Installation Instructions
042-14 CFS Solid Hardwood Flooring Installation Instructions Page | 2
ordering Hardwood Flooring, a waste factor between 5 - 10%, depending on layout, must be added to the actual number of square
feet needed. (Diagonal Installations may require more.)
Additional Installation Notes:
Refer to the CFS Solid Hardwood Flooring Warranty and Floor Care document for information on warranty coverage and
exclusions.
NOTE – CFS' Warranty for Solid 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) 1/4" X 1/4" V Notch
Safety Equipment (Goggles and Mask)
Circular or Hand Saw; Miter or Table Saw
Pneumatic Brad-Nailer with 1-1/2” brads OR Drill Bit 6d-
8d Screw Shank Nails
1/2”Crown 16 gauge Hardwood Flooring Stapler designed
specifically for prefinished solid flooring with 2”staples
Hardwood Flooring Cleat Nailer using 2” hardwood flooring cleats designed for prefinished solid hardwood flooring.
Recommended Installation Products
Flooring Fasteners (Staplers and Nailers): All Equipment and fasteners must be NWFA approved for
installations of SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORING
CFS requires the use of NWFA approved Staplers with 15-16 Gauge 1/2" crown with 2" Legs or NWFA approved Nailers with 2" Nails
or Cleats to properly fasten the CFS Solid Hardwood Flooring with mechanical fasteners. 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. It is best to use branded staplers or nailers from a well-known manufacturer such as Stanley-Bostich or
Powernail. The Bostich MIII Pneumatic Stapler with 16 gauge staples and the Powernail Pneumatic Nailer with 2" Power Cleats both
have adjustable Foot Adaptors and are popular and reliable.
NWFA approved Nailers and nails designed for installing Solid Flooring may be used by qualified flooring professionals at your
risk. Do not use 16 gauge or larger staples to install CFS Solid Hardwood Flooring. Do not use staplers or nailers specifically
designed for Engineered Hardwood Flooring to install CFS Solid Hardwood Flooring. CFS does not warrant flooring and accepts no
liability when fasteners that are misused, or not designed for Solid Flooring, are used to install CFS Solid Hardwood Flooring.
STEP 1: Pre-Installation Jobsite Inspection
When installing Solid flooring in new construction sites, CFS Solid 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 or until the flooring reaches the final room
temperature and moisture content as recommended by the NWFA . Do not open cartons until the color, quality and style of the
flooring has been inspected and approved by the purchaser. Solid Hardwood Cartons may be unsealed and left in the opened
cartons to acclimate after the material has been approved by the purchaser as 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. 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 Solid Hardwood Floors can be installed on all NWFA