Installation Guide

3.4 Solid Rev 012113 Page 2
climate controlled area for future repairs in the event planks are
ever damaged.
The use of stain, filler or putty for correction is considered a normal
practice and a routine part of installation.
TOOLS:
BASIC TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES:
10D Nails
Mechanical Fastener
15# Felt Paper or Rosin Paper
Miter Saw
Broom
Moisture Meter
Chalk Line & String Pencil
Cleats or Staples (see schedule)
Pry Bar or trim puller
Coordinating stain, filler/putty
Straight Edge
Coordinating trims or moldings
Table Saw
Drill and drill bits
Tape Measure
Hand or Electric Jam Saw Utility Knife
Mohawk FloorCare Essential Hardwood Floor Cleaner or
Columbia Flooring Hardwood
STORAGE AND HANDLING:
Flooring material should be delivered to the job site and stored
in the room(s) where it is to be installed for a minimum of 72
hours before being installed to allow the material to acclimate.
Open the cartons but do not remove the product from the
cartons. Make sure the room temperature is set at a normal
living temperature as described above. The flooring is
acclimated and ready for installation when it has reached a
moisture level consistent with the job site and normal living
conditions.
The subfloor and flooring should be tested with an appropriate
moisture meter. The subfloor moisture level must not exceed
12%. The difference between the moisture content of the wood
subfloor and the hardwood flooring must not exceed 4%. For
hardwood products greater than 3” wide, the moisture content
of the wood subfloor and hardwood floor should not differ more
than 2%.
PRE-INSTALLATION & JOB SITE CONDITIONS
SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS:
The following subfloor recommendations are intended to
complement the installation of hardwood flooring as an interior
finish. Hardwood flooring is not a structural component. 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.
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: Avoid subfloors with excessive vertical movement or
deflection because subfloor movement will telegraph through
to the finished installation. Indications of excessive deflection
are uneven finish wear, fastener release, squeaking,
compromised or damaged locking systems, sectional
contours such as bowing or dipping in floors and uneven
flooring material. Nail or screw subfloor panels to secure
boards with excessive vertical movement or deflection. If the
subfloor has excessive vertical movement (deflection) before
installation of the flooring, it is likely it will do so after
installation of the flooring is complete. Our warranties DO
NOT cover any problems caused by inadequate
substructures or improper installation of said substructures.
Do not install Solid Hardwood Flooring over particleboard,
fiberboard, or pressed wood panel.
Solid Hardwood Flooring is not recommended for below grade
installations or over radiant heat.
Do not glue Solid Wood Flooring directly to any subfloor
surface.
SUBFLOOR PREPARATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ON OR
ABOVE GRADE ONLY:
We recommend 3 types of sub-floors: plywood/OSB, solid wood
planks (1 x 6 or larger), or sleepers (2 x 4 inch). Each subfloor has
separate installation guidelines.
Solid hardwood flooring may be installed on or above grade provided
the subfloor is:
• CLEAN – all construction debris, soil, mud and any other
objects on or adhering to the floor are scraped and swept
away before installation.
• FLAT – within ¼” in a 10’ radius.
• DRY – always test the subfloor with the appropriate
moisture meter. Installation cannot continue until the sub-
floor moisture does not exceed 12% and the subfloor and
flooring moisture differ no more than 4%. On 3” or wider,
the subfloor and the flooring being installed should not
differ more than 2%.
• Sound – all damaged or swollen subflooring should be
replaced. Check the floor for squeaks / loose components,
repair areas by adding fasteners or adhesive.
WOOD SUBFLOOR-
NOTE: As with many other interior finish products, modification
of existing structural components may be required for a
successful installation.
Wood subfloors should be well nailed or secured with screws. Nails
should be ring shank and screws need to be counter sunk. The wood
subfloor needs to be structurally sound (meaning subfloors 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 ½” thick). Underlayment floor panels must be installed
sealed side down. When used as a subfloor, allow 1/8” (3mm)
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 subfloor system by installing
an additional minimum of 1/2” (13mm) approved underlayment
floor panel.
Approved underlayment floor panels should meet or exceed the
following:
Plywood: Must be a minimum CDX grade (exposure1) and meet US
Voluntary Product Standard PS1 performance standard or Canadian
performance standard CAN/CSA 0325-0-92. The preferred thickness
is ¾” (19mm) as a subfloor (minimum 5/8” (16 mm) or 1/2” (13mm)
as a 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 the underside of panel for codes.
When used as a subfloor, 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 subfloor or 1/2” (13mm) as floor panel
underlayment.
Wafer board and Chipboard: Conforming to US Voluntary Product
Standard PS2 or Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325-0-
392. It must be ¾” (19mm) thick when used as a subfloor and 1/2”
(12.7mm) thick when used as a floor panel underlayment.