Installation Guide

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Engineered Flooring Installation Guide
MOISTURE CONTENT OF WOOD
AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY READINGS
30 1.4 2.6 3.7 4.6 5.5 6.3 7.1 7.9 8.7 9.5 10.4 11.3 12.4 13.5 14.9 16.5 18.5 21.0 24.3 26.0
40 1.4 2.6 3.7 4.6 5.5 6.3 7.1 7.9 8.7 9.5 10.4 11.3 12.4 13.5 14.9 16.5 18.5 21.0 24.3 26.0
50 1.4 2.6 3.7 4.6 5.5 6.3 7.1 7.9 8.7 9.5 10.4 11.3 12.4 13.5 14.9 16.5 18.5 21.0 24.3 26.0
60 1.3 2.5 3.6 4.6 5.4 6.2 7.0 7.8 8.6 9.4 10.2 11.1 12.1 13.3 14.6 16.2 18.2 20.7 24.1 26.8
70 1.3 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.4 6.2 6.0 7.7 8.5 9.2 10.1 11.0 12.0 13.1 14.4 16.0 17.9 20.5 23.9 26.6
80 1.3 2.4 3.5 4.4 5.3 6.1 6.8 7.6 8.3 9.1 9.9 10.8 11.7 12.0 14.2 15.7 17.7 20.2 23.6 26.3
90 1.2 2.3 3.4 4.3 5.1 5.9 6.7 7.4 8.1 8.9 9.7 10.5 11.5 12.6 13.9 15.4 17.3 19.8 23.3 26.0
100 1.2 2.3 3.3 4.2 5.0 5.8 6.5 7.2 7.9 8.7 9.5 10.3 11.2 12.3 13.6 15.1 17.0 19.5 22.9 25.6
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 98
Relative Humidity (percent)
Chart taken from Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material (Agriculture Handbook, 72). Forest Products Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Here is an example of how to use the chart above:
• My home is normally and currently maintained at an average temperature of: 70°F
• My home is normally and currently maintained at an average relative humidity of: 40% RH
• The combination of 70°F and 40%RH on the chart shows that the floor should be acclimated moisture
content of: 7.7%
• The value of 7.7% MC falls within the shaded area on the chart.
Continue to acclimate the flooring until the flooring moisture content varies less than 3% from the subfloor (e.g. if subfloor
has a moisture content of 6%, the maximum moisture content of the flooring should be 9%). Testing of the flooring, subfloor
and relative humidity of the job site can determine this (see Subfloor & Flooring Moisture Testing) sections.
Note: Acclimate Engineered Bamboo and Engineered Eucalyptus flooring for a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of
72 hours. Not properly acclimating wood flooring may cause excessive expansion, shrinkage, dimensional distortion or
structural damage. The worst-case scenario is one in which wood flooring is stored outside of the area in which the wood is
to be installed. Acclimation is the responsibility of the installer/homeowner.
Radiant Heat Systems
Cali Bamboo flooring is only recommended for use over radiant heat systems if the special requirements specified by the
National Wood Flooring Association are met (please refer to the NWFA’s Radiant Heat Guidelines). Ensuring stable job site
conditions, subfloor suitability and proper acclimation are especially important when installing over a radiant heat system. It
is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that the recommended environmental conditions are met for installation. Refer
to your radiant heat system manufacturer to determine its compatibility with bamboo or eucalyptus flooring, and to learn the
specific requirements for installation.
• Because of the wide variety of systems on the market (Hydronic, embedded in concrete, electrical wire/coil, heating
film/mat) each with its own features and applications it is recommended that the user consult with the radiant heating
provider for best practices, installation methods and proper subfloors.
• Typically the floating installation method is the most suitable for use with radiant heat systems.
• Radiant heat system must be turned on and in operation for at least 6 days before installation.
• The flooring must be acclimated per Cali Bamboo’s Engineered acclimation instruction over the radiant heat with the
system turned on throughout the acclimation timeframe.
• The system must be turned down to 65°F and maintained 24 hours prior to installation.
• Once install is complete, turn system back on and slowly bring back up to normal operating temperature over a period
4-5 days.
• Floor should never be heated over 85°F. Consult with your radiant heating system manufacturer to successfully limit the
maximum temperature.
• Always remember that rugs placed over radiant heated flooring can increase the surface temperature in that area by 3°-
5°F degrees.
• Relative Humidity must be maintained between 35-65%. The use of a humidifier may be necessary to achieve this.
• When turning off the radiant heat system it must be turned down slowly at a rate of 1.5° degrees per day. You should
never just turn the system off.
• For additional information on radiant heating systems please refer to http://www.radiantpanelassociation.org or the
NWFA’s Radiant Heat Guidelines.
Pre-Installation