Measures to take before installation: Do not open the cartons prior to installation. During the winter months, store the unopened cartons indoors at a room temperature of about 18°C (64°F). Do not open the cartons until you start installation. Carefully wrap leftover planks in foil if laying is to be interrupted over a longer period. This high-grade engineered and dried product should not be stored in new constructions.

Installation direction: The direction of laying normally depends on the main source of light fall in the room. E-g- French windows. The planks should run parallel with the entering light fot best appearance. However: the proportions of the room can also be emphasized by skilled selection of the direction in which the hardwood floor is laid. Light colored wood makes small rooms appear larger.

Subfloors: Cement screed, anhydrite screed leveled with filler or compound, bituminous mastic concrete leveled with filler or compound, V 100 (E1) chipboard underlayment.

Testing of subfloor: The subfloor has to be tested before laying according to German code VOB Teil C DIN 18356 “Parkettarbeiten” (Contract Procedure for building Work Part C DIN 18356 “Parquetry”). The floor must be compression- and tension-proof, free of cracks, dry, even and clean. Make sure the subfloor has been cleaned thoroughly from oil, grease, wax, paint, plaster, dust and any other substances which could impair bonding.

1. Testing for moisture: The subfloor must be checked for possible moisture, for example, by using a CM meter. Limit moisture content: Cement screed max. 2.0 CM – (mass) %, with underfloor heating 1.8 % CM; anhydrite screed max. 0.5 CM – (mass) %, with underfloor heating 0.3 % CM.
Always aim for the lowest values!

2. Testing for level of floor (according to DIN 18 365 / level tolerances according to DIN 18 202): If necessary, level with appropriate filler or compound accuracy (like Ardex) according to manufacturer’s specifications. Do not remove screed edge insulation until leveling and priming has been completed.
Bituminous mastic concrete and anhydrite screed subfloors need to be smoothed with filler before glue-down installation to assure that the subfloor is sufficiently absorbent and to prevent anhydride screed from softening up. This also serves to level uneven areas. Follow the instructions of the filler manufacturer.
Important: Before leveling mastic concrete subfloors with filler, it is essential to remove excess or loose siliceous sand with a disk grinder and then vacuum with an industrial vacuum cleaner.
Anhydrite screed subfloors always require sanding or brushing and subsequent vacuuming.

3. Test surface strength with grid scratch test.

4. Daily joints in screed (dummy joints or predetermined breaking points) must be friction-locked before installation. DO NOT close any expansion joints.

Primer: We recommend use of Primer for Special Glue D with highly absorbent or at the surface slightly sandy screeds. Primer consumption: Apply approx. 120 g/m² (about 0.4 oz/sq. ft.) with roller or brush. Air room thoroughly during and after priming. When the primer has dried (drying time with cement screed about 12 hours) you can start laying the hardwood floor.

Glue-down installation: Do not glue down if room temperature is below 18°C (64°F). To avoid a high relative air humidity in the room (such as in new constructions), heat the room if necessary and ventilate thoroughly. The relative air humidity should not exceed 70% and the subfloor temperature should be at least +17°C (63°F). Stir the adhesive thoroughly before use.

Adhesive consumption: Depending on the absorbing power of the subfloor, apply approximately 800-900 g/m² (about 2.6-3 oz/sq. ft.) with a notched applicator (4mm V-notches, included in the accessories list). Also follow the instructions of the adhesive manufacturer! Wait about 2 hours after installation before first use; heavy traffic or intensive loading only after 72 hours.

Important: Prior to installation, inspect the planks in daylight for any visible defects or damage and also check color and structure. No claims are accepted once planks have been installed.

Strip Installation

1. Laying tools: Special tapping block, Temporary spacer, Professional pull tool, Primer, Special Adhesive D, notched applicator D, pencil, rule.

2. Stir adhesive thoroughly before use. Apply with notched applicator, consumption approx. 800-900 g/m² (about 2.6-3 oz/ sq. ft.). Lay planks within 15 min. of applying the adhesive.

3. You can take the planks directly from the carton. Join the planks in tongue and groove. Press plank thoroughly into layer of adhesive. When laying a strip pattern, be careful to alternately lay a row of only left and a row of only right strips.

4. use spacers to ensure expansion spacing of approx. 10mm between plank and wall. If necessary, set planks at perimeter or at uneven areas under pressure with heavy weights. Carefully remove any glue residues from the flooring surface with a damp cloth.

Herringbone Installation

1. Left strip. Right strip. When laying herringbone pattern, you need left and right strips. Left strip: Tongue at top end and left long side. Right strip: Tongue at top end and right long side.

2. Each carton contains left and right strips. Unpack and sort the strips before starting installation.

3. Dry-fit a few double rows before gluing. Draw string (see centre of figure) along centre of room.

4. Apply adhesive for a few herringbone planks along the centered string and set the previously dry-fitted planks into the layer of adhesive.

5. The tips of the herringbone planks are aligned with the string.

6. Glue down the first double row of herringbone planks along the length of the string on both sides until you reach the wall.

7. From the centre proceed to the left and right, one complete row at a time.

8. At perimeter, fit in leftover planks after sawing to size at 45°. (Make sure you always keep spacing of approx. 10mm between plank and wall). At doorways, an expansion spacing is not required.

Hardwood Floors over underfloor heating systems

Hardwood floor are suitable for installation over underfloor heating, provided that all necessary site preparation are carried out. Please ask your hardsurface flooring specialist for the special instructions for the installation of hardwood floorings over underfloor heating systems.