Installation & Assembly

SEHWII011007
Installation Tips:
• Moldings should be acclimated 48 hours
y Moldings must be predrilled to avoid splitting whenever they are to be secured with nails or fasteners.
y The tool of choice for cutting hardwood moldings is a 10 or 12” motorized miter saw with pre-set adjustments for
the basic miter cuts at 22.5
o
, 45
o
, and 90
o
. A carbide tipped blade makes the best cuts. Be sure the saw blade is positioned
to cut into the finished face.
• When installing Wall Base molding, eliminate the need to putty as many holes on the molding by placing the bottom
nail below the finished line of the Quarter Round.
• On Wall Base or Quarter Round moldings, never restrict the hardwood floor’s natural contraction/expansion
movement by driving the fasteners at a downward angle. Attach the moldings to the wall or vertical surface.
• Always miter cuts rather than having butt cuts when splicing. Decide the direction of the miter by cutting the
molding with the long point oriented in the same direction as your natural line of vision when you enter the room.
Wall Base - Borders the wood floor at the base of the wall to give the room a finished look. This molding along with the
Quarter Round conceals the required expansion space between the wall and the hardwood flooring. It is also sometimes
used under cabinets and toe kicks.
Quarter Round - This molding conceals the required expansion space between the wall/ wall base and the hardwood
flooring. It is also sometimes used under cabinets and toe kicks where a wall base won’t fit or at the base of the stairs to
provide a subtle blend between the floor and the wall or vertical surface.
Threshold –This molding is used at exterior doorways as a transition between flooring and the doorway threshold. It
also can be used to transition a wood floor to different floor types to make them fit together perfectly, such as high pile
carpeting or tile. Another typical use for a threshold is to conceal the expansion space between the flooring and a vertical
surface such as fireplace hearths and sliding glass doors.
Installation: Lay the threshold molding in place to determine a proper fit. The threshold molding should overlap the
flooring by 1/2” to 3/4” leaving the balance for expansion. To attach the threshold, nail into the subfloor behind the
lip of the molding. Be sure when nailing not to obstruct the floors expansion space.
T Molding - Doorway molding used to join two wood floors in adjoining rooms. Also used when making transitions
from a wood floor to another floor that is approximately the same height, such as ceramic tile, hardwood, or laminate
floors. T-Moldings are also used to provide expansion joints when a floor dimension exceeds the length or a width of
40’.
Installation: A space of 1 1/4” between the two adjoining floors is necessary to properly install the molding. This is
to allow for the expansion space. Lay the T-Molding in place to determine proper fit. To attach the T-Molding
between a ceramic tile floor and the hardwood floor, apply 1/4” bead of construction adhesive to the top edge of the
ceramic tile. To attach between two hardwood floors apply the 1/4” bead to the tope edge of one side of the
hardwood only. Seat the molding in place allowing for a minimum of a 1/4” overlap on the wood flooring. Make
sure to allow for the expansion space between the T-Molding and the tile. When installing over a wood sub-floor,
use finish nails to secure T-mold. When installing over concrete, use heavy-duty construction adhesive to secure T-
mold.
Overlap Reducer- (Floating Method) Used to join hardwood floors that utilize the floating installation method with
floors of different heights such as vinyl, ceramic tile, or low pile carpeting.
Installation: To attached molding pre-drill and nail in appropriate 6” to 8” intervals. Do not nail less than 2”- 3”
from the ends of either side. To attach the molding using glue, apply glue to the front edge of the molding. Apply
one or two 1/4” beads of construction adhesive to the subfloor and seat the molding in place. It is important not to
attach the reducer directly to the floating floor to allow expansion and contraction.
Overlap Stair Nose – (Floating Method) provides the proper transition for stairways or steps, which have hardwood
floors that have been installed using the floating installation method. The Stair Nose also provides the proper overhang
for a transition from one floor level to the next such as the step into a sunken living room.