Installation Guide

PERGO American Era 3/4” Solid Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions
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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. If the subfloor exhibits excessive vertical
movement (deflection) before installation of the flooring, it will likely do so after installation of the flooring is complete.
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.
Our warranties DO NOT cover any problems created by failure to modify substructure for installation of a solid wood floor.
Pergo solid hardwood flooring
• IS NOT recommended to be installed in below-grade installations.
• IS NOT recommended to be installed over radiant heat.
• IS NOT recommended to be glued directly to any subfloor surface.
SUBFLOOR PREPARATION ON OR ABOVE GRADE ONLY
We recommend three types of subfloors: plywood or OSB, solid wood planks measuring 1” x 6” or larger, or 2” x 4”
sleepers. Each subfloor type requires 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 must be scraped and swept
away before installation.
Flat: Subfloor must be flat within 1/4” in a 10’ radius.
Dry: Always test the subfloor with the appropriate moisture meter. Installation cannot continue until the subfloor
moisture does not exceed 12% and the subfloor and flooring moisture differ no more than 4%. For product 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 or loose components.
Repair areas by adding fasteners or adhesive.
WOOD SUBFLOORS
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 must be structurally sound, without loose boards, vinyl or tile. If subfloor panels
are a single layer, less than 3/4” thick, add another single cross layer for strength and stability, minimum 1/2” thick.
Underlayment floor panels must be installed sealed side down. When used as a subfloor, 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 subfloor system
by installing an additional minimum of 1/2” (13 mm) approved underlayment floor panel.
Approved underlayment floor panels should meet or exceed the following:
• Plywood must be a minimum CDX grade (exposure1) and meet U.S. 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
subfloor, minimum 5/8” (16 mm) or 1/2” (13 mm) as a floor panel underlayment.
• Oriented Strand Board (OSB) conforming to U.S. 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 U.S. Voluntary Product Standard PS2 or Canadian performance standard
CAN/CSA 0325-0- 092. It must be 3/4” (19 mm) thick when used as a subfloor and 1/2” (12.7 mm) thick when used
as a floor panel underlayment.