Installation Guide

Laminate Uniclic Installation Guidelines
Sub-Floor Preparation:
The subfloor must be structurally sound and checked
for moisture content. Movement and squeaks should be
well fastened with ring nails or screws to the floor joists.
The subfloor must be clean and free of paint, wax, oil,
and other debris. In addition it must be lf at and level
within 3/16” inside a 10’ radius or 1/8" in 6’ radius. High
spots must be sanded flat and low spots must be filled
with a concrete based leveling compound
recommended by your dealer. On old or uneven wood
floors, install 1/4”- 5/8” plywood and ring nail or screw
every 6” to avoid squeaking (it is also a good idea to
glue the panels with a construction adhesive).
Radiant Heat Flooring:
Wellmade Laminate flooring with Uniclic® floating
installation system may be installed over radiant heat.
The radiant heat system should be operational for at
least 7 days before beginning installation. Turn off heat
to allow subfloor to cool down to room temperature 3-4
hours before beginning the installation. After the
installation is completed, turn on the radiant heat
immediately, and gradually return to normal levels.
The finished floor surface must not exceed 85° F (29°
C) for the life of the floor. Because radiant heat creates
a dry heat that can lower interior humidity levels, it may
be necessary to add a humidifier to maintain the
humidity level between 30-55% to prevent damage to
the hardwood floor. Please be sure to consult with the
radiant heat system manufacturer to ensure that the
system is compatible with Laminate flooring.
For Creating A Random Effect:
To avoid creating a joint pattern in the floor, it is
necessary to begin installation using starter boards for
the first three rows. Use a full plank for the first row, 2/3
plank for the second row and 1/3 plank for row three,
being sure to keep the end joints at least 6 - 8 inches
apart. Cuts made at the opposite wall can then be used
for starter boards, so as to avoid a pattern. Be sure to
allow at least a 1/4” – 3/8” expansion gap around
perimeter. Please keep in mind that tools left on the
finished floor during installation can scratch the floor. It
is also important that debris be removed from the
finished areas immediately, and that all persons who
might walk on the floor before it is finished should clean
the bottom of their shoes. The more traffic you have on
the floor before the installation is completed, the more
likely it can be damaged.
Moisture Barrier and Underlayment Padding
is Required:
While it is not necessarily difficult to install a Uniclic
floating floor, you may want to consider having it done
by a professional installer. Bare concrete floors require
a moisture barrier of at least 6 mil polyethylene film with
the sheets overlapping 6” and taped to prevent
moisture migrating to the wood flooring.
Installing Floating Uniclic® Floors
Uniclic® is a revolutionary system for installing the
flooring without using glue. Because of the unique
shape of the tongue and groove, you can install
the planks in several different ways:
Method A (preferred): Position the plank at a 20-30°
angle to the plank already installed. Move the plank
gently up and down while pushing forward. The plank
will then automatically fold into place. You can either
insert the tongue into the groove or the groove on to
the tongue. The tongue in groove method is most
common, and also the easiest. Never force the plank to
lay lf at, always help it to fold into position. See
Diagrams A-1, A-2.
Diagram A-1 Diagram A-2
Method B: You can also tap the planks into place with
a tapping block and hammer without lifting the
planks. For this method you will need a tapping block
designed for the correct thickness of flooring. The
planks should not be tapped together with a single
tap. To avoid damaging the plank, you must tap them
together gradually. See Diagrams B-1 and B-2.
Diagram B-1
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