Troubleshooting Guide
7
B lending of Cartons
To achieve a uniform appearance across the entire floor, we highly recommend that you open and work
from several cartons/bundles of Aspen Flooring hardwood flooring at a time and dry-lay the flooring,
mixing the planks from several cartons/bundles. This will allow you to blend the planks for maximum
aesthetic appearance. It is imperative that you make certain the room is well lit to ensure color is
consistent and that any visual defects can be seen and cut out/removed prior to installation.
Coordinate Transition Moldings
For best appearance, coordinate all transitions and moldings to planks that have similar color and
graining. Set the moldings and matching planks aside for use as needed.
L ayout 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 10” 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.
E xpansion space
An expansion space of ½” or more for engineered flooring and ¾” or more for solid flooring around the
perimeter and all vertical surfaces is required. For floating installations, the minimum is ½” regardless
of the thickness of the material. For commercial installations use a minimum of ½” expansion.
G lue Down installation
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.
Aspen Flooring prohibits the use of any adhesive tape on the flooring at any time during
installation or thereafter. This includes tapes that are specially made for wood flooring, such as
blue or green masking tapes. Such use of tape may void your Warranty and no claims will be
addressed in regards to defects in the finish as a result of the use of tape.
S preading the Adhesive
We recommend using Bona Adhesives, or the equivalent for Aspen Flooring hardwood flooring
products. Follow Adhesive Manufacturer’s guidelines for proper use. Temperature and air flow across
the adhesive can have an effect on the open time of the adhesive. (See Adhesive Manufacturer label for
further information). Always Follow Adhesive Manufacturers Guidelines. ASPEN FLOORING WILL
NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADHESIVE RELATED ISSUES.