Use and Care Guide

Installation Instructions T & G Prefinished Engineered Plank
50 Year Residential Warranty
10 Rev.1RH-16HC
* Mallet (light colored)
* Circular or Hand Saw
* Miter or Table Saw
* Pry Bar
* Drill with 1/16” bit
* 6 - 8 d screw shank nails
* Chalk Line and Chalk
* Hammer
* Safety Equipment (Goggles & Mask)
* Utility Knife
* Nail Punch
* Hardwood Flooring Cleaner
Step 1: GETTING STARTED
● Install the flooring parallel to the longest outside (exterior) wall in the room. Measure out from the wall on the
door side of the room in two places; 30 3/8” for 3” and 5” wide products. Mark and snap a chalk line across the
two marks. The area between the chalk line and the wall is the working area and will be the last to be installed.
NOTE: See Radiant Heat above instruction if flooring has radiant heat.
Step 2: SPREADING THE ADHESIVE
● Hold the trowel at a 45
o
-60
o
angle and spread adhesive onto an area no larger than 30-40 square feet at one
time.
● After spreading, allow adhesive to flash off for 30-45 minutes before installing wood flooring. Maximum available
working time is 45-50 minutes. (Colder temperatures or high humidity will extend times and warmer
temperatures or low humidity will shorten times.)
● Do not install wood flooring material after adhesive dries. Test by touching adhesive. If not readily transferred to
finger, adhesive is already dried. If adhesive has dried, remove adhesive and apply new material. Periodically
check wood to confirm 100% adhesive transfer. Within one hour of setting wood, roll the installation with a 100-
150 lb. roller to promote good contact with the adhesive.
● Always refer to the specific instructions on the hardwood flooring adhesive label.
Step 3: INSTALLING THE FLOOR
● The flooring should be installed from several cartons at the same time to insure proper color, grain and shade
mix..
● After the adhesive has been spread following the above mentioned instructions, start with the first piece of
flooring. Install the piece of wood with the groove towards you and the tongue facing the opposite wall
. Line up
the groove of the flooring with the chalk line then press the flooring into the adhesive.
● Working from left to right, lay the next board and continue working towards the right until you need to cut a piece
to complete the first row. Measure the size you need to complete the first row and cut to length.
 Distribute lengths, avoiding “H” patterns and other discernible patterns in adjacent runs. Stagger end joints of
boards row to row a minimum of 6” for strip flooring, 8-10” for 3” to 5” plank, and 10” for plank winder then 5”.
● If the left over piece is less than 6” long, cut another piece at a random spot, and start the second row with it. Be
attentive to staggering the ends of the boards at least 6” in adjacent rows to avoid clustering end joints. A soft
rubber mallet can be used to tap the boards on the face until they are pulled into proper position.
● To cut the boards, always saw with the teeth cutting down into the face or top of the board. Cutting from the top
down helps protect the surface.
For wood sub floors: If you are working on a wood type sub floor, use small finishing nails to hold the first row
in place. Fill nail holes with filler which is manufactured to blend with your flooring.
For concrete sub floors: If you are working on a concrete sub floor, take a piece of 1” x 2” x 8’ pine board and
using 1” concrete nails, nail the board onto the dry side of your chalk line. This will hold your first row of starter
boards in place.
● Complete the rest of the installation in your working area by following the same installation procedures that are
stated in Step 2 of this section.
● Lift a plank periodically to make sure that there is 100% contact between the board and the hardwood flooring
adhesive.