(continued)
8/30/04
88
(800) 525-BR111(2711)
•
Fax (800) 577-2711
•
www.br111.com
55
55
//
//
11
11
66
66
""
""
EE
EE
NN
NN
GG
GG
II
II
NN
NN
EE
EE
EE
EE
RR
RR
EE
EE
DD
DD
II
II
NN
NN
SS
SS
TT
TT
AA
AA
LL
LL
LL
LL
AA
AA
TT
TT
II
II
OO
OO
NN
NN
II
II
NN
NN
SS
SS
TT
TT
RR
RR
UU
UU
CC
CC
TT
TT
II
II
OO
OO
NN
NN
SS
SS
Engineered
STEP 8: INSTALLING THE FLOOR
Helpful Tips
■
Remove flooring from several different cartons to maximize color and shade mixture.
■
Stagger the ends of boards at least 6" in adjacent rows. For floating application, use 4 foot, 3 foot, 2 foot, and 1 foot
stagger pattern as specified in the “Floating Installation” section listed below.
■
Installation parallel to the longest wall provides the best visual effect.
Doorway and Wall Preparation
Undercut or notch-out door casings 1/16" higher than the thickness of the flooring being installed to avoid difficult scribe
cuts during installation. Also remove existing base and shoe molding as well as doorway thresholds; each can be replaced
after installation is complete.
INSTALLING THE FLOOR: Glue-Down Installation
An exterior wall is usually the straightest and best reference line to start the installation. Direction of finished flooring should
be at right angles to the floor joists whenever possible. Establish a starting point by leaving a minimum 5/16" expansion gap
around all vertical obstructions. Measure this distance from the starting wall (in at least two places) close to the starting wall’s
opposite corners. Mark these points and snap a working chalk line parallel to the starting wall allowing the required
expansion space between the starting wall and the edge of the first row of flooring. To maintain the expansion gap
throughout the installation, cut several boards into small pieces to use as spacers between hardwood flooring board and
wall or other object.
Apply recommended urethane adhesive with a 1/4" x 1/8" x 1/4" square-notch trowel if using StrateStuff Urethane Adhesive
(if other adhesive, use suggested trowel as recommended by the adhesive manufacturer). Follow manufacturer’s
recommendations for the application of the adhesive. DO NOT USE A WATER-BASED ADHESIVE WITH THIS HARDWOOD
FLOORING PRODUCT.
Boards should be installed left to right with the edge of the groove lined up against the chalk line, side-tongue facing out to the
left. Whenever possible, the tongue along with width and length of the board should be facing out so that the tapping block or
pull tool always uses the tongue of the flooring. If the groove is facing out and a tapping block or pull tool is used, the edge of
the board may be damaged.
Firmly seat the first row in the adhesive, as additional rows will be pushed back to this original row. When installing boards,
avoid sliding materials through adhesive when placing them
in position. Engage the end joint first, as close as possible to
side tongue-and-groove, and fit boards together. Check for
a tight fit between all edges and ends of each board.
Occasionally lift a board to check for adequate adhesive
transfer. Stagger the ends of boards at least 6" in adjacent
rows creating a stair-step pattern (see figure 1).
3-M Blue Tape should be used to hold planks tightly
together and reduce minor shifting of floors during
installation. Remove all adhesive from the surface of the
flooring with urethane adhesive remover or mineral spirits as
Figure 1.
Spacers
