Installation Guide

Installation
of Cali Vinyl
®
Flooring by Cali Bamboo
®
Before laying: Measure the room at right angle to the direction of the planks. Planks in the final row should be at least 1/3
the width of a plank. Due to this rule, planks in the first row can be cut to smaller size. Shuffle planks in order to obtain a
pleasant blend of shades. Lay planks preferably following the direction of the main source of light. We recommend laying on
wooden floors crossways to the existing floorboard. You should never nail or screw planks to the subfloor.
Questions? [phone]
www.CaliFloors.com
Cali Vinyl
®
Pro with Mute Step
®
Flooring Installation Guide
Page 8
• The flooring must be acclimated per Cali Bamboo’s Vinyl flooring acclimation instruction (https://www.calibamboo.com/
installing-vinyl-plank-flooring/) 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. Increase the temperature in 5 degree increments to avoid overheating.
• 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 20-80%.
• 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.
•
Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color, shade and appearance. Cali
Bamboo Vinyl Plank will have multiple patterns for each product.
Expansion gaps: Even though Cali Bamboo Vinyl Plank will have very minimal expansion and contraction it is still required
to leave 1/4” expansion space around the perimeter as well as all fixed objects (tile, fireplace, cabinets).
• If the installation area exceeds 80 feet, a greater expansion space is required; approximately 1/16” for every additional
ten (10) feet. If the floating installation flows into other rooms, a T-molding must be used in doorways and openings
between rooms (halls, archways, etc.) to allow separate areas to move without interference.
• To cover your expansion space, Cali Bamboo carries matching bamboo flooring moldings that include reducers,
t-moldings, baseboards, quarter rounds, and thresholds. Matching stair parts are also available; including stair nosing,
tr
eads and
risers. Please visit Cali Bamboo’s Flooring Accessories webpage.
Quick Tip! When installing around pipes, drill the hole 3/4” larger than the diameter of the pipes.
Pre-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.
• With Cali Vinyl the floating installation method is the only method recommended for use with radiant heat systems.
• Radiant heat system must be turned on and in operation for at least one week before installation.
Radiant Heat Systems
Cali Bamboo® Vinyl 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 vinyl flooring, and to learn the
speci
fic requirements for installation.