Installation Instructions

042-14 CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions Page | 3
Regarding glue down installation on concrete floors:
Engineered Hardwood floors can cup or buckle when exposed to excessive moisture. This moisture can come from one or more
moisture sources: adhesive containing water that is not allowed to flash properly, (releasing excess water by prematurely placing the
flooring in the wet adhesive before the proper drying period has taken place), the concrete sub-floor, damp basement walls, or the
surrounding outdoor environment. A newly installed, glued engineered hardwood floor may cup or peak slightly after installation.
The floor should return to normal over time (generally within a few weeks) as the moisture evaporates into the air as long as all
other factors that create moisture issues are maintained within the proper range. To address environmental moisture issues CFS
provides acclimation instructions below and the CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring must be kept climate controlled conditions
with the indoor Relative Humidity within the 35% - 55% RH range.
Regarding sub-floor moisture, subfloors must be within required moisture parameters (determined via NWFA approved moisture
testing methods).
All concrete floors must be in condition to provide for proper adhesion. All sealers, coatings, polishes, and adhesive residue must be
completely removed by mechanically abrasion, or shot blasting. Test all concrete sites to determine if the concrete is suitable for
direct glue methods. Do not sweep concrete with treated floor sweeping compounds prior to glue down installations. See additional
information in the Installing with Adhesive Section in the Installing the Floor Instructions.
If using the floating method, CFS strongly recommends CFS Floating Floor Tongue and Groove Glue, a PVA(Poly Vinyl Acetate Cross-
linking polyaliphatic emulsion) with SBR component(Synthetic Latex) glue designed for Floating Hardwood Flooring installations, or
glue meeting these specifications from a reputable Adhesive manufacturer such as WF. Taylor 2049-16 or Franklin 2104 Tongue and
Groove Glue. Glues designed for Armstrong, Mannington, Shaw, and other floating Engineered Wood Floor manufacturers meeting
the above specifications may also be used.
STEP 1: Pre-Installation Jobsite Inspection
When installing engineered flooring in new construction sites, CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring should be one of the last items
installed. Flooring should not be delivered until the pre-installation guidelines listed below are completed. After all the guidelines are
met, the flooring should acclimate at the job site at least 48 hours prior to installation. Do not open cartons until ready to install.
Prior to installation, the building must be structurally complete and enclosed. All exterior windows and doors must be installed. Any
“wet” work inside the house (masonry, drywall, and paint) must also be complete – allowing adequate drying time to eliminate
unnecessary moisture content within the building. Concrete should be at least 60 days old. Permanent HVAC (heating/air
conditioning) systems must be operating for at least 14 days before installation, maintaining a constant room temperature
between 60-78 ºF and a relative humidity of 35% - 55%. Exterior drainage – including gutters and downspouts, must be in place and
drain away from the building. CFS Engineered Hardwood Floors can be installed on, above, or below grade, although they are not
recommended for full bathroom installations. Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Crawl spaces must be a minimum of 24”
from the ground to the underside of the joists. A vapor inhibitor (6-8 mil black polyethylene film) must be put in crawl spaces with
joints overlapped and taped. Sub-floors must be checked for moisture content using the appropriate metering device for concrete or
wood. Examples of concrete moisture meters that work very well: the Delmhorst Moisture Meter Model G and the Tramex Concrete
Encounter.
Performing Moisture Tests:
WOOD SUBSTRATES:
Test the moisture of the wood sub-floor using a calibrated moisture meter approved for testing wood moisture according to the
meter manufacturer. The reading should not exceed 14%, or read more than 5% different than the moisture content of the product
being installed.
CONCRETE SUBSTRATES:
There are multiple ways to test for excess moisture in concrete.
 Use an approved, calibrated moisture meter such as the Delmhorst Moisture Meter Model G or the Tramex Concrete
Encounter. On the Tramex Concrete Encounter Meter, moisture readings should not exceed 4.5 on the upper scale.
 Perform a Polyfilm Test. Tape down 2’ x 2’ polyfilm squares (a clear garbage bag or plastic drop cloth will do) in several
places on the floor. Wait 24-48 hours, and then check for the appearance of condensation on the inside of the bag or plastic
and for a darkening on the concrete in that area. Either occurrence signals the likely presence of excess moisture, requiring
a mandatory Calcium Chloride Test. Once you have determined the moisture content and that excess moisture is indeed
present, a Calcium Chloride and pH Alkalinity Test must be performed to determine moisture emissions and alkalinity from
the concrete slab.
 Perform a Calcium Chloride test (these can be found in flooring retail stores or online at www.moisturetestkit.com. The
maximum acceptable reading is 3 lbs. /24 hours/1000 sq. ft. for moisture emissions.