Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsHERITAGE MILL LUXE ManualsEngineered HardwoodExtra Wide and Long Sand Storm 9/16 in. T x 7.5 in. W x up to 72 in. L Engineered Wood Flooring (22.82 sq. ft. / case)

ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

STOP!_

CAREFULLY EXAMINE ALL OF THIS FLOORING FOR COLOR, FINISH, QUALITY, AND STYLE

BEFORE INSTALLATION. IF THIS MATERIAL IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, STOP AND IMMEDIATELY

CONTACT THE PERSON FROM WHOM YOU PURCHASED IT. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSUME

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ABOVE AFTER MATERIAL HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY INSTALLED.

PAGE 1

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you read and

understand this information completely prior to starting.

Improper installation can void the warranty.

INSTALLER / OWNER RESPONSIBILITY

Carefully inspect ALL material prior to installation for

defects. Materials installed with visible defects are not

covered under warranty. Remember: Wood is a natural

product that can vary in color and grain. It is to be

expected that wood’s natural characteristics will vary

from plank to plank. Manufacturer does not warrant

against natural variations from any samples or from

plank to plank. If you are not satisfied with the flooring

prior to installation, simply return the cartons to your

retailer for a full replacement. Acceptance or rejection of

material must be done only on full shipments, not carton

by carton or plank by plank. Material is manufactured to

exceed industry standards (ANSI/HPVA EF2002).

You are urged, as the final inspector, to inspect for

proper color, finish, style, and quality PRIOR to

installation. Verify that the flooring is the correct

material. Care should be taken at this time to remove or

repair particular characteristics you do not desire.

Manufacturer declines responsibility for any costs

incurred when plank(s) with visible defects have been

installed.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Broom or

Vacuum

Moisture

Meter

Safety

Glasses

Tape Measure

Hand Saw

Color Wood Filler

Chalk Line

& Chalk

Electric

Miter Saw

Hardwood Floor

Cleaner

Hammer

Pry Bar

CAUTION: WOOD DUST WARNING:

Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood

products can expose you to wood dust, a substance

known to the State of California to cause cancer.

Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or

other safeguards for personal protection.

For more information go to:

www.P65Warnings.ca.gove/wood

PRE-INSTALLATION: JOBSITE CONDITIONS

It is the installer / owners' responsibility to ensure that

the jobsite conditions and jobsite subfloor are

environmentally and structurally acceptable prior to the

installation of any hardwood flooring. The

manufacturer declines any and all problems with the

hardwood flooring that are related to or attributed to

improper jobsite conditions.

 All "wet" work (i.e. paint, drywall, concrete,

masonry, plumbing) must be complete, and dry,

well in advance of delivery of hardwood flooring.

 Gutters and downspouts should be in place and

the exterior grade complete to allow for proper

drainage of water away from the building's

exterior perimeter.

 Flooring should not be exposed to extremes of

humidity or moisture.

 Permanent HVAC should be on and operational

for a minimum of 7 days maintaining a

temperature of 65-75° Fahrenheit and relative

humidity of 35-55% prior to delivery, and during

& after installation of the flooring.

 Flooring must be acclimated to the job site until

proper moisture equilibrium is achieved. Read

these instructions thoroughly for moisture content

requirements and testing instructions.

The manufacturer declines any responsibility for

failures or deficiencies of hardwood flooring resulting

from or related to subfloor, sub-surface, or job site

environmental conditions. All substrates must be clean,

flat, dry, and structurally sound. Subfloors must be

clean and free of dirt, curing compounds, sealers,

drywall mud, paint wax, grease, urethane, or other

materials that may affect the integrity of the flooring

material or adhesives used to install the flooring.

All subfloors and subfloor systems must be structurally

sound and must be installed following their

manufacturer's recommendations. Local building codes

may only establish minimum requirements of the

flooring system and may not provide adequate rigidity

and support for proper installation and performance of

a hardwood floor.

 The subfloor must be flat meeting a minimum of

3/16” within 10’ or 1/8” in 6’.

Concrete Subfloors

Grind high spots or use a Portland-cement based

leveling material (minimum compressive strength:

3000 psi) to fill all low spots. Follow the leveling

compound manufacturer's instructions.

Leveling compounds must be allowed to thoroughly

cure and dry prior to installation of wood flooring.

Follow concrete moisture content guidelines and test

procedures specified by adhesive manufacturer.

 The moisture content for concrete subfloors

registered after a calcium chloride test should not

be greater than 3 lbs. per 1000 square feet of area.

If it exceeds these limits, DO NOT install the

flooring. Before moisture testing begins, the slab

must be cured for a minimum of 30 days.

Wood Subfloors

For staple down application use layers of 15 lb. felt or

wooden shims to fill low spots. Staples must be able to

penetrate for holding power. Whenever possible install

the planks perpendicular to the floor joists for

maximum stability. Our warranty DOES NOT cover

any problems caused by inadequate substructures or

improper installation of said substructures.

 Test wood subfloors and wood flooring for moisture

content using a pin-type moisture meter. The

moisture content of the subfloor should not exceed

13% and the moisture content of the wood should be

within 4% of the subfloor.

moisture content.

 Basements & crawl spaces must

be dry. Use of a 6 mil black

polyethylene is required to cover

100% of the crawl space earth.

Crawl space clearance from ground to underside of

joist should be no less than 18" and perimeter vent

spacing should he equal to 1.5% of the total square

footage of the crawl space area to provide cross

ventilation.

RECOMMENDED SUBFLOOR SURFACES

Concrete Subfloors:

Concrete slabs should be of high compressive strength

and constructed to prevent ground water from

penetrating the concrete. Engineered hardwood

flooring can be installed on, above, or below grade. In

addition, it can be installed over above-ground,

suspended concrete floors. The suspended concrete

must be a minimum of 1-1/2” thick and must be

structurally sound. The exception to this is lightweight

concrete (which usually contains high amounts of

gypsum) having a density of 100 pounds or less per

cubic foot. Test for lightweight concrete by using a nail

to scratch the surface of the concrete. If the concrete

crumbles or turns to powder, it is not sound and you

should NOT install the hardwood flooring. Use the

floating installation method only for lightweight

concrete subfloors (for products 3” or wider).

Summary of content (4 pages)

PAGE 1
ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES CAREFULLY EXAMINE ALL OF THIS FLOORING FOR COLOR, FINISH, QUALITY, AND STYLE BEFORE INSTALLATION. IF THIS MATERIAL IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, STOP AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE PERSON FROM WHOM YOU PURCHASED IT. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ABOVE AFTER MATERIAL HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY INSTALLED. STOP!_ IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU BEGIN It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you read and understand this information completely prior to starting.
PAGE 2
Wood Subfloors: Preferred Wood Subflooring: 3/4” (23/32”, 18.3mm) CDX grade Plywood subfloor / underlayment (Exposure 1), 4’x8’ sheets or 1/8” (23/32”, 18.3mm) OSB subfloor / underlayment grade, PS2 rated, sealed side down, joist spacing of 19.2” (475) on center or less. Minimum Wood Subflooring: 5/8” (19/32”, 15.1mm) CDX Plywood subfloor / underlayment (Exposure 1), 4’x8’ sheets, maximum 16” on center joist construction. Follow panel manufacturer’s recommendations for spacing and fastening.
PAGE 3
 Prior to installing the flooring, secure a straight edge (starter board) inside the chalk line to act as a guide and to prevent the row of planks from shifting during installation. The straightedge could be a straight piece of lumber or piece of flooring. This is temporary and will be replaced as the floor is completed. NOTE: Proper alignment is critical. Misaligned starter rows can cause side and end gaps to appear in proceeding rows of flooring.
PAGE 4
Installing the Floor 2. Once you’ve determined your layout, install the first row of starter planks. Secure planks with 1” finishing nails (ideally in the dark grain) approximately 1” from the back edge of the board. Denser species may require pre-drilling. Countersink nails and fill with appropriate colored wood filler. Remove excess filler from surface with a clean cloth and proper cleaner. 3.