Installation Instructions

042-14 CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions Page | 7
Special Circumstances
 Doorways: Attempting to continue installing rows through a doorway into another room can be difficult because the narrow
opening is a very small base upon which to continue consistent, even rows into the next room. To correctly align plank rows from
room to room, it is best to use a master reference line that runs through the doorway to the far ends of each room
involved. Position the line so that it is perpendicular from the corresponding wall and parallel to the sidewalls. Use this line
to align the plank rows from room to room.
 Pipes, vents and other fixed objects: Each instance of these items can be unique, but the general rule is to measure very
carefully before you cut and remember to leave a 1/2” expansion gap between the object and the flooring. You will cover
the expansion gaps with molding, vent covers or pipe rings when the floor is complete.
 Installation on Stairs: Working from the top step down, flooring and nosings should be installed using a premium grade
wood flooring adhesive and screw type fasteners or nails for all trim pieces. All stair nose moldings must be glued and
nailed / screwed every 6”, as a safety precaution.
INSTALLING WITH ADHESIVE:
Use only CFS approved adhesives. CFS recommends CFS Complete 3N1 Adhesive. Refer to and follow the Adhesive Manufacturer's
instructions on the pail prior to installing CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring. When using adhesives other than CFS 3 in 1
Engineered Flooring Adhesive, the adhesive performance liability is transferred to the Adhesive Manufacturer. CFS does not
warrant, or accept any liability regarding adhesive performance or failure when CFS Complete 3N1 Adhesive is not used. Contact
CFS, or the Adhesive Manufacturer, when you experience problems, or if you have additional concerns.
Follow all guidelines outlined earlier regarding pre installation and the general installation process.
 CFS requires the use of a full-spread hardwood flooring adhesive to install the CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring. CFS
recommends the use CFS 3 in 1 Engineered Flooring Adhesive that is an anhydrous Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Adhesive, containing no water. Adhesives must be approved for use and designed specifically to install Engineered
Hardwood Flooring. Engineered Hardwood Flooring Adhesives that are Latex Based, or Acrylic Latex Based, contain water
and should only be used by experienced professionals. Follow all Adhesive Manufacturer's instructions for use listed on the
adhesive container.
 Make sure to use the appropriate trowel to get the correct coverage rate with the adhesive. Use a V-Notch trowel with the
dimensions- 3/16” x ¼” x ½” Flat V, when using CFS Complete 3 N 1 Adhesive. This trowel allows for the correct amount of
adhesive as well as the correct ridge depth and spacing to properly install the CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring.
Coverage will be about 60 – 70 sf/gallon when used as recommended. Hold the trowel at a 90 degree angle firmly against
the sub-floor and spread equal amounts of adhesive in an area that can be covered while the adhesive remains wet enough
to transfer to the flooring properly. Actual working time with the adhesive varies depending on the humidity levels, and
environmental conditions at the installation site. Do not attempt to install flooring over adhesive that has cured to a dry
film and cannot transfer to the flooring planks properly.
 CFS Complete 3N1 Adhesive can also be used as a general concrete sealer (MVT up to 12 lbs.) and flooring adhesive
combined. The spread rate for this method is approximately 30 – 35 sf/gallon using a Complete 3N1 3/16” x ¼” x ½” Flat V
Glide-On Trowel. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle firmly against the sub-floor, and spread equal amounts of adhesive
in an area that can be covered in approximately 60 minutes. Do not use trowels after the Glide -On spacer tips have been
worn excessively.
 Apply Adhesive to the substrate using a trowel motion perpendicular to the board length, or a half moon shaped spreading
motion, avoid pulling adhesive parallel to the board length when possible. Do not to spread your adhesive too far ahead of
your work area. If the adhesive skims over and starts to dry, this will prevent a proper bond between the substrate and the
Engineered Hardwood flooring, immediately remove the old adhesive and spread new adhesive. You must have adequate
adhesive transfer to ensure the floor will be installed correctly. You can double check the holding strength of the adhesive
by occasionally lifting a board and checking the transfer of the adhesive.
 Do not stand on the recently installed floor while the adhesive is still drying. This can cause the boards to shift, leaving
unwanted gaps between planks and can result in installation issues further into your install. Always work off the floor
facing the flooring tongues during installation. Try to avoid sliding the pieces through the adhesive as much as possible –
this will help reduce memory pull-back (boards pulling apart once they are in position) and adhesive bleed-through (excess
adhesive squeezing out vertically through the joints).
 Once the boards are tightly fitted together, the use of 3M 2080 Blue Painter’s Tape may be used if necessary to hold the
planks together while the adhesive cures. Make sure to clean any adhesive off of the surface of the wood with mineral
spirits BEFORE you apply the tape! If the adhesive dries on the surface of the wood it is VERY difficult to remove. 24 hours
after the installation is complete, remove all of the Blue Painter’s Tape from the surface of the flooring. NOTE: Use only 3M
2080 Blue Painter’s Tape. Do not use Masking or Duct Tape! These tapes leave residue on the surface of the wood, which is
very difficult to remove and may permanently damage the flooring finish.
 Do not apply the adhesive if the room temperature or sub-floor is colder than 65ºF.
 NOTE: Adhesives are difficult to remove from the surface of the hardwood flooring after installation. Make sure to have
Adhesive Remover/Stripper or Mineral Spirits and a Terry Cloth readily available to remove excess adhesive immediately.
 Check to make sure no adhesive residue is left to dry on the flooring surface during the installation process.