Use and Care Guide
Installation Instructions T & G Prefinished Engineered Plank
50 Year Residential Warranty
9 Rev.1RH-16HC
● Leave at least 3/8” to 1/2” for expansion at all vertical surface to be covered by the baseboard or quarter round
trim. Normally the expansion space around the rooms should be the same distance as the thickness of the
hardwood flooring.
Step 2: INSTALLING THE FLOOR
Install
15 lb. Asphalt Saturated Felt (not rosin paper) on plywood surface where the flooring is to be installed.
● Fasten a sacrificial board to the floor and check for surface damage, air pressure settings, and tongue damage
before proceeding. Make all proper adjustments before installation. Then remove and destroy the board.
● For the first row use the longest straightest boards.
● Align the first piece on the chalk line with the tongue out. The groove side and end will be facing the starting wall.
Pre drill holes to avoid splitting. Drive 7d or 8d finish nails or screw type flooring nails into the face of the board
every 6” approximately 1/3”-3/4” from the edge closest to the starting wall and within 2”-3” from the ends and in
the darker grain of the wood. Keep the starter strip aligned with the chalk line.
● Edge nail the plank by driving the same type nails at a 45
o
angle through the tongue of the first piece, spacing the
nails every 6” - 8” and within 2”-3” from the ends. Repeat this process for the entire first row. Upon completion of
the first row, go back and sink the face nails with a nail punch. If it appears that the holes will not be covered by
the quarter round or wall base, fill with putty that blends with the floor color.
● Repeat the edge nailing for the second row but do not face nail like the first row. Typically the first few rows must
be edge nailed by hand due to the close proximity to the wall. When clearance allows, use the stapler/fastener.
● For ease of installation, work left to right. Left is determined by having your back to the wall where the starting
course is laid. When it is necessary cut a strip to fit the right wall .
Distribute lengths, avoiding “H” patterns and other discernible patters in adjacent runs. Stagger end joints of
boards row to row a minimum of 6” for strip flooring, 8-10” for 3-5” plank, and 10” for plank wider than 5”,
● Install each succeeding row of planks by stapling/fastening the tongue side every 4”-6” to within 2” from board
ends. Be attentive to staggering the ends of the boards at least 6” in adjacent rows to avoid clustering end joints.
● Upon reaching the last row to be installed, the planks should be ripped to allow a 3/8”–1/2” expansion space.
Depending upon the board thickness, the last rows must be fastened by nailing approximately 1/2”-3/4” from the
back edge of the board every 6” . The same process of counter sinking the face nails and applying putty should
be repeated (as above on starting wall).
Step 3: FINISHING THE FLOOR
● The use of putty or a non-silicone based filler to cover small cracks or face nails holes should be considered
normal in hardwood flooring installations. Test filler on spare pieces first to ensure it blends with the floor.
● Make sure when the installation is complete that the expansion spacers are removed and the expansion space is
covered with the appropriate molding such as baseboard and 1/4 round or shoe molding. Do not nail moldings
into the floor but nail into the wall.
● Vacuum the floor thoroughly using the soft brush attachment or dust mop to remove any dirt and debris.
● Use a quality Hardwood Flooring cleaner to finish the floor. We recommend Bona Swedish Formula Hardwood
Cleaner
● If the floor is to be covered, do not use plastic use a breathable wrap, or material such as cardboard or kraft
paper to protect the finish.
● Final inspection by the end user should be conducted from a standing position.
GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION METHOD
REQUIRED TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES
* 3/16” x 5/32” deep v notch trowel or 1/4” x 1/4” x 3/16” square notch trowel. Follow adhesive manufacturers’
guidelines.
* High Quality Urethane Adhesive
* Broom
* Tape Measure
* Moisture Meter (wood & concrete)