Installation Instructions

PRE-INSTALLATION & JOB SITE CONDITIONS ACCLIMATION
Do not deliver wood flooring to the jobsite or install wood flooring until appropriate
temperature and humidity conditions have been achieved. Flooring should be delivered
and stored inside the HVAC controlled portion of the jobsite for a minimum of 72 hours prior
to installation to allow for the product to acclimate. Flooring should be stacked with at least
a four inch (4”) airspace under the cartons. Remove any and all plastic wrap that may have
been used to ship the material. Make certain that the room temperature where the product
is acclimated is set to normal living conditions as described above. To reduce the risk of
moisture related failures, the subfloor and wood flooring must be of similar moisture
content. Test the subfloor by taking a minimum of 20 moisture content readings for per
1000 square feet of subfloor using a pin type moisture meter. Average these readings and
include on the data sheet on page 7 of these instructions. Likewise check the wood
flooring moisture content and record on the same sheet. These moisture readings are to be
left as a permanent record of testing with the homeowner. When both the subfloor and
flooring are below 12% moisture content and the flooring is within 4% of the subfloor
moisture, acclimation is complete. The flooring is acclimated and ready for installation only
when it has reached a moisture content level consistent with the job site and normal living
conditions. Do not install the floor until these moisture conditions are met.
SUB-FLOOR REQUIREMENTS: ON, ABOVE, or BELOW GRADE:
These recommendations are not intended to supersede federal, state or local building
codes, but as with many other interior finish products, may require modifying existing
structural components for a successful installation. Hardwood flooring is not a structural
component. The product warranty does not protect against loss caused by inadequate
subfloors, flooring substructures or improper installation of said substructures.
Engineered Hardwood Floors may be installed over any structurally sound sub-floor that
is flat, clean and dry on all grade levels.
All sub-floors should be:
CLEAN – Sub-floor must be clean and free of dirt, curing compounds, drywall mud,
wax, paint, oil, sealers, adhesives and other debris. These may be removed
mechanically. Do not install over chemically cleaned substrates.
FLAT – Within 3/16″ in 10′ radius (5 mm in 3 m) and/or 1/8″ in 6′ radius (3 mm in 2 m).
Sand high areas or joints. Fill low areas with a high compressive strength (min.3000 psi)
Portland base compound.
DRY – Wood floor moisture should be evaluated using the guidance supplied above
under the heading “Acclimation”. Concrete subfloors must be cured for a minimum of 30
days. The moisture content of a concrete subfloor should be tested using a Calcium
Chloride test (ASTM-F-1869 or ASTM F-710) and show no greater than 3 pounds per
1000 square feet in 24 hours or in accordance with ASTM F2170 latest version RH in-
situ probe. Test results must be recorded on page 7 of these instructions and left as a
permanent record of testing with the homeowner. If moisture levels exceed these limits,
DO NOT INSTALL the flooring until appropriate corrections are made.
NOTE: Basements and crawl spaces must
be dry. Use of a 6 mil black polyethylene
membrane 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 be equal to 1.5% of the total square
footage of the crawl space area to provide
cross ventilation.
Note: To increase reliability, sub-floor appropriate moisture testing should be performed
after the HVAC system has been in operation for a minimum of 14 days. Excess
moisture on any flooring substrate if not identified and corrected prior to installation will
cause floor covering failure. Our Warranties DO NOT cover any problems due to
moisture levels that exceed these guidelines
STRUCTURALLY SOUND – WOOD SUB-FLOOR: Nail or screw any areas that are
loose or squeak. Wood panels should exhibit an adequate fastening pattern,
glued/screwed or nailed as that system requires, using an acceptable nailing pattern.
Typical: 6” (15 cm) along bearing edges and 12” (31 cm) along intermediate supports.
Flatten edge swell as necessary. Replace any water-damaged, swollen or delaminated
sub-flooring or underlayment.
Building codes establish requirements for structural support components of flooring
systems which may not provide adequate rigidity and support for proper installation and
performance of a hardwood floor. Whenever possible, install flooring perpendicular to
the floor joists for maximum stability.
NOTE: When joist spacing exceeds the traditional 16 on center, manufacturer
recommends you apply a thin bead of Performance Accessories Tongue & Groove D3
glue to the bottom side of the groove to lock the tongue and groove profile in place. This
will reduce the potential for movement of the tongue and groove, which may contribute
to squeaking or crackle. When using this method of installation, you may continue to
choose to staple or nail down the hardwood depending on your preference. Using a D3
T&G glue with the staple reduces movement as the sub-floor deflects.
STRUCTURALLY SOUND – CONCRETE SUB-FLOOR: Concrete substrate should be
at least 30 days old constructed in accordance with ASTM E1745. Level substrate and
fill all cracks, holes and low spots with a polymer modified Portland cement patch or
leveling compound. Burnished or steel troweled concrete substrates must be inspected
for porosity by placing a few drops of water on the surface. If the water is not absorbed
within 3 minutes, the substrate should be considered non-porous. Abrade the surface
with 30-grit sandpaper until porosity is achieved. Glued down floors may be applied to
concrete with a rating of 3000 psi or greater. Glued down application over lightweight
concrete (less than 3000 psi) is not permissible.
Wood Sub-floors
Approved underlayment floor panels should meet or exceed the following:
• Plywood: Must be minimum CDX grade (exposure 1) and meet US Voluntary
Product Standard PS1 performance standard or Canadian performance standard
CAN/CSA 0325-0-92. The preferred thickness is 3/4″ (19 mm) as a sub-floor
[minimum 5/8″ (16 mm)] or 3/8″ (9.5 mm) as floor panel underlayment.
• Oriented Strand Board (OSB): Conforming to US Voluntary Product Standard
PS2 or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325-0-92 construction
sheathing. Check underside of panel for codes. When used as a sub-floor, the
panels must be tongue and groove and installed sealed side down. Minimum
thickness to be 23/32″ (18 mm) thick when used as a sub-floor or 3/8″ (9.5 mm) as
floor panel underlayment.
• Wafer board and Chipboard: Conforming to US Voluntary Product Standard PS2
or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325-0-92. Must be 3/4″ (19 mm)
thick when used as a sub-floor and 3/8″ (9.5 mm) thick when used as floor panel
underlayment.
• Particleboard: Must be a minimum 40-lb. density, stamped underlayment grade
and 3/4″ (19 mm) thick. (Floating installation only)
Solid Wood Sub-floors - Direct Glue or Staple Down Applications
• Minimum 3/4″ (19 mm) thick with a maximum width of 6″ (15 cm) installed at a 45°
angle to the floor joists.
• Group 1 dense softwood (Pine, Larch, Douglas fir, etc.) No. 2 common, kiln dried
with all board ends bearing on joists.
• For direct glue-down applications add 3/8″ (9.5 mm) approved floor
panel underlayment.
Existing Wood Flooring – Direct Glue or Staple Down Applications
• Existing engineered flooring must be well bonded/fastened. When gluing over
existing wood flooring, the surface finish must be abraded or removed to allow
adequate adhesive bond.
• Existing solid hardwood flooring that exceeds 6″ (15 mm) in width must be covered
with 3/8″ (9.5 mm) approved underlayment and fastened as required.
• Do not install over solid or engineered flooring attached directly to concrete.
Wood sub-floors should be well nailed or secured with screws. Nails should be ring
shank and screws need to be counter sunk. The wood sub-floor needs to be structurally
sound (meaning sub-floors without loose boards, vinyl or tile). If sub-floor panels are a
single layer, less than ¾” thick, add another single cross layer for strength and stability
(minimum 3/8”).
Underlayment floor panels must be installed sealed side down. When used as a sub-
floor, allow 1/8″ (3 mm) expansion space between each panel. If spacing is inadequate,
cut in with a circular saw. Do not cut in expansion space on tongue and groove panels.
When installing parallel to the floor joists it may be necessary to increase rigidity of the
structural sub-floor system by installing an additional minimum of 3/8″ (9.5 mm)
approved underlayment floor panel.
Radiant Heat Sub-floors
For Multi-Layered Core products, it is important to follow these guidelines
strictly. Failure to follow these guidelines may produce unsatisfactory
results.
Before installing hardwood over radiant heat subfloors, determine if the radiant heat
system is rated to be compatible with hardwood flooring. It is highly recommended
the radiant heat system be designed specifically to accept hardwood flooring.
Radiant heat systems designed for floor coverings with a higher resistance to
heat transfer such as carpet will damage wood flooring. Single heat circuit
systems designed for use with multiple floor covering products must be adjusted to
work at temperatures suitable for hardwood flooring. Use of an in floor temperature
sensor as well as a separate thermostat for the individual room is required. An
outdoor temperature sensor should be used to adjust water temperature
according to anticipated heat loss.
Note: When radiant heat is installed in concrete, mortar beds, or gypsum cement, it
is very important to operate the radiant heat system until these are completely dry
before you install your hardwood flooring on top. This may take several weeks. Also
operate the HVAC system to allow humidity levels in the area to stabilize (35- 55%
RH) for the area in which the hardwood floor will be installed. Allow hardwood to
acclimate to this humidity level before installation. This will minimize dimensional
changes due to moisture.
Before installing over a radiant heat floor turn off heat and wait until the floor has
reached room temperature (70°-75°F). After installing the floor, gradually return the
heat in 5 degree increments. CAUTION: The floor surface must never exceed 85°F.
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Generic Multi-Layered T&G Installation Instructions 071315