Installation Sheet

A818
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6. Choose the longest and straightest boards and align the planks tongue with the working line, cut the last plank
to the proper length leaving a 1/2” from the end wall.
7. Face nail the boards into place approximately 6” apart and 1” from the back edge (groove side) using a
pneumatic finish nailer or 7d or 8d hand nails. Always pre-drill pilot holes when face-nailing. Use a nail set to
sink the nail heads below the surface of the flooring. Fill the holes with matching wood putty. It is critical to
make sure the starting row is properly aligned and straight.
8. Once the first row is in place, continue to lay out the planks. Working from several cartons, blend the planks
and stagger the end joints a minimum of 6” apart to ensure a favorable appearance. Avoid H-Joint and other
repeating patterns in the floor.
9. For the second row, Pre-drill holes spaced 6” to 8” apart at a 45° angle along the tongue and blind nail the
plank – countersink nails with a nail set.
10. Once you are far enough away from the wall, begin installing the planks using either a manual or pneumatic
nailer using 1 ½” 18-gauge cleat nails. Check to ensure the fastener is set to the proper depth and angle by
adjusting the nailer shoe. Nails should enter the planks at a 45-50 degree angle. Fasten the planks
approximately 2” to 3” from the ends and every 8” apart.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some nailers are difficult to properly adjust and consistently cause blown tongues.
Blown tongues are not acceptable and will result in an unsatisfactory installation. If you are unable to nail
down a floor with your nailer without damaging the planks, you may want to consider switching to another
brand of nailer or, in extreme situations, pre-drilling and blind nailing the planks.
11. Continue installing planks across the room ending at the far wall using the manual or pneumatic nailer. 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. As you reach the far wall it may be necessary to blind nail by hand until face nailing is required.
12. It may be necessary to rip (cut lengthwise) the planks in the last row to ensure that there is a ½” expansion
gap. If the last row is 1” wide or less, glue the pieces to the last full uninstalled row and install them together.
If needed, use a pry bar or lever to fit the remaining rows tight to the installed planks.
13. Face nail the last 1-2 rows into place approximately 6” apart and 1” from the back edge (groove side) using a
pneumatic finish nailer or 7d or 8d hand nails. Always pre-drill pilot holes if you are face nailing. Use a nail set
to sink the nail heads below the surface of the flooring. Fill the holes with matching wood putty.
GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION METHOD:
Note – the following are generalized instructions. Many adhesives require slightly different installation techniques.
Please follow the instructions provided with the adhesive you purchase. If adhesive gets onto the surface of the
flooring – REMOVE ADHESIVE IMMEDIATELY or it may permanently damage your floor. Note – even with
immediate removal, adhesive contamination may permanently damage a plank’s surface (be visible to the eye as a
sheen variation)
NOTES FOR GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATIONS ONTO A CONCRETE SLAB:
Trinity Bamboo Solid Strand flooring can be glued-down over a concrete slab that is above or on grade. Concrete
substrates are required to be dry (year-round), sound, smooth and level. Fill any low spots with a leveling
compound and scrape any high spots. Tolerance of level must be within 3/16
”
in 10'.
Your concrete slab MUST be tested for moisture in more than one place to ensure accurate readings. Trinity
Bamboo recommends using the Calcium Chloride Test Method to quantify the volume of moisture vapor radiating
from a concrete slab and / or a Relative Humidity Probe test to quantify the amount of relative humidity within the
slab as follows:
Acceptable ASTM industry standards for concrete moisture testing:
 Probe Method: (ASTM F2170): The Relative Humidity levels should not exceed 75%. Calcium Chloride Test
(ASTM F1869): The maximum vapor emissions cannot exceed 3lbs/1000SF in 24 hours