per manufacturer specifications. Consider using half-inch spacers to maintain consistency.
● Follow the flooring manufacturer’s guidelines for best practices on securing (nailing or stapling) the engineered wood to the subfloor. Tighten using a mallet and wood tapping blocks.
● Install the baseboard and trim products last. FLOAT IT: THE OPTION WITH
MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY ● Install an appropriate underlayment according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
● Install your space blocks.
● Set your chalk line mark, apply the adhesive, and lay the first board in place.
● When installing a floating engineered hardwood floor, it can be tricky to snug up the tongue and groove joints. You can use 25l buckets of water to put pressure on the floor to keep the boards in place. Be careful not to spill any of the water as you don’t want to add any moisture to the flooring.
● As you install more rows, use blue painter’s tape to keep the joints tight.
● Use a hammer and block to gently tap the joints tight. Keep the first row straight and square with the room.
● Regularly wipe any excess adhesive with a damp, clean cloth so it doesn’t get a chance to dry.
● Continue with these installation steps as you move through the room.
● Install the baseboard and trim products last.
One critical “Do” for every installation option: Every few rows, step back and look at everything that’s been installed already: Are the rows straight and square? It is much easier to fix a couple of errant rows than an entire room.
ADDRESSING MOISTURE CONTROL It is vital to test the moisture levels of the subfloor and the engineered wood flooring products properly. Moisture impacts the engineered hardwood flooring regardless of whether the subfloor is wood or concrete. Excessive moisture permeating from floor slabs after installation can cause floor covering system failures such as debonding and deterioration of finish flooring and coating and microbial growth.
FOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY TESTING, USE THE PROPER DEPTH
FOR TESTING. The ASTM F2170 standard is quite clear on the depth of moisture testing of concrete slabs. The in situ method of testing provides relative humidity (RH) measurements at 40% of the slab’s depth,a position proven to more accurately portray the final RH levels of the slab if it were to be sealed at that point in time and the slab moisture allowed to fully equilibrate. In this way, in situ measurement provides a composite picture of overall slab moisture levels and provides the data necessary to make business decisions regarding flooring installations.
twitter.com/TContractFloors PROPER ACCLIMATISATION IS VITAL
TO MANAGING MOISTURE. Prior to installation, the engineered hardwood flooring needs to acclimatise according to manufacturer’s specifications. Engineered wood acclimatises by being allowed to breathe within a controlled environment. Proper acclimatisation helps to minimise moisture-related warping as well as expansion and contraction.
To set the conditions for proper acclimatisation, have the engineered wood flooring products stay onsite under serviceable conditions for up to five days after delivery.
ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK
YOUR WORK As Benjamin Franklin famously said: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Prevention of potential issues starts by answering the eight project pre-planning questions in detail. Then, review the appropriate installation checklist.
Finally, always consult the manufacturer’s specifications regarding moisture level tolerances of the engineered wood flooring products, as well as the subfloor. These specifications can provide you with guidelines to help ensure that you have long-term engineered hardwood flooring success. Manufacturers of engineered wood have a variety of installation protocols and suggestions for their products. Following their best practices provides the best roadmap for your flooring project.
www.wagnermeters.com FEATURE | 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
