Mistral 3/4" Hardwood Flooring & INPA Flooring Installation

Installer/owner responsibility
Beautiful hardwood flooring is a natural product and therefore, not perfect. Our flooring is manufactured in accordance with accepted industry standards which permit a defect tolerance to to exceed 5%. The defects maybe natural or that of the manufacturing. Prior to installation of any hardwood flooring product, the installer must determine that the job-site environment and the sub surfaces involved, meet or exceed all requirements as stipulated in installations instructions. The hardwood declines any responsibility associated with sub surface of job-site environment deficiencies. The installer/owner has final inspection responsibility as to grade, manufacture selectivity and hold out or cut off pieces with glaring defects whatever the cause. Use of stain, filler or putty stick for defect correction during installation should be accepted as normal procedure. When hardwood flooring is ordered, 5% must be added to the actual square footage for tolerated defects and the waste due to the cuts. Should an individual piece be doubtful as to grade, manufacture of factory finish, the installer should not use the piece.

Once Installation Has Been Completed, Any Inquiry For Complaints
Will Automatically Be Rejected By The Manufacturer

Tools Required: Power Nailer, Claw Hammer, Nail Punch, Mallet, 7 or 8D Nails, Tape Measure, Mitre Saw - Circular Saw - Handsaw, Chalkline, Wax Stick

1. Preparing the Surface
   Open the package and leave the boards in the room for 48 hours.
   Clean the surface and make sure it is dry.
   Install the boards on a code approved sub-floor.
   If you are installing the boards directly over a wood or slat surface, sand rough areas and nail.
   If installing over an old flooring, lay the new planks perpendicular to the old planks.
   To install it in the same direction, cover old flooring with the plywood and secure it with 7D nails.

2. Distributing the Boards
   Choose your boards so that the shades create a uniform pattern.
   Use boards with minor flaws for cutting.
   Install boards perpendicular to the joists.

3. Measuring
   Trace a line 3/4" from the wall using the chalkline
   Leave a 3/4" expansion space along all walls.

4. Installing the First Row of Boards
   Install the first board, tongue extremity facing the wall and the groove edge along the line.
   Nail the board from the top, 1/4" from the edge closest to the wall
   Nail every 12 inches, leaving  3 inches at each end.
   Drive nails into the board with the nail punch, using the wax stick to conceal the holes.
   Secure the tongue side by driving in finishing nails at a 45 degree angle.
   Cut the last board of the first row, leaving 3/4" distance between the wall and the tip.

5. Installing the Second and Subsequent Rows
   Start the second row by selecting a board that is at least 6 inches longer or shorter than the neighboring one.
   Repeat the process with all other boards.
   Install them by inserting the groove into the tongue.
   Secure the tongue side by driving in finishing nails at a 45 degree angle.

6. Installing the Last Row
   Cut the boards leaving a 3/4" expansion space.
   Nail the board from the top, 1/4" from the edge closest to the wall.
   Nail every 12 inches, leaving 3 inches at each end.
   Drive nails into the board with the nail punch, using the wax stick to conceal the holes.

7. Finishing
   Install the baseboards using finishing nails. Conceal the holes using a wax stick in a shade matching the wood.

Installers, Provide Your Clients With the Following Information:

Maintain humidity levels between 45% and 55% as the dimensions of wood can vary with the seasons and humidity. To protect your floors and enjoy long-term satisfaction, it is recommended that a humidifier be used during the cold season when wood and electrical heating tend to make the air overly dry.

Installer/owner responsibility
Beautiful hardwood floor is made from a natural product, wood. Therefore natural variations in color, tone and grain will be present and are not defects. Our flooring is manufactured in accordance with accepted industry standards which permit a defect tolerance not to exceed 5%. The defects maybe natural or that of the manufacturing. Prior to installation of any hardwood flooring product, the installer must determine that the job-site environment and the sub surfaces involved, meet or exceed all requirements as stipulated in installations instructions. The manufacturer declines any responsibility for job failure resulting from or associated with sub surface of job-site environment deficiencies. The installer/owner has final inspection responsibility as to grade, manufacturing and factory finish. He must use reasonable selectivity and hold out or cut off pieces with defects whatever the cause. Use of stain or filler or putty stick for defect correction during installation should be accepted as normal procedure. When hardwood flooring is ordered, 5% must be added to the actual square footage for tolerated defects and the waste due to the cuts. Should an individual piece be doubtful as to grade, manufacturing or factory finish, the installer should not use the piece.

PRE-INSTALLATION WARRANTY EXPIRES UPON INSTALLATION. THE INSTALLER/OWNER HAS THE
RESPONSIBILITY TO CAREFULLY INSPECT THE PRODUCT BEFORE INSTALLATION FOR MILLING,
DIMENSION OR VISUAL DEFECTS.

1. BASIC TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES REQUIRED

Tape Measure, Hammer, Mallet, Chalkline, Hand Saw, Circular Saw, Wax Stick, Broom, Miter Saw, Pencil and a Moisture Meter.

FOR A STAPLED-DOWN INSTALLATION

• Glue Coated Staples 1"(2.5cm) minimum.

• Drill with 1/16" bit, plus 4 or 6d nails and a nail punch.

• Stanley-Bostitch S32XBHF or Senco SLS20HF or Other such Stapler/Hammers designed or adapted Specifically to 5/16" (7.9mm) hardwood flooring, commonly known as a 5/16"(7.9mm) «Blind stapling machine».

• Duct Tape.

FOR A GLUED-DOWN INSTALLATION

• Sika T-55 Adhesive or Bostik Best , EFA or BFT or Roberts 1407 acrylic urethane adhesive or equivalent.

• V notched trowel 1/4"x 1/4"x 1/4" (6.35mm x 6.35mm x 6.35mm)

• Adhesive Cleaner.

• Tape, such as 3M 2090 Blue Mask Tape.

2. PREPARING THE SURFACE
To acclimatize the product to existing moisture levels in your home, open the packages and leave in the room where they will be installed for at least 72 hours, or until product has properly acclimatized.

GENERAL

• The sub-floor must be clean and dry.

• Never install over radiant heated sub-floors.

• Always install on an approved sub-floor.

• Always verify level of moisture in sub-floor.

• The sub-floor must be level and flat.

• The sub-floor must be structurally sound.

• Ideal sub-floor for stapled installations:
  3/4" (19mm) quality Plywood or 3/4" OSB PS2 rated underlayment or 3/4" particle board with minimum of 40 lbs density, stamped  underlayment grade only.

MINIMUM : 5/8" (15.8mm) quality plywood.
CONCRETE SLABS (Glue-down installations only)

• Concrete should be at least 60 days old.

• Do not use a concrete sealer nor install over one.

• Do not install directly on a painted concrete slab.

• To prepare the surface sanding or scouring the slab is ideal.

• Test for moisture content using such methods as, a Calcium Chloride test, where the moisture content must not exceed 3 lbs./1000 square feet with this test, or use a Moisture Meter where readings must not exceed 4.5 on the upper scale.

• We suggest using concrete slab sealer compatible to the adhesive such as Sika Floor Primer MB.

WOOD SUB-FLOORS (Staple-down or glue-down installations)

• Always measure moisture content with a wood moisture meter. The wood sub-floor must not exceed 13% of moisture content and the difference between the moisture content of the sub-floor and the wood flooring, must not exceed 4%.

• The better the sub-floor, the better the performance of the hardwood flooring installed. Sub-floor should be stable with no horizontal or vertical movement.

3. DISTRIBUTING THE BOARDS

Choose your boards from several carton so that the shades create a uniform pattern. Use boards with minor flaws for cutting. Install boards perpendicular to the joists.

4. MEASURING
Trace a line 1/2" of an inch from the wall using the chalkline. Leave a 1/2" expansion space along all walls. The baseboard and quarter-round will conceal it.

5. INSTALLING THE FIRST ROW OF BOARDS
Install the first board – Staple down : installation tongue facing the room. Glue down : installation tongue extremity facing wall.

6. STAPLE-DOWN INSTALLATION

• Pre-drill the nail holes 1/2" from back of groove edge, 1" to 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.

• Nail the board from the top, 1/4" from the edge closest to the wall.

• Nail every 6 inches, leaving 1 to 2 inches at each end.

• Drive nails into the board with the nail punch, using the wax stick to conceal the holes.

• Secure the tongue side by driving in finishing nails at a 45 degree angle.

GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION
Using the recommended trowel with the adhesive, apply to the sub-floor in an area where you will feel comfortable to work, all the while respecting the drying time of the adhesive. Time will vary depending on conditions at the installation site. The room temperature must not be below 65 degree F (20 degree C) Cut the last board of the first row, leaving 1/2" distance between the wall and the tip.

7. INSTALLING THE SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT ROWS
Start the second row by selecting a board that is at least 6 inches longer or shorter than the neighboring one. Repeat the process with all other boards. Install them by inserting the groove into the tongue.

STAPLE-DOWN INSTALLATION

Using one of the approved staple guns, make sure the compressor is set properly. Improper pressure settings and failure to use proper adapters can cause severe damage to the flooring. Using the approved fastening machine and proper air pressure setting will set the staples properly. Follow the setting instructions that accompany the staple gun. Test settings before starting by using a plank. Check for visual surface and tongue damages and make appropriate adjustments before proceeding.

GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION
To eliminate shifting during installation, you can use a tape such as 3M 2090 Bleu Mask Tape to hole the planks in together. Remove the tapes within 24 hours. If you need to cover the flooring, use a breathable material, do not use plastic, as this will affect the adhesive curing

8. INSTALLING THE LAST ROW

• Cut the boards leaving a 1/2" expansion space.

• Glue or nail the board from the top, 1/4" from the edge closest to the wall.

• Nail every 6 inches, leaving 1 to 2 inches at each end.

• Drive nails into the board with the nail punch, using the wax stick to conceal the holes.

9. FINISHING
Install the baseboards using finishing nails.
Conceal the holes using a wax stick in a shade matching the wood.

INSTALLERS, PROVIDE YOUR CLIENTS WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
Maintain humidity levels between 45% and 55% as the expansion of wood can vary with the seasons and humidity. To protect your floors and enjoy long-term satisfaction, it is recommended that a humidifier be used when wood and electrical heating tend to make the air overly dry.