Installation & Assembly

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RECOMMENDED - GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION
Make sure subfloor is tested for moisture content first and is properly prepared (as referenced above).
—On concrete subfloors, which are on or below grade (ground level), always assume the worst and even if they measure
dry, we now recommend taking the following installation steps to ensure a trouble-free installation. The cost of the precau-
tion is little when compared to costs to rip out and replace a floor which has failed due to high moisture from the subfloor.
—Method #1: We recommend installing a sheet vinyl floor first and then gluing down our wood floor over the sheet vinyl.
Follow the vinyl manufacturers’ recommendations.
— Method #2: Many urethane adhesive companies now offer Moisture Barrier Systems on which they provide a warranty
that moisture will not pass through and damage your wood flooring.
***DO NOT use water based adhesives!
Follow adhesive instructions for proper trowel size and adhesive set time before beginning installation of flooring.
Once the spread adhesive has setup sufficiently per adhesive manufacturer’s instructions, lay the first row of flooring with
groove facing the wall, and continue laying flooring. Always check your working lines to be sure the floor is still aligned. Use
tapping block to fit planks together, but be careful not to let installed floor move on the wet adhesive while you are working.
When first section is finished, continue to spread adhesive and lay flooring section by section until installation is complete.
Use urethane adhesive cleaner on a damp cloth to immediately remove any adhesive that gets on flooring surface. Warning
– DO NOT allow adhesives to dry on the finished flooring as it is very difficult to remove it once dried without damaging the
flooring. For info on an adhesive remover: Please contact a local flooring retailer. Remember to stagger end joints from row
to row.
Always leave at least a 3/8” expansion space between flooring and all walls and vertical objects (such as pipes and cabi-
nets). Use wood or plastic spacers during installation to maintain this expansion space.
Walk each section of flooring in order to make sure it is well bonded to the subfloor within the adhesive working time. Floor-
ing planks on the perimeter of the room may require weight on them until adhesive cures enough to hold them down. Make
sure the floor is clean from debris to avoid unwanted denting.
STAPLE/ NAIL DOWN INSTALLATION
Make sure subfloor is tested for moisture content first and is properly prepared and documented. Use Industrial Flooring
Stapler from Bostich or Powernail – air stapler/nailer with 1/2” Naildown adapter or a stapler/nailer of your choice after
testing to make sure that stapling/nailing will not cause dimpling in the finished floor.
For the first and second starting rows: Lay first plank inside chalk line with grooved edge toward wall. Loose Lay entire
first row in the same manner. Always leave at least a 3/8” expansion space between flooring and all walls and vertical ob-
jects (such as pipes and cabinets). Use wood or plastic spacers during installation to maintain this expansion space. In
order to affix these first rows, use screws to set a strong and straight starting row rather than face nailing. Begin the subse-
quent rows, and once you have installed enough flooring whereby the nailer will not move the starter row off alignment,
unscrew the starter row, throw away the damaged pieces and glue down replacement boards with a urethane adhesive. Set
weight on top of these rows and allow them to set.
Subsequent rows: Lay by using floor nailer/stapler to blind-nail top inside edge of tongue at a 45 degree angle. Nail each
board every 4-6” and within 2” of each end. Remember to stagger end joints from row to row and use a tapping block to fit
boards together. It may be necessary to face-nail in doorways or tight areas where the nailer/stapler can’t fit, (or glue down
in these areas and weight them while the mastic sets). The last two rows will need to be face-nailed, (or glued down with
urethane adhesive), in the same manner as the first two rows.
WARNING – Stapling/nailing can cause dimpling on the face if stapled incorrectly. Always make sure to visually check the
installed floor as you go to ensure that the stapling/nailing is not causing dimpling on the face. (Note: be sure to look at the
face of the installed flooring at a low angle from a distance to see if dimpling is occurring as it is hard to see when directly
above the floor.) If dimpling does occur, STOP and adjust the stapler/nailer shoe and angle/place of staple entry in order to
avoid it. The manufacturer is not responsible for dimpling.