START
• Plan layout and determine the direction of the installation in the room. Planks installed parallel to windows accent
the hardwood best.
• Remove existing base, shoe molding or threshold carefully. They can be used to cover the 3/4” expansion gap left
around the perimeter of the room.
• Undercut doors and casings using a handsaw laid flat on a piece of scrap flooring. This will eliminate difficult scribe cuts.
• Subfloors should be clean prior to the floor installation. Sweep the area to remove all dust and debris.
• Make sure the subfloor is dry to 12% moisture content or less.
• Install 15 lb. felt paper to help reduce squeaks.
• To achieve a uniform installation appearance, preselect and set aside hardwood planks that blend best with all trims
and moldings. Install these planks next to best-blended moldings.
• Install planks from several cartons at a time to ensure good color and shade mixture throughout the installation.
• Be attentive to staggering the ends of the boards at least 6” (15 cm) when possible in adjacent rows.
• All cartons scheduled to install must be checked for consistent lot numbers. Do not install from multiple pallets
without checking for color and lot number compatibility.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Use solid flooring only on or above ground level.
• Make sure mechanical fastener is approved for use in OSB if plywood is not used as a substrate.
• Lay out several cartons to check quality and grading, and “rack” or stagger the end joints in random lengths.
• Leave 3/4” at all perimeter walls and vertical structures to allow for expansion.
• The mechanical fastener cannot be used on the first and last few rows. Pre-drill, nail with 10D nails, countersink nails
and use matching putty to fill nail holes.
• Rows to be hand nailed may be drilled at an angle through the top of the tongue to hide nail heads.
• Install flooring perpendicular to the direction of the floor joists.
• Occasionally, a plank may be slightly bowed. Nail one end first, and then use the pry bar to push the other end in place.
• Using shorter pieces at undercut door jams will help when fitting flooring in place.