Company Info Contact Manufacturing Sample Requests Bamboo Solid Hardwood Engineered Hardwood Exotic Cork Laminate   LAMINATE FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDE Installing Underlayment: The underlayment for the laminate flooring consists of plastic and/or foam sheeting material that will be dispensed from a three-foot roll. Install the underlayment perpendicular to the sub-floor sheathing and start from one end of the room working your way across the room. The plastic sheeting material should be overlapped slightly at the seams. Use adhesive strips to connect adjacent rows of plastic sheeting. If any part of the underlayment is punctured or damaged during installation, seal the area with a moisture proof tape. Installing Laminate Flooring: The Laminate Floors are designed to be “floated”. That means they should never be nailed or glued to the sub-floor; but rather, each panel joint is connected with the next, creating a strong, continuous surface. One of the most important aspects of a glue-less Laminate Floor installation is the precise placement of the first three rows of laminate panels. If the first three rows are square and tight, the rest of the installation process will go much smoother. NOTE: Laminate Floors are intended to be installed as a floating floor system. Never secure flooring to the sub-floor with nails, glue, or screws. Use spacers to ensure a minimum of 5/16" expansion space around the perimeter of the floor. General Instructions: Divide the work area’s width in inches by the panel width (7.625"). This number will tell you how many panels are required to cross the room. It will also help you figure out the width of the last panel. If the last panel will be less than 2" wide, the first panel to be laid must be cut to compensate for the difference on this last panel. For example, if your room measures 146" wide, then your last panel would be 1 1/8" wide, less than the 2" panel width minimum. You must cut the first panel to measure 4 3/8" to compensate for the last panel, which would also measure 4 3/8". NOTE: When cutting laminate panels, the rotation of the saw blade must always cut into the decorative layer of the laminate floor. When possible, panels should run parallel to incoming light sources such as windows. Panels should run parallel to the longest wall in the installation area. This is especially true in long, narrow spaces such as hallways. Typically the cut-off material from the first row can be used to begin the second row, but the starter panels must be between 8" and 12" in length. Panels in adjoining rows must be staggered at least 8" minimum. Do not make all starter panels equal in length. An easy way to mark the last panel in a row is to place the panel in position with the tongue against the tongue of the previously laid panel and the end of the panel against the spacing wedge. Mark a line with a pencil across the panel and cut along this line. The remainder of the panel can be used to start the next row of panels. Joining the End Seams: With the tongue facing the wall raise the right side of the plank to a 45º angle. The tongue of the panel held at an angle is inserted into the groove of the installed panel. Slide the plank forward along the end seam until it touches the plank in the previous row. The ends of both panels are then interlocked by lowering the angled paneled down to the floor. Joining the End and Long Seams: In order for the new panel that is interlocked on the end seam to also be interlocked on the long seam, tilt the plank together with the previous panel connected to its end, and held at a 45º angle to the previously installed row. The long side of the new panel is then interlocked with the panels in the previously installed row by lowering both panels down to the floor. Installing the First Row: The floating nature of the laminate flooring requires a 5/16" spacing around the perimeter of the floor. Install spacers along the starting wall and at both end walls. Starting with the tongue side facing the wall lay the first panel onto the underlayment. Attach the next panel by lifting the right side of the panel to a 45º angle and attaching the end seam. Installing Additional Rows: To start the second row, join the starter panel to the groove of the first row. This is achieved by inserting the tongue of the starter panel at a 45º angle into the groove of the previously laid panel. The long seam is locked when the panel lies flat on the sub-floor and the joint is tightly closed. Insert the end seam tongue of the next panel to the end seam of the starter panel. Tilt the groove edge of the panel and the starter panel to a 45º angle and push the tongue into the long seam. Lower both panels to the sub-floor. Last Row Installation The last row to be installed in the work area will most likely require cutting to width. These final panels should be no less than 2" wide. Position a panel that has been cut to the correct length over the last panel in the previous row and align the two panels exactly (maintain staggered end joints). Lay a 3" long scrap piece of panel with the tongue against the wall over the top of the panel to be cut and scribe the contour of the wall with a pencil. Saw each panel in the last row accordingly and fit them into place using a pull bar. Then add 5/16" spacing wedges to hold the joints firmly in place and to create the required expansion gap between these last panels and the wall. Doorframes, kick bases, and counter bases can sometimes be undercut to hide the laminate flooring panel edge. In all cases where the undercut method of installation is used, you must allow proper expansion areas behind the undercut. LAMINATE FLOORING Things to do to for professional installation Inspect all planks prior to install Start with tongue edges against the wall (always working left to right.) Always install end seams first, long seams second. Raise right side of plank to 45º Insert tongue of end seam into groove of end seam squarely. Slide end seam forward until long seam touches. Lower plank to sub floor (keeping end seam tight and square), end seam should now be engaged. Tilt the plank you are working with and the previous plank to a 45º angle at the long seam. Slide plank end seam forward until long seam engages. Push in and down. Clean with Laminate Cleaner and a dry mop. Things to avoid Don’t use a tapping block Don’t use a hammer Don’t kick end seams together Don’t install damaged or defective planks Don’t use tools or material designed for other products   Copyright © 2006 CFS Corporation. All Rights Reserved.