Installation Guide

INSTALLATION
work from several cartons at a time and dry-lay the ooring, mixing the planks from several cartons. This will allow you to
blend the planks for maximum aesthetic appearance. Make certain the room is well lit to ensure color is consistent and that
any visual defects can be seen and removed.
Match Transition Moldings: For best appearances blend all transitions and moldings to planks that have similar color and
graining. Set them aside for use as needed.
Layout of Flooring: “Racking the Floor” is essential to achieve a random appearance. Start by either using random-length
planks found in the carton or by cutting four or ve planks in random lengths, differing by at least six inches. As you continue
working across the oor try to maintain a six-inch minimum between 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 used to start the next row.
Expansion space: Expansion space around the perimeter is required and should be equal to the thickness of the ooring
material. For oating installation the minimum is ½” regardless of the thickness of the material. For commercial installations
use a minimum of ½” expansion.
GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
NOTE: REFER TO THE ADHESIVE LABEL FOR PROPER TROWEL REQUIRED, SPREAD RATES AND INSTALLATION
APPLICATION INFORMATION!
Before you begin using the following instructions, please refer to the Pre-Installation Job Prep information above.
Getting Started
1. Select a starter wall. An outside wall is best: it's most likely to be straight and square with the room. Measure out from this wall, at each end, the width
of two planks including the tongue plus the space needed (3/8” or 1/2”) for expansion.
2. Snap a chalk line from these points, parallel to that wall.
3. Prior to installing the ooring, secure a straight edge inside the chalk line to act as a guide and to prevent the row of planks from shifting during
installation. The straightedge could be a straight piece of lumber or piece of ooring. Alternatively, the rst row can be face-nailed with nishing nails
into the wood suboor or sprig nailed into a concrete suboor.

Spreading the Adhesive
1. Using the proper trowel, hold the trowel at a 45° angle to ensure proper spread rate of adhesive. Apply pressure to allow the trowel to leave ridges of
adhesive on the substrate with little adhesive left between the ridges. This will help to achieve the proper spread rate of the adhesive. Temperature and
air ow across the adhesive can have an effect on the open time of the adhesive. 3X (or urethanes) will have a longer open time in areas of low humidity
and will have a shorter open time in areas of high humidity. (See Adhesive label for further information).
Installing The Floor
1. Spread adhesive from the chalk line/straightedge out to approximately the width of two planks. Install the rst row of starter planks along the chalk
line/straightedge and secure into position with the tongue facing the starter wall.NOTE: Proper alignment is critical. Misaligned starter rows can cause
side and end gaps to appear in proceeding rows of ooring. When you have the starter rows complete, you can begin the next row.
2. When you are certain the rst two starter rows are straight and secure, spread adhesive 2 to 3 feet wide across the length of the room. As a general rule,
never spread more adhesive than can be covered in 30 to 45 minutes. If the adhesive has skinned over remove dried adhesive and trowel new adhesive.
3. Continue to install planks and push them into place. Place the tongue of the board into the grooves of installed boards and press into the adhesive. As
you continue working across the oor try to maintain a six-inch minimum space between end joints. Randomly install different lengths to avoid a
patterned appearance.NOTE: Never strike a rubber mallet or hammer directly on the ooring to engage the tongue-and-groove. This practice can
damage the ooring and/or the nish.
4. Remove the adhesive from the surface of the installed ooring as you work – this will help to save time. A damp rag with water or mineral spirits will
remove adhesive. Frequently change towels to avoid leaving a haze on the ooring surface. DO NOT use water to remove Urethane adhesives from the
nish.
5. As you approach the end wall it may be necessary to cut the width of the last row – be sure to allow for the expansion space along the end wall. Once the
nal cuts are made set planks into place.
6. After the oor is complete remove the straight edge and glue down the rst two boards.
7. Restrict foot trafc for a minimum of 6-8 hours and wait 24 hours before permitting moving of furniture onto the oor.
8. Clean any wet adhesive from the ooring with a lightly dampened clean cloth. If the adhesive has dried, use mineral spirits on a clean cloth. For
Urethane adhesive use the recommended urethane adhesive remover.
9. Roll and cross roll oor with a 100-150 lbs. (45-70 kg) roller at the end of the installation to ensure proper transfer of adhesive.
When installing unnished wood ooring, wait a minimum of 72 hours before sanding.
Final Inspection: After the oor has been cleaned, inspect the oor for nicks, scratches, gaps or planks that may have moved
during installation, as well as any other imperfections that need attention. Touch up nicks and scratches with touch-up
products. In typical climates, the new oor can accept foot trafc within 24 hours. In areas where additional curing time is
required, more time may be needed.
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