Installation Guide

6
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BEFORE YOU BEGIN

When tapping the planks together, the following process works best:
•Usingatappingblockwitharubbermallet,lightlytapeachpieceuntiltheplanklaysat.DO NOT FORCE THE PLANKS DOWN FLAT. Start tapping
in the plank at the opposite end along the length, working from left to right and making sure the plank fully engages as you progress down the length.
•Whenendjointisslidintoplaceontheprecedingplank,raisetheplanknowbeinginstalledtoanapproximate45°anglewhilesettingthesidejointinto
place.
•Whenyouhavetheplankinplace,lowertheplankwhiletappingituntilplankislyingatandlockedinplace.
•Theinitialrows,whenyouarenotagainstarmstartingstructure,mayseemmoredifculttoengagethanthefollowingrows.
•Thetappingblockisneededtodistributeequalforceacrossthetonguewithoutanydamage.Forbestresults,slidethetappingblockalongthesuboor
and row, tapping lightly with a rubber mallet, while using tapping strokes to engage the locking system. If the planks will not go together, check to see if the
planksaremovingagainstthewallwiththestrikes.Ifso,adjustwoodwedgestormuporusethefasten-downmethodinstead .
Beforebeginninginstallationofproduct,makesureallnecessarymaterialsaregatheredand/orpurchased.
Estimated Installation Time:Variesbasedonsizeofjobsiteaswellasinstaller'sskilllevel.
 Safety glasses, NIOSH-approveddustmask,wood/concretemoisturemeter,broomorvacuum,chalk
line,startingrowwedges,tappingblock,prybarortrimpuller,tapemeasure,pencil,jambsaw,mitersaw,tablesaw,utilityknife,appropriateadhesive,
trowel,woodwedges,coordinatingstain,llerorputty,plasticscraper.
Accessories Needed: 15lb.feltorrosinpaper,ooringadhesive,coordinatingtransitionstripsormolding,approvedhardwoodooringcleaner
recommended by the manufacturer.
For All Types of Installations
Undercutalldoorcasings1/16in.higherthanthethicknessoftheooringmaterialsbeinginstalled.Todothis,useascrappieceofooring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.Removeallmoldingsandwall-base,and
undercut all door casings.
• DO NOT installooringifmoisturetestsresultsexceedrecommendedlimits.
•Planyourlayoutanddeterminethedirectionoftheinstallationintheroom.Planksinstalledparalleltowindowsaccentthehardwoodbest.
•Blendingofcartons:Toachieveauniforminstallationappearance,preselectandsetasidehardwoodplanksthatblendbestwithalltrimsandmoldings.
Install these planks next to best blended moldings.
•Removeallwallmountedmoldingssuchasbaseandquarterround.
•Floorshouldbeinstalledblendingplanksfromseveralcartonstoensuregoodcolorandshademixturethroughouttheinstallation.
•Beattentivetostaggeringtheendsoftheboardsatleast4-6in.whenpossible,inadjacentrows.
•DO NOT usearubbermalletwithoutatappingblocktoinstallooring.Strikingthesurfacewitharubbermalletmay“burn”thenishcausingirreparable
damage.
Floating Installation
•Underlaymentrequirementsareverycriticaltoaoatinginstallation.Excessivepadcompressionorcompactionisa
commoncauseofseamfailure.Laytheunderlaymentontheoorwiththemoisturebarrierfacingup.Thedirection
oftheunderlaymentshouldbeparalleltothedirectionoftheoorbeinginstalled.Fortherstrowofooring,the
underlayment should be placed so that approximately 1 in. overlaps onto all perpendicular walls. Place the following
rownexttotherstrowontopofthelowermoisturebarrieroverlap.Makesuretheunderlaymenttstogethertightly
(don’tleavegaps).Onthelastrow,placetheunderlayment1in.upthewall.Tojoinrollsontheshortsideofthe
underlayment, use a moisture resistant tape to connect the 2 pieces so water cannot penetrate the underlayment.
PREPARATION
1
1 in.
Direction of floor
1 in.
Moisture
Barrier Side