allen roth LX56104006 Varying Length Smooth-Traditional Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation Guide

LX56104006 Varying Length Smooth-Traditional Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Installation Guide

CLICK FLOATING ENGINEERED FLOORING

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLATION.
Attention: Installer/Owner Responsibility
Inspect ALL materials carefully BEFORE installation. Wood is a natural product containing variations in color, tone and graining. Some variation in color is to be expected in a natural wood floor. Even though our product goes through many inspections before it leaves the plant, it is the customer and installer’s responsibility for final inspection prior to installation. The installer must be selective, and discard or cut off pieces with defects, whatever the source of the defect may be. The use of stain, filler, or putty to correct defects during installation is normal procedure. The flooring warranty DOES NOT cover materials with visible defects once they are installed. All claims must be made before installation. We are not responsible for shipping or installation costs. When ordering flooring, add 5%–10% to the actual square footage required to allow for cutting, waste and/or manufacturing defects.
Your engineered hardwood flooring  MUST  be installed in a controlled environment.  Store in a horizontal position in the room for 48 hours prior to installation. Preferable temperature should be approximately 65-75 degrees with a relative humidity of 35-55%. Humidity should never be allowed to drop below 30% as this may cause gapping. Diagram 1. If existing baseboard moldings are difficult to remove, they may be left in place. Quarter round molding is all that is needed to cover the expansion space between flooring and baseboard.

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES REQUIRED

Foam underlay, pressure sensitive polypropylene adhesive tape such as Tuck Tape or equivalent, spacers, saw, hammer, utility knife, pencil, tape measure, ruler. If installing over a crawlspace or on a concrete floor, you must also install a minimum 6mil polyethylene vapor retarder. Use of a 2n1 underlayment with an attached polyethylene film is acceptable substitute. Do not tape seams when installing 2n1 underlayment over a wood subfloor.
SUITABLE TYPES OF SUBFLOORS AND FLOOR PREPARATION
The underfloor or subfloor must be thoroughly even, dry, clean and solid. Carpet staples or glue residue must be removed and floor must be clean to ensure proper installation.
To check for evenness, hammer a nail into the center of the floor. Tie a string to the nail and push the knot against the floor. Pull the string tight to the farthest corner of the room and examine the floor at eye level for any gaps between the string and floor. Move the string around the perimeter of the room noting any gaps larger than 3/16″ (4.8 mm). Any floor unevenness of more than 3/16″ (4.8 mm) per 10′ (3 m) must be sanded down or filled in with an appropriate filler. Floors must be carefully checked for moisture problems. Any moisture problems need to be solved before installation. New concrete needs to cure for at least 60 days before installation.

• Test wood sub floors and wood flooring for moisture content using a pin-type moisture meter. Take readings of the subfloor – minimum of 20 readings per 1000 sq. ft. and average the results. In most regions, a “dry” subfloor that is ready to work on has a moisture content of 12% or less and the wood should be within 4% of the subfloor moisture content.
• The moisture content for concrete subfloors registered after a calcium chloride test should not be greater than 3 pounds per 1000 square feet of area. If it exceeds these limits, DO NOT install the flooring.

THIS PRODUCT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR DAMP ROOMS SUCH AS SAUNAS, AND ROOMS WITH DAMP CONCRETE, ROOMS WITH FLOOR DRAINS OR ROOMS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY FLOOD.
For wet areas such as bathrooms caulk the perimeter of the floor with a silicone caulk.

INSTALLATION OVER RADIANT HEAT

Your engineered hardwood can be laid over a radiant sub-floor heating system. Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the sub-floor heating system. Make sure to turn the heat system off for 2 to 3 days prior to laying the floor.
Once floor has been installed, turn the heating system on gradually. We recommend the temperature is set at low to medium heat output for 12 hours per day in the first week. In the second week, set the temperature to a medium heat setting for 24 hours per day.
For the third week, you can regulate the heat as you would normally. The maximum output from the heating cables must not exceed 60W/m² . When using area rugs or runners, the normal surface temperature of the wood may rise higher than recommended. The floor’s surface temperature must not exceed 28˚C (82˚F). Please note: we do not warrant against slight gaps that might develop between the floor panels when heating is active or due to changes in atmospheric conditions.
CAUTION: WOOD DUST
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified wood dust as a nasal carcinogen. The sawing, sanding, and/or machining of wood products can produce wood dust that can cause respiratory, eye, and skin irritations. Equipment should be equipped with a dust collector to reduce airborne wood dust. Wear an appropriate NIOSH designated dust mask to reduce exposure to airborne wood dust. Avoid contact with eyes and skin. In case of irritation, flush eyes or skin with water for at least 15 minutes. In cases of severe irritation; seek immediate medical attention. For further technical or installation questions or to request a Product Specification Data Sheet contact the manufacturer.
Attention California Installers & Consumers
WARNING
Installation of this product and wood product may create wood dust, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer.

BASIC INSTALLATION

• For installation on concrete floors or any floors over a crawl space a vapor retarder or 2in1 underlayment MUST be laid down first. For Concrete use 6 mil poly, run the poly 2″ (5 cm) up walls and overlap seams 18″ (45 cm). Tape seams when installing over concrete. Do not tape seams over any wood subfloor.
• All flooring installations require foam underlay. Run the foam underlay in the same direction as the panels. Underlay should be butted side by side with no overlap. Tape seams together, Or use a 2 n1 type underlayment as shown in Diagram 2.
• You will need to remove the tongue, on the long side of the panels that face the wall, from the appropriate amount of panels for your first row. This is to ensure that the decorative surface is well under the finished trim when installed. Use a utility knife to score through the tongue several times until it easily snaps off. Diagram 3.
• Start in a corner by placing the first panel with its trimmed side facing the wall. Use spacers along each wall to maintain an expansion space of 1/2″ (12 mm) between the wall and the flooring. Diagram 4.
• REMEMBER THAT THIS PRODUCT IS PRIMARILY WOOD AND NEEDS ROOM TO EXPAND AND CONTRACT. AT NO POINT SHOULD YOU ATTACH THE FLOOR TO ANY SURFACE. ALSO, FLOOR SHOULD NOT RUN FOR MORE THAN 26′ (8 METERS) IN WIDTH BY 40′ (12 METERS) IN LENGTH. FLOOR EXCEEDING THESE DIMENSIONS NEEDS TO BE SEPARATED IN AREAS SMALLER THAN 8 X 12 METERS USING T MOLDING. ROOMS SEPARATED BY AN OPENING OF 36″ (915 MM) OR LESS, SHOULD BE SEPARATED BY A T MOLDING AT THE DOOR OPENING.
• To attach your second panel, lower and lock the end tongue of the second panel into the end groove of the first panel. Make sure the end channels are free from debris to ensure a close, tight fit. Line up edges carefully. The panels should be flat to the floor. Diagram 5.
• Continue connecting the first row until you reach the last full panel. Fit the last panel by rotating the panel 180º with the pattern side upward, place beside row, mark and then saw off excess. Attach as described above. Diagram 6.

When using a handsaw cut on the decorative surface. If you are using a jig or circular saw, cut with the decorative side down to avoid chipping.

• Begin the next row with the off cut piece from the previous row to stagger the pattern. Pieces should be a minimum of 8″ (20 cm) long and joint offset should be at least 16″ (40 cm). Diagram 7.
• To start your second row, tilt and push the side tongue of the panel into the side groove of the very first panel at about 30º. When lowered, the plank will click into place. Diagram 8.
• Attach the second panel of the new row first on the long side. Tilt and push this panel as close as possible to the previous row at 30˚. Make sure edges are lined up. Lower panel to the floor, locking the end tongue into the end groove of the first panel.
• Continue laying remaining panels in this manner. Diagram 9.
• To fit the last row, lay a panel on top of the previous row. With the tongue to the wall, lay another panel upside down on the one to be measured and use it as a ruler. Don’t forget to allow room for spacers. Cut the panel and attach into position. Diagram 10.
• Door frames and heating vents also require expansion room. First cut the panel to the correct length. Then place the cut panel next to its actual position and use a ruler to measure the areas to be cut out and mark them. Cut out the marked points allowing the necessary expansion distance on each side. Diagram 11.
• You can trim door frames by turning a panel upside down and using a handsaw to cut away the necessary height so that panels slide easily under the frames. Diagram 12.

FINISHING MOLDING

• Reducer molding is used to finish flooring when the adjoining surface is lower than the flooring or when the flooring meets carpet. Position the U track 1.4″ (7 mm) between each edge of the flooring. Screw, nail or glue down the track directly to the subfloor and then insert the reducing strip into the track.
• T-molding is used to finish flooring when two level surfaces meet in doorways or for expansion joints. Install same as above. If your room is more than 26′ (8 m) wide you will need to allow for an expansion joint. Same requirement is applied when room is longer than 40′ (12 meters).
• Landing molding is used to finish flooring on landings or stair edges. Moldings need to be glued and screwed down to the subfloor for safety and stability. Color fill should be used to cover counter sunk screws.
• To finish the perimeter of the room install quarter round molding using finishing nails. Quarter round molding is nailed directly into the baseboard.

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

Our Engineered Hardwood Floors are very easily maintained. No wax, no mess. Simply use a floor cleaner recommended for hardwood flooring and a specialty terry cloth flooring mop available from flooring retailers.
Step 1: Sweep or vacuum your floor to remove any particles that could scratch your floor.
DO NOT use vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head as they can damage your wood floor.
Step 2: Apply the cleaner directly to the terry cloth flooring mop, not to the floor!
Step 3: Use a back and forth motion with the mop. When the terry cloth becomes soiled, simply replace it with a clean one. Cleaning the floor with a soiled cover could cause streaking. Many covers are re-usable so depending on the cover either throw away the cover or wash and dry it as you would any towel.

TIPS AND WARNINGS

• Vacuum or sweep regularly.
• Remove spills promptly using appropriate floor cleaner and a clean white cloth.
• Use felt protectors under heavy pieces of furniture and chairs.
• Use protective mats at all exterior entrances.
• Spiked heels or shoes in need of repair can severely damage your floor.
• Never wet or damp mop your wood floors. Water can cause damage to wood flooring.
• Never use oil soaps, wax, liquid or other household products to clean your floor.
• The sun’s UV rays can change the color of your floors.
• Keep animal nails trimmed.
• Protect your floor when using a dolly for moving furniture or appliances.
• Never slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across flooring
• Preferable temperature should be approximately 62-73 ˚F (17-23 ˚C) with a relative humidity of 35%-65%. Humidity should nebe allowed to drop below 30% as this may cause gapping.

For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.
Revision: 08202021

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>