Installation Guide

3.4 Solid Rev 012113 Page 4
1
st
Row Nail
Ease
Uretha
Subsequent
15
Plywood
Solid
Step 3 – INSTALL REMAINING ROWS
• Continue the laying process using a mechanical fastener
until the room is complete (See section – Recommended
Pneumatic Floor Stapler or Nailer).
Helpful Hint: Use flooring lengths that offset or stagger the end
joints at least 6” or more for a professional look.
• Carefully cut the last row to leave a ¾” expansion space
• Replace / install trim moldings
STAPLE OR NAIL DOWN INSTALLATIONS:
3/4” Solid Hardwood Flooring may be installed over wood sub-floors
using staples or flooring cleats. When installing 3/4” solid wood
planks or strips by nailing or stapling it is necessary to use the proper
type of flooring stapler or nailer made for the thickness of the
hardwood flooring that is being installed.
Step 1
You must staple or nail 1” to 2” from the ends and every 4” to 6”
along the edges. This will help insure a satisfactory installation. It is
recommended to set the compressor PSI at 80 to 85lbs. initially and
adjust as necessary to keep the staples from going through or
breaking the tongues. Improper stapling techniques can cause
squeaks in the floor. Adjustments may be necessary to provide
adequate penetration of the nail or staple into the nail bed. You want
it flush in the nail pocket. Use a scrap piece of flooring material to set
tools properly before installation. Staples are not recommended for
Solid Hardwood Floors 3” and wider.
Note: An expansion space of ¾” is required along the perimeter
walls and at all vertical structures to allow the flooring to
expand.
Place the planks with the tongue facing away from the wall and along
your chalk line. Use 10D nails to secure the 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 appropriate filler that blends
with the flooring. Place the nails in a dark grain spot in the board
when possible. The base or quarter round 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 YOU
PRE-DRILL THE HOLES 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 2 rows. A brad nailer with 1” to 1 3/8” brads can also be
used to blind nail and no pre-drilling is needed.
INSTALLING ¾” SOLID HARDWOOD OVER CONCRETE
Solid Hardwood Flooring can be installed on concrete slabs (minim
3,000 psi) that are on or above grade
. The moisture content of the
slab should be tested with a Calcium Chloride Test and emit less
than 3 pounds per 1000 square feet per 24 hours, then the
appropriate subfloor (nailing surface) can be installed. Installer
should record moisture test results in the space provided on the last
page of this document and leave with the owner as part of their
records.
There are several methods by which this can be accomplished:
• ¾” or thicker Exterior Grade Plywood laid over a vapor
retarder of 6 mil poly or two layers of 15# felt and power
nailed into the concrete slab. The ends of the plywood
panels should be staggered ½ panel in alternating rows
and an expansion space of ½” should be left around the
perimeter of the room. An expansion gap of ⅛” must be
left between the panels. The flooring may then be nailed
to the plywood surface using 1½” fasteners.
• ¾” or thicker Exterior Grade Plywood may also be glued to
the vapor retarder that has been glued to the concrete
floor. The vapor retarder and plywood should be glued
using cutback adhesive or other approved adhesive,
• applied according to the manufacturer’s directions. The
plywood panels should be cut down to 4’ X 4’ or 16” X8’
and the panel joints should be staggered by 2’. Score the
backs of the panels 3/8” deep on a 12” grid, laying the
scored side into the adhesive observing a 1/8” gap
between the panels and a ½” space around the perimeter.
• As an alternative a floating plywood base can be installed.
In this method a 6 mil poly vapor retarder is laid on the
floor lapping the seams at least 6”. Loose lay 3/8” exterior
grade plywood panels on the floor, allowing 1/8” between
panels and ½” between the panels and walls or other
vertical surfaces and offsetting the ends by ½ panel. Lay a
second layer of plywood at 90º angles to the first layer
allowing 1/8” between the panels and ½” between the
panels and walls or other vertical surfaces and offsetting
the ends ½ panel. Staple the panels together with staples
that have crowns at least ¼” and that do not penetrate the
bottom layer in a pattern not exceeding 6” X 6”. Lay an
additional vapor retardant barrier over the plywood panels
and begin installation of the flooring.
• Flat, dry Screeds or 2” X 4” boards of Group 1 softwood in
random lengths from 18” to 48” may be used as a nailing
base. The boards must be preservative treated (suitable
for interior use) and dried to no more than 12% moisture.
The screeds should be adhered to the floor using suitable
mastic adhesive at 12” on center. A 6 mil poly vapor
retarder is draped over the screeds and the flooring is
nailed directly to the screeds, provided the flooring is less
that 4” wide. For flooring 4” wide and over a wood subfloor
must be applied over the screeds to provide adequate
nailing surface. 5/8” CDX plywood or ¾” OSB are
recommended for this application. In high moisture
conditions such as coastal areas an additional vapor
retarder should be glued directly to the slab before the
screeds are installed in addition to the vapor retarder over
the screed.
COMPLETING THE JOB – FINISHING TOUCHES
Final Touches:
Install the proper trim molding at the doorways to achieve the
transition and along the walls to cover expansion gap and the edges
of any gaps along the wall due to irregularity. Complete the job by
using wood filler that coordinates with the installed hardwood flooring
to fill any gapping along the joints or areas where brad nails were
used in the trim or the flooring.
Sweep your floor to remove any particles that could scratch your
floor. Use Mohawk FloorCare Essentials to clean the floor.
HELPFUL HINTS