Navarre Flooring Installation

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Navarre Hardwood Flooring

Installation Instructions

You must read and understand these instructionscompletely before installing your flooring. In the event theseinstructions leave unanswered questions or if you would like additionalinformation, please contact the manufacture or us prior to beginninginstallation.Responsibility for the suitability of the flooringfor each individual installation cannot be assumed by the manufacture orretailer, since neither has no influence on the installer's properapplication. Should an individual plank be doubtful as to appearance ordimension the installer should not use this piece. Any defect must bereported directly to the manufacture or retailer immediately. Themanufacture will send a replacement in a timely manner.

NOTE:The Manufacture andretailer makes no warranty or guarantee of the quality of work performedby a selected installer. The manufacture and retailer disclaims allliability for imperfect installation of its product. The manufacturepre-finished flooring is best installed over a wood subfloor usingstaples/brads or glue. Navarre floors may be applied over in-floorradiant heating systems in a floating installation. Recommendedequipment is the Stanley Bostitch MARK III Flooring Nailer & MarkIII Foot Kit.The foot kit is needed to adjust the thickness to fit the 5/8’’dimension. Typical air pressure settings are 85 lbs. (However, thesesettings may vary depending on the equipment being used). Proper use ofthis equipment will render good results.

ACCLIMATION:Navarre flooring mustbe allowed to acclimate on-site a minimum of 72 hours in advance ofinstallation. Open each box and remove shrink-wrap completely. Duringthe acclimation period it is important that temperature and humiditylevels be maintained in accordance with those expected to exist afterinstallation. Optimum installation conditions are 70 degrees Fahrenheitat 30 - 50% humidity.

SUBSTRATE PREPARATION:Underlayment-grade plywood and man-made board substrates must be clean, level,dry, and free of contaminants. Optimum results will be achieved through use of 3/4” CDX plywood substrate.Fill any low spots with appropriate filler and sand any high spots. Forbuildings with a raised foundation, install ground cover of 6 mil polyethylene sheets overthe earth in crawl space.

Concrete Substrate must be on or above grade. Concreteis required to be sound, smooth, level and flat with a maximum variation of 1/8”in 10’. Fill any low spots with appropriate filler and scrape any high spots.Subfloor must be properly cured and tested for moisture content. Slab must be properlycured. Flooring must not be installed if vapor pressure exceeds 3 lbs. per 1000square feet in 24 hours using calcium chloride test method.

INSTALLATION:Flooring should be square with the space, runningparallel to longest room dimension. A 1/2”expansion space must be left around entire perimeter. It is important that the tongue & groove ofeach plank fit together tightly at all seems and butt joints. Starter row must be heldfirmly in place using either nails or wedging. Use of proper equipment will improve overallquality of installation.

Nail Down Method: Flooring should be installed over a 15lb Asphalt paper (roofing felt) or Red Rosin paper. Once starter rows aresecure, additional rows should be blind nailed using a professional qualityflooring nail gun. Excessive splitting or cracking of plank tongue canresult from use of improper equipment or incorrect equipment settings.Holding nail gun at a 45-50 degree angle to face of plank, insert nailsdirectly above tongue.

Beginning a minimum of 2 inch from end of first plank,space nails at 8 inch intervals. To prevent splitting, nails should not beplaced closer than 2 inch from either end of plank. Two inch long flooring nails(cleats), or 2-inch, 15 gauge flooring staples with a ½ inch crown arerecommended.

Floating Method: Make sure subfloor is tested formoisture content first and is properly prepared.

When using Natural Cork CorkShield underlayment, noadditional moisture barrier is necessary. If using an alternative 1/8” thickpad and installing below or on grade, polyfilm is required.

Laying polyfilm: lay 6-mil polyfilm with seamsoverlapped 8”. Fasten seams every 18-24” with duct tape. Run the outside edges offilm up perimeter of each wall 4”. Trim after flooring installation iscomplete.

Laying pad: lay Natural Cork CorkShield or equivalentunderlayment by butting edges, not overlapping. Tape full length of theseam with duct tape. Leave ½” space between pad and all walls and permanentvertical fixtures.

Installing the floor: start first row with groove towardwall. Glue end joints of first row by applying a small but continuous bead ofEurobond®D3 T&G

Adhesive or Franklin®Titebond 2 PVAC glue to bottom sideof the groove.

Always leave at least a 3/8” expansion space betweenflooring and all walls and vertical objects such as pipes and cabinets. Usewood or plastic spacers during installation to maintain this expansion space.Lay subsequent rows of flooring by applying glue to side and end joints andfitting planks together with a tapping block. Remember to stagger end jointsfrom row to row at least 8” apart. Clean up any adhesive that is on theface of the floor by using a damp rag. DO NOT allow adhesive to dry on the flooring face as itis difficult to remove without damaging the finish.

In-floor Radiant Heat:Regardless of season, radiant heat system should beturned on and remain on for five days inadvance of installation. A radiant floor should not produce surface temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Continue to operate radiant heat system after installation.

*This type of installation requires a specific construction of the plywood subfloor and the installer for such must be familiar with the NWFA recommendations.

NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) can be reached at 800-422-4556 U.S, or 800-848-8824 Canada.

Engineered bamboo and hardwood flooring is better suited for installation over floors with radiant heat.

Additional information can be obtained at www.woodfloors.org,

www.hardwoodcouncil.comandwww.nofma.org

NOTE:Any wood flooring, including bamboo, will expand and contract inresponse to changes in temperature and humidity. There should be no morethan a 2% maximum difference in moisture content between the subfloorand surface flooring material. The amount of movement varies dependantupon temperature, dimensional stability of the materials involved, andmoisture content of both the surface flooring and subfloor. Visible gapsat seams and joints will vary seasonally.