Use and Care Guide
Installation Instructions T & G Prefinished Engineered Plank
50 Year Residential Warranty
4 Rev.1RH-16HC
Terrazzo, marble, tile and any other hard surfaces that are well bonded to sub floor, dry, structurally sound and level,
as described above, are suitable as a sub floor for this engineered hardwood flooring installation. As above, the
surface must be sound, tight, and free of paint, oil, existing adhesives, sealers, wax, grease, and dirt. Terrazzo,
marble, and ceramic tile must be scuffed to assure adhesion.
The flooring can be glued or floated directly over full spread permanently bonded acoustical cork. Density should be
11.4 lb. / cubic ft. and installed according to cork manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not use foam underlayment
when using the floating method over cork.
ASBESTOS WARNING! Do not sand existing resilient tile, sheet flooring, backing, or felt linings. These products
may contain asbestos fibers that are not readily identifiable. Inhalation of asbestos dust can cause asbestosis or
other serious bodily harm. Check with local, state, and federal laws for handling hazardous material before attempting
the removal of these floors.
JOB SITE PREPARATION
● Verify floor is level and structurally sound. Repair as needed. Sub floor irregularities may cause any wood flooring
installation to develop hollow spots between the flooring and the sub floor. These are not the result of any
manufacturing defect.
● Proper moisture testing is the key to determine readiness for installation.
● Follow the NWFA guidelines for acclimation (www.nwfa.org ) on the job site and moisture equalibrium.
.● Undercut door casings
● Remove any existing wall base, shoe molding, quarter round or doorway thresholds
● Regardless of the installation method all floors should be racked.
RADIANT HEAT SUB FLOORS:
ONLY PREFINISHED ELM, MAPLE, EUROPEAN WHITE OAK OR BIRCH ARE APPROVED FOR USE ON
RADIANT HEAT APPLICATIONS. DO NOT USE NORTH AMERICAN OAK, AMERICAN CHERRY, HICKORY,
ACACIA, OR ANY OTHER EXOTIC SPECIES. WARRANTY WILL BE VOIDED IF ANTHING OTHER THAN
APPROVED SPECIES IS USED.
RADIANT HEATING SYSTEMS USED MUST BE DESIGNED AND CONTROLLED SPECIFICALLY FOR
HARDWOOD FLOORING BY THE SYSTEM MANUFACTURER AND MUST INCLUDED AN OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE PROBE AND SURFACE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS.
Follow the below grade instructions (above) for underlayment requirements and installation instructions. Most radiant
heat installations call for the requirements below when installing over radiant heat systems. Always refer to the
manufacturer of the radiant heating system for detailed instructions.
Floating floor installation is the preferd installation metrod. Do not use the staple installation method on
radiant heat flooring.
Newly installed water- heated-radiant- heat systems should be operatonal for a minimum of 4 weeks with
the temperature set between 64
o
-68
o
F to insure a dry subfloor with the proper moisture content.
Existing water- heated-radiant- heat systems must be operated a temperature of 64
o
F 4 for a minimum of
4 days before acclimation and installation of hardwood flooring.
A pressure test must be preformed and documented by prior to installation.
At the time of installation, sub floor must be 64
o
-68
o
F.
Use an adhesive approved by the system manufacturer .
Follow the adhesive manufacture instructions for raiiant heat systems.
If the subfloor is concrete and it has cured, turn the heat on, regardless of season, and leave it on for at least
5-6 days to drive out residual moisture before installation of the wood flooring. Glue-down applications,
require the heat to be reduced or even turned off before installation of the flooring begins, so the adhesive
does not cure excessively. Test concrete using, Moisture Guideline Testing and Vapor Retarders.
After installation do not change the radiant heat settling for 48 hours.