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Installation Instructions
| The instructions below are meant to serve as a guideline and not to replace lack of experience. Installing any type of flooring can be a tricky business and install experience will help in the process. If you have never installed a floor before, we strongly recommend that you seek professional help and assistance with your project. |
INSPECTION: Carefully inspect all material before installation. Any material installed with visual defects will not be warranted. Manufacturer does not warrant installation. Customer is responsible for maintaining normal humidity conditions (40-60%) within the installation location. The manufacturer is not responsible for environmental conditions that cause excessive expansion and/or contraction.
General
conditions: General conditions: In area to be installed, temperature
and humidity must be brought to normal usage levels at least 72 hours before
installation and maintained at those levels after installation. Flooring should
be allowed to acclimatize on site at least 72 hours before installation. Please
open top of box for acclimation time, but do not remove the boards. Be sure
to use your moisture meter to check moisture levels in both the sub-floor
and the flooring before installation
Radiant Heated floors: We completely warrant
our flooring over Radiant Heated floors as long as the temperature cannot
exceed 85¡ãF;or if the radiant heat system cannot fluctuate in temperature
rapidly.
Applications: May be stapled or glued
down over sub floors or glued directly to concrete sub-floors, above or below
grade surfaces (if installed below grade we recommend using membrane or like
product). For all types of installation, joints must be staggered 10"
to 20". Manufacturer recommends bridging the flooring across the floor
joist. NOTE: Manufacturer does not recommend installing over or onto particleboard,
(OSB is the only exception).
Sub-floor: Surfaces must be clean, dry, smooth and free
of dirt, wax, oil, paint, curing agents and other contaminants that would
interfere with adhesive bond. Old resilient floors can be installed over provided
above conditions apply.Sub-floors must be sanded level prior to new installation.
Concrete sub-floors must have all cracks and holes filled with a cementitious
patching material (Ardex or equal). Concrete sub-floors must be tested for
moisture and not exceed three pounds per 1,000 square feet using the calcium
chloride test.
Work out of multiple (2-3) boxes. Bamboo or Hardwood is a natural
product and has natural color variations. Bamboo or Hardwood flooring is separated
by shade at the factory. There are no standards for this so the shade differences
between cartons may be noticeable. Mixing cartons creates a natural, random
shade effect.
Nail Down: Planks shall be started square with the room and
parallel to its longest dimension by positioning with a chalk line, leaving
1/4" expansion space from base plate or wall. Ensure starter rows are
firmly in place by wedging or face nailing. Once initial rows are secure,
second and further courses shall be blind nailed directly above tongue at
a 45-50 degree angle to the face. Fasteners shall be spaced at 10-12 inch
intervals with a minimum of 3 fasteners per piece. NOTE: There will not be
a guarantee for flooring installed over or onto particleboard. (OSB is the
exception). Be sure to take few boards and practice on them to set the proper
pressures in the nail gun, if the pressure is to low the nail will try to
split the board . Please take the time to set your nail guns pressures before
you start and the job will fast as well as easy.
Glue Down: Where possible moisture conditions
may exist now or in the future, use a moisture barrier wood flooring adhesive
like "Bostik's BEST" "Franklin's 811" or "Chemrex
941" in conjunction with membrane. The glue must be 100% urethane, check
with glue manufacturer for warranty information and installation instructions,
Manufacturer does not warrantee the glue. Spread the glue with a 1/4"
x 1/4" notched trowel. Inspect each board before installation. Planks
should be started square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension
by positioning with a chalk line, leaving 1/4" expansion space from the
base plate or wall. Make sure the starter rows are firmly in place by a wedge
or spacer. Once initial rows are secure, use adhesive in a "Wet-Lay"
method of installation (refer to the glue manufacturers instructions). Remove
spacers once the job is complete.
TONGUE AND GROOVE FLOATING: Install underlay membrane over cement
sub floor. The manufacturer recommends a "3 in 1" membrane. Follow
manufacturer's installation instruction for installing underlayment. DO NOT
remove flooring from the packages until you are ready to begin installation.
Removing the boards prior to acclimating the flooring could result in a difficult
installation. Inspect each board before installation. Lay down the first board
at the right end of the starting wall with the tongue facing toward you. Be
sure to leave 1/2" wide space between the floor and wall. You can use
expansion shims at 12" intervals. Apply a continuous 1/8" thick
bead of tongue and groove glue (urethane glues only) to the top inside of
the grove (long and short side) on each board. Never apply glue to the tongue
or fill the groove. Place the tapping block against the tongue side of the
board and tap with a hammer. Never hammer on the grooved side. Make sure all
joints are tight. Immediately wipe off excess glue with a damp cloth. Start
each new row on the right side with the remaining portion of the previous
board. The end joint must be at least 18" from the end joint in the row
before it. The last row will probably need to be cut lengthwise. To measure
the last row, place a board directly on top of the last installed row of the
boards. Scribe the row and cut to fit. Use the last board puller to position
the boards together.
Wear gloves and long sleeves. Spread with
a notched trowel as recommended by the adhesive manufacturer. Planks shall
be started square with the room and parallel to its longest dimension by positioning
with a chalk line, leaving 1/4" expansion space from base plate or wall.
Ensure starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or face nailing. Once initial
rows are secure, use adhesive in a Wet-Lay method of installation as follows:
Apply adhesive to substrate with suitable trowel. Immediately place flooring
onto "wet" adhesive. Spread no more adhesives than can be worked
with in a forty-minute period (100 to 200 sq. ft.). Clean any adhesive that
comes in contact with the face of the plank immediately.
Moisture: The bamboo or hardwood flooring will subject to damage when in direct contact with a constantly wet slab. They are must be isolated from this type of slab by use of a reverse vinyl or sleeper sub floor. Urethane adhesive will usually fail when vapor pressure exceeds 3 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. in 24 hours.Flooring cannot be glued down under those conditions.
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