Beautiful hardwood floors are a product of nature and therefore, not perfect. Our wood floors are 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

TOOLS & ACCESSORIES NEEDED

Additional Tools & Accessories Needed for Staple-Down Installations
NOTE: It is extremely important to use the proper adapters as well as staples or cleats. Improper fasteners, machines and air pressure can cause severe damage. The manufacturer of this flooring product is not responsible for damage caused by use of improper tools or misuse.

PRE-INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

Job Site Inspection

STORAGE AND HANDLING

Natural Reflections should be stored in the environment in which they are expected to perform. Deliver the materials to an environmentally controlled site. Materials should be allowed to acclimate for as long as necessary to meet minimum installation requirements for moisture content. Handle and unload with care. Store in a dry place being sure to provide at least a four-inch air space under cartons which are stored upon "on-grade" concrete floors. Flooring should not be delivered until the building has been closed in with windows and doors in place and until cement work, plastering and all other "wet" work is completed and dry. Concrete should be at least 60 days old. Air conditioning/heating systems should be in place and in operation at least 14 days prior, during and after installation of the flooring.

INSTALLATION APPLICATIONS

NOTE: MINOR SQUEAKING OF MECHANICALLY FASTENED FLOORS IS NOT ABNORMAL DUE TO STRUCTURAL MOVEMENT CAUSED BY CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAN MINIMIZE THESE FACTORS, BUT OFFER NO GUARANTEE THAT THE FLOOR WILL NOT SQUEAK.
 

General Information for Stapled Applications

Improper pressure settings and failure to use proper adapters can cause severe damage to the flooring. The correct fastening machine and air pressure setting will properly set the staple in the nail pocket (figure #2).

Low air pressures may fail to properly set the staple and damage adjoining boards. Air pressures set too high may cause damage to the tongue, preventing installation of adjoining boards and cause blisters on the face of the flooring. Make certain that the compressor has a regulator in-line with the air hose for proper adjustment. Set pressure at 70 PSI to begin with and adjust until proper staple setting occurs. USE A STAPLER DESIGNED FOR THE THICKNESS OF THE PRODUCT BEING INSTALLED such as the Stanley-Bostitch S32SXBHF or others listed above. Any water damaged, swollen or delaminated subflooring materials will not hold staples and must be repaired or replaced. 

SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS

SUBFLOORS MUST BE:

RECOMMENDED SUBFLOOR SURFACES

CONCRETE SLABS
Glue-Down
Natural Reflections can be glued directly to concrete using Bruce Equalizer adhesive. Do not use a concrete sealer nor install over one. Surface preparation using mechanical methods such as sanding or scouring with open coat paper or a titanium disk is preferred. The concrete must be of high compressive strength. All concrete subfloors should be tested for moisture content. Visual checks are not reliable. Acceptable test methods for subfloor moisture content include:
NOTE: Test several areas, especially near exterior walls and walls containing plumbing.
 

A 3% Phenolphthalein in Anhydrous alcohol solution. Chip the concrete at least 1/4" deep (do not apply directly to the concrete surface) and apply several drops of the solution to the chipped area. If any color change occurs, further testing is required. Calcium Chloride test. The maximum moisture transfer must not exceed 3 lbs./1000 square feet with this test. Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter meter (figure #3). Moisture readings should not exceed 4.5 on the upper scale. (Figure #3 shows an unacceptable reading of over 4.5)

A "DRY" SLAB, AS DEFINED BY THESE TESTS CAN BE WET AT OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR. THESE TESTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A DRY SLAB. ALL CONCRETE SLABS SHOULD HAVE A MINIMUM OF 6 MIL POLY FILM MOISTURE BARRIER BETWEEN THE GROUND AND THE CONCRETE.

Moisture Barrier System: If moisture is present, inexpensive sheet vinyl or "slip-sheet" (PVC) may be installed. Use a premium grade, alkaline resistant adhesive and a full spread application system to properly bond the vinyl to the subfloor. Follow the sheet vinyl manufacturer instructions for installation procedures. A patch test may be required as an adhesion test. Install several small areas (3' x 3') and allow the vinyl to set for 72 hours. Remove the vinyl; if the backing remains attached to the concrete, the subfloor should be acceptable for sheet vinyl installation. If you have any questions regarding installation or the handling of moisture problems, please contact the distributor/retailer from whom the goods were purchased.

ACOUSTIC CONCRETE
Glue-Down Only
Acoustic concrete normally contains large quantities of gypsum that may inhibit the adhesive's capability to properly bond. Acoustic concrete must be primed with the concrete manufacturers recommended primer/surface hardener. The concrete must have a minimum compressive strength of 2500 PSI.

WOOD/CONCRETE SUBFLOOR SYSTEMS
Bonded: Install a suitable moisture retardant followed by a plywood subfloor with a minimum thickness of 3/4". Allow 1/2"expansion space around all vertical objects and 1/8" between all flooring panels. The panel must be properly attached to the subfloor using a minimum of one fastener per square foot and more if necessary. Use pneumatic or powder actuated fasteners. Do not hand nail the subfloor with concrete nails. Install a moisture retardant barrier with joints lapped 6" and begin installation of flooring using 11/2"fasteners.

Floating: Install a suitable moisture retardant followed by a plywood subfloor with a minimum of 3/8". Allow 1/2"expansion space around all vertical objects and 1/8" between all flooring panels. Install a second layer of 3/8" plywood at a right angle to the previous panels, offsetting the joints 2'. Staple together with staples that will not penetrate the first layer of subfloor with a crown width of 3/8" or more. Install a moisture retardant barrier with joints lapped 6" and begin installation of flooring.

WOOD SUBFLOORS & WOOD STRUCTURAL PANEL SUBFLOORS

Plywood: Must be APA CDX grade or better.
Oriented Strand Board (OSB): Must be PS2 rated installed sealed side down.
Particleboard: Must be a minimum 40-LB density, stamped underlayment grade and 3/4" thick.
Do Not install over pressed wood or fiber board. 

Staple-Down or Glue-Down Make sure existing floor or subfloor is dry and well nailed or screwed down every 6" along each joist to avoid squeaking or popping before the floor is installed. Measure moisture content of both subfloor and wood flooring to determine proper moisture content with a reliable wood moisture meter (figure #4). The wood subfloor must not exceed 13% moisture content as measured with a reliable wood moisture meter. The difference between the moisture content of the wood subfloor and the wood flooring must not exceed 4%.

Optimum performance of hardwood floor covering products occurs when there is no horizontal or vertical movement of the subfloor. The MINIMUM subfloor recommendations described above are for 16" O/C joist spacing. The thicker, PREFERRED subfloor recommendations described above will allow 19.2" joist spacing if the joist manufacturer's recommended span is not exceeded. Spacing in excess of 19.2" O/C may not offer optimum results. Install flooring perpendicular to the floor joists when possible. Installations should not be made parallel to the floor joists or on joist spacing that exceeds 19.2" O/C unless the subfloor has been properly stiffened. Stiffening may require the addition of a second layer of subflooring material to bring the overall thickness to at least 1-1/8".

All underlayment panels should be spaced 1/8" apart to insure adequate expansion space. This can be achieved by using a circular saw set at the depth of the underlayment and cutting around the perimeter of the panel. T&G panels normally have built in expansion; DO NOT cut around the perimeter of T&G panels. Do not install over existing glue-down wood floors. Do not install over nailed floors that exceed 3-1/4" in width. Wide width floors must be overlaid with plywood. When installing over existing wood floors parallel with the flooring, it may be necessary to install an additional 1/4" layer of plywood to stabilize the flooring or install the wood floor at right angles. Applicable standards and recommendations of the construction and materials industries must be met or exceeded.

RESILIENT TILE, RESILIENT SHEET VINYL & CORK FLOORING
Staple-Down
Make sure the vinyl or tile is full spread adhesive and well bonded to the subfloor. Do not install over more than one layer, which does not exceed 1/8" in thickness over suitable subfloor. If vinyl or tiles are loose, crumbled, or in poor condition, install an underlayment directly over the sheet vinyl (linoleum) or vinyl tiles. CAUTION: Some older type tiles become brittle with age. Ascertain that the staple will penetrate these materials and that breakage does not occur. Remove if necessary.

Glue-Down
If the tiles or sheet goods are well bonded, clean the surface thoroughly with a good quality household detergent. De-gloss flooring as necessary to create a good adhesive bond using an abrasive pad. If vinyl appears to have a coating of wax or other maintenance materials, it must be removed with the appropriate floor stripper. Allow ample drying time. (Note: Do not sand any resilient products for they may contain asbestos fibers, which may be harmful.) Do not install over floors that exceed two layers. Cork floors must have all sealers and surface treatments removed before installation begins.

CORK (ACOUSTIC)
Glue-Down Only
Natural Reflections flooring can be glued directly over full-spread, permanently bonded acoustic cork. The cork should have a density of no less than 11.4 lb./cubic foot and no more than 13 lb./cubic foot. The cork, in general, should be pure cork combined with a polyurethane binder. Cork thickness is to be no more than 1/4" (6 mm). Install cork in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.

CERAMIC, TERRAZZO, SLATE & MARBLE
Glue-Down Only
All grout joints and broken corners that exceed 3/16" must be filled with a cementitous leveling compound mixed with Latex additive. The surface should be cleaned and abraded to create a good bonding surface for the adhesive. Loose tiles must be re-adhered to the subfloor or filled as above. Remove all sealers and surface treatments. 

DOORWAY AND WALL PREPARATION Undercut door casings. Remove any existing base, shoe mold or doorway thresholds. These items can be replaced after installation. All door casings should be notched out (figure #5) or undercut to avoid difficult scribe cuts.
GENERAL INSTALLATION TIPS Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color and shade mixture. Be attentive to staggering the ends of boards at least 6", when possible, in adjacent rows (figure #6). This will help ensure a more favorable overall appearance of the floor.

• Installation parallel to the longest wall is recommended for best visual effects, however, the floor should be installed perpendicular to the flooring joists unless subfloor has been reinforced to reduce subfloor sagging. Find appropriate subfloor from "Subfloor Type" section in this instruction manual.
• The patented Accu-Lock milling process creates built- in expansion naturally. This special tongue and groove configuration is designed to leave small expansion gaps in the floor during installation. Avoid using tapping blocks, machines or systems that eliminate this built-in expansion.
• Large spans in areas of high humidity may require the addition of internal or field expansion. This can be accomplished by using spacers, such as small washers, every 10-20 rows inserted above the tongue and removed after several adjoining rows have been stapled or glued. Installation parallel to the longest wall is recommended for best visual effects, however, the floor should be installed perpendicular to the flooring joists unless subfloor has been reinforced to reduce subfloor sagging. Find appropriate subfloor from "Subfloor Type" section in this instruction manual.
   

STEP 1: ESTABLISH A STARTING POINT: ALL INSTALLATIONS

In at least two places, measure out equal distance from the starting wall and 12" -18" from the corners and 3 1/8" from the wall. Mark these points and snap a chalk line (figure #7).

STEP 2: INSTALLING THE VAPOR-LOCK MOISTURE RETARDANT: STAPLE-DOWN INSTALLATIONS
CAUTION: This Vapor-Lock Moisture Guard may be slippery and unstable when walked on prior to the installation of the flooring. Use extreme care during installation. 

Roll out the materials in the same direction as the flooring will be installed allowing the Vapor-Lock to extend 3"-4" up the walls. Position the Vapor-Lock so that the chalk lines can be seen through these materials. Staple or tape at the corners to hold the Vapor-Lock in position. Overlap Vapor-Lock 6" at all joints and apply duct tape to seal the seams (figure #8). The first piece of Vapor-Lock will be secured when the first row of flooring is installed.

STEP 3: INSTALLING FIRST ROWS: STAPLE-DOWN INSTALLATION

Roll out the materials in the same direction as the flooring will be installed allowing the Vapor-Lock to extend 3"-4" up the walls. Use the longest, straightest boards available for the first two rows. Align tongue of first row on chalk line. The groove should be facing the starting wall. Use a pneumatic brad nailer to face-nail the groove side 1/2"from the edge at 6" intervals and 1"-2" from each end then at a 45-degree angle down through the nailing "pocket" on top of the tongue (figure #9) OR pre-drill the nail holes 1/2"from back (groove) edge, 1-2" from each end, and at 6" intervals. Pre-drill at the same intervals at a 45-degree angle down through the nailing "pocket" on top of the tongue (figure #9). Face-nail the groove side where pre-drilled. When complete, blind-nail at a 45-degree angle through the tongue of the first row. Fasten using 4 or 6d nails. Countersink nails to ensure flush engagement of groove. Avoid bruising the wood by using a nail set to countersink the nails. Continue blind-nailing using this method with following rows until stapler can be used. End-joints of adjacent rows should be staggered a minimum of 6" to ensure a more favorable overall appearance.

STEP 4: INSTALLING THE FLOOR: STAPLE-DOWN INSTALLATION

STEP 3: SPREAD THE ADHESIVE: GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION

 STEP 4: INSTALLING THE FLOOR: GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION

INSTALLERS - ADVISE YOUR CUSTOMER OF THE FOLLOWING

SEASONS: HEATING AND NON-HEATING
Recognizing that wood floor dimensions will be slightly affected by varying levels of humidity within your building, care should be taken to control humidity levels within the 35-55% range. To protect your investment and to assure that your floors provide lasting satisfaction, we have provided our recommendations below.

FLOOR REPAIR
Minor damage can be repaired with a touch-up kit or filler. Major damage will require board replacement, which can be done by a professional floor installer.

ALL INSTALLATIONS

STEP 5: COMPLETING THE JOB

MOLDINGS