SimpleFLOORS

Installation Instructions Prefinished 3/4" Solid Plank Or Strip

• Owner / Installer Responsibility
• Job Site Inspection & Acclimation
• Required Tools And Accessories
• Nail Down Installation Procedure

Note: simpleFLOORS is not responsible for and does not warranty the quality of the installer's work or the installation of the flooring. We assume no liability arising from improper installation, inappropriate installation location or improper care and maintenance of the flooring. See our warranty for details.

For Nail-Down Method Only

Please Read The Entire Installation Instructions Before Proceeding With The Actual Installation

Owner / Installer Responsibility

Hardwood flooring is a product of nature, which is characterized by distinctive variations in grain and color. These natural variations in color and grain are not flaws, but are a part of the natural beauty and uniqueness of hardwood flooring. This hardwood flooring is manufactured in accordance with accepted industry standards, which permit a defect tolerance not to exceed 5%. The defects may be of a manufacturing or natural type.

• The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for final inspection of product quality. This inspection of all flooring should be done before installation. Carefully examine the flooring for color, factory finish, grade and quality before installing it. Do not install or cut off pieces with glaring defects whatever the cause. If material is not acceptable, contact your distributor or dealer immediately.
• Before beginning the installation of any hardwood flooring product, the installer must determine that the environment of the job site and the condition and type of the sub floor involved is acceptable, insuring that it meets or exceeds all requirements which are stipulated in the installation instructions which follow. The manufacturer declines any responsibility for job failure resulting from or associated with inappropriate or improperly prepared sub floors or job site environment deficiencies.
• The use of stain, filler or putty stick for the correction of defects during installation should be accepted as normal procedure.
• When ordering, 5 - 10% must be added to the actual square footage amount needed for grading and cutting allowances.

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Job Site Inspection & Acclimation

• In new construction, hardwood flooring should be one of the last items installed. All work involving water or moisture (plumbing, dry wall, etc.) should be completed prior to wood flooring being installed. Heating and air systems should be fully operating maintaining a consistent room temperature at 60-80°F and a constant relative humidity of 30-50%.
• Flooring should not be delivered until the building has been closed in and cement work, plastering, painting and other materials are completely dry. Concrete and plaster should be cured and at least 60 to 90 days old. Check basements and under floor crawl space to be sure that they are dry and well ventilated to avoid damage caused by moisture.
• Flooring should be at the job site at least 72 hours prior to installation. Do not open until ready to install.
• Handle with care. Do not stand on ends. Store flooring in a dry place being sure to provide at least a four-inch air space under and around cartons.
• Do not store directly upon on grade concrete or next to outside walls. Cartons should be placed in the installation area.
• The installation site should have consistent room temperature of 60° - 80°F and a constant relative humidity level of 30 - 50% for a minimum of 5 days prior to installation of any flooring product.
• 3/4" Solid Flooring are for on or above grade installation only and can not be installed over radiant heat.

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Required Tools And Accessories

• Manual or Pneumatic Fastening Machines with 2" Cleats
• Mallet (light colored)
• Miter or Table Saw
• Drill with 1/6" bit
• Chalk Line and Chalk
• Safety Equipment (Goggles & Mask)
• Nail Punch
• Broom
• Tape Measure
• Circular or Hand Saw
• Pry Bar
• 6 -7 d screw shank nails
• Hammer
• Utility Knife
• 15 lb. Asphalt Saturated Felt
• Hardwood Flooring Cleaner

• Allow for a minimum 6" stagger of the end joints of the adjoining row, distributing short and long lengths equally over the areas where the flooring is to be installed.
• Flooring is to be installed at right angles to the floor joists and if possible, in the longest dimension of the room.
• Work out of several cartons at a time to insure proper color and shade mixture.
• To insure that you have a good straight-line place a mark 1" plus the width of the flooring on the end wall near a corner of the starting wall. Repeat on the opposite corner wall and insert nails into each mark. Snap a chalk line to provide a straight line to help align the planks
• Leave at least 3/4" for expansion at all vertical surface or at least what the baseboard will cover or quarter round trim.

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NAIL DOWN INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

Step 1: ESTABLISH A STARTING POINT

Before beginning the actual installation, provide proper layout of flooring by laying out several rows of flooring end to end in a staggered pattern.

FINISH STANDARDS

All Finish must meet the following minimum technical standards based upon a total applied gram age of 112

Step 2: Installing The Floor

• For the first row use the longest straightest boards.
• Align the first piece on the chalk line with the tongue out. The grove side and end will be facing the starting wall. Pre drill holes to avoid splitting. Drive 7D or 8D finish nails or screw type flooring nails into the face of the board every 12" approximately 1/3" - 3/4" from the edge closest to the starting wall and within 2" - 3" from the ends and in the darker grain of the wood. Keep the starter strip aligned with the chalk line.
• Edge nail the plank by driving the same type nails at a 45 ° angle through the tongue of the first piece, spacing the nails every 8"-10" and within 2"-3" from the ends. Repeat this process for the entire first row. Upon completion of the first row, go back and sink the face nails with a nail punch. If it appears that the holes will not be covered by the.
• Repeat the edge nailing for the second row but do not face nail like the first row. Typically the first few rows must be edge nailed by hand rather than with a nailing machine due to the close proximity to the wall. When clearance allows, a nailing machine, which drive 2" fasteners with an appropriate mallet, can be used to simplify and speed up the nailing process.
• For ease of installation work left to right. Left is determined by having your back to the wall where the starting course is laid. When it is necessary cut a strip long enough sot the cut off piece is minimum of 8". Start the next course on the left wall with this piece.
• Install each succeeding row of planks by edge nailing the tongue side every 8" - 10" to within 2" - 3" from board ends. Be attentive to staggering the ends of the boards at least 6" in adjacent rows to avoid clustering end joint. Even short boards need three or more nails.
• Upon reaching the last row to be installed, the planks should be ripped to allow a 3/4" expansion space. The last rows must be fastened by nailing approximately 1/2" - 3/4" from the back edge of the board every 12". The same process of counter sinking the face nails and applying putty should be repeated (as above on starting wall).

Step 3: Finishing The Floor

• Make sure when the installation is complete that the expansion space is covered with the appropriate molding such as, base board and 1/4 round or Shoe molding. Do not nail moldings into the floor but nail into the wall.
• Vacuum the floor thoroughly using the soft brush attachment.
• Use a quality Hardwood Flooring cleaner to finish the floor.

General Installation Tips

• Sometimes it is necessary to reverse the direction of the flooring to extend it into a closet or hallway. To do this join groove edge to groove edge using a slip tongue (available from you distributor). Glue the slip tongue in place and blind nail the edge. Proceed in the opposite direction laying and nailing the flooring in the recommended procedure.
• For a professional and finished appearance frame hearths and other obstructions using mitered joints at the corners.

Caution: Wood Dust Warning

Sawing, sanding, of machining wood products can produce wood dust, which can cause a flammable or explosive hazard.

Airborne wood dust may cause lung, upper respitory tract, eye and skin irritations. Some wood species may cause dermatitis and / or respitory allergic reactions. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified wood dust as a nasal carcinogen in humans.

Precautionary Measures

• Sweep or vacuum dust for disposal or if power tools are used equip them with a dust collector.
• Avoid Dust Contact with Ignition Source
• Avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of wood dust in air. If there are high levels of dust then use an NIOSH-designated dust mask.
• Avoid dust contact with eyes and skin.

First Aid Measures

• If inhaled, move to fresh air. In case of contact flush eyes and skin with water. If irritation persists, call a physician.

Please contact your dealer of distributor to request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information and data above is based on the experience of occupational health and safety professional. It comes from sources believed to be accurate or otherwise technically current. It is the user's responsibility to determine if this information is suitable for specific application and to follow any necessary safety precautions.

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