Instructions / Assembly

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Always begin each row from the same side of the room. Work from several opened boxes of
flooring and “dry lay” the floor before permanently laying the floor. This will allow you to
select varying grains & colors and to arrange them in a harmonious pattern. It also allows you
the opportunity to select out very dark/light pieces for use in hidden areas in order to create a
more uniform floor. Remember, it is the installers’ responsibility to set the expectations of
what the finished floor will look like with the end user first and then to cull out pieces that do
not meet those expectations. To draw planks together always use a tapping block (or a short
discarded piece of flooring) to hammer, as tapping the flooring itself will result in edge
damage. When near a wall, you can use a pry bar to pry close the side and end joints. Take
care not to damage the edges of the flooring. Flor glue down, use 3M Blue Tape to hold any
pieces, which might have side bow and the need to hold them straight & tight until the
adhesive sets up. Begin installation next to an outside wall. This is usually the straightest and
best reference for establishing a straight working line. Establish this line by measuring an equal
distance from the wall at both ends and snapping a chalk line. The distance you measure from
the wall should be the width of a plank plus about ½” for expansion space. You may need to
scribe cut the first row of planks to match the wall in order to make a straight working line if
the wall is out of straight. Screwing down the first row through the face of the floorboard may
be the easiest way to make the first row straight. After which the boards should be unscrewed
and pulled up replacing that first row with new boards by glue down.
GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION
Make sure subfloor is tested for moisture content first and is properly prepared. On concrete
subfloors, which are often below grade (ground level), always assume the worst and even if
they measure dry, we now recommend taking the following installation steps to ensure a
trouble-free installation. The cost of the precaution is little when compared to costs to rip out
and replace a floor that has failed due to high moisture from the subfloor.
Method #1: Installing a sheet vinyl floor first and then gluing down the floor over the sheet
vinyl.
Method #2: Moisture Barrier Systems on which they provide a warranty that moisture will not
pass through and damage your wood flooring. For information contact the recommended
adhesive manufacturers.
Note: DO NOT USE water-based mastics – DO NOT use water-based adhesives! Follow
adhesive instructions for proper trowel size and adhesive set time before beginning the
installation of flooring.
After spreading the adhesive and allowing the recommended flash time, lay the first row of
flooring with groove facing the wall, and continue laying flooring. Always check your working
lines to be sure the floor is still aligned. Use tapping block to fit planks together, but be careful
not to let the installed floor move on the wet adhesive while you are working. When the first
section is finished, continue to spread adhesive and lay flooring section by section until
installation is complete. Use a damp cloth to immediately remove any adhesive that gets on