Installation Guide

Owner/Installer Checklist & Responsibility
It is crucial that any solid ooring is acclimated/conditioned in the
climate-controlled area where it will be installed until its moisture content
reaches the specied levels (See Flooring Acclimation and Storage
Section for details). This step allows the moisture content level in the
oor to equalize with the home’s levels. Proper acclimation is determined
by moisture level readings at the time of the installation, not by the length
of time that the oor is acclimated. The wider the ooring plank, the more
time it will take to acclimate properly. Failure to acclimate the oor
correctly could cause the oor to crack, split, cup, etc. after installation.
Real wood oors are a natural product and every plank is unique. These
features can include (but are not limited to) natural color variation, knots,
worm holes, distinctive grain, etc. and are not aws. The underside of the
planks may have unlled knots, worm holes, bark, etc. which will not be
visible after installation and are OK to install. It is permissible to install
planks with partially missing tongues as long as the nailing scheduled can
be followed. These features will not affect the performance of the oor.
Our hardwood oors are manufactured to accepted industry standards
which permit natural and/or manufacturing grading defects not to
exceed 5%.
The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for the nal inspection of
the product prior to installation. Retailer’s sample boards may darken
over time or vary due to the natural characteristics of wood. Check the ac-
tual ooring BEFORE installation and immediately contact your dealer or
retailer if you feel the material is not acceptable. Warranties do NOT cover
material with visible defects, undesired stain color or grain variation once
they are installed. If the owner elects to not inspect/verify the oor prior
to or during installation, then the installer is being given and accepting the
responsibility. Installation is acceptance.
It is the responsibility of the installer/owner to determine if the job site
suboor and conditions are environmentally and structurally acceptable
for wood ooring installation. Manufacturer is not responsible for wood
oor failure resulting from or connected with suboor, subsurface, job site
damage or deciencies after the ooring has been installed.
The installer must document all site tests (suboor and planks’ moisture
levels, room temperature, home’s relative humidity) at the time of instal-
lation and these should be retained. These records, along with the original
proof of purchase (itemized sales receipt or customer agreement) will be
needed if a warranty claim is ever led.
Visit the National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) website at www.
woodoors.org for installation and care tips.
Job Site Must Be Ready
The structure must be completely enclosed. All plumbing and dry wall
work should be complete. The heat and air conditioning systems must
be operating at 60-80 degrees F and the relative humidity (RH) should
be normal (35-55%) for 14 days prior to the ooring installation. These
temperature and RH levels must be maintained during and after the
installation.
The use of a dehumidier or humidier may be required in some areas of
the country to maintain these levels. Cupping, gapping, etc. can occur if a
proper environment is not maintained.
Check basements and crawl spaces to insure they are dry and well
ventilated. Earthen crawl spaces must have a minimum of 6 mil black
polyurethane lm with seams overlapped and taped.
Installation Methods
Flooring planks must be nailed (cleats) or stapled down.
Only use nailers or staplers that are specically designed for installation
of ¾” hardwood oors.
The use of a foot for manual and air
nailers/staplers in order to protect the
nish is recommended (See Fig. 1).
For installation over ¾” wood type
suboors that are installed over joist or
truss systems, a minimum 2” long cleat/nail or staple should be used.
If installing over a concrete suboor, a wood suboor must be added.
Refer to the National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA)
SubFloor Guidelines. Use 1-1/2” cleats/nails or staples.
The oor may NOT be fully glued directly to a sub-oor.
For ooring 4” or wider, please see glue assist instructions on next
page.
Installation Locations
May be installed on 1st oor (ground level) or upper oors (2nd story
or above). Do NOT install below ground level (basements or walk out
basements).
Not warranted for installation in full bathrooms with showers and/or
bathtubs due to the potential for excessive moisture.
Installing with Floor Heating Systems
May NOT be installed over suboor radiant heating systems.
Flooring Acclimation and Storage
Store the unopened cartons of ooring in a climate-controlled dry area be-
tween 60-80 degrees F and a relative humidity (RH) of 35-55% preferably
where the ooring will be installed.
Flooring should be left in cartons.
Allow the ooring to acclimate/condition in the climate-controlled area
where it will be installed until the following moisture levels are achieved.
Moisture should be checked at the time of installation using a reputable
wood ooring moisture meter. Multiple readings should be taken from
several cartons and areas of the suboor. It will take longer for the planks
in the middle of cartons or at the bottom of the carton stacks to acclimate
fully.
Wood or plywood sub-oors should not exceed 14%.
When installing wood planks that are 2-1/4”, the moisture
content between the wood ooring planks and the suboor
should not exceed 4%.
When installing wood ooring planks that are WIDER than
2-1/4”, the moisture content between the ooring planks and the
suboor should not exceed 2%.
Do NOT install the ooring planks until these moisture content levels are
achieved.
Utilize the chart on following page to record the environmental readings at
the time of installation. Retain this information with your records.
Solid Wood Flooring Installation
Please read all of these instructions completely before beginning installation.
04/23/20