Installation Guide

Doc. ID: 282 Rev: 3 Effective: 6-27-2022 Page | 4
Moisture Barrier and Moisture Retarder
Concrete Subfloor: For floating installation, use 6 mil polyethylene film or other means with equivalent permeability. Overlap the edge
seams and tape it together. Extend moisture barrier up to the wall about 1 inch high. For direct glue installation, use a moisture barrier if
moisture level exceeds requirement (see Concrete Moisture section above).
Wood Subfloor: Use asphalt-saturated kraft paper or #15 or #30 felt that meets ASTM Standard D4869 or UU-B-790, Grade D.
Overlap along the edge seams 2”- 4” wide. This retards moisture movement from below. Extend the moisture retarder to about 1” from the
walls. Secure to the subfloor as necessary.
Sound Control Underlayment
Check with sound control manufacturer for application guidelines. Generally, the less compressive underlayment is preferred.
Expansion Gap
Required gap width is 1/2”. It is required around the perimeter of the floor and between floor and all vertical obstructions. Do not place
permanently installed structures such as kitchen counter/cabinet on the installed floor.
Transition Molding
For floating installation, transition T-molding is required in the following cases: floor spanning greater than 40 feet in length or width; floor
areas interrupted by wall sections extending out of the wall, floor areas which are not rectangular, wall openings-with or without door, L
shaped or otherwise not rectangular rooms requires T-molding to split it into rectangular sections.
Tools and Materials
Basics:
Tape measure • Moisture meter (wood, concrete or both) • Chalk line & chalk • Hammer • Electric power saw • Carbide tipped saw blade for
fine cut • NIOSH-designated dust mask • Hand saw or jamb saw • Eye protection • Straight edge or Spacers • Pry Bar • Mallet • Broom •
Color matched wood putty • Tapping block • Pull bar
Helpful Pointers
General Tips
• Make sure your work area is well lit. Good visibility ensures that color is consistent and that visually defective planks are detected and
removed.
• The minimum length of the first and last plank is 12”. If the last plank will be less than 12”, adjust the length of the first plank. The
remainder of the last plank can be used as a starter board on the following rows.
• Using a shorter piece at undercut door jams will help when fitting flooring in place.
Cutting the Last Row to Width
• Most often the entire length of the last row will need to be cut so that it is narrow enough to fit the remaining space.
• Measure the distance between the floor face edge (exclude the tongue) to the wall. Subtract 1/2“from this measurement for expansion
gap. Draw a line. Cut through the line. Discard the excess piece. Proceed with installation.
Pre-install Activities
• Subfloors should be in clean condition.
• Remove existing base, shoe molding or threshold carefully. They can be used to cover the expansion gap left around the edges of the
room.
• Understand the parts of the locking mechanism of the flooring plank. The tongue is the thinner extension coming out of the side of the
planks. The groove is the wider extension coming out of the other side of the floor plank. The ends do not have tongue and groove. There
is an upper drop-lock end on one side and a lower-drop lock end on the other side. Short ends are locked by pressing down on the
overlapping ends or tapping down with non-metallic hammer head.
• Ensure that the width of first and last row is not less than 2 inches wide. Measure the distance of room in the direction of the width of the
plank. Divide by the width of the plank and express it in decimals. Multiply the decimal portion by the width of the plank, the result is the
width of the last plank. This is the width of the last plank. If it is less than 2 inches, modify the width of the first plank. Determine the
width of the first and last row by adding the calculated width of the last plank to the width of the whole plank. Divide this number by 2.
Subtract expansion gap from the result. The result is the width of the first and last row.
• Rack up planks from several boxes.
• Ensure that end joints are staggered at least 6” between the rows.
• Inspect product for defects. If material is questionable, contact the retailer immediately. Do not proceed with installation.
• If the first row of floor panels had already been trimmed in width to meet minimum requirement, there is no need to trim it again.
Safety and Health Precautions
Power tools can be dangerous. Operate in strict accordance to manufacturer’s operating instructions and safety precautions. Unsafe and
improper use can cause serious injuries.
Avoid inhalation and exposures to wood dust by mechanical means and by wearing personal protective equipment.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which include NIOSH or OSHA approve dust masks, safety goggle and work gloves.