Installation Guide

4
September 6, 2018
Inspect the Flooring
Inspect material for color, finish, milling, texture and grade. Set aside pieces that may not be acceptable once
installed. A maximum of four boxes may be opened for inspection prior to installation. The floors have been
thoroughly inspected during the manufacturing process, but it is the responsibility of the installer/homeowner to
do final inspection and cull-out boards that are not acceptable before installation.
Acclimation
• Store this flooring at the installation area before installation to allow the flooring to acclimate and adjust to room
temperature and humidity.
● Do not open or remove product from cartons during acclimation.
• Do not store directly on concrete or near outside walls.
• Flooring should be kept in the location of install and stacked in an alternating pattern allowing sufficient space
for air to circulate.
• Do not install the flooring until the moisture content of the subfloor where the flooring will be installed is within
2% for planks greater than 3” wide and 4% for planks less than 3” wide from the moisture content of the flooring.
• Minimum acclimation time is 72 hours. The manufacturer recommends 7-10 days acclimation time for
optimization. Be sure to check moisture content periodically to ensure it has reached its optimum content with
little to no change.
• If you do not allow the flooring sufficient time to acclimate and the moisture content of the flooring exceeds that
of the subfloor, the flooring will continue to contract after installation and gaps may develop between the flooring.
Likewise, if the moisture content of the flooring is less than that of the subfloor, the flooring may expand and/or
cupping may develop.
Blending of Cartons
To achieve a uniform appearance across the entire floor, we require that you open and work from a minimum of
four cartons at a time and lay out the flooring ahead of time. Be sure to mix the planks for the best aesthetic
appearance. Make certain the room is well lit to ensure color is consistent and that any visual defects can be seen
and removed prior to installation. “Racking the Floor” is essential to achieve a random appearance. Start by cutting
several boards in random lengths, differing the lengths by at least six inches. As you continue working across the
floor remember to maintain a six-inch minimum space between the end joints. Randomly install different lengths
to avoid a patterned appearance. Never waste materials; the end cuts from starter rows should be used at the
opposite side of the room to complete rows or may be used to start the next row.
Undercut Door Casings
Undercut all door casings 1/16” higher than the thickness of the flooring being installed. To do this, use a scrap
piece of flooring as a guide. Lay it on the substrate and cut the casing with a handsaw or use a power jamb saw set
at the correct height. Failure to undercut casings will result in automatic void in warranty coverage.
Expansion Space
An expansion space of 1/2” must be left around the perimeter of the room and at all vertical obstructions. More or
less spacing may be needed depending on the geographical region, interior climate, and or time of the year. Your
bamboo flooring WILL move/shrink/expand. This is a normal occurrence of a natural product.