Lavina Collection Installation Guideline

Lavina Collection Installation Guideline

INSPECT FLOORING MATERIALS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION

Before installation, any concerns about the milling or grading of this product must be directed to and resolved with the manufacturer. After the product is installed, the customer assumes all responsibility. Manufacturer is not liable for any costs of products or replacement if issues are not resolved prior to installation

DISCLAIMER

Hardwood flooring is a beautiful product of nature, characterized by variations in grain and color, no two pieces are alike. Although we design sample boards to be the closest representation of the finished product, the finished floor may contain more or less variation in color, shading, grain, knots, and distressing that may not be evident in a sample board. Older samples that have mellowed or samples that have been exposed to direct sunlight will appear darker or lighter when compared to the actual product. All natural hardwood can dent and scratch. Due to the varying
hardness of different wood species, some are more resistant than others. To reduce scratching and denting, follow proper care and maintenance both during and after installation.

JOBSITE CONDITIONS

Wood flooring should be one of the last jobs completed on the construction project. Do not deliver wood flooring to the jobsite or install wood flooring until the building is enclosed, and all concrete, masonry, plastering, drywall, texturing, and all finished wall coverings and painting are completed. Evaluate the jobsite for potential problems before installation. Glue down only.

APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONDITIONS

Appropriate temperature and humidity conditions are defined as conditions to be experienced after occupancy. An acceptable humidity range is 30% to 50%, and an acceptable temperature range is 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
1. Heating and/or air conditioning needs to be used. If it is not possible for the heating and/or air conditioning system to be operating before, during and after installation, a temporary heating and/or dehumidification system that mimics normal temperature and humidity conditions should be used.
2. Basements and crawl spaces must be dry.
3. Crawl space should be a minimum of 18”(457mm) from ground to underside of joists.
4. Crawl space ground should be covered by a vapor retarder of black polyethylene (minimum 6 mil) or any recommended puncture-resistant membrane, such as Class C, meeting ASTM D-1745. The crawl space should have perimeter venting equal to a minimum of 1.5 sq ft per 100 sq ft of crawl space, unless local building codes differ from this specification.

Note: Follow local building codes. If the crawl spaces lack ventilation openings, vapor retarder joints must overlap a minimum of 6 inches, and be sealed or taped. Vapor retarder should also extend at least 6 inches up the stem wall, and be attached and sealed to the stem wall. Continuously operated mechanical exhaust and perimeter wall insulation or conditioned air supply and insulation must be provided.

ACCLIMATION

Acclimation is critical. Before installation, allow floors to acclimate to the appropriate jobsite conditions (depending on geographic location and climate). Per NWFA guidelines, proper acclimation is particularly important in dry climates. Out of the box acclimation is the most effective and recommended. If this is not possible, open boxes and plastic wrapping at both ends to allow air to circulate. Lay flat for a minimum of 3 days, or until proper conditions are met. This should take place after the permanent heating and/or air conditioning system is operating. Use a moisture meter to monitor moisture content (MC) at the time of delivery and installation. Sample about 40 boards for every 1,000 sq ft of flooring.

PROTECTIVE FLOOR COVERING

After installation, if you choose to protectively cover the floor, do so for the entire floor. Since some species are light sensitive and uncovered areas may change color. However, covering glue down application may not allow some adhesives to properly cure. Follow the adhesive manufacturers’ recommendations. Use a covering material with a vapor permeance (perm rating) of 1 perm or more (tested in accordance with ASTM E-96) to avoid trapping moisture/vapor on or within the floor. A common, reinforced builder’s paper is a good choice. Covering should be taped using a low adhesion tape, to base or shoe moldings. Avoid taping for finished flooring. When taping paper or sheets together, tape them to each other, not to
the floor.

Subfloor

Level drop must be no more than 1/4” in a 10 feet radius.

WOOD SUBFLOOR

1. Subfloor panels must conform to U.S. Voluntary Product Standard PS1-95, Construction & Industrial Plywood, U.S. Voluntary PS 2-04, Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325.0-92 Construction Sheathing. Other CSA standards apply.
2. Engineered Flooring should not be installed directly on solid board subflloring.
3. Both CDX EXPOSURE 1 plywood and OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels are appropriate subflooring materials.
4. Ensure that moisture content of subfloor /substrate meets industry standard.
5. There should be no more than a 4% moisture content difference between Engineered Flooring and subfloor.
6. Subfloor must be free from any type of paint, oil, grease, dust, and residues.
7. Subfloor should be level. The drop must be no more than 1/4” in a 10 feet radius.
8. For panel products subflooring check for loose panels. Re-nail or screw down loose panels securely.
9. Ensure proper expansion space (1/8”) between panels. If subfloor panels are not tongue and grooved and if there is not sufficient expansion space, use a circular saw to create the specified space. Do not saw through joints on T&G subfloors.
Wood subfloors must be flat, clean, dry, structurally sound, squeak free, and free of protruding fasteners.
Check and repair delaminated or damaged areas Clear debris.
Truss/joist spacing will determine the minimum acceptable thickness of panel subflooring.

VAPOR RETARDERS OVER WOOD SUBFLOORS

There should be no more than 4% moisture content difference between Engineered Flooring and the subfloor. For example, if the flooring has 8% moisture content, the subfloor should not be under 4% or over 12% moisture content. An acceptable vapor retarder is a vapor resistant material, membrane or covering with a vapor permeance (perm rating) of greater than or equal to 0.7 and less than or equal to 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E-96 Method A. Installation of a vapor retarder reduces potential for moisture/vapor related problem.

CONCRETE SUBLFOOR

Concrete subfloor must be flat. If not, consider grinding/ floating. Concrete subfloor must be dry. If a slab tests too high in vapor emission to glue a
floor down, use a vapor retarder.

Lab must be minimum 3000 psi: Do not attempt to glue a wood floor over a chalky or soft concrete slab. Concrete should be free of non-compatible sealers, waxes and oil, paint, drywall compound. Check for presence of sealers by apply drops of
water to the slab, if the water beads up, there may be sealers or oils.
Lightweight concrete (less than 3000 psi) must be well bonded to subfloor. Check for hollow spots, cracks, and loose areas. If flooring adhesive has a higher shear strength than concrete, use the floated subfloor installation method.

GLUING A SUBFLOOR OVER CONCRETE

Always follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendation for proper application, trowel notch, and spread rate. Add a recommended vapor retarder before applying adhesive.
1. Use nominal 3/4” CDX Exposure 1 Plywood subfloor panels, 4’x8’ sheets.
2. Cut the plywood panels to 2’x8’ or 4’x4’ sections.
3. Score back of panels, 1/2 the thickness on a 12”x12” grid.
4. Apply an approved adhesive.
5. Lay sections in a staggered joint pattern in adhesive, with 1/8” spacing between sheets, and 3/4” minimum expansion space at walls and all vertical obstructions.

MOISTURE TESTING FOR CONCRETE SLABS
Tests given an “at the time” result for starting a job, not a permanent condition of
your substrate.