Owner Manual

ManualsBrandsMohawk Flooring ManualsFlooringKearny Walnut 1/2" Thick x Random Width x Varying Length Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Installation Instructions

For Mohawk Engineered Hardwood ﬂ oors with Ply Construction

Layout the Job

Measure out from the ends of your starting wall the width of the plank, plus plank thickness, for expansion and mark both ends. Where possible, lay the

flooring at 90° angles to the floor joists. Make a chalk line along the starting wall using the marks you made.

Getting Started

NOTE: Expansion space is required along the perimeter of the room(s) of intended installation. Expansion space is dictated by the thickness of the product,

for example, 3/8" thick floor requires 3/8" expansion space, 1/2" thick floor requires 1/2" expansion space, etc.

Place the planks along your chalk line with the groove side facing the wall. Use brads or small finishing nails to secure the first starter row along the wall

edge 1" to 2" from the ends and every 4" to 6" along the side. Counter sink the nails and fill with the wood filler that blends with the flooring installed. Place

the nails in a dark grain spot in the board. The base or shoe molding will cover the nails when installed after completion of the installation.

Blind nail at a 45° angle through the tongues. It will be easier if holes are pre-drilled in the tongues. Nail 1" to 2" from the ends and every 4" to 6" along the

sides. It will be necessary to blind nail the next two rows. A brad nailer with 1" to 1-3/8" brads can also be used to blind nail and no pre-drilling is needed.

Continue the installation using an engineered wood flooring stapler, using recommended staples. Staple flooring 1" to 2" from ends and every 4" to 6" along

the edge tongues. See notes in floating section for end joint spacing and starting additional rows.

Recommended Pneumatic Floor Fastener

Staple 1" to 2" from the ends and every 4" to 6" along the tongue side of the engineered wood product to help insure a satisfactory installation. It is

recommended to initially set the compressor at 80 to 85 PSI and adjust the pressure as needed in order to properly set the fastener and prevent the fastener

from going through or breaking the tongues.

Improper stapling techniques can cause squeaks and/or surface dimpling of the floor. Adjustments may be necessary to provide adequate penetration of

the nail or staple into the nail pocket. Fasteners should be flush in the nail pocket and not beyond. Use a scrap piece of flooring material to set tools properly

before installation. Always use flooring installation tools with the factory designed floor plate attached to ensure proper fastener penetration angle.

Final Touches

Install the proper trim molding at the doorways to achieve the transition and along the walls to cover the edges of any gaps along the wall due to irregularity.

Complete the job by using the wood filler that coordinates with the installed engineered flooring to fill any gapping along the joints or areas where brad nails

were used in the trim or the flooring. Clean the finished floor with Mohawk Hardwood and Laminate Cleaner.

Floating Installation (Preparation)

Undercut Door Casings

Undercut all door casings 1/16" higher than the thickness of the flooring materials to be installed. Use a scrap piece of flooring as a guide. Lay the scrap on the

substrate and cut the casing with a handsaw or use a power jamb saw set at the correct height. Remove all moldings and wall base, and undercut all door casings.