Installation Guide

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. Blind nail at a 45° angle through the tongue 1-2”
from the end joints and every 6” in between along
the length of the starter boards. Depending on the
width of the flooring it may be necessary to do this
for the first few rows prior to using a pneumatic
stapler / nailer.
4. Continue to install the flooring making sure to
staple / nail 1-2” from the ends and every 3-4”
thereafter. Make certain the tool is adjusted
properly to ensure that the fastener is at the proper
angle and is flush within the nail pocket.
5. The last few rows will need to be fastened by hand.
To fasten the final planks into place, you must
either manually blind nail and or face-nail through
the surface on the final planks. Blind nail at a 45°
angle to the floor using 1” finishing nails. Denser
species may require pre-drilling. Alternatively,
install with 1” finishing nails in the face (ideally in
the dark grain) every 6”. Countersink nails and fill
with appropriate colored wood filler. Remove
excess filler from surface with a clean cloth and
proper cleaner.
FLOATING FLOOR INSTALL GUIDELINES
(Products 3/8”, 1/2”, and 5/8” thick & 3” or wider only)
Additional tools & material needed:
Tapping Block & Spacers
T&G Wood Flooring Adhesive Terrycloth Towels
Foam Underlayment Pry / Pull Bar
6 mil Poly Plastic Sheeting
 6 Mil Polyethylene not required over a vinyl, wood,
or a wood product subfloor.
 6 Mil Polyethylene required over concrete type
subfloors on grade or below grade.
 Do not install over carpet.
 If installing over vinyl, ensure that the vinyl is secure
to the subfloor. Do not install over perimeter glued
vinyl.
 If installing over an existing wood floor, install the
flooring at right angles to the wood floor.
 Secure creaking and loose floorboards with screws.
 Do not install over wood flooring glued to a concrete
subfloor.
Before proceeding with the following instructions,
refer to the pre-installation & subfloor information,
as well as the sections titled “Layout of Flooring”
and “Adhesive Precautions”.
Getting Started
1. Remove all doors and shoe moldings. Undercut all
door casings 1-1/16” higher than the thickness of the
flooring and underlayment to be installed. Place a
scrap piece of plank and a sheet of underlayment
against the door casing to act as a guide and cut the
door casing with a hand saw or power jamb saw set
to the correct height.
2. Install underlayment: Unroll the 6 Mil Poly sheeting
overlapping edges 4” and seams with clear plastic
tape. Allow the poly to run 2” up. Seal the wall and
trim back after installation of flooring. Install 1/8”
foam underlayment. A floating floor 2-in-1
underlayment may be used. Carefully follow the
manufacturer's installation instructions.
Installing the Floor
3. Once you’ve determined your layout, begin gluing
the boards. Run a continuous bead of tongue &
groove adhesive in the groove along the length and
width (butt) of each plank.
4. If needed, use a pry bar at the end wall to pull the
ends of the planks tight.
DO NOT USE LAMINATE STRAPS AS THEY MAY
DAMAGE THE FLOORING
COMPLETING THE JOB
(ALL INSTALLATIONS)
1. Clean the floor with hardwood floor cleaner (Refer
to our Hardwood Flooring Care & Maintenance
document for recommendations)
2. After the floor has been cleaned, inspect the floor
for nicks, scratches, gaps or planks that may have
moved during installation, as well as any other
imperfections that need attention. Touch up nicks
and scratches with touch-up products and fill any
minor gaps with appropriate color wood putty.
3. Install transition pieces (i.e. thresholds, t-moldings,
base), boards and quarter round once adhesive (if
applicable) has dried. Nail moldings to wall, not to
the floor. Repeat the prior steps as needed.
4. Leave Warranty and Maintenance information
with customer. Unused material should be left with
owner and stored in a dry place in case future
repairs are needed.
5. Use plywood or hardboard when moving heavy
appliances or furniture across floor.
FLOOR PROTECTION DURING
CONSTRUCTION
Always protect the surface of the installed flooring
during construction by laying a quality rosin paper, or
other paper that will allow the floor to breathe, over the
flooring, taping it to the baseboards. Never use plastic
or polyethylene sheeting to cover the floor since they
will trap moisture that will damage the flooring.
*REFER TO THE MANUFACTURER
PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER
FLOOR CARE & MAINTENANCE, RADIANT
HEAT PRECAUTIONS AND LIFETIME
LIMITED WARRANTY GUIDELINES.
MOLDINGS AND TRANSITIONS
Reducer-One Sided
Reduce / transition down to flat surfaces (i.e. vinyl
sheet flooring).
Baby Threshold
Transition to carpet or other floor coverings which have
a slight vertical height difference. Also used at sliding
door areas. This most versatile trim piece can be
adapted with the use of a table.
T-Molding
Used to transition one floor covering to another.
Typically ceramic tile with the same vertical height.
Quarter Round
Installed after the floor against existing baseboard to
allow proper expansion space.
Stair Nosing
Used for step construction when using plank or strip on
stairs.