Tools Required: Installing laminated flooring requires a hammer, a saw, a crowbar or pinch bar with protruding edge (to be tapped on with a hammer), spacer blocks (1-8mm) and a proper tapping block. Never hit the flooring directly with any tool. When using the saw to cut the flooring, use a fine-toothed hand saw, jigsaw, or crosscutsaw.
Prior to Installation: The flooring should preferably be installed parallel to the direction in which natural light enters the room. The ideal temperature is 15° – 25°C (59° – 77°F), with a relative humidity of 30-55%. Ensure that the surface to be covered with the panels is clean, smooth, and level. Uneven areas must be leveled. Always install flooring on a smooth firm surface.
First Step: Remove wrapping and lay flooring panels out flat at room temperature for a minimum of 72 hours. Check all panels before and during installation. Defective panels should never be installed. Once a defective panel is installed, it will be deemed accepted. Do not install over carpet or any residual adhesive material. Verify that the doors will still open and close after installing the flooring and underlayment (minimum +1 cm – 3/8 in). You may need to trim the bottom of your doors. The doorframes and thresholds may need to be trimmed to allow the flooring to be installed under them.
Moisture: Do not install panels in bathrooms, shower rooms, or other rooms exposed to excessive moisture.
Concrete Surfaces: A “patch test” must be performed on concrete sub-floors. If there is any evidence of moisture, the concrete must be treated with an appropriate sealer. DO NOT install laminate floor until concrete is sealed if patch test reveals moisture buildup. The difference between the moisture content of the concrete slab and the flooring must not exceed 2.5%. DO NOT install if the subfloor has a moisture content of 10% of more.
Moisture Barrier: To protect from surfaces prone to moisture, a moisture barrier must first be placed over substrate. Us 6-mil (0.2 mm) polyethylene film. Overlap the edges of the polyethylene by a minimum of 8 inches and seal the junction with moisture-proof self-adhesive tape. Use a moisture barrier on all concrete floors and any installation below grade or other areas where condensation or moisture emissions may occur.
Radiant Heat Flooring: A moisture barrier should be installed over floors with radiant heating. Before laying the barrier, turn heat down to 15°C (60°F) one week before. Keep the temperature below 27°C (80°F) at all times.
Underlayment: Proper underlayment must be used while installing laminate flooring. We recommend a good quality underlayment of a minimum 2mm (EVA or higher-density foam). Underlayment seams should not overlap and should be taped with self-adhesive tape. If you are installing both a moisture barrier and an underlayment, place the underlayment on top of the moisture barrier, or use a reliable combination product if preferred.
Sawing Panels: Wear a protective mask, safety glasses, and gloves when sawing panels. An electric circular saw or miter saw with a finishing blade is recommended.
Moldings: The types of transition moldings to be used are:
- Reducer: Used to make the transition from laminate floor to linoleum or other types of hard surfaces.
- Stair/Bull Nose: Used at the edge of each step in a staircase.
- T-Molding: Used in doorways, between rooms, and when joining floors of the same height.
- Quarter Round: Used to finish the laminate floor where the wall and flooring meet.
- End Molding: Used for transition from laminate floor to other types of floor coverings.
Measurements: Measure all floors with the required expansion gaps (See Expansion below). Panel tongues must be part of the measurement when considering expansion gap. On the first row, you can cut off the tongue facing the expansion gap. If walls are not square, it is recommended that you use the longest straightest wall as your reference line and draw perpendicular lines from it.
*TIP: Draw a line at a distance from the wall greater than the width of the laminate panel so it is visible after you position your first row of panels. It is recommended that all installed panels be at least 12 inches (30.5cm) long.
*TIP: Measure the length of a row and cut the first panel of the row according to the length desired for the last panel in that row (equal at both ends)
Preparation: Measure doors for clearance o installed flooring and underlay. Cut doorframe, doors, and jambs at bottom if necessary. Remove existing baseboards and quarter round. Surfaces should be clean, smooth, and level. Surfaces with slopes steeper than 12.4 mm over 1.62 m (1/2 in over 5 ft), must be leveled. Leveling compounds are available at most building supply stores. Measure the perimeter of the room to determine the room’s square footage and calculate the number of full width rows required. The remaining space that is less than one panel width should be divided equally between the first and last rows except if one of those rows is less than 2 inches wide.
Allow for expansion gaps along each wall. Wood is the primary constituent of a laminated floor. The humidity of a room can vary due to difference between the seasons. Therefore the floor must be able to expand and contract in all directions. This expansion can amount to 2mm per meter (1/12 in per 3.28 ft), so the greater the surface area, the greater the room for expansion required. To allow for this variation, an 8-12 mm (5/16 in – 3/8 in) expansion gap must be provided at all walls. A gap must also be provided around pipes or at thresholds or obstacles (see below). The use of spacers inserted between the panels and the perimeter walls is recommended. The spaces should be removed after the panels are installed and before moldings are attached ot the walls. For room sup to 25 ft. (7.6 m) wide and 40 ft.(12.2m) long, allow between 5/16 in. and 3/8 in. (8 mm – 12 mm) for expansion along each wall. For rooms over 25 ft. (7.6 m) wide or over 40 ft. (12.2 m) long, an additional expansion joint must be inserted. Expansion joints are also required in doorways, and between adjoining rooms or areas where adjacent flooring is installed. Use a T-Molding to cover the expansion join.
All laminate flooring installations require a foam underlay. Run the foam underlay in the same direction as the laminate panels. The underlay should be butted side by side with no overlap. Tape seams together. You will need to remove the tongue on the sides of the panels that face the wall. This is to ensure that the decorative surface of the laminate is well under the finished trim when installed. Use a utility knife to score through the tongue several times until it easily snaps off.
Pipes and Other Obstacles: When installing laminate panel around a pipe or other obstacles, leave the same expansion gap as you would next to a wall. If there is condensation or heat from the pipe, cut the panel so there is sufficient space to keep the panel from coming in contact with these conditions. It is recommended that you treat the exposed edge of the panel to protect it from pipe condensation and heat.
*TIP: Fill the space around a pipe with silicone based caulking in order to protect the exposed edge of the panel.
Laying the Flooring:
- 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 space of 8-12 mm (5/16 in – 3/8 in) between the wall and the flooring. Remember that this product is primarily wood and needs room to expand and contract. At no point should you attach the floor to any sub-floor or wall.
- To attach your second panel, insert the end tongue on the panel into the end groove of the first panel at a 45° angle. Lower the panel flat to the floor. Line up edges carefully.
- Continue connecting the first row until you reach the last full panel. Fit the last panel by rotating the panel 180° with the pattern side upward, place beside row, mark and then saw off excess. Attach s described above.
- When using a handsaw, cut on the decorative surface. If you use a jigsaw or miter saw, cut with the decorative side down to avoid chipping.
- Begin the next row with the cut piece from the previous row to stagger the pattern. Pieces should be a minimum of 20 cm (8 in) long and joint offset should be at least 20 cm (8 in).
- To start the second row, push the side tongue of the panel into the side groove of the very first panel at about 45°. Pres forward and fold down at the same time. When lowered, the plank will click into place.
- To install the second board of the second row, please the board at the 45° angle against the floorboard in the first row, align the tongue-side end with the groove-side end of the first board which is installed flat on the floor. Press forward and fold down at the same time. Make sure the long-side is locked into the previous row and the short-side is positioned tightly and joined with the first board. Continue laying remaining panels in the same manner.
*TIP: Sometimes it is faster to assemble panels into a new row and then attach this row to the previous one. - To fit in the last row, lay a panel on top of the previous row, the tongue to the wall. Place another panel upside down on the one to be measured and use it as a ruler. Don’t forget to allow room for spacers. Cut the panel 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 door frames by turning a panel upside down and using a handsaw to cut away the necessary height so that panels slide easily under the frames.
Remove spacers and you are ready to install finishing moldings. Good work!
Precautions: Wood dust can be hazardous to your health. Wood products, including fiberboard and engineered wood products, produce wood dust when sawn, sanded, or machined. Airborne wood dust can cause health problems and can also be an explosion hazard. Power tools should be equipped with dust collectors and precautions should be taken to prevent ignition. It is recommended to limit wood dust exposure to prevent the following health problems: Eye and skin irritation, allergies, reduced lung function, asthma, nasal cancer.
Use an appropriate NIOSH approved dust mask and safety glasses when sawing, sanding, or machining wood products. Consult the relevant national occupational health and safety authority for the appropriate standard in protective equipment.
Caring For Your Floor: To protect your new floor, ensure that furniture and chair feet have felt or plastic caps. Avoid bringing dirt, water, and sand from outside by placing mats at all entrances. Use only soft roller wheels that are suitable for laminate flooring on any wheeled furniture or chair. Maintain a humidity level between 30% and 55% in the room. To maintain this humidity level, it may be necessary to use a humidifier or dehumidifier.
Maintenance: Never use a wax or varnish coating on your floor. For dry maintenance, use a dust mop or vacuum cleaner designed for hard floors. For damp maintenance, wipe over with recommended laminate flooring cleaners; never use other cleaning products or detergents, and never use ammonia. Never wet mop laminate flooring. Mop up all spills immediately. Remove stubborn stains carefully with a little acetone on a soft cloth. Never use any abrasive compounds or cleaners.
Manufacturing Standards: Laminate flooring panels are manufactured in conformance with the European Standard of Laminate Flooring EN 13329:2000. The European Standard specifies characteristics, states requirements, and gives test methods for laminate floor coverings. It includes a classification system, based on EN 685, giving practical requirements for areas of use and levels of use to indicate where laminate floor coverings will give satisfactory service and to encourage the consumer to make an informed choice. It also specifies the requirements for marking and packing. Laminate flooring panels are abrasion tested to the above standard and meet or exceed the requirements for the Abrasion Resistance Rating AC3, intended for use according to utility classes 32 (Heavy Domestic). Classification symbols used in this packing conform to the European Standard for these utility classes.
Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty: The manufacturer warrants to the original end consumer the laminate flooring panels for a period of 25 years from the original date of purchase. It guarantees that the décor surface of the panels will not wear through that the panels will not significantly fade from sunlight or normal artificial lighting, that the panels will resist stains and that the panels are free from manufacturing defects. The limited warranty is made subject to the following conditions:
- This guarantee applies only to the original purchaser and proof of purchase is required for all claims.
- The guarantee is for replacement or refund of the laminate material only; no labor, incidental materials, installation, removal, or other will be covered by the warranty.
- This limited warranty does not cover moldings, accessories, or building materials associated with installation, removal, ore replacement of this product.
- This limited warranty only covers the original materials purchased and does not cover any labor costs associated with installation, removal, or replacement.
The guarantee does not cover chipping or impact marks (laminate will chip if sharp objects are dropped on it) , warping (laminate will warp if excessive moisture gets into the boards), cupping or crowning (which is caused by insufficient expansion spacing), shrinkage (laminate will shrink if exposed to excessive heat and dryness), or squeaking (it is the responsibility of the installer to insure a proper subfloor is used). Claims will not be considered for any of these conditions. Claims for wear must show a minimum of one square inch of complete wear-through. This guarantee is prorated based on the amount of time the floor has been installed. Flooring panels must be properly installed in accordance with laminate flooring installation instructions and must be used only for indoor areas according to their utility rating. This limited warranty does not cover negligence, improper care or maintenance, insufficient protection, improper alterations to the original materials, insects and severe accidents, exposure to the extreme heat, burns, fire and natural disasters, use of sub-standard underlay or sub-floors. This limited warranty does not cover installations in wet areas such as bathrooms, steam rooms, or any rooms exposed to excessive moisture. This limited warranty does not cover the surface wear or damage as the of abuse, improper care and maintenance, slide of furniture of heavy objects across the floor without proper protection, severe impact, scratching, cutting, or chemical damage. This limited warranty specifically excludes water damage from standing water, urine, or other corrosive liquids. It does note cover excessive subsurface penetration or moisture emissions from concrete, leaking pipes or faucets, leaking appliances or receptacles such as, but not limited to, washing machines, bathtubs, showers, dishwashers, and refrigerators, flooding, natural disaster of Acts of God. Laminate flo1oring panels installed with any manufacturing defect are not covered by this limited warranty.
Any known manufacturing defect must be reported prior to product installation no longer than thirty (30) days after the date of detecting the defect to be covered under this limited warranty. Any such defective material will be replaced at no additional cost to the customer; any damage that occurs during shipping is the responsibility of the shipping company. Any claim under this limited warranty shall be made by contacting your retailer within thirty (30) days after defect is detected. Proof of purchase including the date must be presented with the claim. This limited warranty covers the repair or replacement, at the manufacturer’s option, of the affected laminate flooring panels. If the repair is not commercially practicable, or if the design of model line that is claimed for is no longer available, the manufacturer will replace the affected materials with another design or model line of equal value. This limited warranty is not transferable and extends only to the original consumer. The above constitutes the customer’s sole and exclusive remedy for claims under this limited warrant. This limited warranty constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.