Instructions / Assembly

Page 2
Performance Core T&G Installation Instructions 020818
PRE-INSTALLATION & JOB SITE CONDITIONS
Do not 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. 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 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 the product can be
installed.. 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 glued down
floors 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
“Job Site Conditions”. Concrete subfloors must be cured for a minimum of 60 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 60
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 subfloor panels should meet or exceed the following:
 Plywood: Must be minimum CDX grade (exposure 1) and conform to US Voluntary Product
Standard PS1 performance standard or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325-0-92.
 Oriented Strand Board (OSB): Must Conform to US Voluntary Product Standard PS2 or Canadian
performance standard CAN/CSA 0325-0-92. The panels must be tongue and groove and
installed sealed side down.
 Floor joist/truss spacing will determine the minimum acceptable thickness of the subfloor panels.
Joist/truss spacing of 16” o/c or less for single panel subflooring requires a minimum 5/8” (19/32”,
15.1 mm) CDX (Exposure 1) 4’X8’ subfloor panels. Joist/truss spacing of greater than 16”, up to
19.2” (488mm) o/c, requires a minimum nominal ¾” (23/32”, 18.3 mm) T&G CDX (Exposure 1)
Plywood or OSB 4’X8’ subfloor panels, glued and mechanically fastened. Floor systems with
joists/truss spaced greater than 19.2” (488mm) o/c up to a maximum of 24” (610mm) require
minimum 7/8” T&G CDX (Exposure 1) Plywood or OSB 4’X8’ subfloor panels, glued and
mechanically fastened. Installation over joists spans greater than 24” is not recommended. For
installation over joists spans greater than 24” on center, consult NWFA for panel thickness
guidance.
 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 an 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
Performance Core flooring products are not recommended for installation over radiant heat floor
systems.
Concrete Sub-floor
Lightweight concrete
Performance Core Engineered wood flooring is not recommended for glue down installation over
lightweight concrete subfloors. To test for lightweight or acoustical concrete, scrape a coin or key
across the surface of the sub-floor. If the surface powders easily or has a dry density of l00 pounds
or less per cubic foot, the Performance Core Engineered flooring should not be installed using the
glue down method. Product can be installed using floating installation method.
Sub-floors other than wood or concrete:
Perimeter glued resilient vinyl and rubber tiles are unacceptable underlayments and must be
removed. Terrazzo, Vinyl, Resilient Tile, Cork and Linoleum or hard surfaces that are dry, structurally
sound and level are suitable as a sub-floor. As above, the surface must be sound, tight and free of
paint, oil, existing adhesives, wax, grease and dirt. Terrazzo and ceramic tile must be scuffed to
assure adhesion.
Warning! Do not sand existing resilient tile, sheet flooring, backing, or felt linings. These products
may contain asbestos fibers that are not readily identifiable. Inhalation of asbestos dust can cause
asbestosis or other serious bodily harm. Check with local, state and federal laws for handling
hazardous material before attempting the removal of these floors.