Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsSterling Floors ManualsEngineered HardwoodButterworth Oak Hevea 3/8 in. x 6-1/2 in. Wide x 47.64 in. Length Engineered Click Hardwood Flooring (23.64 sq.ft./case)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY

2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK

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SF2GFDFI50 REV. CRB 3-16

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE ACTUAL INSTALLATION

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Hardwood flooring is a product of nature, which is characterized by distinctive natural variations in grain and color and are not

considered flaws. Hardwood flooring will also experience a change in color over a period of time. The degree of change depends

upon the species and the amount of UV exposure. This hardwood flooring is manufactured in accordance with accepted industry

standards, which permit a grading defect tolerance not to exceed 5%. The defects may be of a manufacturing or natural type.

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The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for final inspection of product quality. This inspection of all flooring should be done

before installation. Carefully examine the flooring for color, factory finish, grade, and quality before installing it. Do not install (or cut

off) pieces with glaring defects whatever the cause. If material is not acceptable, contact your distributor or dealer immediately

before installation. Installation implies acceptance. No warranty will be offered for material with visible defects once the

product is installed.

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Before beginning the installation of any hardwood flooring product, the installer must determine that the environment of the job site

and the condition and type of the sub floor involved is acceptable, insuring that it meets or exceeds all requirements, which are,

stipulated in the installation instructions which follow. The manufacturer declines any responsibility for job failure resulting from or

associated with inappropriate or improperly prepared sub floors or job site environment deficiencies. For best results, we suggest

using a National Wood Flooring Association Certified Professional for your flooring installation.

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The installer must document all site tests and the records must be available if a claim is filed.

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The use of stain, filler, or putty stick for the correction of defects, small cracks, or face nail holes during installation should be

accepted as normal procedure.

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When ordering, 5-10% must be added to the actual square footage amount needed for grading and cutting allowances.

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We strongly recommend that you visit the NWFA website at www.woodfloors.org for installation help and maintenance tips.

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In new construction, hardwood flooring should be one of the last items installed. All work involving water or potential ground debris

(plumbing, dry wall, etc.) should be completed prior to wood flooring being installed. Heating and air systems should be fully

operating, maintaining a consistent room temperature at 60-80

F and a constant relative humidity of 35-55%.

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Flooring should not be delivered until the building has been closed in and cement work, plastering, painting, and other materials are

completely dry. New concrete and plaster should be cured and at least 30 days old prior to moisture testing.

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Check basements and under floor crawl space to be sure that they are dry and well ventilated to avoid damage caused by

moisture. Crawl spaces must have a minimum 6 mil black polyurethane film as a vapor retarder on the ground surface if the crawl

space is not finished with cement.

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Moisture content of both the sub-floor and the flooring should be checked and recorded before any work begins.

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Flooring should be at the job site at least 48 hours prior to installation for acclimation. The engineered flooring must be properly

acclimated to temperature and humidity conditions prior to proceeding with installation. Do not open cartons until ready

to install. Follow the NWFA guidelines for acclimation (www.nwfa.org ) on the job site and moisture equilibrium.

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Handle with care. Do not stand on ends. Store flooring in a dry place, being sure to provide at least a four-inch air space on

or around cartons.

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Do not store directly upon on grade concrete or next to outside walls. Cartons should be placed in the installation area.

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The installation site should have consistent room temperature of 60

-80

F and a constant relative humidity level of 35-55% for a

minimum of 14 days prior to installation of any flooring product.

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Engineered flooring is for below grade, on grade or above grade installation only and cannot be installed in full bathrooms or other

high moisture areas.

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Some Engineered Flooring can be installed over Radiant Heat using the floating floor method on or above grade. See approved

species below or check with your distributor.

APPROVED SUB FLOOR TYPES:

1) Agency approved 5/8"(19/32”) minimum thickness or 3/4” (23/32”) CDX Exposure 1 plywood 16” on center floor joists

properly nailed.

2) Agency approved 3/4” (23/32”) underlayment grade OSB Exposure 1 16” on center floor joists properly nailed.

Note: When installing approved plywood or OSB, refer to specific structural panel manufacturer’s instructions for fastening and spacing.

3) Agency approved underlayment grade particleboard. (Nail down and glue down installation not recommended on particleboard)

4) Existing wood floors (installed at right angle only).

5) Concrete Slab

6) Resilient tile, sheet vinyl, and ceramic tile only over an above mentioned and approved sub floor.

SUB FLOORS MUST BE:

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CLEAN - Scraped or sanded, swept, free of wax, grease, paint, oil, previous or existing glues or adhesives, and other debris

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SMOOTH/FLAT - Within 1/8” on 6’ radius. Sand high areas or joints, fill low areas (no more than 1/8”) with a cement type filler no

less than 3000 p.s.i. Follow the instructions of the leveling compound manufacturer, but make certain the leveling compounds

are completely dry before beginning installation. Any irregularities may cause hollow spots between the flooring and sub floor in

any installation method and are not warranted.

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STRUCTURALLY SOUND - Nail or screw any loose areas that squeak or show movement. Replace any delaminated or

damaged sub flooring or underlayment. Avoid subfloors with excessive vertical movement. If the subfloor has excessive vertical

movement or deflection before installation, it is likely it will have deflection after the flooring is installed.

SUB FLOOR PREPARATION

JOB SITE INSPECTION & ACCLIMATION

OWNER / INSTALLER RESPONSIBILITY

Summary of content (9 pages)

PAGE 1
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE ACTUAL INSTALLATION OWNER / INSTALLER RESPONSIBILITY ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Hardwood flooring is a product of nature, which is characterized by distinctive natural variations in grain and color and are not considered flaws. Hardwood flooring will also experience a change in color over a period of time.
PAGE 2
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK ● DRY - - Moisture content of sub floor must not exceed 14% prior to installation of wood flooring. All moisture testing must be verified & documented before and after wood has been acclimated 48 hours and job site requirements met. WOOD SUBSTRATES: Test the moisture of the wood substrate using a calibrated moisture meter approved for testing wood moisture according to the meter manufacturer.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK less per cubic foot, use only the floating installation method. INSTALLATION on SUB-FLOORS OTHER THAN WOOD OR CONCRETE: Do not install over carpets. Note: Perimeter glued resilient vinyl and rubber tiles are unacceptable underlayments and must be removed.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK The concrete slab should be sealed or painted with a good concrete sealer. Then the 3 in1 Underlayment or the 6 mil poly film should be installed with ends butted together and taped with a clear 2” packaging tape to prevent any moisture from coming up through the seams. The 3 in 1 underlayment or 6 mil poly film should be lapped up the wall 4” all the way around the room.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK Note: Larger rooms require additional expansion space. Add 1/16” to the width of the spacers for every 3’ the room extends beyond 25’. Dimensions exceeding 40’ require the use of a t-molding for expansion. Step 2: POSITION THE FIRST ROW  Begin installing the first row by laying a plank flat over the underlayment.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK Step 4: INSTALLING THE LAST ROW Most often the entire length of the last row will need to be cut so that it is narrow enough to fit the remaining space. When this occurs, follow this simple procedure: ● Lay a row of boards with the tongue toward the wall, directly on top of the last row installed.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK Rugs with rubber bottoms or no-skid pads may leave an imprint on the flooring. ● Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly to prevent accumulation of dirt or grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.  Use protective casters/caster cups or felt pads on the legs of furniture to prevent damage to the flooring.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK Moldings are also used to provide expansion joints when a floor dimension exceeds the length of 40’ or a width of 30’. Reducer - Used to join hardwood floors that have been glued down or nailed down with floors of different heights such as vinyl, ceramic tile, or low pile carpeting.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND LIMITED 50 YEAR RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY 2G / FD CLICK PREFINISHED ENGINEERED PLANK ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Problems caused by failure of the homeowner or installer to evaluate the jobsite and jobsite conditions are not covered. This limited warranty applies only where the affected area of the flooring is visible and covers an area greater than 10% of the room.