HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION
Ellis Hardwood Flooring can be installed much like that of other tongue and groove hardwood flooring. Ellis Hardwood Flooring can be installed using the traditional nailing or floating methods.
Since Ellis Hardwood Flooring is a product of nature, there will be slight variations in color. Please inspect boards before installing to ensure an even shade. It is recommended to have the flooring acclimate at least 72 hours prior to installation.
We highly recommend that you have a professional installer install your Ellis Hardwood Flooring.
When cutting the Flooring, please use OVER a 3600 rpm high speed power saw (e.g. cut-off saw) that attaches to a woodworking Tungsten Carbon Tip-End blade. Since wood fibers are strong and sharp, please take the necessary safety precautions when cutting the flooring.
If it is necessary to switch directions during installation please use a spline in between the grooves.
CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON GLUELESS CLICK-LOCK FLOORING INSTALLATION:
CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON T&G HARDWOOD FLOORING:
BEFORE INSTALLING
Since there is slight shrinkage and swelling in hardwood flooring, you should unpack your boxes at least 3 days, or
more, prior to installation to let the material acclimate to its surroundings.
Flooring should not be delivered during rainy or snowy conditions, as it easily absorbs moisture. Ellis Hardwood Flooring should be stored in a climate-controlled area, with air space under boxes on ground-level concrete, and away from outside walls.
If any single piece of flooring is found to be defective in any way, including machining, or finish, it should not be installed. The Installer / Home Owner assumes full responsibility for inspecting the quality, color and finish of the flooring. This inspection must be done prior to installation. If the material is not acceptable, immediately contact the seller and
DO NOT INSTALL IT.
SUBFLOOR
Make sure your subfloor is level, clean, dry, and free of dirt, wax, oil and paint. Ensure that it is structurally sound and free of protruding nails and staples. The moisture content of the subfloor should be tested in various locations of the room, including each outside wall and throughout the center area of the room. Check the moisture content of both the sub-floor and the flooring. The moisture content should be within 2-4 percentage points of the flooring that will be laid on it.
When installing on a sub-floor over concrete, please pay special attention to the following:
The slab must be cured for at least 30 days prior to moisture testing. Newly poured concrete will generally need to cure for 60 days. Always test the moisture content with a moisture meter before installing. Other testing methods include Polyfilm, Phenolphthalein, or Calcium Chloride.
We recommend using some sort of moisture barrier to protect the flooring. Acceptable moisture barriers include: double felt or two layers of 15 lb. asphalt saturated felt paper, or an epoxy sealer.
MARKING YOUR STARTING LINE
We recommend you install your flooring parallel to the longest outside (exterior) wall in the room, allowing ¾” expansion space, and then proceed to work into the room. Do not work on top of the newly installed flooring. In the event this is necessary, make sure to use a kneeler board to support your weight evenly.
PREPARING THE SURFACE
With plywood or board subfloors, start by re-nailing any loose areas and sweeping the subfloor clean. Mark location of joists on the perimeter walls so that the starting runs and finishing runs, which require face nailing, can be nailed into joists. Cover the subfloor with a good grade of 15 lb. asphalt felt/building paper, lapped 2"-4" along the edge seams. This helps keep out dust, stops moisture movement from below, and helps prevent squeaks in dry seasons.
NAILING THE FLOOR
Lay out seven or eight rows of flooring end to end in a staggered pattern with end joints at least 6” apart. Find or cut pieces to fit within ¼”- ½ “ of the end wall. This space will be covered with a baseboard. Watch your pattern for even distribution of long and short pieces to avoid clusters of short boards.
When using the nailing method, 2” cleats or 2” Staples are required for 3/4” thickness.
Blind nail through the tongue along the length of the strip about 8”-10” apart and 5” in from the end of each board. Countersink all nails. After the second or third run is in place you can change from a hammer to a floor nailing machine which drives nails mechanically or pneumatically and does not require additional countersinking.
Please remember to let the flooring acclimate for 48 to 72 hours prior to installation. For best results have a professional install your flooring.
