Instructions / Assembly

Acoustic Cork Underlayment: (Glue Down Only) – Install the cork underlayment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The cork
underlayment must be fully adhered to the subfloor. The cork underlayment should be of pure granulated cork combined with a polyurethane binder
with a minimum density of 11.4 lbs. per cubic foot and not to exceed 13 lbs. per cubic foot.
Pre installation/ Job Preparation
Inspect the Flooring – Inspect material for color, finish, milling, and grade. Hold out pieces that may not be acceptable once installed. PLEASE
NOTE: We do not accept responsibility for any costs incurred when plank(s) with visible defects have been permanently installed.
Undercut Door Casings - Undercut all door casings 1/16" higher than the thickness of the flooring being installed. To do this, use a scrap piece of
flooring as a guide. Lay it on the substrate and cut the casing with a handsaw or use a power jamb saw set at the correct height.
Blending of Cartons- To achieve a uniform appearance across the entire floor, we highly recommend that you open and work from several cartons
at a time and dry-lay the flooring, mixing the planks from several cartons. This will allow you to blend the planks for maximum aesthetic appearance.
Make certain the room is well lit to ensure color is consistent and that any visual defects can be seen and removed.
Match Transition Moldings: For best appearance blend all transitions and moldings to planks that have similar color and graining. Set them
aside for use as needed.
Layout of Flooring: “Racking the Floor” is essential to achieve a random appearance. Start by either using random-length planks found in the
carton or by cutting four or five planks in random lengths, differing by at least six inches. As you continue working across the floor try to maintain a
six-inch minimum between end joints. Randomly install different lengths to avoid a patterned appearance. Never waste materials; the end cuts from
starter rows should be used at the opposite side of the room to complete rows or used to start the next row.
Expansion space: Expansion space around the perimeter is required and should be equal to the thickness of the flooring material. For floating
installation the minimum is ½” regardless of the thickness of the material. For commercial installations use a minimum of ½” expansion.
GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
Additional tools & material needed:
Anderson Green Grab™ or 3X Triple Option™ Adhesives
Shaw Ecomade™ Hardwood Adhesive or Shaw Urethane Hardwood Adhesive
Clean White Rags
Mineral Spirits/ Urethane Adhesive Remover
Adhesive Trowel
Straight Edge
NOTE:
REFER TO THE ADHESIVE LABEL FOR PROPER TROWEL REQUIRED, SPREAD RATES AND INSTALLATION
APPLICATION INFORMATION!
For Ensurance 3X Moisture/Sound Application – Use the Gundlach Injecta Blade Trowel. Due to Spacer wear, replace Glide-On™ trowel
blade for every pail of Triple Option Adhesive used. Blade is included within each pail.
Before you begin using the following instructions, please refer to the Pre-Installation Job Prep information above.
Getting Started
1. Select a starter wall. An outside wall is best: it's most likely to be straight and square with the room. Measure out from this wall, at each end, the
width of two planks including the tongue plus the space needed -3/8” for expansion.
2. Snap a chalk line from these points, parallel to that wall.
3. Prior to installing the flooring, secure a straight edge inside the chalk line to act as a guide and to prevent the row of planks
from shifting during installation. The straightedge could be a straight piece of lumber or piece of flooring. Alternatively, the first
row can be face-nailed with finishing nails into the wood subfloor or sprig nailed into a concrete subfloor.
Spreading the Adhesive
Using the proper trowel, hold the trowel at a 45° angle to ensure proper spread rate of adhesive. Apply pressure to allow the
trowel to leave ridges of adhesive on the substrate with little adhesive left between the ridges. This will help to achieve the proper spread rate of the
adhesive. Temperature and air flow across the adhesive can have an effect on the open time of the adhesive. 3X (or urethanes) will have a longer
open time in areas of low humidity and will have a shorter open time in areas of high humidity. (See Adhesive label for further information).
Installing The Floor
4. Spread adhesive from the chalk line/straightedge out to approximately the width of two planks. Install the first row of starter planks along the chalk
line/straightedge and secure into position with the tongue facing the starter wall.
NOTE: Proper alignment is critical. Misaligned starter rows can cause side and end gaps to appear in proceeding rows of flooring. When you have
the starter rows complete, you can begin the next row
5. When you are certain the first two starter rows are straight and secure, spread adhesive 2 to 3 feet wide across the length of the room. As a general
rule, never spread more adhesive than can be covered in 30 to 45 minutes. If the adhesive has skinned over remove dried adhesive and trowel new
adhesive.
6. Continue to install planks and push them into place. Place the tongue of the board into the grooves of installed boards and press into the adhesive.
As you continue working across the floor try to maintain a six-inch minimum space between end joints. Randomly install different lengths to avoid a
patterned appearance.