Installation Guide
Page 3
Generic Multi-Layered T&G Installation Instructions 020818
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.
Do not use area rugs on top of engineered flooring installed over radiant heat systems.
Area rugs trap heat creating elevated temperatures capable of damaging engineered
flooring.
Concrete Sub-floor
Lightweight concrete
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 Engineered flooring should not be
installed using 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.
Glue Down Installation: Make sure the floor covering materials are well bonded
to the sub-floor/underlayment with full spread adhesive and no more than two layers
thick, not to exceed 3/16″ (5 mm). With approved wood/wood composite sub-floors, if
vinyl or tiles are loose, broken, or in poor condition, install a 3/8″ (9.5 mm) approved
sub-floor panel directly over the flooring materials. Clean the flooring materials as
necessary to remove waxes, sealers or cleaning residues to allow a good adhesive
bond. Cork floor sealers and surface treatments must be removed. Always perform a
bond test prior to beginning glue down installation.
Before You Start
Adhesive Selection:
Acceptable sub-floor moisture condition requirements will vary dependent upon your
selection of M1000, M808 or M908/WUA2 adhesive. Adhesive moisture requirements
are not interchangeable between adhesives and vary dependent upon the sub-floor type
and conditions. The sub-floor moisture requirement and test for each adhesive is
outlined in the following:
M1000 ULTRATACK ADVANCED 3 IN 1 ADHESIVE (CONCRETE ONLY):
Up to 95% RH Levels in Concrete Using In-situ Probes in accordance with the
latest version of ASTM F 2170.
A pH test up to 11.0.
Test for sealers and curing compounds.
M808 TRI-POLYMER ADHESIVE (WOOD & CONCRETE SUB-FLOOR):
Wood:
Wood substrates should test less than 12% using a wood moisture meter.
Concrete:
Up to 85% RH Levels in Concrete Using In-situ Probes in accordance with the
latest version of ASTM F 2170.
pH test results must be between 7.0 - 9.0.
Test for sealers and curing compounds.
M908/WUA2 PRO-TACK URETHANE ADHESIVE:
Wood:
Wood substrates should test less than 13% using a wood moisture meter.
Concrete:
Less than 3 lbs/1000 sq. ft./24 hrs. Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM F1869)
Up to 75% RH Levels in Concrete Using In-situ Probes in accordance with the
latest version of ASTM F 2170.
Test for sealers and curing compounds
To correct any sub-floor conditions concerning moisture, either wait until the
sub- floor dries to meet specifications or use an appropriate moisture barrier.
For more information concerning moisture conditions, contact Technical
Service Department at 888-387-9881 Option 3.
DO NOT INSTALL FLOORING IF MOISTURE TESTS RESULTS EXCEED
RECOMMENDED LIMITS.
Plan your layout and determine the direction of the installation in the room. Planks
installed parallel to windows accent the hardwood best.
Blending of Cartons: To achieve a uniform installation appearance, preselect and set
aside hardwood planks that blend best with all trims and moldings. Install these planks
next to best blended moldings.
Remove all wall mounted moldings such as base and quarter round.
Floor should be installed blending planks from several cartons to ensure good color
and shade mixture throughout the installation.
Be attentive to staggering the ends of the boards at least 4″-6″ (10-15 cm) , in adjacent
rows.
NOTE: USE OF A RUBBER MALLET TO INSTALL FLOORING IS NOT
RECOMMENDED AS STRIKING THE SURFACE WITH A RUBBER MALLET MAY
CAUSE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE PLANK.
GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
Select adhesive based on Adhesive Selection Guidelines provided above.
CONCRETE: If an excess sub-floor moisture situation exists, it is required that M1000
Ultratack Advanced 3 in 1 Adhesive be applied using the provided clip-on trowel. Use of
these or products with equal or greater specifications are necessary for warranty
compliance.
Engineered Flooring – Moisture/Sound Suppression Method
Application (trowel clip on top of bucket):
M1000 Ultratack Advanced 3 in 1 Adhesive
A low VOC siline terminated polymer adhesive designed for use on or above grade
concrete substrates where excessive moisture may be present.
For concrete substrates with RH readings up to 95% use the Clip-On Trowel Blade
provided and attached to the top of each pail. Clip on trowel blade must be replaced with
each pail of adhesive used or more frequently as wear dictates. Floor pH must not exceed
11. ------ Approximate coverage 35 square ft. per gallon.
For concrete substrates with RH readings less than 80% use a 3/16” x ¼” x ½” Flat V
Notch Trowel. Trowel should be replaced every 3000 square feet or sooner if excessively
worn. Floor pH must not exceed 11. ------ Approximate coverage 55 square ft. per gallon.
*Coverage is based on application to a clean, smooth concrete substrate; therefore,
application rate may vary depending on substrate conditions.
USES:
▪ For protection from concrete moisture up to 95% RH
▪ Sound reduction in multi-story buildings
▪ Crack suppression for in plane cracks up to 1/8” wide
Important: Only the above specified trowels and application methods are to be used
with this adhesive; otherwise, the product performance warranties and liabilities
will be made void. Use of these or products with equal or greater specifications are
necessary for warranty compliance.
M808 Tri-Polymer Adhesive:
A high tri-polymer formula adhesive for the installation of engineered wood flooring over
a variety of properly prepared substrates including: concrete, APA approved sub-floor
panels, sheet vinyl, VCT and clean abraded terrazzo.
Wood substrates should test less than 13% using a pin moisture meter.
Use a 3/16” x ¼” x ½” Flat V Notch Trowel. Trowel should be replaced every 3000 square
feet or sooner as wear dictates. ------ Approximate coverage is 200-220 square ft. per
4 gallons.
Concrete substrates should test less than 85% RH use a 3/16” x ¼” x ½” Flat V Notch
Trowel. Trowel should be replaced every 3000 square feet or sooner as wear dictates. ---
--- Approximate coverage is 200-220 square ft per 4 gallons.
*Coverage is based on application to a clean, smooth concrete substrate; therefore,
application rate may vary depending on substrate conditions
USES:
▪ For protection from concrete moisture up to 85% RH
▪ Will not etch the finish on a pre-finished board
▪ May be used on properly prepared concrete or wood substrates.
Important: Only the above specified trowels and application methods are to be used
with this adhesive; otherwise, the product performance warranties and liabilities
will be made void.
M908/WUA2 Pro Tack Adhesive
A trowel applied moisture curing urethane adhesive for the installation of glue down
flooring installations over concrete and wood substrates.