cfs solid hardwood flooring installation guidelines please ... · 360-13 cfs solid hardwood...

360-13 CFSSolidHardwoodFlooringInstallationInstructions 1

CFSSOLIDHARDWOODFLOORING

INSTALLATIONGUIDELINESPleaseInspectallFlooringpriortoInstallation

CarefullyconfirmthattheColor,Finish,StylingandQualityFullymeettheowner’sexpectations.IfyoudeterminetheproductdoesnotmeetexpectationsDONOTINSTALLandimmediatelycontactyourPlaceofPurchase.CFSwillnotassumeanyresponsibility,includingcostsforremovalorreplacement,forflooringthathasbeeninstalledthatdoesnotmeettheowner’sexpectationsforanyreason.CFSSOLIDHARDWOODFLOORINGisINTENDEDTOBEINSTALLEDwithapprovedfullspreadwoodflooringadhesiveandNWFAapprovedSolidwoodflooringstaplersandnailers.InstallationsoverRadiantHeatedSubFloorsarenotapprovedbyCFS.LightCommercialapplicationsmustbepre-approvedandagreedtoinwritingbyCFSonlyafteraninvestigationofsiteconditionsandlimitationsbymanufacturer’sengineerstodetermineifitispossibletoinstalltheflooringatthespecificsiteusingthesemethods.ContactyourretailerforadditionalinformationregardingtheapprovalofLightCommercialjobs.PLEASEREADANDREVIEWTHEENTIREINSTALLATIONINSTRUCTIONSBEFOREPROCEEDINGWITHTHEACTUALINSTALLATIONOWNER/INSTALLERRESPONSIBILITYHardwoodflooringisabeautifulanduniqueproductofnature,andcharacterizedbydistinctivevariationsingrainandcolor.Thesenaturalvariationsincolorandgrain,(includingfilledknots,mineralstreaksandscrapes),arenotflaws,butareapartofthestyling,naturalbeauty,anduniquenessofhardwoodflooring.Theseinherentvariationsshouldbeexpectedandservetoenhancethenaturalbeauty,styling,andaestheticsoftheflooring.Thevariationsmaybeofamanufacturingornaturaltype.Notwohardwoodfloorsarecompletelyalike.CFSSolidHardwoodFloorsaremanufacturedinaccordancewiththeacceptedindustrystandardswhichallowadefecttolerance,(naturalormanufacturing),of5%ofthetotalCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringpurchaseperjob.CFSwillwarrant95%ofthetotalCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringpurchaseperjob.Theremaining5%maybeusedattheowner’sdiscretion,butissubjecttotheindustrystandard5%defectallowance.Allflooringconsidereddefective(outsideofthatlistedintheWarrantyExclusionsontheCFSSolidHardwoodFloorWarrantiesandFloorCareGuide),afterproperinspectionbytheinstallerorhomeowner,shouldbeculled,ortrimmedoutpriortoinstallationandmustnotbeinstalled.Ifanindividualpieceisdoubtfulastograde,color,orfinish,theinstallershouldnotinstallthatpiece.CFSWarrantiesDONOTcovermaterialsthatareinstalledwithvisibledefects.Ifmaterialinexcessof5%ofthetotaljobamountisfoundtobeunacceptable,contacttheplaceofpurchaseforyourCFSSolidHardwoodFloorimmediately.Itshouldberealizedthatwoodisanaturalproductthatcontainscolorvariations,grainandcharacteristics,whicharenormalforallwoodflooringproducts.Colorchangesmayalsooccurwhenhardwoodflooringisexposedtolightsources.Theinstallerandhomeownermustassumeallresponsibilityforfullinspectionofproductpriortotheinstallation.Openandselectplanksfrom3or4cartonsinordertoblendcolorandgraincharacteristics,andtoallowforstaggeringofendjointsaminimumof7to10inches,carefullyexaminingtheflooringforcolor,finish,texture,andqualitybeforeinstallingit.Usereasonableselectivity,andusetouch-upmarkersandputtysticks,aswellascullingorcuttingoutpieceswithvisibledefects.Beforebeginningtheinstallationofanyhardwoodflooringproduct,theinstallermustdeterminethattheenvironmentofthejobsite,andtheconditionandtypeofthesubfloorinvolvedisacceptable,ensuringthatitmeetsorexceedsallrequirementsspecifiedintheCFSSolidHardwoodFloorinstallationRECOMMENDEDSUB·FLOORTYPESandPRE-INSTALLATIONJOBSITEINSPECTIONsectionsbelow.Hardwoodflooringisaproductofnatureandissusceptibletodamagewhenexposedtoextremechangesintemperatureorrelativehumidity.Ifenvironmentalconditionsandinstallationinstructionslistedbelowarenotcorrectlyfollowed,CFSSolidHardwoodFloorsmaysufferirreversibledamage.CFSdoesnotacceptanyresponsibilityforflooringfailureresultingfromorassociatedwithinappropriateorimproperlypreparedsubfloorsorimproperjobsiteenvironmentalconditions.Theuseofstain,woodtouchuppens,fillerorputtysticksforthecorrectionofdefectsaswellascleaningofadhesivesandresidueduringinstallationshouldbeacceptedasnormalprocedure.When


orderingHardwoodFlooring,awastefactorbetween5-10%,dependingonlayout,mustbeaddedtotheactualnumberofsquarefeetneeded.(DiagonalInstallationsmayrequiremore.)

AdditionalInstallationNotes:

• RefertotheCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringWarrantyandFloorCaredocumentforinformationonwarrantycoverageandexclusions.

• NOTE–CFS'WarrantyforSolidHardwoodFlooringdoesnotwarrantinstallationoverradiantheatsystems.

TOOLSAND/ORACCESSORIESNEEDED:Warning:CFSisnotresponsiblefordamagecausedbyusernegligencerelatedtoinstallationpracticesormisuseofinstallationandfasteningtools.

Broom Hammer/RubberMallet

Pencil-ChalkLineandChalk PryBar

TapeMeasure HardwoodFlooringCleaner

MoistureMeter(s) Trowel(ifgluedown)1/4"X1/4"VNotch

SafetyEquipment(GogglesandMask) CircularorHandSaw;MiterorTableSaw

PneumaticBrad-Nailerwith1-1/2”bradsORDrillBit6d-8dScrewShankNails

1/2”Crown16gaugeHardwoodFlooringStaplerdesignedspecificallyforprefinishedsolidflooringwith2”staples

HardwoodFlooringCleatNailerusing2”hardwoodflooringcleatsdesignedforprefinishedsolidhardwoodflooring.

RecommendedInstallationProductsFlooringFasteners(StaplersandNailers):AllEquipmentandfastenersmustbeNWFAapprovedforinstallationsofSOLIDHARDWOODFLOORINGCFSrequirestheuseofNWFAapprovedStaplerswith15-16Gauge1/2"crownwith2"LegsorNWFAapprovedNailerswith2"NailsorCleatstoproperlyfastentheCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringwithmechanicalfasteners.Moststapleshave2legsthataretreatedwiththermaladhesivesthatheattheadhesivewhentheyareforcedquicklyintothefloorandsubstrateandbondaggressivelytothesubstrate.Theyalsohavedivergentpointsthatcauseaslightcurlattheendofthestapleleg,makingthemmuchmoredifficulttoloosenorremove.Itisbesttousebrandedstaplersornailersfromawell-knownmanufacturersuchasStanley-BostichorPowernail.TheBostichMIIIPneumaticStaplerwith16gaugestaplesandthePowernailPneumaticNailerwith2"PowerCleatsbothhaveadjustableFootAdaptorsandarepopularandreliable.

NWFAapprovedNailersandnailsdesignedforinstallingSolidFlooringmaybeusedbyqualifiedflooringprofessionalsatyourrisk.Donotuse16gaugeorlargerstaplestoinstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooring.DonotusestaplersornailersspecificallydesignedforEngineeredHardwoodFlooringtoinstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooring.CFSdoesnotwarrantflooringandacceptsnoliabilitywhenfastenersthataremisused,ornotdesignedforSolidFlooring,areusedtoinstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooring.

STEP1:Pre-InstallationJobsiteInspection

WheninstallingSolidflooringinnewconstructionsites,CFSSolidHardwoodFlooringshouldbeoneofthelastitemsinstalled.Flooringshouldnotbedelivereduntilthepre-installationguidelineslistedbelowarecompleted.Afteralltheguidelinesaremet,theflooringshouldacclimateatthejobsiteatleast48hourspriortoinstallationoruntiltheflooringreachesthefinalroomtemperatureandmoisturecontentasrecommendedbytheNWFA.Donotopencartonsuntilthecolor,qualityandstyleoftheflooringhasbeeninspectedandapprovedbythepurchaser.SolidHardwoodCartonsmaybeunsealedandleftintheopenedcartonstoacclimateafterthematerialhasbeenapprovedbythepurchaserasreadytoinstall.Priortoinstallation,thebuildingmustbestructurallycompleteandenclosed.Allexteriorwindowsanddoorsmustbeinstalled.Any“wet”workinsidethehouse(masonry,drywall,andpaint)mustalsobecomplete–allowingadequatedryingtimetoeliminateunnecessarymoisturecontentwithinthebuilding.PermanentHVAC(heating/airconditioning)systemsmustbeoperatingforatleast14daysbeforeinstallation,maintainingaconstantroomtemperaturebetween60-78ºFandarelativehumidityof35%-55%.Exteriordrainage–includingguttersanddownspouts,mustbeinplaceanddrainawayfromthebuilding.CFSSolidHardwoodFloorscanbeinstalledonallNWFA


approvedsuspendedwoodsubfloors,althoughtheyarenotrecommendedforfullbathroominstallations.Basementsandcrawlspacesmustbedry.Crawlspacesmustbeaminimumof18”fromthegroundtotheundersideofthejoistswithcrossventilationequalto1.5squarefeetofventopeningsper1000squarefeetoftheflooringarea.Avaporinhibitor(6-8milblackpolyethylenefilm)mustbeputincrawlspaceswithjointsoverlappedandtaped.Sub-floorsmustbecheckedformoisturecontentusingtheappropriatemeteringdeviceforwoodsubstrates.

PerformingMoistureTests:WOODSUBSTRATES:Testthemoistureofthewoodsub-floorusingacalibratedmoisturemeterapprovedfortestingwoodmoistureaccordingtothemetermanufacturer.Thereadingshouldnotexceed12%,orreadmorethan5%differentthanthemoisturecontentoftheproductbeinginstalled.

STEP2:StoringtheMaterialPriortoInstallationOncethebuildingmeetstheconditionsinStep1,thematerialcanbedeliveredtothesite.Handleandunloadtheflooringwithcareandstorewithintheareainwhichitisexpectedtoperform.Flooringstoredonconcretefloorsshouldbeelevatedatleastfourinchestoallowcirculationunderthecartons.Cartonsmustbestoredhorizontally(paralleltotheground).Neverstorethemstandingonend.Stackthecartons3-4hightoinsureefficientacclimation.Donotstoredirectlyuponongradeconcreteornexttooutsidewalls.Cartonsshouldbeplacedasclosetothecenteroftheinstallationareaaspossible,awayfromexteriorwalls,windows,anddoors.Keepoutofdirectsunlightandawayfromairvents.CFSSolidHardwoodflooringmustacclimateforaminimumof48hourspriortoinstallation.Extraprecautionsrequiringadditionalacclimationmaybenecessaryduringextremeweatherconditions.

STEP3:ApprovedSubfloorTypesRadiantHeatSubfloorsareNotApprovedByCFSandinstallationsofCFSSolidHardwoodFloorsarenotwarrantedoverRadiantHeatedSubstrates.

Itisthesoleresponsibilityofthepurchasertodeterminethatallsubfloortypesmeettherequiredspecifications.

WoodPanelSubfloors

(Truss/joistspacingwilldeterminetheminimumacceptablethickness.

• Ontruss/joistspacingof16”oncenterorless,useaminimum5/8”CDXorbettergradeplywoodpanelor23/32”APAE1PS2ratedNWFAapprovedOSBpanel.

• Ontruss/joistspacingofmorethan16”upto19.2”oncenter,useaminimum3/4”TongueandGrooveCDXorbettergradeplywoodpanel,gluedandmechanicallyfastened,oraminimum¾”APAE1PS2ratedNWFAapprovedOSBpanel,gluedandmechanicallyfastened.

• Truss/joistsystemsspacedovermorethan19.2”uptoamaximumof24”oncenterrequireaminimum7/8”TongueandGrooveCDXorbettergradeplywoodpanel,gluedandmechanicallyfastened,oraminimum7/8”APAE1PS2ratedNWFAapprovedOSBpanelgluedandmechanicallyfastened.

• WARNING:DonotusestaplesorgluemethodtoinstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringdirectlyoverparticle-boardorunapprovedOSB

STEP4:PreparingtheSub-floorForwoodpanelsubfloors:

• Ensurethatthereisproperexpansionspace(1/8”)betweenthepanels.Ifthepanelsarenottongueandgrooved,andifthereisnotsufficientexpansionspace,useacircularsawtocreatethenecessaryspace.DonotsawthroughtongueandgroovejointsonT&Gsubfloors.

• Ensuretheyarestructurallysound:Replaceanywater-damaged,swollenordelaminatedsub-flooringorunderlaymentthatisunabletoproperlyholdfasteners.Whenpossible,plywoodsheetsshouldbelaidwithgrainedouterpliesatrightanglestojoists;adjacentrowsstaggeredfourfeetandnailedevery6"alongeachjoistwith7dorlargernails.Leavea1/8"gapattheedgesandnailwith7dorlargernailsevery6"attheedgesandevery12"inbothdirectionsandthroughtheinteriorofeachsheetofplywood.Itisnormalformechanically(staple/nail/cleat)fastenedfloorstomakeminoroccasionalnoisessuchaspopping,squeaking,orcracklingwhichcanchangeasenvironmentalchangesoccur.NoisefromsubfloorsisnotconsideredamanufacturingrelatedissueandisnotwarrantedbyCFS.Youcanhelpreducepopping,squeaking,orcracklingbybeingsurethatthesubfloorissecuredproperly(asexplainedabove)andisstructurallysound,thatthereisnoloosejoistsordecking,andissweptverythoroughlypriortoinstallation.

AllSub-floorsmustbe:

• CLEAN:scraped,sanded,orswept;freeofwax,grease,paint,oil,andotherdebris.• SMOOTH/FLAT:within3/16”over10’and/or1/8”over6’.Sandhighareasorjoints.Filllowareas(nomorethan1/8”)with

acementtypefiller.


• DRY:Moisturecontentofsub-floormustnotexceed12%priortoinstallationofwoodflooring.Allmoisturetestingmustbedonebeforewoodhasbeenacclimatedforaminimumof72hoursandjob-siterequirementsmet.

CAUTION:WOODDUSTTheInternationalAgencyforResearchonCancerhasclassifiedwooddustasanasalcarcinogenaswellasaneyeandskinirritant.Incaseofirritation,flusheyesorskinwithwaterforatleast15minutes.Incaseofsevereirritation;seekimmediatemedicalattention.

ATTENTIONCALIFORNIAINSTALLERSANDCONSUMERSWARNING!

InstallationofthisproductmaycreatewooddustwhichisknowntotheStateofCaliforniatocauseCancer.Sawing,sanding,and/ormachiningofwoodproductscanproducewooddustthatcancauserespiratory,eye,andskinirritations.Equipmentshouldbeequippedwithadustcollectortoreduceairbornewooddust.WearanappropriateNIOSHdesignateddustmasktoreduceexposuretoairbornewooddust.Avoidwooddustcontactwitheyes.

STEP5:InstallingtheFloor• Openseveraldifferentcartonsandmixthepiecestomaximizethecolorandshadevariations.• Installtheproductparalleltothelongestwalltoprovidethemostappealingvisualeffect.• Staggertheendsoftheboardsatleast10”inadjacentrowstoinsurearandomvisualeffect.• Allowfora½”minimumexpansiongaparoundallfixedverticalobjectsthatreachthesubstrate.SolidWoodaswellasthe

housingstructureexpandsandcontractswithchangesinhumidity.Woodwillbuckleandbreaklooseifanadequateexpansionspaceisnotprovided.ALWAYSprovideforexpansionspacewhenfittingflooringadjacenttoverticalobjects(i.e.walls,baseboards,doorframesandfacings,pipes,etc.).

DOORWAY/WALLPREPARATION:• Undercutalldoorcasings,includingalldoorframes,andallfixedverticalstructures,1/16”higherthanthethicknessofthe

floorbeinginstalledwherequarterroundorsurfacetrimcannotbeused.• Removeexistingbaseandshoemoldingonwallaswellasdoorwaythresholds.Trimmaybereappliedaftertheinstallation

iscomplete.

PREPARINGTHEINSTALLATION:

Beforestarting,measurethewidthoftheroom,anddividetheroom’swidthbythewidthoftheplank.Ifthismeansthatthelastrowofplankswillbenarrowerthan2”,youwillneedtocutthefirstandlastrowofplankstobeinstalledinsuchawaythatthefirstandlastrowsofplankswillhavethesameapproximatewidthforanoverallcontinuouslook.Tocuttheboards,alwayssawwiththesawteethrotatingorcuttingdownintothefaceortopoftheboard.Cuttingfromthetopdownhelpsprotectthesurfacefromexcesschipping.Useacarbidetipbladetoensuresmoothcuts.

AlwaysinstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringwiththegroovesideoftheplankfacingthewall,andwiththeinstallerpositionedoffthefloorwhenpossible.

Begintheinstallationatthecorneroftheroomsothatthegroovesidecanbeplacedagainstthestartingwall.Besuretoleaveanexpansiongapofapproximately1/2.Ifthestartingwallisnotstraight,itmaybenecessarytocreateastraightchalklinefrommarksateachendoftherow,atadistancefromthewallbasedonthewidthoftheboardsonthefirstrowplus1/2",allowingtheoppositesideoftherowtopresentatruesquarelinefortheinstallationofrestofthefloor.Oncetheinstallationofthefirstrowiscomplete,therewillbeanextrapiecefromthelastplankwhich,iflongenough,maybeusedtobeginthenextrow.Tolocatethebeststartingpoint,anexteriorwallisusuallythestraightestandbestreferencelinetostarttheinstallationfrom.Ifpossible,thedirectionoftheflooringbeinginstalledshouldbeatrightanglestothefloorjoists.Establishastartinglinebyleavingaminimum½”expansiongaparoundallverticalobstructions.InatLEAST2places,measureoutequaldistancesfromthestartingwallequaltothewidthofthestartingplankcalculatedearlierinthissectionregardingtheroomwidthandplankwidth.Allowforalldoorsandopeningsaswellasthe1/2"expansionspaceneededatallfixedverticalstructures.Markthesepointsandsnapaworkingchalklineparalleltothestartingwallallowingtherequiredexpansionspacebetweenthestartingwallandtheedgeofthefirstrowofflooring.Planthefloorlayout(width-wise)soyoudon’thavetorip(whichiscuttingtheboardlengthwisetomakeitnarrower)thelastrowNARROWERthan2”.YoumayhavetomeasureandcalculatethewidthoftheFIRSTrowtoensurethattheLASTrowisatLEAST2”wide.

INSTALLINGTHEFIRSTROWS:

• Establishyourstartingrow(SEEESTABLISHASTARTINGPOINTABOVE).• Usingapneumaticbradnailer,face-nailthegroovesideoftheboards(firstrowonly)½”fromtheedgeat6”intervalsand

1”–2”fromeachend;thenata45degreeangledownthroughthenailingpocketontopofthetongue.Anotheroptionistopre-drilltheface-nailholes½”fromthegrooveedgeofthefirstrow,1”–2”fromeachend,andat6”intervals.Pre-drillatthesameintervalsata45degreeangledownthroughthenailingpocketontopofthetongue.Face-nailthegroovesidewhereitispre-drilled.Whentheface-nailingiscomplete,blind-nailata45degreeangleusing4dor6dnails.Countersink


allnailstoensurethenextboardsinstallsmoothly.Makesuretouseanailsettocountersinkthenails–failuretodosocandamagethesurfaceofthewood.Keepblind-nailingthefollowingrowsuntilthenailercanbeused.

• REMINDER:Takeboardsfrom5to7boxeswhileinstalling.Donotinstall2piecesfromthesameboxsidebysideorinthesamerow–rackormixthecolorsandshadeswhileinstallingtoachievethepropervisualeffect.Staggertheend-jointsofadjacentrowsatleast10”toaddstructuralstabilityandcreateamoreappealinglookforthefloor.

• Lineuptheedgeofthefirstrowagainstthetemporarystarterboard.InstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringwiththegroovesideoftheplankfacingthewallwiththeinstallerpositionedoffthefloorwhenpossible.Thetongueoftheboardsshouldalwaysbefacingtheinstallerexceptwherespecialcircumstancesexist.

• Makesuretheend-jointsofadjacentrowsarestaggeredatleast10”across4to6rowstoestablisharandomvisualandavoididentifiablepatternsformingintheinstallation,(stair-stepappearance).

INSTALLINGTHERESTOFTHEFLOOR:

• Makesuretousethestraightest,longestboardsavailablewheninstallingthefirsttworows.• Continuetotakeboardsfrom5to7boxeswhileinstalling.Donotinstall2piecesfromthesameboxinarow–mixthe

colorsandshadeswhileinstallingtogetamorefavorableoveralllook.• Staggertheend-jointsofadjacentrowsatleast10”toaddstructuralstabilityandcreateamoreappealinglookforthe

floor.• Wheninstallingindividualpieces,connecttheend-jointsfirstasclosetothelongtongueandgrooveaspossible.Thenslide

(push)thelongtongueandgroovetogetherastightlyaspossible.Youmayneedtouseascrappieceofthesameflooringproductasatappingblocktohelpaligntheproduct,usecautionandtaponlyintothetongue,neverthefinishededgeoftheflooring.

• Doublechecktheedgesandendsofyourinstalledplanks–alljointsshouldfittightlytogether.• Continuewiththismethodwhileinstallingtherestofthefloor.Insomecases,itmaybenecessarytocuttheflooring

lengthwiseinthelastrow.Inordertodoso,placethelastboardoverthenext-to-lastrow(RefertoPreparingtheInstallation),markingtheexactcutandtakingintoaccountthe1/2“gapwithregardtotheexpansionspace.

• Oncetheflooringinstallationiscomplete,proceedtoinstallthebaseboardsandtrimprofiles,whichwillcovertheexpansiongapwithoutobstructingit.Fastenalltrimintowallbase.Donotnailorstapletrimintoorthroughtheflooringsurface.

SpecialCircumstances

• Doorways:Attemptingtocontinueinstallingrowsthroughadoorwayintoanotherroomcanbedifficultbecausethenarrowopeningisaverysmallbaseuponwhichtocontinueconsistent,evenrowsintothenextroom.Tocorrectlyalignplankrowsfromroomtoroom,itisbesttouseamasterreferencelinethatrunsthroughthedoorwaytothefarendsofeachroominvolved.Positionthelinesothatitisperpendicularfromthecorrespondingwallandparalleltothesidewalls.Usethislinetoaligntheplankrowsfromroomtoroom.

• Pipes,ventsandotherfixedobjects:Eachinstanceoftheseitemscanbeunique,butthegeneralruleistomeasureverycarefullybeforeyoucutandremembertoleavea1/2”expansiongapbetweentheobjectandtheflooring.Youwillcovertheexpansiongapswithmolding,ventcoversorpiperingswhentheflooriscomplete.

• InstallationonStairs:Workingfromthetopstepdown,flooringandnosingsshouldbeinstalledusingapremiumgradewoodflooringadhesiveandscrewtypefastenersornailsforalltrimpieces.Allstairnosemoldingsmustbegluedandnailed/screwedevery6”,asasafetyprecaution.

INSTALLINGWITHSTAPLES/Nails/Cleats(MechanicalFasteners):

Followallguidelinesoutlinedearlierregardingpreinstallationandthegeneralinstallationprocess.

CFSrequirestheuseofNWFAapprovedStaplerswith15-16Gauge1/2"crownwith2"LegsorNWFAapprovedNailerswith2"NailsorCleatstoproperlyfastentheCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringwithmechanicalfasteners.Moststapleshave2legsthataretreatedwiththermaladhesivesthatheattheadhesivewhentheyareforcedquicklyintothefloorandsubstrateandbondaggressivelytothesubstrate.Theyalsohavedivergentpointsthatcauseaslightcurlattheendofthestapleleg,makingthemmuchmoredifficulttoloosenorremove.Itisbesttousebrandedstaplersornailersfromawell-knownmanufacturersuchasStanley-BostichorPowernail.TheBostichMIIIPneumaticStaplerwith16gaugestaplesandthePowernailPneumaticNailerwith2"PowerCleatsbothhaveadjustableFootAdaptorsandarepopularandreliable.

NWFAapprovedNailersandnailsdesignedforinstallingSolidFlooringmaybeusedbyqualifiedflooringprofessionalsatyourrisk.DonotusestaplersornailersspecificallydesignedforEngineeredHardwoodFlooringtoinstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooring.CFSdoesnotwarrantflooringinstallations,andacceptsnoliabilityproblemsthatmayarise,includingbutnotlimitedtolooseflooring,dimplingordistortionoftheface,breakageofthecoreortongue,andnoisewhenfastenersthataremisused,andarenotapprovedordesignedforSolidFlooring,areusedtoinstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooring.

• UseonlyStaplingandNailingEquipmentandFastenersdesignedforSolidHardwoodFlooringPlanksoverNWFAapprovedAPAStampedE1-PS2UnderlaymentGradeSubfloors


• StaplesandNailsshouldbeofsufficientlengthtoallowaminimumof3/4"ofthefastenertopenetrateandholdintothesubfloor.TheStaplesorNailsshouldbeplacedinthetopofthetongue,about2inchesfromeachend,andspacedalongthelengthoftheboardevery6"to8".

• FollowallinstructionsprovidedbytheManufacturerofthespecificfasteningequipment.• MakecertaintheFastener’sairpressureisset,andguideangleanddepthsettingsontheadapterfootarecorrectinorder

toallowthestaplecrownornailheadtorecessthefastenerflushinthetopoftheflooringtongue(notprotrudingaboveorrecessedbelow)thetonguesonodamageorbreakageofthecoreortongueoccurs.Occasionalnoiseisinherentlycommontostapleandnailedinstallationsandisnotconsideredamanufacturingdefect.Inherentnoisemaybeminimizedbymaintainingrecommendedindoorclimatecontrol.

• WARNING:DonotusemechanicalfastenersorgluemethodtoinstallCFSSolidHardwoodFlooringdirectlyoverparticle-boardorunapprovedOSB.

• WhenusingMechanicalFasteners:Usingimproperadaptersandpressuresettingscancauseseveredamagetotheflooringwhileusingthestaple/nail/cleatinstallationmethod.Usingthecorrectadapterandpressurewillsetthestaple/nail/cleatcorrectlyinthetongue.Itisvitalthatthetoolisadjustedproperlysothestaples/nails/cleatsarebeingpositionedattheproperangle.Airpressuressettoohighcancausedamagetothetongue,puttingblistersontheface(dimpling)oftheflooringandmakingitdifficulttoinstalladjoiningboards.Airpressurenecessarytoattachfastenersproperly(PSI)onthecompressorisusuallyaround80PSI.ApropertestistosettheStapler/Nailerpressureinitiallyat70PSIandadjustituntilthestaple/nail/cleatproperlysetsinthetongue.Testthestaplerornaileronascrappieceofmaterialfirst.Ifthetongueisbeingdamagedwhenstapling/nailingorthestaple/nail/cleatisdrivingtoodeeplyintothenailchannel,lowerthepressure.Ifthestaples/nails/cleatsdonotsetdeepenough,raisethepressure.StaplesorNailsshouldbeplacedalongthelengthoftheplank,intothetongue,within2"(inches)oftheendofeachplankandspacedalongthelengthevery6"to8"(inches).CFSisnotresponsiblefordamagecausedbymechanicalfasteners.Ifyouneedtoremoveastaple/nail/cleatthathasgoneincrooked,donotpullstraightupfromthetongue.Thiswilldamagethesurfaceoftheboard.Instead,pulloutthestaple/nail/cleatfromthetongueatthefrontoftheboardwithallpressurefromthehammer’sheaddirectedtoafulcrumboardonthesub-floor.CFSisnotresponsiblefordamagecausedbynegligentinstallationpractices,themisuseofMechanicalFasteners,hammersorotherinstallationtools.

GENERALTIPS:FLOORREPAIR

• 1.Minordamagetoyourhardwoodfloormayberepairedbyusingacolorfillputtystickorfeltstainmarker.Thisspecialproductshouldbematchedtothecolorofyourfloorand,whenproperlyused,willmakethedamagedareavirtuallyinvisible.

• 2.AqualifiedhardwoodflooringinstallershouldrepairextensivedamagetotraditionalSolidhardwoodflooring.• 3.Forsplintersandlooseedges,brokenawayorstillattached,DONOTPULL,carefullyglueinplacewithclearCA

Cyanacrylate(SuperGlue),carefullytrimsmallsprigsorraisededgeswithachiselpointrazorandtouchupwithamatchingcolorpenorputtystickavailableatmosthomecenters.

• 4.ContactyourretailerforinformationregardinglocatingmatchingTrimPieces,boardreplacements,cleaningandmaintenance,touch-upandminorrepair,orotherassistance.

HARDWOODFLOORINGCARE&MAINTENANCECFSdoesnotwarrantfloorsthatarenotproperlymaintained.RoutineMaintenance

1. Useadampclothtoblotupspillsassoonastheyhappen.Neverallowliquidstostandonyourfloor.2. Fortoughspots,suchasoil,paint,markers,lipstick,ink,tar,orincidentaltopicalresiduefrommanufacturingprocesses,use

MineralSpirits,DenaturedAlcohol(ClearHandSanitizercontainingEthanol)onacleanwhitecloth,thenwipetheareawithadampclothtoremoveanyremainingresidue.IMPORTANT!NeveruseLacquerThinner,ofCitrusBasedSolventstoCleanCFSSolidHardwoodFlooring.Testallcleaningchemicalsonaninconspicuousareaorloosepieceoftheflooringbeforeuse.

3. Sweep,dust,orvacuumthefloorregularlywithaproperhardsurfacenon-motorizedattachment(notthebeaterbar)ormicrofiberdustingpad(suchasavailableintheBonafloorcarekit),topreventaccumulationofdirtandgritthatcanscratchordullthefloorfinish.DonotUseSwiffertypedustmops,steamcleaningequipmentorSwifferTypesteamorwetmopsofanykindonthehardwoodflooringsurface.

4. PeriodicallycleanthefloorwithCFSSolidHardwoodFloorapprovedcleaningproducts,oraBonaHardwoodFloorCleanerKit,madespecificallyforprefinishedhardwoodfloorcare.Applycleaningliquidtodampen(notdripping),asoftcleanclothorterryclothmopcap.Drythefloorimmediatelyaftercleaningwithadryterryclothtoweltoremoveexcesscleanerresidueandavoidstreaking.

5. Donotapplyliquidcleanersdirectlytotheflooringsurface,neverwashorwetmopthefloorwithsoap,water,oil-soaps,detergents,vinegar,oranyotherliquidcleaningmaterial.Thiscancauseswelling,warping,delamination,orjoint-lineseparation,andwillvoidthewarranty.

6. Donotusesteelwool,abrasivecleaners,orstrongammoniatedorchlorinatedtypecleaners.7. Donotuseanytypeoffinishrestorer,coatingstoenhanceshine,floorwax,orpolishes.8. Forspotssuchascandlewaxorchewinggum,hardenthespotwithiceinaplasticbag,immediatelydry,andthengently

scrapewithaplasticscraper,suchasacreditcard.Becarefulnottoscratchtheflooringsurface.Wipecleanwithadampcloth.

9. Fortoughstains,youmayneedtouseaheavy-dutystainremovermadespecificallyforhardwoodfloors.10. Amorefrequentdust-moppingorvacuumingschedulemayberequiredinverysandyareassuchasabeachhome.


11. Maintaina35%-55%airhumidityand60-78ºFtemperatureatalltimeswithintheroom.

OnSiteProtection

1. Entrymatswillhelpcollectthedirt,sand,grit,andothersubstancessuchasoil,asphalt,ordrivewaysealerthatmightotherwisebetrackedontoyourfloor.

2. Whenplacingarug,donotuserubberorfoambackedplasticmatsdirectlyontheflooringastheymaydiscolortheflooringfinish.Topreventslippage,useanapprovedvinylrugunderlayment.

3. Use1"minimumdiameterfeltfloorprotectors.Asarule,theheaviertheobject,thewiderthefloorprotector.ProperFloorProtectors”onfeetofallfurnitureisdefinedasanysoft,cushionedproductthatwillcoverthefeet/postsentirely.MetalorPlasticgliders,cardboard,oranyotherhardsurfaceorpadstoosmallforthefeetarenotconsidered“properfloorprotectors”.

4. Maintainanormalindoorrelativehumiditylevelbetween35%and55%throughouttheyeartominimizethenaturalexpansionandcontractionofthewood.

a. Heatingseason(Dry):Ahumidifierisrecommendedtopreventexcessshrinkageduetolowhumiditylevels.Woodstovesand/orelectricheattendtocreateverydryconditions.

b. NonHeatingSeason(Wet):Anairconditioner,dehumidifier,orperiodicallyturningonyourheatingwillhelptomaintainhumiditylevelsduringsummermonths.

5. Avoidexcessiveexposuretowaterduringperiodsofinclementweather.6. Donotwalkonyourfloorwithstilettoheels,spikedgolfshoes,orothertypesofsportscleats.7. Donotallowsharp,pointed,orroughtexturedobjectstobeexposedtothehardwoodflooring.8. Keepyourpet’snailstrimmedtopreventthemfromscratchingyourfloor.9. Periodicallyrearrangingyourarearugsandfurniturewillallowthefloor’sfinishtoageevenlyandthecolortoremain

uniform.UVsunlightwillchangethecolorofhardwoodtovaryingdegreesbasedonexposureandspeciestype.10. Useadollywhenmovingheavyfurnitureorappliances;butfirst,putdownapieceofquarterinchplywoodorMasoniteto

protectthefloor.NeveruseCardboardtoprotectthefloorwhenmovingorrollingheavyobjects.Nevertrytoslideorrollheavyobjectsacrossthefloor.

11. Ahard,smoothbottomedprotectivematdesignedforHardwoodFlooringshouldbeusedforfurnitureorchairswithcasters.

GENERALTIPS:HARDWOODMAINTENANCEANDANNUALSEASONS

Woodfloorswillbeslightlyaffectedbyvaryinglevelsofhumiditywithinyourbuilding.Tomakesurethefloorsareprotectedforaslongaspossible,itisnecessarytokeeptherelativehumiditylevelsbetween35%-55%andmaintainthetemperaturebetween60and78ºFthroughoutthelifeofthefloor.Belowaresomerecommendationsonhowtoachieveproperindoorenvironmentconditionsthroughouttheyear.

• Wet/HumidSeasons(Woodmayexpand):Heatersarenotgenerallyusedduringthesemonths.Thereforethefloorholdsinthehumidityandexpands.Tomaintainaproperhumiditylevel,theuseadehumidifierorairconditionermayberequired.

• DrySeasons(Woodmaycontractorshrink):Wood-burningstoves,gasandelectricheatingsystems,andforcedairheatingsystemsareusedoftenduringwintermonths–creatingverydryconditionsindoors.Lowindoorrelativehumiditycausesthewoodlosemoistureandsubsequentlycontractandchangeshape,(cupping),resultingingaps,misshapenboards,andpermanentdamagefromcrackingoftheflooringsurface,delaminatingofthecore.Theuseahumidifiertokeepthehumiditylevelbetween35%-55%mayberequired.Inwintermonths,ForcedairHeatSystemsarecapableofremoving15gallonsormoreofwaterfromindoorairperdayin1000squarefeetofheatedspace.

• OtherInstallationMethodsandWarrantyInformation

• Youmayobtainthe“CFSSolidHardwoodFlooringWarrantiesandFloorCareGuide”aswellastheinstallationinstructionsforallapprovedinstallationmethodsatourwebsitewww.cfscorporate.com.

cfs solid hardwood flooring installation guidelines please ... · 360-13 cfs solid hardwood...

Documents