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Carriage House Engineered Floors Installation Guidelines
If the following instructions leave any unanswered
questions, or if additional information is required, please call
Natural Cork (The Company) toll free at 800-404-2675 (706-733-6120).
You must readand understand these instructions completely before
beginning installation. Responsibility for thesuitability of Natural
Floors Engineered Floating Floor and accompanying products for each
individual installation cannot be assumed by Natural Cork (The
Company), since
Natural Cork (The Company) has no control over the installer's proper
application. Should an individual plank be doubtful as to appearance or
dimension the installer should not use this piece. Natural Cork (The
Company) will send replacement materials in a timely manner.
Natural Floors floors are subject to the normal behavior of minor
expansion during periods of high humidity and minor contraction during
periods of low humidity (usually the heating season). Expansion and
contraction can be kept to unnoticeable levels by stabilizing the
building through temperature and humidity control allowing for proper
acclimatization of the product prior to installation, and providing the
recommended
expansion space mentioned below.
INSTALLATION ON CONCRETE SUBSTRATE(at least 30 days old)
Natural Floors
Engineered Floating Floor can be installed over concrete that is above
grade, on grade or below grade. Concrete substrates are required to be
sound, smooth and level. Tolerance of level must be within 1/8”
in 6'. Check concrete slab for moisture with Calcium Chloride
moisture test. Moisture content cannot be more than 3 pounds per 1,000
sq. ft. per 24 hours. A Tramex concrete moisture encounter with a
reading of 3 or more requires further testing. Fill any low spots with
Portland based leveler and scrape any high spots. Before installing
Natural Floors Engineered Floating Floor, cover concrete floor with 6
mil polyethylene sheets, run up the wall 3", overlap seams 8", and tape
the seams of the sheets completely together. Install 1/8” Natural
Cork Underlayment. 1/2” Expansion space should be left around the
perimeter. (Typical expansion space is equal to the thickness of the
product installed). Stagger end joints at least 6 inches on adjacent
rows to avoid “H” patterns.
INSTALLATION ON UNDERLAYMENT-GRADE PLYWOOD AND MAN-MADE BOARD SUBSTRATES:
Subfloor must be clean and level. Fill any low spots
with appropriate filler and sand any high spots. Tolerance of level
must be within 1/8” in 6'. Subfloor must not exceed 14% moisture
content (electrical resistance method). Check basements and under floor
crawl spaces to be sure they are dry and well ventilated to avoid
damage to planks caused by moisture. For buildings with crawl spaces,
Natural Floors recommends use of 6 mil polyethylene sheeting as ground
cover over the earth. 1/8” Natural Cork underlayment can be used
loose laid directly over the plywood substrate. 1/2” Expansion
space should be left around the perimeter. (Typical expansion space is
equal to the thickness of the product installed). Stagger end joints at
least 6 inches on adjacent rows to avoid “H” patterns.
NATURAL FLOORS ENGINEERED FLOATING FLOOR MUST BE ACCLIMATED:
Store flooring
material out of the box at job site for a minimum of 72 hours. During
storage and installation, maintain temperature and relative humidity to
level consistent to the conditions that will prevail when building is
occupied. Heating or air conditioning must be used to maintain the
homeowner’s livable conditions during the acclimation period and
during installation. With improper acclimation, the floor could
noticeably expand or contract after installation.
NOTE: Installation of an expansion joint (T-Mold) is necessary when transitioning from one room to another.
NATURAL FLOORS ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORS ARE INSTALLED USING THE GLUELESS INTERLOCKING SYSTEM.
The plank profile has a milled tongue and groove to interlock the
adjoining boards on the floor. Start installing the floor in one corner
(preferably parallel to the longest wall) following the direction the
light falls. It is equally possible to work from left to right or right
to left. Always insert the tongue into the groove, not the other way
around.
UNDERLAYMENT: Over concrete slabs, a vapor barrier must
be installed first. Unroll 4’ wide cork underlayment, 1 strip at
a time, wall to wall, and loose lay wood flooring directly on top.
STRING LINE: Choose the longest wall that will be
parallel to the plank floor. Tap a nail part way into the old floor
1/2” from the wall at each end of the room. String a line between
the nails 3/4” above floor level. Use this string as a guide-line
for the first row of planks. The 1/2” space from the wall allows
room for expansion. Shuffle flooring planks for best visual mix. Mix
planks from various cartons to maintain natural color and pattern
variation.
FIRST ROW: Facing the guide-line, place the first plank
at the left-hand end, tongue side facing wall, starting 1/2” off
the wall. It is necessary to remove the tongue from all planks lining
the starting wall. Use 1/2” spacers at the end and along the wall
(2 to a plank) while keeping the planks aligned with the string.
Spacers keep planks from shifting when subsequent rows are added. Lock
the narrow side of the next plank using a tapping block and a hammer.
Place block flat on floor, and tap gently until the ends of the two
planks are firmly joined, with the joint completely closed up.
Continue this process until you reach the end wall. Cut the last plank
to fit allowing for a 1/2" perimeter expansion space on all sides.
NEVER TAP DIRECTLY ON THE SIDE OF THE BOARD AND ALWAYS USE A TAPPING
BLOCK.
NEXT ROWS: If the cut-off piece from the previous row is
more than 10” long it can be used to start the next row as long
as end-joints between adjacent rows are always staggered by at least 10
6”.
a) Position the long side of the plank to be installed at an angle of
20-30° to the plank already installed. Move the plank to be fitted
slightly up and down at the same time as exerting forward pressure.
Using the tapping block on the long edge can help to achieve the proper
locking of planks. As you push the plank closer to the subfloor, the
joint gets tighter. If you hear the wood cracking, STOP AND LOOK. The
joint is not together far enough for the angle you are using. Increase
the angle and then work your way to the subfloor.
b) To connect the sides, use a number of smaller taps on
the short edge with the tapping block, until the planks lock together
completely. This will slide the plank along the long joint.
c) In some cases, such as under a door frame, the planks
cannot be rotated into one another. In these situations, the planks can
be fitted horizontally by tapping on the edges using the tapping block.
A floor pullbar might be needed for tight spaces and in this case, it
is recommended to use a piece of cork underlayment between the pullbar
and the plank to protect its surface. In order to cut around pipes,
take a drill bit with a diameter similar to the diameter of the pipe +
1/4” for expansion.
LAST ROWS: Usually the last row will require all planks
be cut lengthwise. Measure each plank at several places along the
length to ensure a proper fit. Remember to allow a ½" expansion
space along the wall side. Use floor pull bar and mallet again
protecting the surface of the floor using a piece of cork underlayment.
FINISH: One of the major benefits of using the glueless
interlocking system is that after installation you can immediately walk
on the floor. Remove all spacer blocks. Fix the skirting board over the
extended polyethylene sheeting. Never attach skirting board to the
floor itself, but allow space for the floor to expand and contract
beneath it. In order to fill in the expansion gap around pipes and any
other areas not covered by trim, use a flexible colored caulk.
Protection and Maintenance
Lasting beauty can be achieved through purchasing a quality wood floor and providing proper ongoing maintenance.
PROPERTIES
Fading: Where possible, use drapes or other systems to protect your floor from UV rays i.e. sunlight.
Joints: Wood floor systems expand and contract in
response to fluctuations in temperature and humidity that should be
maintained to a minimum by using a humidifier and HVAC.
PROTECTION
You may protect your floor by taking the following precautions:
- To help eliminate fine particles of dirt/grit
that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep as
needed.
- Spills should be wiped up immediately.
- Use walk-off mats at entrance doors and in
front of kitchen sink. Avoid rubber backed or other non-ventilated mats
or rugs as they keep the wood from “breathing” and may
cause discoloration.
- In the kitchen, use a rug in front of the
working areas, such as the stove, sink and refrigerator, to prevent
local premature wear.
- Weight distribution is a key factor in preventing indentation.
- Install proper protectors under
“feet” of furniture. Furniture will require different types
of protectors in order to achieve maximum weight distribution.
Resilient pads such as those made of felt, flexible rubber, and
saucer-shaped plastic glides will work for most furniture.
- Caster wheeled chairs should have wide rubber casters. A protective mat should be used under office chairs.
- Maintain a constant humidity level in the room. If necessary, use a humidifier.
- Periodically check floor for signs of wear.
Once a year or when needed, use Natural Cork’s recommended polish
to eliminate fine scratches and rejuvenate the floor.
- Never use tape or other adhesive products on the floor surface.
- Pets are not recommended on the floor.
MAINTENANCE
Sweep or vacuum the floor frequently in order to avoid
build up of abrasive particles. To clean, use only cleaners specified
for use on pre-finished hardwood floors available from your local
retailer or home center. Mist the cleaner on a mop for hardwood floors.
WET MAINTENANCE IS ENTIRELY FORBIDDEN! Apply a recommended wood floor
polish once a year or when needed to eliminate fine scratches and
rejuvenate the floor. Follow manufacturer directions when using any
maintenance product.
RECOATING THE FLOOR
Failure to properly maintain the finish could result in
irreparable damage. The longevity of the finish is relative to traffic
intensity and quality of floor care. When the floor starts to show a
traffic pattern and signs of wear it is time to renew the finish. It is
the responsibility of the owner to judge when the floor needs
recoating. A new coat of a recommended
water based polyurethane (like Basic Coatings Streetshoes XL) will make
the floor look new again and prolong its lifespan. Natural Cork
recommends that a flooring professional be employed for this process
and that strict adherence to the finish manufacturer’s guidelines
be observed.
Lifetime Structural and Fifteen Year Limited Residential Wear Warranty
Natural Cork warrants hardwood products in their original manufactured condition to be free from
defects in material and workmanship. This warranty applies as long as the original purchaser owns
and resides in the home in which the product is installed.
Should a problem, such as delamination, develop after the floor is installed, the cost of labor for
repair will be covered by this warranty.
Natural Floors Fifteen Years Limited Residential Wear Warranty does not cover:
1. Problems due to moisture, mildew, alkaline substances, hydrostatic pressure, expansion and
contraction between planks and/or tiles, or humidity levels above or below those recommended.
2. Damage due to adhesives or tape, scratches, gouges, scuffs, punctures, cuts, indentations, burns,
accidents, lack of proper furniture rests or any intentional misuse of the product. Loss of finish gloss
over time is consistent with normal wear and tear and is not a product flaw.
3. It is normal and expected for there to be color variations due to use of natural elements, exposure
to UV light and/or sunlight, and age of material. Therefore, color inconsistency between samples,
replacement product or illustrations and actual product is not a manufacturing flaw.
4. Manufacturer makes no guarantee that Natural Cork products will match or coordinate with
furnishings, trim, cabinetry, railings, etc.
5. Inherent variations that are consistent with those of a natural product to include pattern, color, and
shade do not indicate defective material.
6. Noncompliance with installation instructions as recommended by Natural Cork. Manufacturer cannot
assume responsibility for the suitability of flooring material and accompanying products for each
individual installation as manufacturer has no control over the installer's proper application. Should
an individual plank be doubtful as to appearance or dimension the installer should not use this piece.
7. Cracking, warping, soiling, fading, improper maintenance or abuse caused by items such as roller
skates, golf shoes or pets.
8. Floor covering installed in inappropriate locations is excluded from this warranty.
9. Exposure to UV light and sunlight will cause color variation to natural wood products. This is normal
and is not a manufacturing flaw. Area rugs and large furniture will block light exposure and cause
uneven coloration. To minimize this, furnishings and floor coverings should be moved periodically.
Natural Cork
1710 North Leg Court
Augusta, GA 30309
706-733-6120
706-733-8120 (fax) 800-404-2675
www.naturalcork.com
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