Installation Guide

3
STEP 1: Doorway and Wall Preparation
(All Installation Methods)
• Undercut door casings and jambs. Remove any existing base, shoe
molding or doorway thresholds. These items can be replaced after
installation. All door casings and jambs should be undercut to avoid
difficult scribe cuts (Figure 4).
STEP 2: Establish a Starting Point
(All Installation Methods)
• Installation parallel to the longest wall is recommended for best
visual effects, however, the floor should be installed perpendicular to
the flooring joists unless the subfloor has been reinforced to reduce
subfloor sagging.
• When possible, begin the layout or installation from the straightest wall,
generally an outside wall.
• In at least two places, at least 18˝ (46 cm) from the corner, measure out
equal distance from the starting wall (Figure 5) and snap a chalk line.
The measurement must be the sum of the width of the flooring plus an
additional 3/8˝ (9.5 mm) to allow for 1/4˝ (6 mm) expansion space and
the width of the tongue. Allow 1/2˝ (13 mm) expansion when installing
floating floors.
STEP 3: Installing First & Second Rows
(Mechanically Fastened/Staple-Down Installations)
• Use the longest, straightest boards available for the first two rows.
For random and alternate width products, use the widest plank for the
first row. Align tongue of first row on chalk line. The groove should
be facing the starting wall. Pre-drill 1/2˝ (13 mm) from back (groove)
edge, 1˝-2˝ (2.5-5 cm) from each end, and at 6˝ (15 cm) intervals when
possible (Figure 6). Fasten using 4 or 6d finishing nails or 1˝ (2.5 cm)
pneumatic finish nails/brads. Countersink the nails.
• Pre-drill and blind-nail at a 45° angle through the tongue of the first
row every 1˝-2˝ (2.5-5 cm) from the ends and spaced in 3˝-4˝ (7.6-10
cm) intervals. Countersink nails to ensure flush engagement of groove
with the following row(s). Continue blind nailing using this method
with following rows until stapler can be used. Alternatively use a
pneumatic finish nailer and install nails/brads at the same intervals with
a minimum length of 1˝ (2.5 cm).
• End-joints of adjacent rows should be staggered a minimum of
4˝-6˝ (10-15 cm) when possible, to ensure a more favorable overall
appearance (Figure 3).
• If the Engineered Hardwood Flooring plank is wider than 5˝ it must
be installed applying a 1/4˝ serpentine bead of Premium construction
adhesive to the back of each board. (Figure 7).
STEP 4: Installing the Floor
(Mechanically Fastened/Staple-Down Installations)
• Always use the correct stapler for the specific product being installed
(see “Installation Applications”). Use a minimum 1˝ (2.5 cm) staple
recommended by the stapler manufacturer for 3/8˝ to 1/2˝ products
and a minimum 1-1/4˝ fastener for 9/16˝ products, 1˝-2˝ (2.5-5 cm)
from the ends spaced at 3˝-4˝ (8-10 cm) intervals. Continue to Step 5.
• Set compressor at 70 PSI. If tongue damage occurs, lower air
pressure (Figure 8).
• Fasten several sacrificial boards to the floor. At least two boards,
stapled side by side, must be used to indicate proper machine
adjustments.
• Check for surface damage, air pressure setting, tongue damage, edge blistering, etc. before proceeding. Make all
adjustments and corrections before installation begins. Once proper adjustments have been made, remove and
destroy the boards.
• Install the remainder of the floor working from several cartons.
• The last 1-2 rows will need to be face-nailed when clearance does not permit blind nailing with a stapler or a brad
nailer. Pre-drill and face-nail or pneumatically nail on the tongue side, following the nailing pattern used for the first
row.
General Information for Glue-Down Installations
• Maximum adhesive working times: Bruce Equalizer Pro adhesive - 60 minutes; Bruce ProConnect
™
Plus Hardwood
Flooring Adhesive - 60 minutes, Bruce Summit Select - 50 minutes.
• When not in use, keep the adhesive container tightly closed to prevent thickening. Thickening will cause difficulty in
spreading the adhesive.
• Open times and curing times of ALL adhesives vary dependent upon subfloor porosity, air movement, humidity and
room temperature. Urethane adhesive has a shortened working time in high humidity environments, whereas the
working time for ProConnect™ and polymeric resin adhesives will be lengthened. In areas of low humidity, open
time will be longer with urethane adhesives and shorter with ProConnect™. Adjust the amount of adhesive spread on
the subfloor accordingly. The adhesive should not be applied if subfloor or room temperature is below 60°F (16°C).
WORKING TIME WILL VARY DEPENDING ON JOB SITE CONDITIONS.
• Hold trowel at a minimum 45° angle (Figure 9) firmly against the subfloor to obtain a 40-60 ft.
2
(4-5.5 m
2
) per gallon
spread rate (30-35 ft.
2
per gallon for Bruce Summit spread with the included Summit All-In-One trowel) The trowel
will leave ridges of adhesive and very little adhesive between the ridges. This method will allow you to still see the
chalk lines between the ridges and provide the recommended spread rate.
• For additional application instructions, follow the recommendations on the adhesive container.
• Proper ventilation within the room to mitigate fumes. An electric fan is helpful.
• Rolling is not required, but if desired, do not do so until the adhesive has cured for two hours.
NOTE: DO NOT INSTALL FLOORING USING RUBBER MALLETS. STRIKING THE SURFACE WITH A RUBBER MALLET
MAY “BURN” THE FINISH CAUSING IRREPAIRABLE DAMAGE.
STEP 3: Spread the Adhesive
(Glue-Down Installations)
• Spread sufficient amounts of the recommended adhesive with the recommended trowel in an area that can be
covered in 60 minutes (see adhesive information).
• If necessary, nail a sacrificial row with 1˝ (2.5 cm) nails on the dry side of your chalk line to help hold the first row
in place.
NOTE: Avoid installing on the surface of the flooring. If necessary, distribute weight using a kneeler board.
STEP 4: Installing the Floor
(Glue-Down Installations)
(Figure 10a-10d)
• Use the longest, straightest boards available for the first two rows.
For random and alternate width products, use the widest plank for the
first row. The first row of planks should be installed with the edge of
the groove lined up on the chalk line. The tongue should be facing the
starting wall. The first row must be aligned and seated in the adhesive,
as all additional rows will be pushed back to this original row. Remove
tongue to allow for expansion space, if necessary, on the row adjoining
the wall. Continue to Step 5.
• When installing products wider than 3-1/4˝ (8 cm), apply a bead of
recommended wood glue to all of the end grooves prior to installing
into the adhesive.
• When installing pieces, engage the end-joint first, as close to the side
(long) tongue and groove as possible, then slide together tightly to
engage the side (long) joint tongue and groove. To avoid adhesive
bleed-through and memory pull-back, avoid, as much as possible,
sliding pieces through the adhesive when placing them in position.
• During the installation occasionally remove a piece of flooring from the
subfloor and inspect the back for proper adhesive transfer. Adequate
adhesive transfer is necessary to ensure sufficient holding strength.
• If the adhesive skins over and fails to transfer, remove and spread new
adhesive to achieve proper bonding.
NOTE: Clean adhesive from the surface of the floor frequently, using the
recommended adhesive cleaner. Urethane adhesives become extremely
difficult to remove when cured. Do not use 3M Scotch-Blue
™
2080 Tape
before adhesive is removed from the surface. Use clean towels, changed
frequently, to prevent haze and adhesive residue.
• Check for a tight fit between all edges and ends of each plank. End-
joints of adjacent rows should be staggered 4˝-6˝ (10-15 cm) when
possible, to ensure a more favorable overall appearance (Figure 3).
• It may be necessary to align the product with a cut-off piece of scrap as
shown (Figure 11 - Keep scrap angle low to avoid edge damage).
• To eliminate minor shifting or gapping of product during installation,
use 3M Scotch-Blue™ 2080 Tape to hold the planks together. After
installation is complete, remove all of the 3M Scotch-Blue
™
2080 Tape
from the surface of the newly installed flooring. Do not let the tape
remain on the flooring longer than 24 hours. Avoid the use of masking
or duct tape, which leaves an adhesive residue and may damage the
finish.
• If necessary, use weights to flatten boards with bows until adhesive
cures, in order to prevent hollow spots. Boards that cannot be flattened
should be cut in length to reduce the bow, or should be not used.
• Be sure not to spread adhesive too far ahead of your work area (Figure
10d).
• Complete the installation using this same technique for the remainder
of the floor.
• Avoid heavy foot traffic on the floor for at least 24 hours. Lift the
furniture or fixtures back into place after 24 hours.
General Information for Floating Floors
• Floating floors can be installed over any structurally sound surface that
meets or exceeds local building codes. Any width of flooring can be
installed in this manner but wider widths are preferred.
• Plan the floor layout (in width) to avoid having to rip the last row
narrower than 1˝ (2.5 cm). This may require ripping the first row to
assure the last row is at least the minimum width.
• Allow 1/2˝ (13 mm) expansion around all vertical obstructions.
STEP 3: Installing the Underlayment
(Floating Installations Only)
• Install the underlayment in the same direction the hardwood flooring is
to be installed.
• Extend the underlayment a few inches up the wall.
• Trim excess prior to installing trim or moldings.
• The floating floor underlayment already has double-sided tape for ease
of taping the precut overlapping seams (Figure 12). If a non-adhesive
underlayment is used, tape all seams with the included tape.
STEP 4: Installing the Floor
(Floating Installations Only)
• The first row can be installed using one of two methods after the layout
has been completed (Step 2). Allow 1/2˝ (13 mm) expansion.
• If the wall is not straight, scribe the first board (Figure 13) as necessary
to maintain alignment with the
chalk line. Install a sacrificial
board (with a straight edge) using
the appropriate fasteners for the
subfloor. If a board is used for
the starter row make certain the
groove faces the wall.
• Align the first row with the wall
using wedges to maintain a 1/2˝
(13 mm) expansion in place and
to stabilize the product. If the wall
is not straight, scribe the first
board (Figure 13) as necessary
to maintain alignment with the
chalk line.
• Select the first board. All
installations should begin with the groove side against the wall using the longest boards available. Apply a
continuous 1/8˝ (3 mm) glue bead to the inside bottom of the groove on the end of the board. Do not apply glue to
the groove side at this time (Item C, Figure 14). Products with the end tongue on the left should be installed right to
left, opposite tongues should be left to right. (Item D, Figure 14). If a sacrificial board was used remove it DO NOT
glue the first ow to it.
• Complete the first row. Cut the last board allowing for 1/2˝ (13 mm) clearance between the wall and the floor. (Use
the remaining end of the cut board as a starter board for any row following row three). Install a wedge on the end of
the board between the hardwood flooring and the wall, allowing 1/2˝ (13 mm) expansion space. Avoid installation of
any boards shorter than 16˝ (40.6 cm) in the first four rows. (Item F, Figure 14).
• Use a pull bar to pull the last board into place from the opposite end. Install wedges into the gap and tighten (Item
B, Figure 14).
• If any glue gets on the surface of the flooring, wipe off immediately with a clean damp cloth.
• Cut or use a shorter board for the first board of the second row. Start the second row by applying a 1/8˝ (3 mm) bead
along the inside bottom of the end and side groove of the new board. Install the first board of row two. Apply a bead
of glue to the inside bottom of the end and side groove of the next board and install. When installing boards together,
use a tapping block against the tongue, not the groove (Item G, Figure 14). Tap the boards into place by tapping with
a hammer on the tapping block. DO NOT tap on the edge directly with the hammer. Complete the second through
fourth rows using this technique. Insert wedges on the ends, as necessary, to restrain the movement of the floor.
• In the remaining rows, stagger joints 4˝-6˝ (10-15 cm) apart. Install the rest of the floor. Be sure all joints are tight.
Use spacers on the long and butt walls. Use a tapping bar to tighten the joints from the ends.
Figure 7
Too Low Too High Correct
Figure 8
Wood Plank
Figure 10b
chalk line
work area - adhesive
groove side
2 31
Figure 10c
Figure 10d
1 2 3
10 11 12
13
4 5 6
7 8 9
Figure 11
Underlayment will install
parallel to longest wall
Pre-measured overlap
Underlayment
Les panneaux di renforcement
doivent être installés parallèlement
au mur le plus long.
Zone de recouvrement de panneaux
de renforcement pré-mesurée.
Panneaux de renforcement
El recubrimiento inferior se
instala en sentido paralelo
a la pared más larga
Superposición incluida
Recubrimiento inferior
Figure 12
Figure 14
16"
(40.6 cm)
Apply a 1/8˝ (3 mm)
bead along the
inside bottom of the
end and side.
Always work directly in front of the
plank you are installing. Never stand
or sit on any of the planks you have
already installed.
C
A
B
D E
F
G
Wooden Wedges
Underlayment
Starter Strip
“Work Zone”
Figure 13
Figure 6
face nail every
6ʺ (15 cm)
1st row 1st row
2nd row
blind nail into
tongue every
3–4ʺ (8-10 cm)
tongue
chalk line
Figure 9
Figure 10a
chalk line
work area - adhesive