Installation Instructions

042-14 CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions Page | 8
INSTALLING WITH STAPLES/Nails/Cleats (Mechanical Fasteners):
Follow all guidelines outlined earlier regarding pre installation and the general installation process.
CFS recommends the use of 18 Gauge narrow crown (7/32" to 3/8") staplers and staples with the proper leg length to properly
fasten the CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring. NWFA approved Nailers and nails designed for securing Engineered Flooring may
be used by qualified flooring professionals at your own 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 installations, and accepts no liability problems that may arise, including but
not limited to loose flooring, dimpling or distortion of the face, breakage of the core or tongue, and noise when fasteners that are
misused, and are not approved or designed for Engineered Flooring, are used to install CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring.
 Use only Stapling and Nailing Equipment and Fasteners designed for Engineered Hardwood Flooring Planks over NWFA
approved APA Stamped E1- PS2 Underlayment Grade Subfloors
 Staples and Nails should be of sufficient length to allow a minimum of 3/4" of the fastener to penetrate and hold into the
subfloor. The Staples or Nails should be placed in the top of the tongue, about 2 inches from each end, and spaced along
the length of the board every 6" to 8".
 Follow all instructions provided by the Manufacturer of the specific fastening equipment.
 Make certain the Fastener’s air pressure is set, and guide angle and depth settings on the adapter foot are correct in order
to allow the staple crown or nail head to recess the fastener flush in the top of the flooring tongue (not protruding above or
recessed below) the tongue so no damage or breakage of the core or tongue occurs. Occasional noise is inherently common
to staple and nailed installations and is not considered a manufacturing defect. Inherent noise may be minimized by
maintaining recommended indoor climate control.
 WARNING: Do not use mechanical fasteners or glue method to install CFS Engineered Hardwood Flooring directly over
particle-board or unapproved OSB (use floating method only for installations over particle board and Unapproved OSB
Substrates)
 When using Mechanical Fasteners: Using improper adapters and pressure settings can cause severe damage to the flooring
while using the staple/nail/cleat installation method. Using the correct adapter and pressure will set the staple/nail/cleat
correctly in the tongue. It is vital that the tool is adjusted properly so the staples/nails/cleats are being positioned at the
proper angle. Air pressures set too high can cause damage to the tongue, putting blisters on the face (dimpling) of the
flooring and making it difficult to install adjoining boards. Air pressure necessary to attach fasteners properly (PSI) on the
compressor is usually around 80 PSI. A proper test is to set the Stapler/Nailer pressure initially at 70 PSI and adjust it until
the staple/nail/cleat properly sets in the tongue. Test the stapler or nailer on a scrap piece of material first. If the tongue is
being damaged when stapling/nailing or the staple/nail/cleat is driving too deeply into the nail channel, lower the pressure.
If the staples/nails/cleats do not set deep enough, raise the pressure. Staples or Nails should be placed along the length of
the plank, into the tongue, within 2" (inches) of the end of each plank and spaced along the length every 6" to 8" (inches).
CFS is not responsible for damage caused by mechanical fasteners. If you need to remove a staple/nail/cleat that has gone
in crooked, do not pull straight up from the tongue. This will damage the surface of the board. Instead, pull out the
staple/nail/cleat from the tongue at the front of the board with all pressure from the hammer’s head directed to a fulcrum
board on the sub-floor. CFS is not responsible for damage caused by negligent installation practices, the misuse of
Mechanical Fasteners, hammers or other installation tools.
INSTALLING WITH FLOATING METHOD:
Follow all guidelines outlined earlier regarding pre installation and the general installation process.
Underlayments:
 Use CFS 2-in-1, or 3-in-1, 2mm High Density closed cell foam (polyethylene, polypropylene, or EVA) underlayment with
attached polyethylene film or foil moisture barrier, overlap lip, and tape(2-in-1), or compatible industry approved
underlayment. Do not use styrene bead, or open cell poly type (packing wrap type) underlayment. If the flooring has
underlayment attached, or does not have a moisture barrier attached, prior to installing the underlayment, cover all
substrates with a 6mil polyethylene sheet, and seal all seams. Lap the moisture barrier 1/2" up all walls to allow moisture
vapor to escape from underneath the flooring as necessary.
 Underlayments must have adequate densities and must not be capable of permanent compression in order to prevent
deflection at the flooring joint, allowing the flooring boards to remain level under traffic at all times throughout the life of
the flooring.
 When sealing seams, Seal all underlayment or polyethylene film moisture barrier seams with a high quality, wide,
waterproof packaging tape that adheres permanently and will not tear. Lap underlayment 1/2" up all walls to allow
moisture vapor to escape from underneath the flooring as necessary.