1. Inspection responsibility
Engineered flooring is produced in precise working steps in one of the most modern
production sites. All products will be constantly and strictly controlled. Despite
our strict quality controls, damages on single panels can occur, i.e. transportation
damages. Always check the panels before and during the installation.
Attention! Check every board carefully before installation for any manufacturing
blemishes. We cannot consider any claims regarding product defects after installation.
Engineered flooring is not suitable for installations in wet rooms such as
saunas or in similar rooms where there is a regular flow of water. Areas such as bathrooms
are fine if a mat is laid out next to the bath/shower area, and adequate ventilation is available.
2. Subfloor requirements
2.1 All sub floors must be prepared for installation in accordance with normal sub
floor preparation procedures and accepted tolerances within the flooring industry.
2.2 Before installing engineered flooring there are the following points to consider:
Moisture test - the test will be carried out using a CM-device and should not exceed the following moisture level:
- for cement based concrete 2%CM
- for anhydrite concrete 0.5%CM
Evenness test - Evenness requirements are based on industrial typical standards. Maximum tolerance of 3mm per m.
Load capacity - The sub floor has to be a closed and self-supporting surface.
Cleanness test - The sub floor has to be in a clean and vacuumed condition.
Test the climate condition in the room where the laminate flooring will be installed.
The following conditions should be fulfilled before, during and after the installation:
- a room temperature of a minimum of 18°C (64°F)
- a floor surface temperature of a minimum of 15°C (59°F)
- a relative humidity between 40% and 70%
3. Subfloors
3.1 Engineered flooring: installed as a floating flooring configuration can be installed
on all sub floors, which meet the above-described requirements. Here are some examples:
- all types of concrete sub floors, including hot water radiant sub floor systems.
- particleboard sub floor constructions.
- fibreboard sub floor constructions
- existing flooring surfaces such as PVC, linoleum, natural stone slab, ceramic tiles.
3.2 Unsuitable sub floors: textile surfaces, carpets.
3.3 Limited suitable sub floors: electrical radiant sub floor heating systems
(controlled through the surface temperature) Explanation and limitation for the
use of electrical radiant sub floor heating system: Basically, an electrical radiant
sub floor heating system is an approved sub floor type only if the heating element
is installed within the concrete or other sub floors and not installed as a foil
heating element on top of the concrete or other sub floors. The recommended unit
power is 100W/m2.
Attention! The surface temperature may never exceed 26°C Electrical radiant sub
floor heating systems installed as a foil-heating element may be used only if the
manufacturer of the heating element can ensure that the surface temperature never
exceeds 26°C
3.4 Please note the following rules for the different sub floor types:
3.4.1 Concrete sub floors: if the engineered flooring system is installed over a concrete sub floor,
you have to consider that possible rest moisture in the sub floor will seep to the
surface of the sub floor. Based on the above-mentioned reason it is always necessary
to install a 0.2 mm polyethylene film as a moisture barrier over concrete
sub floors.
3.4.2 Concrete with hot water radiant heating systems: To ensure that
radiant heating systems will work properly for many years to come, it is essential
to plan and coordinate the different elements of the flooring construction (concrete,
radiant heating system, engineered flooring). All existing floor surfaces need to
be removed prior to the installation of the new engineered flooring. In addition
to the standard sub floor tests it is necessary to provide a certificate that the
proper "heating-up and cooling-down phases" have been done. A correct heating-up
and cooling-down of the concrete construction will be necessary in every season
of the year. The heating-up and cooling-down phase:
- Start of the heating-up phase at the earliest 21 days after the cement-based concrete
has been installed, according to the manufacturer for anhydrite concrete but not
before 7 days.
- Start the heating-up phase with a flow temperature of 23°C, which has to remain constant
for three days.
- Increase the flow temperature daily by 5°C up to the maximum flow temperature.
- Maintain the maximum flow temperature for three days without switching off the heater during the night.
- After three days reduce the flow temperature daily by 10°C until you reach a surface temperature
of 18°C (64°F).
- During, and three days after the installation of the flooring panels, maintain a surface temperature of 18°C (64°F).
- Three days after the installation you can start to slowly increase the flow temperature.
Attention! The surface temperature may never exceed 26°C; it is always necessary
to install a 0.2 mm polyethylene film as a moisture barrier underneath the underlay.
4. Installation preparations
4.1 Acclimatisation of the panels; Before starting the installation the engineered
flooring has to be brought into the room where it will be installed or in a room
with the same climate condition. The acclimatisation will be carried out as following:
- in sealed unopened boxes
- for a time period of at least 48 hours
- flat laying with at least 50 cm (20”) distance to the walls
- at a room temperature of at least 18°C
- at a floor surface temperature of a minimum of 15°C
- at a relative humidity between 40% and 65%
4.2 Installation direction: Engineered flooring looks its best when the engineered
flooring panels are installed parallel to the light coming in through the windows.
The only required installation direction is if you install engineered flooring over
hardwood flooring boards. In this case you have to install the engineered flooring
at a 90degree angle to the existing hardwood flooring boards.
4.3 Planning the first row: after determining the best layout of the flooring and
the starting wall, measure the width of the room and divide it by the width of the
engineered flooring panels to determine the number of rows and the width of the
last row. If the last row is determined to be less than 60mm wide, it should be
adjusted by cutting the first row lengthwise.
4.4 Planning of expansion gaps: Since engineered flooring is made of organic materials,
it is subject to certain movement behaviours (shrinkage/expansion) due to changes
in climate conditions. It is necessary to leave gaps of 10mm for the expansion in
all parts of the structure i.e. walls, doorframes, stairs, around pipes etc.
4.5 Planning of transition mouldings: through the shrinkage and expansion behaviour
of engineered flooring you have to install transition mouldings in the following
areas:
- at all door throughways
- at all passageways
- single room length and/or with more than 10 m (33 ft)
5. The Installation
Check all panels for possible damages/defects. Ensure you understand the difference
between the tongue and the groove on the panel. Begin installing the first row from
the left-hand corner of the room with both tongue sides of the panels pointing towards
the wall. Place spacers between the edge of the flooring panels and the wall to
provide the correct space for expansion. Connect the second panel to the first by
indirectly tapped using a hammer and push block, thereby joining the boards’ headers.
Mark the last panel in the first row to the required length (place tongue to tongue)
and cut. Start the second row with the off cut from the last panel of the first
row. Always make sure the off cut is at least 500 mm long, if not then cut another
piece which is greater than 500mm long. Start all subsequent rows with the off cut
piece from the previous row. Connect the second row to the first by placing the
interlocking end of the new panel at an angle to the previously installed panel
and then lower it into a horizontal position to lock then indirectly tapped using
a hammer and push block, thereby joining the boards’ headers.
Tip Natura-loc
Although the long sides can be fitted together only by angling in a board, the short
ends can be knocked together using a tapping block once the boards are lying flat
against the sub floor. This may be necessary at doors, for example, or in other
difficult places where the board needs to be slid into place. When a board has to
be tapped in lengthways, cut a small off-cut from the end of a board, which then
fits into the joint and protects the end of the board from being damaged.
Attention! Ensure all the short ends are staggered at least 500 mm. It vital to
maintain a minimum of 500mm between the ends of boards in the adjacent rows (staggered).
5.2 Fitting around pipes
- Measure the position of the pipes and mark it on the panel, consider also the expansion.
- Take measurements from the spacers into account. Drill a hole of 16 mm (5/8”) bigger
than the pipe diameter expansion provision.
- Saw at a 45degree angle to the holes.
- Apply glue to the sawn out piece and fit in with the pull bar. Again, do not forget
the spacers.
5.3 Door jamb installation: if you have a wooden doorjamb, we recommend undercutting
the wooden doorjamb according to the thickness of the flooring plus the possible
underlay. Install the flooring now underneath the doorjamb – leave the necessary
expansion gaps. In the case of completing your installation underneath a doorjamb,
we recommend that you remove the locking part of the protruding groove of the pre-installed
panel with a utility knife or a pocket plane. The newly layed panel can now be pushed
horizontally over the groove of the previously layed panel. Use high quality wood
glue on top of the tongue to secure the connection. If you have a doorjamb, which
cannot be shortened, e.g. metal doorjamb, we recommend that you cover the expansion
gaps with mouldings or fill them with elastic acrylic sealants.
5.4 Transition and wall mouldings: after a correct installation of the
flooring, install the transition mouldings as well as wall moulding.
For special installation techniques, i.e. installation on stairs or for at any other
questions, please do not hesitate to contact technical help line on 0871 250 1066.