User manual

13
12
CLIP SYSTEM – Suitable for
128mm wide solid wood boards only
Overlay your flat, level subfloor with
Visqueen 250mu DPM followed by
Fired Earth Wood Underlay.
Push the clips together to form a chain
before placing the first row 100mm from the
end walls and 700mm centres across the
floor for domestic installations (500mm for
commercial applications). The raised profile
of the clip must locate into the special
groove machined in the back of the board
just behind the tongue.
As the boards are laid with the groove
against the wall, the clips must be laid on
the floor so that the profile is away from the
wall and will locate into the groove in the
board correctly.
Cut the first clip of each chain to
approximately half its length. Scribe the
first row of boards if necessary and insert
wedges to ensure the correct expansion
gap is maintained.
The end tongue and groove joints of each
board must be glued with Fired Earth
Wood Glue. Do not glue the tongues and
grooves along the lengths of the boards.
Continue laying the rest of the boards by
placing the groove of the next board over
the tongue of those already laid. Each row
of boards should be end glued and
positioned groove over tongue of those
already laid, allowing the boards to rest on
the raised profile of the clips. Using a
knocking block to protect the tongue,
lightly tap the joint up tight with a
hammer. Ensure the groove on the
underside of the board is in line with the
raised profile of the clips, then push firmly
into place with the flat of your hand.
It is important to ensure that the clip is fully
located into the groove on the underside of
the board. A metal trowel or similar,
temporarily placed under the metal clip, may
help to ensure the clip is firmly in place. The
last row of boards should be scribed to the
shape of the wall allowing the correct
amount for an expansion allowance.
Direction of movement
boards to finish. All pipes, pillars, frames
etc. must be cut around to provide suitable
expansion gaps. Due to natural distortion,
in some instances it may be necessary to
clamp or strap the boards in a suitable
position, prior to secret nailing.
Fully Bonded System -Scribe the first row
of boards to the wall allowing for the
correct expansion gap. Remove the boards
and following the manufacturers
recommendations, apply the correct
amount of adhesive to the subfloor for a
maximum of 3 rows of boards. Place the
previously scribed boards into the correct
position in the adhesive followed by a
further 2 rows. Insert suitable wedges and
adjust to allow for the correct expansion
joint. Use floor straps if necessary to
remove any gaps in the boards and keep
them tight until the glue has gone off. It is
important to make sure that the boards are
installed in a straight line. Do not apply any
adhesive to the tongues or grooves.
Continue laying the rest of the boards by
applying sufficient adhesive for a few rows
at a time. Scribe the last row of boards to
the wall allowing for the correct expansion
gap. Use a jemmy bar to ensure a tight
joint is achieved and insert wedges.
Remove the wedges as soon as the glue
has dried.
b. Engineered Boards
Floating Floor - Square the first run of
boards to the marked line. Insert spacers to
provide the correct expansion gap on all
walls. Use Fired Earth’s waterproof PVA
wood glue for the joints. Apply the glue in
a bead along the lower side of the grooves
to prevent glue being squeezed up onto the
top surface.
Wipe off any surplus glue with a damp
cloth. Cut the last board in the row to
length and use the offcut to start the next
row provided it is of a suitable length.
Apply glue to side and end grooves and fit
the next board.
Tap the boards snugly into place using a
‘tapping block’. Stagger all joints by at least
300mm. Trim the last boards to fit and glue
in place ensuring a correct expansion gap is
allowed for. After the glue has completely
set remove the spacers before proceeding
with the final stages.
Please note - It is advisable to minimise
gaps between boards by using floor straps
where necessary. Floor straps can
effectively pull boards together reducing
the woods natural instinct to bend.