Installation Instructions

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES 12 MM ENGINEERED CLICK FLOORING
2
ACCLIMATION
IMPORTANT: Do not open boxes until ready to begin installation. Engineered
click floors must be acclimated to the conditions of your home before they are
installed. To do so, cross-stack “unopened” cartons in the area where they will be
installed and away from outside walls, heat and air conditioning vents. Allow 48
hours for your floors to acclimate to the conditions of the installation area before
opening the cartons. Installation temperature should be at a minimum of 64° F
(18° C) with a maximum relative humidity of 45%.
INSTALLATION
A. Tips
• It is recommended that planks be mixed from at least three cartons to achieve
the most natural and varied results.
• Inspect every plank for damage before installing it. If any plank is determined to
be defective, contact the retailer as soon as possible. FloorLoc recommends the
buyer be present during the installation of the floor to inspect all the material with
the installer prior to the installation.
• If you are installing a varying width product, the first row of boards installed
should be in the widest plank, (7” width). The last row of the installation should be
no less than 2” wide. To ensure this will be the case, prior to installation:
1. Measure the width of the room and calculate, using the 7”- 5” - 3” pattern, what
the width of the final board will be.
2. If you determine that the final board width will be less than 2”, you can start the
first row with 5” width then continue with the 7”-5”-3” pattern across the room.
• The lengths of the first and last plank in a row should be a minimum of 16” long.
• In adjoining rows, stagger the end joints of planks from row to row by a
minimum of 6”.
• Prepare the subfloor and room as per the corresponding instructions found in
this guideline.
• Use spacers to maintain the 3/8” expansion space between the first row and the
wall.
• Select a starting corner of the room and work from left to right.
B. Beginning the Installation
Begin by first installing a foam underlay. Run the foam underlay in the same
direction as the flooring planks. The underlay should be butted side-by-side with
no overlap. Tape seams together. If you are installing over a concrete subfloor, a
6-mil poly (plastic sheeting) is to be installed under the foam underlay. (Many
foam underlays already have this plastic sheeting preattached). Remember when
installing your engineered click floor to leave an open expansion gap of (3/8")
around the perimeter of the room (use wedges), i.e also at pipes, stairs, columns,
doorframes and thresholds. The floor must be able to move free - do not connect
or install tight to any construction part. Install to a maximum of 33 ft. (approx.
10m) length /width at a time. If the room is larger, allow for an expansion gap,
which can be covered with the appropriate engineered click T-mold. Also leave
an expansion gap to separate areas in rooms that are off square (for example L-
,F-, T-, U- shapes). Always leave expansion gaps in door openings.
IMPORTANT: For reasons both for visual enjoyment and for structural integrity of
the total installation, do not install end joints closer than 6” from the end joints of
the previous row.
C. Installing the Planks
When installing “Varying Width Planks”, begin installation with widest plank (7”)
first, then 5” plank then 3” plank and continue 7”-5”-3” pattern across the room.
The tongue of the first plank should face the starter wall, the groove toward the
field. Leave 3/8” expension space along all walls and verticle obstructions. Install
consecutive planks at an angle – slipping tongue into groove then folding plank
down into place in a single action.
1. First row, first plank- leave a space of 3/8" to the left of the plank and position
the length of plank against the starter wall. Later, after 3 rows, you can easily re-
position the flooring away from the starter wall for the 3/8" expansion gap.
2. First row, second plank- place this plank tight to the short end of the first one.
Angle and fold down with a single action movement.
4. At the end of the first row of planks, leave an expansion gap of 3/8" (10 mm) to
the wall. Measure and cut the length of the last plank on first row to fit.
5. If cutting with a jig saw, the engineered click surface should be turned down. If
cutting with a hand saw, the engineered click surface should be face up.
6. Second row, first plank- should be minimum length of 1ft 8”. Install 2
nd
row of
planks at an angle, slipping tongue into grove of first row of planks, folding plank
down with a single action movement. Generally, the minimum distance between
short ends of planks in parallel rows should not be less than 6 inches.
7. Third row and beyond, follow instructions outlined in first two rows.
8. After 3 rows have been installed, re-position the floor to adjust for expansion
space of 3/8" (10 mm).
D. Last Rows
Minimum width of last row must be at least 2" (50 mm). Remember to leave an
expansion gap of 3/8" (10 mm).
Tip! After cutting the final row panels lengthwise, glue the short ends.
E. Installing in Wet Areas
Since prolonged water exposure could damage your engineered click flooring,
the following installation recommendations should be closely followed to validate
your residential water warranty. Wet areas would include, but not limited to,
bathrooms, powder rooms, kitchens, mud rooms, foyers, and laundry rooms.
Neither flooring panels nor accessories are recommended for extreme humid
applications. The water warranty excludes all products thinner than 8 mm and
does not apply to beveled edge products when used in bathrooms. An expansion
area of 8 to 10 mm (5/16” - 3/8) must be provided around all vertical obstructions
including walls, permanent cabinets, pipes, etc. All perimeter expansion areas
must be completely filled in with a water repellent flexible silicone sealant. When
applying sealant, it is helpful to first apply a strip of masking tape parallel to and
approximately 1 mm (1/32”) from the edge of the flooring. Then fill the expansion
area with sealant, remove any excess with a plastic scraper or putty knife, then
remove the tape. Let dry for 24 hours before exposure to water.
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F. Pipes
In rows where there is a pipe, make sure the pipe falls exactly in line with the
short side of two panels. Take a drill bit with the same diameter as the pipe plus
20 mm (3/4”) for the expansion.
Click the panels together on the short side and drill a hole centered on the joint
between the two panels.
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G. Finishing
• Remove all spacers.
• Install the molding on the aluminum film from the membrane that runs up the
wall from under the floor. Never attach the molding to the floor. This method
allows the floor to expand and contract under the molding.
• For a perfect finish around pipes, use rosettes or flexible silicone caulking.
• In places where profiles or skirting cannot be placed, fill expansion gaps with
flexible silicone caulking.
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H. Precautions
• Protect furniture and chair legs with proper felt or rubber caps.
• Avoid bringing dirt, water and sand indoors by providing a suitable solid backed
floor mat at the door.
• Furniture on casters/wheels must use soft, rubber wheels that are suitable for a
engineered click floor and/or use a suitable protective mat.
• Ensure that humidity in the room is always at least 35%. Use a humidifier if you
need to.
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
FloorLoc engineered click floors are among the highest performing floors
available, but they are not indestructible and minor cosmetic scuffing is normal
wear for any engineered click floors. Use quality Wood Floor Cleaner to damp
wipe floor clean.
To ensure your floors perform as well in the future as they do the day after you
install them:
DO:
Place walk off mats and area rugs at main traffic entrances and protective pads
under furniture legs to prevent scratching.
Sweep or vacuum using the wand attachment.
For spills, just wipe up with a cloth or sponge.
Allow time for floor to dry after damp wiping.
Immediately wipe up wet areas from spills, foreign substances, or wet feet.
DON’T:
Use soap-based detergents or "mop and shine" products, as these may leave a
dull film on your engineered click floor.
Use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or scouring powder, which can scratch your
floor. And, in very sandy areas or at the beach, sweep or vacuum regularly.
Wax or polish your floor.
Natural Wood Characteristics: Wood flooring is a natural product. It may
change as a result of the conditions to which it is exposed, including seasonal
and environmental factors. Seasonal gapping due to the wood’s expansion and
contraction in heating and non-heating seasons may occur. Color changes due to
aging or exposure to UV/sunlight may also occur. In addition, natural wood
variations from board to board, like differences in grain, color, tone and knots,
may exist. Issues relating to these natural wood characteristics are not covered
under warranty.