Installation Guide

Installing the Floor
7. Insert spacers at walls to maintain the expansion space between the flooring and the wall.
8. Before starting to glue planks, dry lay the first two rows of flooring. Working from right to left, install planks so that the groove faces the straight
edge (starter board). When reaching the end of the first row, cut the plank as necessary to fit. On the first 4 rows stagger end joints a minimum of 16”
and then 8” thereafter.
9. Use the remainder of the plank from the first row to start the second row. If the piece is less than 8” long, cut a new plank in half and use that
piece to start the second row.
10. Lay the remainder of the planks in the second row. Make sure that the rows are straight and no gapping exists on the sides or ends. Once you
have dry laid the first two rows, remove all the planks in order. You are ready to begin.
11. Begin gluing the boards; Run a continuous bead of adhesive along the groove of the short side (width) and the plank’s side
groove (length). Proper alignment is critical. Misaligned starter rows can cause side and end gaps to appear in proceeding rows
of flooring.
12. Install first row of planks with groove facing the straight edge. Work from right to left. Complete the first row. Make sure
there are no gaps between the boards. Use a tapping block if need to close the boards together. Immediately wipe away any
excessive adhesive with a clean, slightly dampened cloth.
CAUTION: Adhesive that is allowed to dry on the finish surface can be difficult to remove and may leave a haze.
13. At the end wall use an end pry bar, if needed, to pull the ends of the planks tight.
14. Continue to install the floor working left to right, repeating the process until the completion of the floor. Continue to use the spacers on all
vertical surfaces to maintain the ½” expansion.
DO NOT USE laminate straps as they may damage the flooring
15. The last row will most likely require cutting to width but it should be no less than 1 ½” wide. To do this, lay the plank face up on top of the last
full row installed. Trace the wall contour on the last plank using a scrap piece of plank and a pencil.
16. Install cut planks and pull into place with a pry bar. Install spacing wedges between planks and wall.
17. Remove the straight edge (starter row) and install the last row using the pry bar.
Allow floor to dry for a minimum of 12 hours before removing all spacing wedges and allowing foot traffic.
18. Install trim and moldings the following day.
Radiant Heated Subfloors
Refer to Website or Sample board to confirm as an approved product.
Non Approved products are not warranted for use over Radiant Heat
 Prior to installation of flooring over radiant heat system it is important that the guidelines are followed in strict accordance. Failure to
follow the guidelines may produce unsatisfactory results.
 Floating installation method only, direct glue down is NOT recommended.
 Sub floor must be flat to 3/16” in 10’ or 1/8” in 6’
 Prior to installation moisture testing must be conducted and documented per ASTM test method 1869-89 for concrete or using a pin
type meter for wood sub floors.
 The moisture content for concrete sub floors registered after a calcium chloride test must not be greater than 2 pounds per 1000 square
feet of area. If it exceeds these limits, DO NOT install the flooring.
 Relative humidity of the jobsite must be maintained between 35-55% relative humidity. Use of humidification system may be required
to maintain the proper humidity level. Failure to maintain proper humidity level can result in excessive dryness of flooring.
 It is highly recommended that the radiant heat system be designed specifically to accept a wood floor
1. Use of an in floor temperature sensor as well as a separate thermostat for the individual room is required.
2. An outdoor temperature sensor should be used to adjust water temperature according to anticipated heat loss.
JOBSITE REQUIREMENTS
Prior to installation of flooring the radiant system must be installed per manufacturer’s instructions.
Before installation of flooring material the follow conditions are required
1. Moisture content of concrete must not exceed 2.0 lbs per CaCl test method (ASTM1869-89) Wood sub floors not to exceed 12% and be
within 4% of the wood flooring.
2. Concrete must be allowed to properly cure and dry a minimum of 4 weeks prior to operation of radiant heat system
3. Operation of radiant heat system should be set to run at 2/3 maximum output for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to installation of flooring to
further allow moisture from concrete to dissipate and reach a final moisture content. This must be done in both heating and non heating
seasons.
4. Prior to installation (4 days) reduce to a temperature of 65°.
5. Floating Installation - Install flooring according to floating floor installation guidelines. Use of a 2 in 1 underlayment is required.
6. When gluing planks run a continuous bead of adhesive in the groove on both the end and length of the board.
7. Remove any excess glue that squeezes out onto surface of the planks with a clean damp rag. Change rags and water periodically to avoid
leaving a haze on surface.
AFTER INSTALLATION & SEASONAL OPERATION
 48 hours after completion of installation, slowly raise temperature of the heating system to its preferred operating level over a period of 5 days.
Do not allow the surface temperature to exceed 80°
 Humidity level must be maintained between 35%-55% R.H.
 Seasonal gapping should be expected.
 Surface checking can be expected if the proper humidity level is not properly maintained between 35-55% R. H. or if the floor’s surface
temperature exceeds 80°.