National Flooring Distributors Engineered Timber Floating Direct Stick Installation Guide

NATIONAL FLOORING DISTRIBUTORS

Installation Guide

ENGINEERED TIMBER FLOATING/DIRECT STICK

Excessive moisture/humidity can cause or contribute to a wide range of problems with timber floors. It is essential the sub floor is totally dry (80% or less relative humidity) and the moisture barrier and underlay are correctly installed and completely taped and the environment is controlled before, during and after installation as set out above.

General

1. Inspect product in good lighting conditions to ensure it is correct (colour, quality and quantity) as ordered. Open boxes cannot be returned. NFD timber flooring is for interior use only.
2. Ensure conditions of product and site are in balance before, during and after installation. The product and any adhesives being used must be acclimatised in the installation area for at least 24-48 hours in unopened packs at temperature between 18-27°C and a relative humidity between 35-65%. This temperature and humidity range is to be maintained before, during and after installation. Packs should not be opened until the day of installation to avoid moisture pickup. The product must also be protected from direct sunlight both during and after installation. These are the most important steps to a good installation and a great performing floor and failure to maintain an appropriate controlled environment may void warranty.
3. Check each board for visual defects and locking system integrity in optimal lighting before and during installation. Clean any debris out of locks before installation. As wood is a natural product, some locks will need adhesive applied if not performing correctly.
4. Always use boards from several packs and inspect each board to get the best balanced visual installation. Never install defective product. Installation is recognised as acceptance of all visual defects.
5. When cutting boards during installation, cut décor face up with a hand saw and/or cut décor face down with a power saw. If cutting boards using any type of saw, dust extraction and/or respiratory protection must be used.
6. Record temperature and relative humidity readings at regular periods for the 48 hours before installation, during installation, and for 7 days after installation. In new buildings, the area in which the floor is to be installed must be sealed and the climate control in operation. Results should be recorded and retained for the period of any warranty applicable to the floor.
7. Minimum width of boards for first and last rows is 40mm ­ plan ahead when fitting the first row.
8. End stagger of joins in rows should be minimum 300mm.
9. Ensure that the first 3-4 rows are checked for straightness using a string line. Continue to check for straightness at all stages of the installation. Excessive moisture/humidity can cause or contribute to a wide range of problems with timber floors. It is essential the sub floor is totally dry (75% or less relative humidity) and the moisture barrier and underlay are correctly installed and completely taped and the environment is controlled before, during and after installation as set out above.

Floating Installation

1. Subfloor must be solid, level (3mm over 2000mm), dry (80% or less relative humidity) and clean. Any concrete subfloors must comply with Australian Standards. Moisture and surface PH tests should be undertaken prior to installation and results recorded and retained for the period of any warranty applicable to the floor. Do not install over existing floor coverings as any such installation may void warranty.
2. Use 200Um builder’s plastic as a moisture barrier ensuring joins are overlapped 300mm and completely taped with moisture resistant tape. Install a 2mm foam underlay over the builders plastic and run both at least 100mm up the vertical surfaces and trim back after installation. A 2-in-1 system can be used. Vapour barrier underlayment is also acceptable.
3. Minimum expansion gaps to be provided at all fixed vertical surfaces (including around cabinetry, island benches and all fixed furniture) ­ minimum 10mm and 15mm in high humidity zones (>55 RH).
4. Internal expansion breaks to be provided at doorways, thresholds and open areas exceeding 12m (length) x 8m (width).
5. Skirting boards or NFD scotia and/or end caps will be needed to cover the perimeter expansion gap. Alternately, the skirting boards can be undercut. Fixings should be to the wall only, never directly to the floor and should not be installed tight to the floor (so to allow the floor to move freely).
6. Do not use silicone or caulking compound as it will restrict movement and not allow the floor to expand and contract.

Direct Stick Installation

1. Substrate materials such as structural Plywood and P/Board should be flat, free of moisture ingress and secure. Concrete Slab substrates must be Dry approx. 2.5 – 4.5% prior to installation. Substrate flatness is critical; sub-floor should not exceed 3mm over a 3m radius in all directions. For concrete slabs, any hollows or humps need to be assessed and rectified prior to installation. Please follow manufacturer’s guidelines for leveling compound application and drying times. All edges and surfaces should be lightly sanded to ensure flatness, particularly at the joins. Surface area should be sanded to remove any foreign substances such as waxes or paint etc. This will aid the adhesion process.
2. An optimum install requires full trowel adhesive using a minimum 4 mm notched trowel. A recognised Wood flooring adhesive such as Mapei, Sika, Bostik or similar system is recommended. The planks should be weighted to assist with high bond outcomes. For other adhesive options please consult the ATFA guidelines to check if an alternate method is suitable for your application.
3. To optimise structural and visual performance, First and last plank length should not be less than 300 mm. Short end joins on parallel planks should be at least 300 mm lengthways in distance from the adjoining plank. Installer will need to carefully plan the layout of plank lengths and visual aspects / knots etc. prior to final fix. This will assist in providing a balanced blend of grade, colour and joint alignment. Regularly review install alignment throughout the entire installation. For optimum visual impact, planks should run lengthways in the direction of the longest wall area.
4. On Plywood and P/Board, Secret Nail at 200-300mm intervals to improve alignment, stability and adhesion in difficult areas.
5. Perimeter expansion will vary from site to site. Installer will need to assess opportunities to maximize the natural movement of the floor for expansion and contraction especially around door thresholds, service ducts and heating pipes etc.
6. Incidental scratching, chipping and indentations from external sources are site related and therefore will not be covered by warranty provisions. Please cover flooring with adequate protection if construction or painting is still occurring at the site. The finished floor should be protected from intense direct sunlight. Screens or Blinds should be used to inhibit direct sun. Rugs and mats should not be introduced until the floor has acclimatised in its environment; this may take approx. 8 weeks.
7. As with all natural flooring products, NO wet mopping or steam mops should be used to clean the floor before or after installation. Static or toweling mops should be used for all natural floor surfaces to clean and for accidental spills. Refer Picture 3.
8. Please make sure that masking or similar adhesive tapes are not placed on the surface coating of your pre-finished floor as they may lift or damage the surface coating when removed.

Please note:

1. Do not install timber flooring outdoors, wet rooms with floor wastes, hair dressing salons or other high moisture or humid areas or anywhere elevated moisture levels can be expected.
2. Ensure expansion gaps allow for movement, and furniture items exceeding 200kg are not placed on floating floors. It is not recommended to nail or screw the product to the subfloor.
3. Insufficient expansion gaps, including in doorways and under trims, will cause a floor to potentially buckle, peak, cup, and/or separate, leading in most cases to floor failure.
4. NFD timber flooring should never be installed over any electrical radiant heating system the speed of sudden temperature changes having the potential to negatively affect the floor. NFD timber flooring may, if properly installed, be installed over hydronic underfloor radiant heating systems. Please contact NFD for detailed installation instructions.
5. Do not install on substrates outside of the flooring standards and installation instructions. Uneven subfloors can cause the locking system to break and/or the floor to sound drummy, or become noisy, and will cause early deterioration and/or failure of the floor.
6. Care and Maintenance Instructions must be followed to maintain the product warranty. Please ensure these instructions are left with the occupier.

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