Instructions / Assembly

• The subfloor must be flat, meeting a minimum of 3/16” within 10’ or 1/8” in 6’.
Concrete subfloors - Grind high spots or use a Portland-cement-based leveling material (minimum compressive strength 3000 psi) to fill all low
spots. Follow the leveling compound manufacturer’s instruction. Leveling compounds must be allowed to thoroughly cure and dry prior to
installation of wood flooring.
Wood subfloors - For staple down application use layers of 15lb. felt or wooden shims to fill low spots. Staples must be able to penetrate for
holding power.
• All “wet” work – i.e. – paint, drywall, concrete, masonry, plumbing must be complete and dry well in advance of delivery of hardwood flooring
• Gutters and downspouts should be in place and the exterior grade complete to allow for proper drainage of water away from the building’s
exterior perimeter.
• Flooring should not be exposed to extremes of humidity or moisture.
• Permanent HVAC should be on and operational a minimum of 5 days and maintained between 65 – 75 degrees and a relative humidity of 35%-
55% prior to delivery, during, and after installation of the flooring.
• If HVAC is not possible at time of installation the environmental conditions must be at or near normal living conditions between 60 – 80
degrees and at the average yearly relative humidity for the area.
It is the Installer/Owner responsibility to ensure that the conditions are acceptable prior to the installation of the hardwood floors.
The manufacturer declines any and all problems with the hardwood flooring that are related to or attributed to improper jobsite conditions.
Recommended Subfloor Surfaces
Concrete Subfloor Guidelines
Concrete slabs should be of high compressive strength and constructed to prevent groundwater from permeating the concrete. Engineered hardwood
flooring can be installed on, above, or below-grade. In addition, it can be installed over above-ground, suspended concrete floors. The suspended
concrete must be a minimum of 1 1/2 inches thick and must be structurally sound. The exception to this is lightweight concrete (which usually
contains high amounts of gypsum) having a density of 100 pounds or less per cubic foot. Test for lightweight concrete by using a nail to scratch the
surface of the concrete. If the concrete crumbles or turns to powder, it is not sound and you should NOT install the hardwood flooring. Use the
floating installation method (products 3” or wider) only for lightweight concrete subfloors.
Wood Subfloors Guidelines
Subfloor panels should conform to U.S. Voluntary Product Standard PS1-07, Construction and Industrial Plywood and/or US Voluntary PS 2-04
and/or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325.0-92 Construction Sheathing. Other CSA standards also apply.
Acceptable Panel Subfloors: Truss/joist spacing will determine the minimum acceptable thickness of the panel subflooring.
• On truss/joist spacing of 16” o/c or less the industry standard for single panel subflooring is minimum 5/8” 19/32”, 15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1
subfloor panels, 4x8 sheets.
• On truss/joist spacing of more than 16”, up to 19.2” (488mm) o/c, the standard is nominal ¾” (23/32”, 18.3 mm) T&G CD Exposure 1 Plywood
subfloor panels, (Exposure 1) or nominal ¾” 23/32”, (18.3mm) OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4’x8’ sheets, glued and mechanically
fastened.
• Truss/joist systems spaced over more than 19.2” (488mm) o/c up to a maximum of 24” (610mm) require minimum 7/8” T&G CD Exposure 1
Plywood subfloor panels, (Exposure 1), or minimum 7/8” OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4’x8’ sheets glued and mechanically fastened – or
two layers of subflooring or brace between the truss/joist in accordance with the truss/joist manufacturer’s recommendations and with local
building codes. Some truss/joist systems cannot be cross-braced and still maintain stability.
• For existing wood floors install new flooring at right angles to the existing flooring.
• Do not glue, staple, or nail down hardwood flooring over particle board, floating application is acceptable (products 3” or wider).
• Do not install over existing glue down hardwood floors.
WARNING! DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW, BEADBLAST OR MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE
EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVES OR OTHER ADHESIVES.
These products may contain either asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract
hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm.
Unless positively certain that the product is a nonasbestos-containing material, you must presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the
material be tested to determine asbestos content and may govern the removal and disposal of material.
See current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for
detailed information and instructions on removing all resilient covering structures. For current information go to www.rfci.com
Ceramic tile and terrazzo: All wax and sealers must be removed with an appropriate cleaner/stripper. Ceramic tile and terrazzo should be
abraded to allow for proper adhesion. Check for loose tiles by tapping and re-adhere. Fill grout lines with a cementitious latex fortified leveling
compound.
Resilient tile, resilient sheet vinyl: Material must be full spread and secured to the subfloor. Do not install over perimeter glued floors. Do not
install over more than one layer that exceeds 1/8” in thickness.
Nail/ Staple Down Only - If old flooring is unsuitable to install new flooring then overlay with new underlayment. Test to conclude that the staples/
cleats are able to properly penetrate and secure the flooring to the subfloor.
Glue Down Only – Do not install over more than one layer that exceeds 1/8” in thickness. Clean flooring with an appropriate cleaner and allow to
thoroughly dry. If necessary degloss the floor using an abrasive pad to enhance the bonding of the adhesive, if wax or other coatings are present,
completely remove the material with a quality stripper, rinse the floor and allow to dry. Always check for proper adhesion bond prior to installing.
CAUTION: DO NOT SAND any existing resilient tile, sheet vinyl flooring, or flooring felt as they may contain asbestos fibers that are not
readily identifiable. Inhalation of asbestos dust can cause serious bodily harm. Check local, state, and federal laws for handling hazardous material
before attempting the removal of these floors.