Installation Instructions

042-14 CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions Page | 2
Additional Installation Notes:
 Refer to the CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring Warranty and Floor Care document for information on warranty coverage
and exclusions.
 NOTE – CFS’s Warranty for Engineered Hardwood Flooring does not warrant installation over radiant heat systems.
TOOLS AND/OR ACCESSORIES NEEDED:
Warning: CFS is not responsible for damage caused by user negligence related to installation practices or misuse of installation and
fastening tools.
Broom
Hammer/Rubber Mallet
Pencil - Chalk Line and Chalk
Pry Bar
Tape Measure
Hardwood Flooring Cleaner
Moisture Meter(s)
Trowel (if glue down)
Safety Equipment (Goggles and Mask)
CFS Complete 3 N 1 Adhesive (if glue down)
Circular or Hand Saw; Miter or Table Saw
2-in-1 or 3-in-1, 2mm high density CFS underlayment and
PVA(Poly Vinyl Acetate Cross-linking polyaliphatic emulsion)
with SBR component(Synthetic Latex) Glue designed for
Floating Hardwood Flooring installations (if Floating Method)
Adhesive Remover, use of mineral spirits to dampen a terry cloth will help to remove adhesive from the flooring surface (if
glue down or floating)
Recommended Installation Products
Flooring Fasteners (Staplers and Nailers)
CFS requires the use of 18 Gauge narrow crown (7/32" to 3/8") staplers and staples to properly fasten the CFS Engineered Hardwood
flooring with mechanical fasteners when using the nail/staple method. Most staples have 2 legs that are treated with thermal
adhesives that heat the adhesive when they are forced quickly into the floor and substrate and bond aggressively to the substrate.
They also have divergent points that cause a slight curl at the end of the staple leg, making them much more difficult to loosen or
remove. Staples with crowns approximately 1/4" wide are recommended, but staples up to 3/8" crown width may be safely used
when used properly. Eighteen gauge staple leg thickness is the recommended gauge. Staple Leg lengths of 1- 1/4" to 1-1/2" are
necessary for 1/2" and thicker Engineered Floors, 1" to 1- 1/4" staple lengths are used for 3/8" Engineered Floors. Many companies
produce 18 gauge staples and they usually may be interchanged in the various staple guns. It is best to use branded staples from a
well-known manufacturer such as Stanley-Bostich or Spot Nail. The Bostich Staplers, EHF 1838K, and SX150 BHF are 18 Gauge
Staplers with adjustable Foot Adaptors that are popular and reliable. The S50351 18 Gauge staple with approximately 1/4" crown,
(7/32") is used with these staplers. Many Flooring Manufacturers and Pro installers prefer the Spot Nail WS 4840 W2 stapler with
the Spot Nail 4811 PN 1/4" X 1 3/8" 18 Gauge staples. Duo Fast and Senco also have staplers and staples that meet these
specifications and may be used effectively.
NWFA approved Nailers and nails designed for installing Engineered Flooring may be used by qualified flooring professionals at
your risk. Do not use 16 gauge or larger staples to install CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring. Do not use staplers or nailers
specifically designed for Solid Hardwood Flooring to install CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring. CFS does not warrant flooring and
accepts no liability when fasteners that are misused, or not designed for Engineered Flooring, are used to install CFS Engineered
Hardwood Flooring.
Flooring Adhesives
CFS requires the use of a full-spread hardwood flooring adhesive to install the CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring if installing via the
glue down method. CFS strongly recommends the use CFS 3 in 1 Engineered Flooring Adhesive that is an anhydrous Engineered
Hardwood Flooring Adhesive, containing no water. Adhesives that are Latex or Acrylic Latex Based contain water and should only be
used by experienced professionals.