Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsMalibu Wide Plank ManualsFlooringFrench Oak Pelican Hill 3/4 in. Thick x 5 in. Wide x Varying Length Solid Hardwood Flooring (22.60 sq. ft./case)

INSTALLER / OWNER RESPONSIBILITY—VERY IMPORTANT

INSTALLATION CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE of flooring material,

subfloor/substrate, the jobsite itself including the ambient temperature and relative

humidity at the time of installation, moisture content of the subflooring and flooring,

and all impacting variables that may affect a wood floor. It is the responsibility of both

the installer and owner to inspect and approve each piece of flooring prior to

installation. IF THE FLOORING AS SUPPLIED WILL NOT SATISFY THE

CUSTOMER IN FULL, DO NOT PROCEED TO INSTALL. The decision not to

proceed must be made within the first 10% or 100 square feet of flooring opened,

whichever is less. Industry standards allow a variance from grading and manufacturing

tolerances of 5%.

Note to Installers: Protect your business. Your hard work testing moisture conditions is

lost if you can’t prove it on request. It is now recommended you photograph moisture

readings from two meters, including noting the location, date, and initials on the

subfloor in permanent marker. This is a permanent record of your work that can protect

you if you are ever challenged to prove you did your job completely and correctly.

Many important decisions must be made at the installation site, and therefore must be

the sole responsibility of the installer/owner. These include but are not limited to proper

storage and handling, complete evaluation of site conditions including moisture testing

of the subfloor and flooring, acclimation of flooring to appropriate conditions, subfloor

preparation, flooring layout, milling, grade, color and gloss, scraping, proper

installation methods, sufficient quantity on hand to complete the job, and jobsite

cleanup. For best results, we suggest using a National Wood Flooring Association

Certified Professional to install your floor. A list of active NWFA Certified Professionals

in your area can be found online at www.nwfacp.org

Site Conditions, Handling, and Storage (NWFA Installation Guidelines, Sec. I):

Solid hardwood flooring may be installed above or on grade, not below grade.

Hardwood flooring should be installed after all other construction that may affect them

is completed. Concrete, drywall, plumbing and any other “wet work” should be

thoroughly cured. Factory finished flooring is finished woodwork, handle carefully to

avoid damage.

Summary of content (5 pages)

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INSTALLER / OWNER RESPONSIBILITY—VERY IMPORTANT INSTALLATION CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE of flooring material, subfloor/substrate, the jobsite itself including the ambient temperature and relative humidity at the time of installation, moisture content of the subflooring and flooring, and all impacting variables that may affect a wood floor. It is the responsibility of both the installer and owner to inspect and approve each piece of flooring prior to installation.
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SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORING IS NOT APPROVED FOR INSTALLATION OVER RADIANT OR IN-FLOOR HEATING SYSTEMS Keep flooring dry, flat, and maintain good air circulation in storage. RECORD SUBFLOOR AND FLOORING MOISTURE CONTENT UPON DELIVERY AND AT TIME OF INSTALLATION AND RETAIN THESE RECORDS. Acclimate Solid Hardwood Flooring to controlled site conditions; refer to NWFA Installation Guidelines, Sec. I, Ch. 2 for detailed information.
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moisture content, and the subfloor should be within 4% of flooring m.c. (2% on 3-1/4” or wider flooring). In no case should any wood moisture reading exceed 12%. Concrete: (refer to NWFA Installation Guidelines, Sec.II, Ch. 5 & 6) Somerset solid hardwood flooring may be installed over concrete subfloors when using a plywood over concrete system; refer to NWFA for details on alternate installation methods. NWFA Installation Guidelines, Section I, Ch. 3, Part 3 should be consulted carefully.
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Fastening Use caution to avoid edge and face damage during installation. Special footer plates are available for flooring tools to protect factory finished flooring faces and edges. Use backer boards of 1/2” plywood ripped to an appropriate width to establish straight lines. Backer boards should be secured to the subfloor and carefully aligned with starter lines.
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Finishing Touches: Use standard molding profiles factory finished to blend with your hardwood floor. These moldings will address most trim and transition situations quickly and effectively and should be ordered with the flooring to avoid needless delays in flooring completion. Fill any nail holes or small cracks with the proper filler for factory finished flooring.