BR-111 BR-111TM Manual

Open as PDF

next previous

(continued)

8/30/04

(800) 525-BR111(2711)

•

Fax (800) 577-2711

•

www.br111.com

you go. Adhesive is very difficult to remove from prefinished hardwood floors if allowed to dry and may damage finish on

flooring. All adhesive must be removed from flooring surfaces prior to applying 3-M Blue Tape. Remove 3-M Blue Tape

within 24 hours.

Allow a 5/16" minimum expansion gap around all vertical obstructions. Wood expands and contracts with changes in

humidity. Wood will buckle and/or cup if an adequate expansion space is not provided. Always allow for expansion when

making end or side cuts around vertical objects.

Continue across the room until finished; remember to provide adequate spacing for expansion gap. Once completed install

molding and trim. Thoroughly clean, sweep, and vacuum installed floor before further use. If floor is to be covered, use a

breathable material such as cardboard or rosin paper. Do not cover with plastic.

INSTALLING THE FLOOR: Floating Installation

Install a moisture barrier (StrateStuff Safeguard is recommended; 8 mil polyethylene film minimum) over entire sub-floor

surface. If using StrateStuff Safeguard, carefully apply following the manufacturer’s instructions on label. If using

polyethylene film, overlap sheets 18 inches and tape together creating airtight seal. After moisture barrier is installed and set,

install 1/8" foam padding by rolling out one roll at a time over vapor barrier. Be careful not to poke holes or otherwise

damage material during installation. Run padding up walls 1" to 1.5" and secure in place with tape. Join padding sections

with tape strip and tape down any additional loose edges.

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 line 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.

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.

For the best performance of your floating floor, use a 4 foot, 3 foot, 2 foot, 1 foot stair-step pattern style installation (see figure

1). By using this installation style, you will have a minimum of 12 inches between end-joints. Dry fit first row using stair-step

pattern by starting with a 4 foot piece and continue row with additional 4 foot pieces. Cut last plank of every row to fit,

remembering to allow for expansion gap. Dry fit second row by starting with a 3 foot piece and then continue row with

additional 4 foot pieces. Dry fit third row by starting with a 2 foot piece and then continue row with additional 4 foot pieces.

Dry fit fourth row by starting with a 1 foot piece and then continue row with additional 4 foot pieces.

Install first two rows by applying a thin bead of glue in the groove on the side and end of each board (see figure 2). Press

each board firmly together and lightly use a tapping block if necessary. Clean excess glue from between boards with a

damp cloth or mineral spirits. Tape each board together at side and end seams using 3-M Blue Tape. Allow glue to set

before continuing installation of subsequent rows.

After fourth row, start fifth row using a 4 foot piece and then repeat stair-step pattern throughout the rest of the installation.

Always remember to allow for the expansion gap and clean excess glue from between boards. Often the last row will not

end with a full plank. When this happens, place a full row of planks on top of the last row installed. Insert a 5/16" spacer

Engineered