- Always check flooring panels for defects such as chips and color variations under good light conditions prior to installation. Also, check that grooves are free of debris.
- Use laminate panels from multiple boxes during installation.
- Laminate flooring MUST be allowed to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the room. Leave the closed package in a horizontal position for at least 48 hours prior to installation. The preferred temperature should be 62-73° F (17-23°C) with a relative humidity of 40-60%. Humidity should never drop below 30% as gapping may occur.
- If existing baseboard molding is difficult to remove, Quarter Round molding will be required to cover the expansion space need between flooring and baseboard.
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Required Tools And Supplies
- Foam Underlay
- Spacers
- Saw
- Adhesive Tape
- Tapping Block
- Preferred 6 mil (or thicker) black polyethylene vapor barrier for crawl space and concrete floor installations (4 mil minimum).
- Hammer
- Ruler
- Pencil Tape Measure
- Utility Knife
- Construction Adhesive
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Suitable Types of Sub floors and Floor Preparation
- The sub floor must be level, dry, smooth, and clean. Carpet staples or glue residue must be removed and floor must be clean to ensure proper installation.
- Variance of subfloor levelness cannot exceed 1/8” in a six foot span. Any variance in excess of 1/8” must be sanded down or filled with appropriate filler.
- Floors must be checked for moisture. Any and all moisture problems must be solved prior to installation. New concrete needs to cure for at least 60 days before installation.
- THIS FLOOR IS NOT SUITABLE FOR DAMP ROOMS SUCH AS BATHROOMS, SAUNAS, AND ROOMS WITH FLOOR DRAINS OR ROOMS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY FLOOD.
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Installation
Remove tongue from wall side of first row of planks
- All flooring installations require foam underlayment. Run the foam underlay in the same direction as the laminate panels. Underlay should be butted side by side (no overlap).
- For installations on concrete floors or over crawl space a vapor barrier must first be laid down. Run the poly 2” (5cm) up walls and overlap seams 18” (45cm). Tape seams.
- Remove the tongue (on the long side) from the first row of planks on the long side. This will ensure that the decorative surface of the flooring is under the finished trim when installed. Use a utility knife to score through several times until it easily snaps off.
- Start in a corner by placing the first panel with its trimmed side facing the wall. Use spacers along each wall to maintain an expansion gap of 3/8” (8-12mm) between the wall and the flooring.
- REMEMBER THAT THIS PRODUCT IS PRIMARILY WOOD AND NEEDS ROOM TO EXPAND AND CONTRACT. DO NOT ATTACH THE FLOOR TO ANY SURFACE.
- To attach your second panel, insert the end tongue of the panel into the end groove of the first panel by rotating the plank down at an angle. Lower the panel flat to the floor. Line edges up carefully.
- Continue along the wall until you reach the last full panel, connecting them as you go. To fit the last panel, rotate the panel 180° with the pattern side facing up, place beside row, mark off the excess and saw. When using a handsaw, cut on the decorative side and when using a circular saw cut with the decorative side down.
- Begin next row with the cut off piece from the previous row to stagger pattern. Pieces should be a minimum of 10” (25cm) long and joint offset should be at least 16” 940cm) apart. To attach panels, tilt the panel you are attaching slightly upward (about 15-25°) and rotate downwards into place. The plank will click into place with light pressure.
- Attach the second panel on the long side as described above. Be sure that the groove of the short side of the panel is in alignment with the tongue of the panel on the floor. Then lower the panel to the floor. The tongue and groove should lock together. Continue laying the remaining panels in the same manner.
- To fit the last row, lay a panel on top of the previous row. With the tongue to the wall, lay another panel upside down on the one to be measured and use it as a ruler. Don’t forget to allow room for the spacers. Cut the panels and attach into position.
- Door frames and heating vents also require expansion room. First, cut the panel to the correct length. Then place the cut panel next to its actual position and use a ruler to measure the areas to be cut out and mark them. Cut out the marked points allowing the necessary expansion distance on each side.
- You can trim doorframes by turning a panel upside down and using a handsaw, cut away the necessary height so that panels slide easily under the frames. Always check local codes before trimming metal doorjambs. If the doorjamb is metal in a commercial setting or multi-family building and codes do NOT allow undercutting, allow proper expansion around doorjamb and fill the gap with silicone caulk.
- In difficult areas where panels cannot be lifted to be installed, use a chisel to lower the edges of the groove. If much of the groove is removed, the joint will be compromised. Apply a 3/32 beat of glue to the groove and install plank. Remove residue and tape pieces together for 24 hours.
In difficult areas where panels cannot be lifted to be installed, use a chisel to lower the edges of the groove. If much of the groove is removed, the joint will be compromised. Apply a 3/32 beat of glue to the groove and install plank. Remove residue and tape pieces together for 24 hours.
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Molding
- Reducer molding is used to finish flooring when the adjoining surface is lower than the laminate or when the flooring meets carpet. End caps may also be used where the flooring meets carpet. Position the U track 1.4” (7mm) between each edge of the flooring. Screw, nail or glue down the track directly to the subfloor and insert into the track.
- T-Molding is used to finish flooring when two levels meet in doorways or for expansion joints. Install the same as the reducer molding. If your room is more than 23’ (7m) wide or 30’ (9.1) long, you will need to allow for expansion by using T-Molding.
- Stair molding is used to finish flooring on landings or stair edges. Moldings need to be glued and screwed down to the subfloor for safety. Color fill should be used to cover counter sunk screws.
- To finish the perimeter of the room, install quarter round molding using finishing nails. Nail quarter round directly into the baseboard, not the flooring.
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Radiant Heat
Eastern Laminate may be installed over water floor heating on the condition that the warm water lines are a minimum 1.2 inches under the surface. The contact temperature of the floor must not exceed 85°F after installation. Before installation, turn the heating system off; the floor should not exceed a temperature of 64°F before, during and 24 hours after installation of the laminate. After installation, the temperature may be increased by no more than 5°F per 24 hour period. The highest acceptable heat conductivity for Eastern Laminate is .015 K.m2/W. For electrical underfloor heating, a value of 60W/m2 must not be exceeded. Installation of the vapor barrier underlay may be installed per the manufacturer’s installation procedures. Confirm the vapor barrier is approved for radiant heat flooring systems.
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Maintenance, Tips and Warnings
Maintenance:
Vacuum, Dust Mop (Dry) and when necessary, clean with a MOIST (not wet) cloth or mop.Never Use:
Wet Cleaning tools and cleaners, soaps, floor polish, floor cleaning wax, oil soaps, etc. These products can damage and/or leave a film on the flooring. Never use steam mops.Tips:
Use felt-tip protectors. Area rug use is recommended. Keep animal nails trimmed to prevent scratching. Never slide furniture across floor without pads. Keep floors clean. -
Warranty
It is important that the product is installed correctly and maintained properly. The warranty covers finish, wear, stain, and fading, under normal conditions in a residential installation. In the event of a claim, Manufacturer reserves the right to either repair or replace the product. The warranty covers the cost of the product only.
All claims must be submitted in writing to a place of purchase. Failure to follow these procedures may result in voiding some or all of the warranty.
This limited warranty is not transferable and extends only to the original end user.
Please note:
Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.
