Installation
JOB SITE CONDITIONS/ACCLIMATION
It is the Owners’/installers responsibility to ensure that the jobsite conditions and jobsite subfloor are environmentally and structurally acceptable prior to the installation of any Wood flooring. Boske Nature Living declines any responsibility for failures or deficiencies of hardwood flooring resulting from or related to sub-floor, subsurface, or job-site environmental conditions. All substrates must be clean, flat, dry, and structurally sound.
• Subfloors must be clean and free of dirt, sealers, drywall mud, curing compounds paint, wax, grease, urethane, or other materials that may affect the integrity of the flooring material or adhesives used to install the flooring.
• All subfloors and subfloor systems must be structurally sound and must be installed following their manufacturer’s recommendations. Local building codes may only establish minimum requirements of the flooring system and may not provide adequate rigidity and support for proper installation and performance of a hardwood floor.
• Test subfloor moisture content before lay down any wood planks
• A “DRY” SLAB, AS DEFINED BY THESE TESTS CAN BE WET AT OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR. THESE TESTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A DRY SLAB.
• All “wet” work – i.e. – paint, drywall, concrete, masonry, plumbing must be complete and dry well in advance of delivery of hardwood flooring.
• Flooring should not be exposed to extremes of humidity or moisture.
• Permanent HVAC should be on and operational a minimum of 7 days and maintained between 60. and 80. F and a relative humidity of 35%- 55% prior to delivery, during, and after installation of the flooring.
• If HVAC is not possible at time of installation the environmental conditions must be at or near normal living conditions between 60. and 80. F and at the average yearly relative humidity for the area.
RECOMMENDED SUBFLOOR SURFACES
Newly poured concrete must be cured for a minimum of 42 days before installation. Concrete subfloors must meet the requirements for the adhesive or adhesive system selected.
Wood Subfloors – Preferred: 3/4” CDX grade Plywood subfloor/ underlayment, 4’x8’ sheets or 3/4” OSB subfloor/ underlayment grade, PS2 rated, sealed side down, with joist spacing of 19” on center or less.
Wood Subfloors – Minimum: 5/8” CDX Plywood subfloor/ underlayment, 4’x8’ sheets, maximum 16” on center joist construction. Follow panel manufacturer’s recommendations for spacing and fastening.
Installation of flooring should not be made over joists spacing greater than 19” on center or parallel to the joists unless the subfloor has been properly strengthened, applying a second layer of underlayment may be necessary to bring the overall subfloor thickness to 1-1/8” (minimum).
• Test the moisture content of the wood subfloor and wood flooring with a pin type moisture meter. Wood subfloors must not exceed 12% and the wood flooring should be within 3% of the wood subfloor.
• For existing wood floors install new flooring at right angles to the existing flooring.
• Do not glue, staple, or nail down hardwood flooring over particle board.
• Do not install over existing glue down hardwood floors.
IMPORTANT! Per 3M: ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Original Multi-Surface 2090 is not recommended for use on prefinished flooring. The only adhesive tape which should be used with Boske Nature Living Flooring is ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Delicate Surface 2080. Traditional “Blue Tape” contains chemical solvents that, over time, may penetrate and weaken the finish. DO NOT use “Blue Tape”. Even when using ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Delicate Surface 2080, do not leave tape on flooring for longer than 3 days. When possible, apply tape to baseboards or walls rather than flooring.
GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION
Adhesive and Moisture Barrier Systems from the following manufacturers are permitted for the full spread glue-down installation of Boske Nature Living Floors: Bostik, Sika, Mapei.
Follow the Adhesive Manufacturer’s Installation Instructions for the testing of subfloor moisture content. Choose an adhesive and (if necessary) moisture barrier system that is warranted by the adhesive manufacturer for installation under those circumstances. Boske Nature Living will not be responsible for problems that might arise due to moisture transference from a subfloor to the hardwood flooring.
NAIL-DOWN INSTALLATION
Setup and Use of Pneumatic Staplers and Nailers You must make certain that your stapler or nailer is setting the fastener properly, not damaging the planks, and that you are using the correct nailing schedule. When used improperly, cleats can damage wood flooring. If the tool is not adjusted properly the cleats may not be positioned at the proper angle and cause blistering, peaking, squeaking, or crackling of the floor. Some models may require the use of an adapter to adjust for proper thickness. Test the tool on a piece of scrap material first – set the stapler/ nailer flush on the tongue side of the plank and install a cleat. Should the cleat penetrate too deeply reduce the air pressure; if the cleat is not deep enough then increase the air pressure using an in-line regulator. The crown of the cleat should sit flush within the nail pocket to prevent damage to the flooring and
to reduce squeaking. Boske Nature Living is not responsible for damage caused by the mechanical fasteners.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Only use manufacturer’s recommended cleats.
• For 3/4” thick products the recommended length cleat is 1-1/2” to 2”.
• For 5/8” products the recommended cleat length is 1-1/4”
Use a power nailer A200 (20 Gauge) with cleat is required, and make sure nailing is appropriate 4” to 6” each cleat. To avoid damage to the tongue (Over driven), be sure to adjust for proper pressure on the compressor.
Some steps:
1. After the subfloor has been properly cleaned and prepped cover the subfloor with 15lb. asphalt felt paper. This material will help to keep the floor clean and help to retard moisture from below (there is no complete moisture barrier system for staple or nail-down applications)
2. Select a starter wall. An outside wall is best: it’s most likely to be straight and square with the room. Measure out from this wall, at each end, the overall width of the plank (board width + tongue + the space needed (3/8” or .”) for expansion).
3. Snap a chalk line from these points, parallel to that wall.
4. Install the first row of starter planks along the chalk line/straightedge and secure into position with the tongue facing away from the starter wall (toward you).
5. Blind nail at a 45 degree angle through the tongue 1”-2” from the end joints and every 6” in between along the length of the starter boards.
NOTE: Proper alignment is critical. Misaligned starter rows can cause side and end gaps to appear
in proceeding rows of flooring.
6. Continue to install the flooring making sure to nail/staple 1”-2” from the ends and every 3” – 4” thereafter. Make certain the tool is adjusted properly to ensure that the fastener is at the proper angle and is flush within the nail pocket. As you continue working across the floor try to maintain a six-inch minimum space between end joints. Randomly install different lengths to avoid a patterned appearance.
AFTER INSTALLATION COMPLETION
• Sweep or vacuum floor.
• Clean the floor with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
• Install transition pieces -i.e. – thresholds, t-moldings, base boards and quarter round. Nail moldings to wall, not the floor.
• Inspect final floor for nicks and or minor gaps – fill with appropriate color wood putty.
• Unused material should be left with owner and stored in a dry place in case of future repairs are needed.
• Use plywood or hardboard when moving heavy appliances or furniture across floor.
Floor Protection During Construction:
Always protect the surface of the installed flooring during construction by laying a quality rosin paper or other paper that will allow the floor to breathe, taping it to the baseboards. Never use plastic or polyethylene sheeting to cover the floor since they will trap moisture that will damage the flooring.
After the job carefully follow all guidelines as detailed under Boske Nature Living Flooring Care and Maintenance Instructions.