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InstallationInstructionsEngineeredHardwoodHDFFlooringDocumentID#:VBHF080116_ENGHDF

ContactCustomerServiceat844-358-0107withallyourTechnicalQuestionsProductsIncluded ApprovedGradeLevels ApprovedInstallationMethods

AllEngineeredHardwoodHDFwithclicklockjoints.

AboveGrade.OnGrade.BelowGrade

PrimaryMethod:Floating.OptionalMethod:FullSpreadGlue.

ApprovedGradeLevels

AboveGrade.OnGrade.BelowGrade

Owner/InstallerResponsibilityTheownerisadvisedtobeathomeduringtheinstallationforconsultation/direction. Theownerandinstallershoulddiscussinstallationand layouttomaximizesatisfaction. Ifthisisnotpossible,consultationshouldbedonepriortoinstallation.Installersshouldbefamiliarwith installationguidelinesfromNationalWoodFlooringAssociation(woodfloors.org).

Theowner/installerassumesallresponsibilityforproductqualityofcompletedinstallation.PERFORMPRE-INSTALLINSPECTION. FORCLAIMSPURPOSES,YOUAREALLOWEDTOOPENUPTO2BOXESFORPRODUCTINSPECTION. DONOTOPENALLTHEBOXES. OPENINGALLTHEBOXESCONSTITUTESYOURACCEPTANCEOFTHEPRODUCT. INSPECTALLTHEPLANKSINTHESE4BOXESCAREFULLY.EXAMINEFLOORINGFORCOLOR,FINISHANDQUALITY. IFYOUDISCOVERTHATPRODUCTSAREDEFECTIVE,ORIFMATERIALISQUESTIONABLE,YOU SHOULDCONTACTTHERETAILER. IFYOUARESATISFIED,PROCEEDWITHINSTALLATION.

Thelengthoftheeachplankinanyboxcanvaryfrom12inchestothemaximumfulllengthstatedonthepackagingorotherproductdescriptions. Eachboxcancontainallfulllengthboardsoracombinationoffulllengthandshorterboards. Thereisnospecificpercentageof productlengthdistribution.

Priortoinstallation,rackupplanksfromseveralboxestoensureuniformdistributionofcolors,shadesandcharactersintheinstalledflooring. Plankshavingsimilarwidthsshouldbeplacedtogetherinthesamerowtominimizegapsbetweenboards.

Woodfloorsarenaturalproductscontainingnaturalvariations. Variationsincolor,tone,grain,mineralstreaks,smallknotsandothercharactersarefoundfromplanktoplank. Similarvariationsexistbetweensamples,picturesandpurchasedflooring. Theyarenormalandit doesnotmeantheproductisdefective.

Flooringtobeinstalledinonelargeareashouldbepurchasedatthesametime. Productpurchasedatalatertimethanthefirstpurchase mayvarybeyondyourexpectations.

Accessories,trimsandmoldingsaremanufacturedtocoordinatewiththevariedappearancesofthefloorplanks. Anyexactmatchesare coincidental. Non-matchingaccessoriesarenotdefectiveproducts.

PROPOSITION65WARNING:ThisproductcontainschemicalsknowntothestateofCaliforniatocausecancerand/or reproductiveharm

CAUTION:ASBESTOSINEXISTINGFLOORHome Modern product does not contain asbestos. Existing installed resilient flooring and asphaltic adhesive may containasbestos fillers or crystalline silica. Do not sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, bead-blast, or mechanically chip orpulverize existing resilient flooring, backing, lining felt, asphaltic “cutback” adhesive or other adhesive. See“Recommended Work Practices for Removal of ResilientFloorCoverings”(rfci.com)fordetailedinformationandinstructionsonremovingallresilientcoveringstructures.

CAUTION:WOODDUSTSawing,sandingandmachiningwoodproductscanproducewooddust. It cancauserespiratory,skinandeye irritation. Avoidprolonged exposure to wood dust. Power tools should be equipped with a dust collector. If possible, perform wood dustgeneratingactivities outdoors. IfhighdustlevelsareencountereduseanappropriateNIOSH-designateddustmask.

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Thisproductismanufacturedaccordingtostrictqualitystandards. Intheeventthatdefectsarediscoveredinthefield,theindustry standardspermitadefecttolerancenottoexceed5%. Thedefectsmaybeofanytype,whethermanufacturedornatural. Orderan additional5%extraforcuttingwastageandgradingallowances(10%fordiagonalinstallations).

Duringinstallation,inspecttheplankscontinuously. Defectsthatcanbeseenfromastandingpositionshouldbecutofforheldout.Installingdefectiveplanksimpliesacceptance.Squeakingandclickingnoisesaretheresultofinteractionsamongflooring,joistsandsubfloorswhentheymove. Limitingthemovementsof theflooringsystemusuallyeliminatesmostofthesenoises. Sometimes,itisimpossibletoeliminatethemcompletelyandminorsqueaking orclickingnoisesaretobeacceptedasnormalflooringphenomenon. Minorscratchescangenerallyberepairedwiththeuseofputty,stain orfiller. Itisanindustrystandardpracticeofflooringinstallationanditshouldbeacceptedasnormalbythehomeowner.

Toassurethewarrantyisnotinadvertentlyvoided,beforeproceedingwithanyactivitythatisnotcoveredinthismanual,pleasecontactour TechnicalSupportDepartment.CallTollFree844-358-0107

AcclimationandIn-serviceConditionsAcclimationistheprocessofadjusting(conditioning)themoisturecontentofhardwoodflooringtotheenvironmentinwhichitisexpected toperform. Thehardwoodflooringisfullyacclimatedwhenitsmoisturecontentanddimensions(widthandlength)arestable.Engineered hardwoodflooringtypicallydoesnotneedacclimationaslongastheenvironmentitisbeinginstalledinisfullyacclimated.ThismeanstheHVACsystemisfullyoperationalandthehomeisbeingmaintainedinlivedinconditionsduringandaftertheinstallation.Ifthetemperatureandrelativehumidityfallsoutsidenormalrangesof 60°F-80°Fandrelativehumidity(RH)of30%-50%thentheproductmustbeacclimatedforaminimumof3daysorlongerdependingonconditions.Tproperlyacclimateyoumust openboxes,openplasticwrap. Elevatecartonsfromthefloorbyplacingthemon2”X2”lumberorequivalence. Placespacers(3/4”to1”sticks)betweeneachlayeror crossstackthelayersformaximumexposuretoambientconditions. Acclimationtemperaturerangeis60°F-80°Fandrelativehumidity(RH)of30%-50%. Conditionsinwhichthefloorwasacclimatedshouldbemaintainedcontinuouslythereafter. Documentasmuchacclimation informationaspossiblebelow.Date: RelativeHumidity(%):_ Temperature(°F): SubfloorType: Subfloor Avg.MoistureContent(%): Acclimation Period:

Pre-acclimationFlooringAvg.MoistureContent(%): Pre-acclimationFlooringWidth:_______Pre-acclimationFlooringLength:_______

Post-acclimationFlooringAvg.MoistureContent(%): Post-acclimationFlooringWidth:_____Post-acclimationFlooringLength:____

JobSiteCondition

Priortoinstallation,theinstallermustensurethatatthetimeofinstallation,thejobsiteconditionsincludingsubfloor/substrate,ambient temperatureandrelativehumidity,andallimpactingvariableswillnotnegativelyaffectfloor. HomeModernwilldeclineresponsibilityfor damagesassociatedwithimproperinstallationorpoorsiteconditions.

StorageandConditions

Donotstoreflooringinuncontrolledenvironmentalconditions. Forexample,garagesandexteriorpatiosarenotacceptableareastostore flooring. Handleandunloadwoodflooringwithcareandstorewithintheenvironmentallycontrolledsiteinwhichitisexpectedtoperform. Flooringstoredonconcreteslabshouldbeelevatedatleastfourinchestoallowaircirculationundercartons.

ExistingHome

Existinghomeshouldhaveaconsistentroomtemperatureof60°F-80°Fandrelativehumidity(RH)of30%-50%. Continualdeviationfrom theseconditionswillaffectthedimensionsofflooring. Duringheatingseason,humiditymaybemuchlowerthantheacceptablerange. Duringheatingseason,ahumidifierisrecommendedtopreventexcessshrinkageflooringtolowhumiditylevels.Duringthenon-heating season,humiditylevelscanbemaintainedbyusinganairconditioner,dehumidifier,orbyturningonyourheatingsystemperiodically.

NewConstructionorRemodel

Allworkinvolvingwater,suchaspouringbasementconcretefloors,drywallandplasterwork,plumbing,etc.mustbecompletedwellin advanceofthefloordelivery. Ensurethatthebuildingisenclosed. Wherebuildingcodesallow,permanentheatingand/orairconditioning systemsshouldbeoperatingatleastfivedaysprecedinginstallationtopromoteproperacclimationandshouldbemaintainedduringandafter installation. Ifitisnotpossibleforthepermanentheatingand/orairconditioningsystemtobeoperatingbefore,duringandafterinstallation, atemporaryheatingand/ordehumidificationsystemthatsimulatenormalliving(occupied)conditionscanenabletheinstallationtoproceeduntilthepermanentheatingand/orairconditioningsystemisfullyoperational.

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Yourjobsiteshouldhaveaconsistenttemperatureof60°F-80°Fandrelativehumidity(RH)of30%-50%whichshouldbemaintainedcontinuouslythereafter.

BasementsandCrawlSpaces

Concreteslaborgroundmustbedry. Thegroundinthecrawlspacesmustbecompletelycoveredusing6milblackpolyethylene.Crawl spaceclearancebetweentheearthandundersideofjoistsshouldbenolessthan18inchesandtheperimeterventareashouldbeequalto1.5%ofthetotalsquarefootageofthecrawlspaceorasmandatedbycode.

ConcreteSubfloorRequirements

Itmusthaveminimumratedstrengthof3000psi.

Itmustbeflat. Itshouldbeflattowithin1/8”ina6-footspan;nobumpsorlowspots. Highspotscanberemovedbygrinding;depressions canbefilledwithpatchingcompoundformulatedforuseinfloorinstallation.

Itmustbeclean;noconstructiondebris,soil,mudandanyotherobjectson/oradheringtothefloor;ifnecessary,scrapeandsweepaway beforetheinstallation;noprotrusionsofnails,debris,metalsshouldremain.

Newconcreteslabmustcureforatleast60days. Itmusthaveaminimum10-milpolyethylenesheetbetweenthegroundandtheconcrete. Itmustmeetconcretemoisturerequirementbelow.

Itmustbefreefrommoisturerelatedconditionswhichcandamagetheinstalledflooring.

LightWeightConcrete

Itisconcretewhichratedstrengthislessthan3000psi.

Performaquickcheckbydrawinganailacrossthetop;ifitleavesindentation,itisprobablylightconcrete.

Forglue-downapplication,theconcretemustpossessshearstrengthgreaterthantheglue. Ifconcreteratedpsiisunknown,contactthe adhesivemanufacturerforguidance.

ConcreteMoisture

Allconcretesubfloorsshouldbetestedformoisturecontentandtheresultsdocumented. Visualchecksarenotreliable. Performtestsat locationsaroundexteriordoorways,nearwallscontainingplumbing,nearfoundationwallsandinthecenteroftheroom.Minimumsample sizeis3per1000squarefeetofareaandonetestforeveryadditional1000squarefeetthereafter.Itsmoisturecontentshouldmeetoneofthefollowingcriteriabelow:• 4.5%whentestedusingTramexConcreteMoistureEncounter

• Lessthan3poundsper1000squarefeetper24hourswhenusingCalciumChloridetest(ASTMF1869)• 75%whenusingRelativeHumidityTesting(ASTMF-2170).Pleasenote: Concretemoisturecontentmaybeacceptablethetimeofthetestbutthesetestsdonotguaranteeaperpetual“dry”concrete slab. Theconcreteslabmoisturecontentcanvaryatothertimesoftheyear.Wearenotresponsibleformoisturerelateddamagetoinstalled flooring.

WoodSubfloorRequirements

Itmustbeclean;nopresenceofconstructiondebris,soil,mudandanyotherobjectsonoradheringtothefloor;noprotrusionsofnails, debris,metalsshouldremain. Ifnecessary,scrapeandsweepthesubfloorbeforetheinstallation.

Itmustbestructurallysoundandstable:nomovementsorsqueaks,noloosepanelsorloosenails,nosignsofplyde-laminationorother damages. Repairallshortcomingsbeforeinstallation.

Itmustbeflatwithnovisiblebumpsorlowspots;thesubfloorshouldbeflattowithin1/8”in6feetspan.

Testformoistureusingreliablemoisturemeter. Performtestsatlocationsaroundexteriordoorways,nearfoundationwalls,nearwallscontainingplumbinglinesandinthecenteroftheroom. Measure20locationsper1000squarefeet.

Moisturecontentofsubfloorshouldbelessthan12%.

Moisturecontentdifferencebetweensubfloorandacclimatedflooringshouldbe4%orless.

PlywoodorOrientedStrandBoard(OSB)Specifications

Ontruss/joistspacingof16”(406mm)O/Corless,theindustrystandardforsingle-panelsubflooringisminimum5/8”(19/32”,15.1mm)CDExposure1plywoodsubfloorpanels(CDExposure1)or23/32”OSBExposure1subfloorpanels,4’x8'sheets. Expansiongapbetweenpanels shouldbe1/8”(3mm). Ifpanelsarenottonguedandgroovedandthereisnotsufficientspacingorisinadequate,cutintherequiredspacingwithacircularsaw.Donotcutinexpansionspaceontongueandgroovepanels.Iftruss/joistspacingis19.2"apartthenminimumthickness ofplywoodorOSBpanelsis23/32".Iftruss/joistspacingislargerthan19.2"apartthenminimumplywoodthicknessis1"andminimumthicknessforOSBis1.125".Ifthesubstratedoesnotmeettheseminimumguidelinesthenadd1/2"ofplywoodtothesubstratebeforeproceeding

ParticleBoardorFiberBoard

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Onlyforfloatinginstallation.

ExistingFloors

Installationoverexistingfloorrequirestheinstallertoconsiderpotentialissuesrelatedtomoisturedamage,adhesive failureandfastener failure. Contacttheadhesiveandfastenermanufacturersrespectivelyfortheirspecificinstructions,recommendationsandrequirements. Acceptable floor coverings include: solid hardwood, linoleum, terrazzo, ceramic tile and other “moisture sealingfloors.”

Unacceptablefloorcoveringsinclude:carpet,needlepunchfelt,edgegluedlinoleumandother“moistureabsorbingflooring.”

RadiantHeatedSubfloor

Thisproductcanbeinstalledoverradiantheatedsubfloor. Operatingsurfacetemperaturemustbelessthan82°F. Decreasetemperaturebeforeinstallation. Increasetemperaturegraduallyafterinstallation. Gluedowninstallationmayrequireadditionalinstallationrequirement.Contactgluemanufacturerforspecificrecommendation. Contactheatermanufacturerforspecificinstallationinstruction.

MoistureBarrierandMoistureRetarder

ConcreteSubfloor: Forfloatinginstallation,use6-milpolyethylenefilmorothermeanswithequivalentpermeability. Overlaptheedge seamsandtapeittogether. Extendmoisturebarrieruptothewallabout1inchhigh. Wheninstalledonabovegradeconcreteandthe concretemoisturecontentmeetstheconcretemoisturestandard,amoisturebarrierisnotrequired. Fordirectglueinstallation,useamoisturebarrierifmoisturelevelexceedsrequirement(seeConcreteMoisturesectionabove).

WoodSubfloor: Useasphalt-saturatedpaperor#15or#30feltthatmeetsASTMStandardD4869orUU-B-790,GradeD.Overlapalongtheedgeseams2”-4”wide. Thisretardsmoisturemovementfrombelow.

SoundControlUnderlayment

Checkwithsoundcontrolmanufacturerforapplicationguidelines. Generally,thelesscompressiveunderlaymentispreferred.

ExpansionGap

Requiredgapwidthis1/2”. Itisrequiredaroundtheperimeterofthefloorandbetweenfloorandallverticalobstructions.Donotplacepermanentlyinstalledstructuressuchaskitchencounter/cabinetontheinstalledfloor.

TransitionMoldingFloatinginstallation,transitionT-moldingisrequiredinthefollowingcases:floorspanninggreaterthan35feetinlengthorwidth;wallopenings-withorwithoutdoor;

Note:Floorareasinterruptedbywallsectionsextendingoutofthewall;floorareaswhicharenotrectangularmayexperiencebucklingor gappingifthereisexcessivefloorexpansionorshrinkage.

Adhesive

Usepremiumflooringadhesivewhichisnon-waterbased,formulatedforhardwoodflooringinstallation.Preferredtype:moisturecureurethanefloorglue.

ToolsandMaterials

Basics:

Tapemeasure•Moisturemeter(wood,concreteorboth)•Chalkline&chalk•Hammer•Electricpowersaw•Carbidetippedsawbladefor finecut•NIOSH-designateddustmask•Handsaworjambsaw•Eyeprotection•StraightedgeorSpacers•PryBar•Mallet•Broom•Colormatchedwoodputty•Tappingblock•Pullbar

AdditionalSuppliesforGlue-DownMethod:

Flooringadhesive•Trowels•Adhesiveremoverforselectedadhesive•Cleanrags•Weightroller•3MBluetape

BondFailure

BondfailureisNOTflooringproductdefect. Mostinstallationfailures,includingbondfailure,resultfromjobsitemoisture. Donotunpackor deliverflooringtothejobsiteuntilmoistureproblemsarecorrected. Readadhesivemanufacturer’sinstructioncarefully.Certainwood flooringadhesivesmayhavespecialrequirementsandlimitationsofuse. Someexistingfloormaynotbeacceptable.

SafetyandHealthPrecautionsPowertoolscanbedangerous. Operateinstrictaccordancetomanufacturer’soperatinginstructionsandsafetyprecautions.Unsafeand improperusecancauseseriousinjuries.Avoidinhalationandexposurestowooddustbymechanicalmeansandbywearingpersonalprotectiveequipment.Wearappropriatepersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)whichincludeNIOSHorOSHAapprovedustmasks,safetygoggleandworkgloves.

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Notfollowingthe adhesivemanufacturer’srecommendationscanleadtoinstallationfailureorproductdamageandwillvoidyourwarranty.

GlueSpotsonFaceofFinishedFloor

Adhesivecandamagethefloor’sfinish,especiallywhenithasdried. ItisextremelyimportanttotakeprecautionarystepsNOTtoleavefinger printsorfootprintsmarksonthefaceoftheboard. Ifgluecomesincontactwiththefaceoftheboard,removeimmediatelywiththeadhesive removerrecommendedbytheadhesivemanufacturer. Usecleantowels,changingfrequentlytopreventhazeandadhesiveresidue.Ifthespotremovaldamagestheappearanceoftheboards,replacetheboard.

HelpfulPointersGeneralTips• Makesureyourworkareaiswelllit. Goodvisibilityensuresthatcolorisconsistentandthatvisuallydefectiveplanksaredetectedand removed.

• Theminimumlengthofthefirstandlastplankis12”. Ifthelastplankwillbelessthan12”,adjustthelengthofthefirstplank. The remainderofthelastplankcanbeusedasastarterboardonthefollowingrows.

• Usingashorterpieceatundercutdoorjamswillhelpwhenfittingflooringinplace.Glue-DownInstallationTips• ALWAYSREFERTOTHESPECIFICINSTRUCTIONSONTHEFLOORINGADHESIVELABEL. Theinformationgivenhereisfortypicalinstallation. Adjustitaccordingtoadhesivemanufacturer’sinstruction.

• Dry-laymeansthegluehastosetbeforeplacingfloorplanksinit. Wet-laymeansthegluedoesnotneedtosetbeforeplacingflooronit.

• Usetrowelasspecifiedbyadhesivemanufacturer.• ContinuouslycheckthetransferofadhesiveTHROUGHOUTtheinstallationprocess. Iftheadhesivenolongertransferstothebackofthe flooringmaterial,itmustberemovedandnewadhesiveapplied.

• Workyourwayoutoftheroom.• Aftertheinstallationiscompleted,keepthefloorfreefromdailyfoottrafficforaminimumof24hourstoallowadhesivetoproperlycure.

CuttingtheLastRowtoWidth• Mostoftentheentirelengthofthelastrowwillneedtobecutsothatitisnarrowenoughtofittheremainingspace.• Measurethedistancebetweenthefloorfaceedge(excludethetongue)tothewall. Subtract1/2“fromthismeasurementforexpansion gap. Drawaline. Cutthroughtheline. Discardtheexcesspiece. Proceedwithinstallation.

Pre-InstallActivities

• Subfloorsshouldbeincleancondition.• Understandthepartsofthelockingpartoftheflooringplank. Thetongueisthethinnerextensioncomingoutofthesideofthe planks. Thegrooveisthewiderextensioncomingoutoftheothersideofthefloorplank. Theendsdonothavetongueandgroove. Thereisanupperdrop-lockendononesideandalower-droplockendontheotherside.

• Layoutseveralcartons. Randomlyrackplankstoensuregoodcolorandshademixtureandendjointspacing. Minimumendstagger is6”. Inspectplankqualityandgrading.

• Layouttrimmoldingsinadvanceandfindplankswhoseshadecloselymatches. Settheseasideforfutureuse.• Removeexistingbase,shoemoldingorthresholdcarefully.Theycanbeusedtocoverthe1/2”expansiongapleftaroundtheedgeof theroom.

• Undercutdoorsandcasingsusingahandsawlaidflatonapieceofscrapflooring.

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• Installmoisturebarrieronconcrete. Forconcrete,letthemoisturebarrierrunupthewallabitbeforecuttingtosizeandtapeall seams

• Installtheunderlayment(ifused)accordingtounderlaymentmanufactureinstructions.

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FloatingInstallation

Step1–InstalltheFirstRow• Whenpossible,begininstallationfromthestraightestwall. Ifpossible,installtheflooringperpendiculartothejoists.• Cutoffthetonguefromthefirstrowplanks.• Allow1/2”expansiongapbetweenplankandthewalls. Usespacersorboard.• Placethefirstplankwiththegroovesidefacingawayfromthewalls.• Placetheupperdrop-lockendofthesecondplankonthelowerdrop-lockendofthefirstplank. Theendsdonotclicklock.Maintain straightedgealongtherows.

• Continueplacingthesucceedingplankstocompletetherow

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Step2–InstalltheSecondandRemainingRows• Cutoffasectionthefirstplanklengthwisetoensure6”jointsstaggering.• Holdtheplankwiththetonguefacingthepreviousrow. Keepitatabout30°angle.• Insertthetongueintothegroove.• Makesurethetonguearesnugglyandsecurelyengagedinthegroovebyexertingaconstantpressureinthedirectionofthegroove.

• Maintainthepressurewhilepressingtheplankflattolocktheedgejoints.• Ifthereisaslightgapalongtheedgejoints,itcanbeeliminatedwiththehelpofatappingblockandaplasticmallet. Usecautionto preventimpactdamage.

Step3-InstalltheLastRow• Usethepullbartodrawthelastrowtofittightlytothepreviousrow.

GlueDownInstallation

PLEASENOTE:ANYEXCESSGLUEWHICHGETSONTOTHESURFACEOFTHEFLOORMUSTBEREMOVEDIMMEDIATELYWITHADHESIVEREMOVER

Thestepsingluedownmethodareverysimilartothefloatinginstallationmethod. Theonlydifferenceistheapplicationofthegluetothe subfloorpriortoinstallation. Formoredetailinstruction,seethefloatinginstallationsectionabove.

Step1–Setup• Cutoffthetonguefromthelongedgeoftheboardsforthefirstrows.• Ensureexpansiongapbymarkingoffastartingline1/2”awayfromthestartingwall. Markoffapproximately2plankswidthareato spreadglue.

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Step2–Spreadingtheglue• Spreadthegluefromthestartinglineoutinthedirectionofthecenteroftheroom,thewidthoftwoplanks. Orspreadonlyenough gluetoinstallwhatcanbesetwithin45minutes(15minutesofOPENTIMEandanadditional30minutesforactualinstallation. Usuallyabouttworowswidthcoverage). Differentmanufacturermayrequiredifferentopentimeandsettime.Usespacersorboards tomaintainexpansiongapduringinstallation.

• Repeatwiththenexttworows,etc.

Step3–Installthefirsttworows• Installthefirstrowofstarterplanks.• Thelastplankofthefirstrowmayhavetobecuttosize. Discardremainderbecausethetonguehasbeenremoved.• Installthesecondrow. Makesurethereisarandomstaggeringattheendjointsofatleast6”apart.• Beattentivetostaggeringtheendsoftheboardscorrectlyinadjacentrowstoavoidclusteringendjoints.• Anygluethatcomesincontactwiththefaceoftheboardshouldberemovedimmediatelyusingadhesiveremoverformulatedforthe gluebeingused. Followadhesivemanufacturer’sinstructiononadhesiveremoval.

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Step4–InstalltheremainingRowsSpreadanothersectionofglue. Neverspreadmorethatcanbecoveredbeforetheadhesiveisset. Ifadhesiveissetandwillnot transfertothebackoftheplank,scrapeofftheadhesiveandapplyfreshadhesive.Continuetoinstallthenextrows. Makesurethereisarandomstaggeringattheendjointsofatleast6”apart.Maintain1/2”expansiongapbetweenfloorandthewalls.Repeattheprocessforadditionalrows.Makesurethatthereis100%contactbetweenthewoodfloorandtheadhesive.

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FinishingTouches

• Cleanthefloor.• Usematchingputtywherenecessary• Installorreinstallallwalltrimpieces. Nailthemthroughthewall,butnottothesubfloortoavoidrestrictingtheexpansiongap.• Installtransitiontrimpieces. Nailthemtothesubfloor,nottheflooring.• Atdoorways,transitionsshouldbeusedtoprotecttheedgesofthefloorandtoprovideadecorativetransitionfromonefloortypeto another.

• Iftheflooristobecovered,useabreathablematerialsuchascardboard. Donotcoverwithplastic.Donotapplyanytapetothefaceof theproductforprotectionoranyotherreasons.Finishdamagethatmayoccuristheresponsibilityofthepersonapplyingthetapeandisnotcoveredundertermsofthewarranty

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AccessoriesPicturesareforgeneralillustrativepurposesonly.Actualproductsmaydifferfrompicture. T-Moldingisusedtocreateatransitionbetweenfloorcoveringsofsimilarheightsorto

coveran expansiongap.

StairNoseisusedinconjunctionwithflooringinstalledonstairstepsorfinishededgeofahigher levelfloorlikeinasunkenlivingroom.

CarpetReducer(alsocalledBabyThresholdorEndCap)isusedtotransitionfloorcoveringsof differingheights.Thisreducerstripisalsocommonlyusedtoborderafireplace,slidingglassdoor andotherexteriordoorjambs.

HardSurfaceReducerisusedtotransitiontoanotherhardsurfaceflooringofdifferentheights suchastile,vinyl,concrete.

QuarterRoundisusedtocovertheexpansionspacebetweentheWallBaseandyourflooring.It canalsobeusedthemtomakesmoothtransitionsbetweenthefloorandcabinetry. Itcanbeused withorwithoutWallBasemolding.

WallBaseisusedtogiveafinishedlookatthebaseofthewalls. Itcanbeusedwithorwithout QuarterRound.

TechnicalSupportForinstallationinformationandtechnicalquestionsnotcoveredinthisinstallationguide,pleasecontactourTechnicalSupportRepresentativebycallingthetollfreenumberbelow.

ContactCustomerServiceToolFreeat844-358-0107withallyourTechnicalQuestionsCareandMaintenanceDailyMaintenance1. Sweepdustmoporvacuumyourfloorregularlytoremoveanyparticlesthatcouldcauseabrasionorscratchyourfloor.CAUTION: Vacuumswithabeaterbarorpowerrotarybrushheadcandamageafloorandshouldneverbeused.

2. Applyappropriatecleaningsolutiontothecleaningcloth/mop. Useacleanerspecificallymanufacturedforhardwoodflooring.DoNotUseWaterorVinegar.DoNOTapplydirectlytothefloor.

• Fortougherspots,useahigherconcentrationofisopropylalcoholanddistilledwater.• Forextremecases,asolutionofnailpolishremover(acetone)anddistilledwatercanbeused.

HINT: Forbestresults,cleanthefloorinthesamedirectionoftheplanks. Whenthecleaningcloth/mopbecomessoiled,rinseorreplaceit withacleanone. Followingupwithaclean,dryclothwillremoveresidualstreakmarksandspots.

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3. DoNOTleaveanyamountofliquids(water,juice,softdrinks,spills,etc.)onthefloor. Cleananywetspotsimmediately.4. DoNOTuseasteamcleaner.5. DoNOTuseawetmopordousefloorwithwaterorliquidcleaners.Liquidcanseepbetweenthecracksandcausemoisturedamage.6. DoNOTuseanycleaningagentscontainingwax,oilorpolish. Leftoverresiduewillformadullfilm.7. DoNOTusesteelwoolorscouringpowderwhichwillscratchthefloor.

BrandedorOff-the-shelfFloorCareProducts• Ifnoneoftheaboveareeffectiveandyouchoosetouseastoreboughtproduct,testtheproductinanon-conspicuousarea(i.e.,closet, corner,orscrappieces)forpotentialadversesideeffects.

PreventativeMaintenance• Protectyourfloorwhenusingadollyformovingfurnitureorappliances.Protectivesheetsand/orplywoodmaybeneeded.Neverslide orrollheavyfurnitureorappliancesacrossthefloor.

• Placeprotectivepadsbeneathfurniturelegsandotherheavyobjects.• Avoidexcessiveexposuretowaterfrombeingtrackedinduringperiodsofinclementweather.• Minimizeabrasivematerialanddirtbyplacingmatsonbothsidesofexteriordoorsandbyusingarearugsinhigh-trafficareas• Rearrangefurnitureandrugsperiodicallytoavoidunevencolorandshadechangesfromlightexposure.• Useprotectivematsbeneathrollingchairsandkeepfurniturecastersclean.• Keeppets’nailstrimmed.• Removeshoeswithcleats,spikesorexceptionallypointyheelsbeforewalkingonthefloor.

ClimateMaintenance• Careshouldbetakentocontrolhumiditylevelswithinthe30%-50%range. Hardwoodflooringcanbeaffectedbyvaryinglevelsof humidity.

• DryClimates:Ahumidifierisrecommendedtomaintainhumiditylevels. Woodstovesandelectricheattendtocreateverydry conditionsduringthewintermonthsthisalsowillcauseshrinkageinflooring.

• Humid,WetClimates: Byusinganairconditioner,heater,ordehumidifierproperhumiditylevelscanbemaintainedtoprevent excessiveexpansionduetohighmoisturecontent.

FloorRepair• Verylightandsmallsurfacescratchescanberepairedwithastaining“touchup”penoftheappropriatecolor.• Slightlydeeperscratchescanberepairedbymeansofcoloredputtyandorstains. Fillthescratcheswiththeputty. Levelwithputty knife. Wipeoffexcessputty.

• Verydeepscratchesmayrequirethereplacementoftheplanks.

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