2010-05 GB-EXP installation guide Woodloc® 2G Head Office: AB Gustaf Kähr | P.O. Box 805 | SE-382 28 Nybro, Sweden Phone: +46 481 460 00 | Fax: +46 481 178 31 E-mail: info@kahrs.se | www.kahrs.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 2 CONTENT INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR WOOD FLOORS PAGE 3 General General preparations INSTALLING KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS OVER UNDERFLOOR HEATING PAGE 4 Installation WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE INSTALLATION PAGE 5 Scheduling installation Storage Installing boards in patterns Fixtures and fittings Planning floor installation Movement joints in wood floors Uneven subfloors Choice of laying direction, max.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 3 INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR WOOD FLOORS General Wood is hygroscopic, ie, it is a “living” material. Depending on the ambient air humidity and temperature, the material either emits or absorbs moisture. This is associated with a change of volume (swelling or shrinkage). It is therefore important that there is an “expansion gap” or “movement joint” in between the floor and the wall and other fixed objects when a wood floor is installed floating.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 4 INSTALLING KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS OVER UNDERFLOOR HEATING Make sure that all the necessary tests on the underfloor heating system have been completed before floor installation begins. Installation The working temperature (materials, subfloor and room air) during installation must be at least 18°C. As with installation where there is no underfloor heating, the relative humidity (RH) of the air must be less than 60% before, during and after installation.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 5 WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE INSTALLATION Scheduling installation Wood floors must not be laid until all other work, e.g. painting, wallpapering and tiling, is completed. The site must have the correct RH. This avoids soiling and moisture damage to the floor. Installing floors is easier if architraves, etc., are fitted afterwards. Storage Wood flooring must be stored in an area where the RH is less than 60%. Do not open the packs of flooring until you are ready to install.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 6 Note that the dimensions of the skirting board must never determine the size of movement joints. With large floor areas, the skirting board must therefore be selected on the basis of the required size for the expansion joint and not vice versa. The accessories programme includes installation wedges that are easy to use to ensure a sufficient and accurate expansion gap.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 7 Uneven subfloors If small depressions in the subfloor are noticed during floating installation, they can be filled using felt paper (max. 3 layers with underfloor heating). However, do not use more than one layer of Cellofloor or similar because it is excessively soft. When gluing, never “fill” any unevenness with thick layers of glue. Choice of laying direction, max.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 8 WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN INSTALLING Temperature and humidity conditions The working temperature when laying should be at least 18°C. This applies both to the boards and to the room air. The relative humidity of the air must be less than 60% before, during and after installation. Opening packs The wood floor is supplied “furniture dry”. If packs are opened too early, the boards can absorb moisture and expand, which makes them difficult to fit together.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 9 Fitting skirting boards The skirting boards must not press down on the wood floor, as this may trap it. Skirting boards can be fixed to walls using nails, screws or adhesive. Best results are achieved if the joints are mitred. Skirting boards must be adapted to suit the size of the movement joint. Bowing We aim to manufacture boards that are slightly convex lengthwise to make the floor easy to lay.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 10 INSTALLATION AND FITTING INSTRUCTIONS Installation instructions for vapour barriers and intermediate layers 1. Plastic sheeting, 0.2 mm age-resistant polyethene sheeting, is used as a vapour barrier and must be laid with an overlap of at least 200 mm. It is supplied folded double. The plastic sheeting must be as close to the parquet as possible in the construction but beneath the intermediate layer.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 11 Using tools and accessories 1. A tapping block is used for installing boards with Woodloc® joints. Positioning the boards requires only light taps on their edges. Hold the tapping block lengthways against the edge of the board. Keeping one end in contact with the edge of the board, tap the board with the block. This applies the correct force, and the board is not damaged. 2. A laying wedge is used for Woodloc® installation.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 12 Installation instructions for Kährs wood floors with Woodloc® joints Floating installation on level and solid substrates Complete installation instructions are provided in every other pack Use Kährs installation tools. Preparation • If the installation requires a vapour barrier, do not forget it. • First, calculate how many floor boards are required. If the last row is less than 30 mm wide, cut the first row, too.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 13 9. The first row sometimes requires adjustment to suit a wall that is out of true. Draw the contours of the wall on the floor boards. Then free each board in the first row by gripping its long side and pulling upwards while tapping gently against the joint. Saw along the line. the saw cut should be made. Lay the cut board. Do the same with the next one. Fit the skirting boards. These must not press down on the floor and trap it.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 14 A few problems that are easy to solve. A. Always begin each row of boards from a doorway. This makes it easier to push the prepared board under the frame. With Woodloc®, the other boards in the row can be laid from either left or right. C. If you are unable to angle the board in at a door architrave, plane off 2/3 of the locking moulding. This allows you to tap the board into place. Apply adhesive to the underlip to avoid weakening the joint. B.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 15 Installation instructions for Kährs Activity Floor 30 mm; floating on level and solid substrates Complete installation instructions are provided in every other pack. Use Kährs installation tools. Preparation • If the installation requires a vapour barrier, do not forget it. • First, calculate how many floor boards are required. If the last row is less than 30 mm wide, cut the first row, too.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 16 11. Skirting boards must not be nailed to the floor or pressed down so that the floor is trapped. All connection rails must be fixed in the concrete so as not to prevent the wood floor’s natural movements. 12. If necessary, you can lay boards from any direction. If you cannot angle a board in under an architrave or low radiator, for example, proceed as follows: 12a. Cut away 2/3 of the locking edge. 12 b. Glue. Tap the board into position with a heel iron.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 17 Fixing instructions for wood floor accessories Mouldings and trims Used to cover movement joints, expansion joints, etc. Kährs has mouldings for the majority of wood species. You can find details of our wood mouldings and aluminium trims on www.kahrs.com. Note the requirement for movement joints between wood floor and level-, edge- and T-mouldings and Linnea surfacemounted nosings. • Level mouldings are used for transitions to a lower level.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 18 Fixing instructions for Kährs nosings A nosing in a different species is an effective way of indicating where stairs begin and end. Option B: When installing a floor from the stairs to the wall. Screws are used for both options. Option A: When installing a floor from the wall to the stairs. OPTION A A1 A2 19 mm 19 mm A3 A4 1 1 19 mm 10 mm OPTION B 1. B1 2. 2 mm 3.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 19 Nosings for Woodloc® If nosing with Woodloc® is to be used, plan the installation so that the final board joint is in line with the edge of the top step to allow the nosing to be hooked into place. Adjust the position to create a movement joint. Glue the nosing where it adjoins the flat underlip. If this installation method is not possible, use nosings for traditional joints. Nosings for traditional joints Used when a Woodloc® nosing is not suitable.
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR KÄHRS WOOD FLOORS 20 Instructions for supplementary products 1. Pipe collars are used to conceal movement joints at radiator pipes. The halves of the pipe collars are glued together around the pipe (see illustration). Size Ø 50 mm for 18 mm pipe. 2. Pipe roses are used to conceal movement joints round radiator pipes, etc. Measure where the hole should be and drill a hole for the pipe using a bit only slightly bigger than the pipe.
