Learn More - Installation Guide
Step 1: Sub floor Preparation
Sweep sub floors clean. Before beginning actual installation, provide proper layout of flooring by distributing short and long lengths equally over area to be floored (planks should be laid at right angles to floor joints) and established the desired pattern by distributing the face widths. Be certain to use an equal number of rows for each width. Avoid clustering end joints.
Step 2: Laying out your working lines
Align the first row of planks to be sure you have a good straight line from one side of the room to the other (you may even want to snap a chalk line at the desired distance from the wall to help align the planks).
IMPORTANT: Leave at least 3/4" for expansion at all vertical surfaces; this space will be covered by baseboard and shoe mouldings.
Step 3: Border/First Row
Install the first piece in the first row in the following sequence:
a. From the starting plank cut in Step 1, select the piece with the end tongue. Place it with the side groove and cut end to the walls, allow 3/4" expansion space. b. Drive 7D or 8D cut steel type flooring nails into the face of the board every 12" approximately 1/2 - 3/4" from the edge closest to the starting point wall and within 2" - 3" from the ends in the darker grain of the wood. c. Edge nail the plank by driving the same nails 45 angle through the tongue of the plank, spacing the nails every 10" - 12" and within 2" - 3" from the ends. This process should be repeated for each piece in the entire first row. Upon completion of the first row, go back and sink the face nails with a nail punch. If it appears that the holes will not to be covered by the baseboard mouldings, fill the holes with filler which blends with your floor.Step 4: Second Row
Begin installing the second row by repeating the edge nailing as described in Step 3. (Do not face nails as in the first row)
Note: Typically the first few rows must be edge nailed by hand rather than a nailing machine due to vertical wall obstruction. When clearance allows, an edge nailing machine, which drives 2" fasteners with an appropriate mallet, can be used to simplify and speed the nailing process.
Step 5: Laying the planks
Note: Floor should be installed using several boxes at the same time to insure a good color and shade mixture. Install each succeeding row of planks by edge nailing the tongue side every 10" - 12" to within 2" - 3" from board ends. Be attentive to the desired sequence of widths and staggering the ends of the boards at least 6" in adjacent rows. Upon reaching the last row to be installed, the planks should be ripped to allow a 3/4" expansion space. The last row must be fastened by face nailing approximately 1/2" - 3/4" from the back edge of the board every 12". The same process of countersinking the face nails and applying filler should be repeated. Replace baseboard mouldings and other finish pieces as necessary.
