Installation Guide

PERGO American Era 3/4” Solid Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions
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Adjustments of the air pressure may be necessary to provide adequate penetration of the nail or staple into the nail bed,
allowing the nail to be countersunk into the tongue, flush with the nail pocket. The nail or cleat must be flush in the nail
pocket. Use a scrap piece of flooring to properly adjust stapler or nail gun before beginning installation.
NOTE: An expansion space of 3/4” is required along the perimeter walls and at all vertical structures to allow the flooring
to expand.
Place the planks along your chalk line with the tongue facing away from
the wall. Use 10D nails to secure the starter row along the wall edge 2” to
3” from the ends and every 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 tongue. You can also use a 16 gauge
finish nail gun. Nails should be 2” to 3” from end, 6” along the side.
NOTE: DO NOT USE A RUBBER MALLET TO INSTALL FLOORING.
STRIKING THE SURFACE WITH A RUBBER MALLET MAY “BURN” THE
FINISH CAUSING IRREPARABLE DAMAGE.
INSTALLING 3/4” SOLID HARDWOOD OVER CONCRETE
Solid hardwood flooring can be installed on concrete slabs (minimum 3,000 psi) 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 1,000 square feet per
24 hours, then the appropriate subfloor (nailing surface) can be installed. An installer should record moisture test results
in the space provided on page 8 of this document and leave with the owner as part of their records.
Method 1:
Lay 3/4” or thicker exterior grade plywood over a vapor retarder of 6 mil poly or two layers of 15# felt and power nail into
the concrete slab. The ends of the plywood panels should be staggered 1/2 panel in alternating rows, and an expansion
space of 1/2” should be left around the perimeter of the room. An expansion gap of 1/8” must be left between the panels.
The flooring may then be nailed to the plywood surface using 1-1/2” fasteners.
Method 2:
Glue 3/4” or thicker exterior grade plywood 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 and applied according to the
manufacturer’s directions. The plywood panels should be cut down to 4’ x 4’ or 16” x 8’ 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 1/2” space around the perimeter.
Method 3:
As an alternative, a floating plywood base can be installed. In this method, lay a 6 mil poly vapor retarder 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 1/2” between the panels and walls or other vertical surfaces and offsetting the ends by 1/2 panel. Lay a second layer
of plywood at 90° angles to the first layer, allowing 1/8” between the panels and 1/2” between the panels and walls or
other vertical surfaces and offsetting the ends 1/2 panel. Staple the panels together with staples that have crowns at
least 14” 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.
Method 4:
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. Drape a 6 mil poly vapor retarder over the
screeds and nail the flooring directly to the screeds, provided the flooring is less than 4” wide. For flooring 4” wide and over,
a wood subfloor must be applied over the screeds to provide adequate nailing surface. Either 5/8” CDX plywood or 3/4”
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.
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 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 the floor to remove any particles that could scratch it. Use Premium Quality Hardwood Floor Cleaner to clean
the floor.
1st Row Nail
Through Face
T & G
Plywood Subfloor Solid Flooring
Subsequent Rows
Power Nailed
Edge
Profile
15 lb felt
Urethane
Finish