Installation Guide

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.
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:
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!
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” or ½”) 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.
NOTE: Never strike a rubber mallet or hammer directly on the flooring
to engage the tongue-and-groove. This practice can damage the
flooring and/or the finish.
7. Remove the adhesive from the surface of the installed flooring as
you work – this will help to save time. A damp rag with water or
mineral spirits will remove adhesive. Frequently change towels to
avoid leaving a haze on the flooring surface. DO NOT use water to
remove Urethane adhesives from the finish.
8. As you approach the end wall it may be necessary to cut the width of
the last row – be sure to allow for the expansion space along the end
wall. Once the final cuts are made set planks into place.
9. After the floor is complete remove the straight edge and glue down
the first two boards.
10. Restrict foot traffic for a minimum of 6-8 hours and wait 24 hours
before permitting moving of furniture onto the floor.
11. Clean any wet adhesive from the flooring with a lightly dampened
clean cloth. If the adhesive has dried, use mineral spirits on a clean
cloth. For Urethane adhesive use the recommended urethane adhesive
remover.
12. Roll and cross roll floor with a 100-150 lbs. (45-70 kg) roller at the
end of the installation to ensure proper transfer of adhesive.
When installing unfinished wood flooring, wait a minimum of 72
hours before sanding.
Final Inspection: After the floor has been cleaned, inspect the floor for
nicks, scratches, gaps or planks that may have moved during
installation, as well as any other imperfections that need attention.
Touch up nicks and scratches with touch-up products. In typical
climates, the new floor can accept foot traffic within 24 hours. In areas
where additional curing time is required, more time may be needed.
NAIL OR STAPLE DOWN INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
Additional Tools and Material Needed:
Drill Tapping Block Compressor
Air Hose In-line Air
Regulator
Pneumatic Nailer/
Stapler
15 lb. Roofers
Felt