The Complete Laminate Herringbone Installation Guide
Pre-Installation
Floating installation is generally fast, inexpensive and DIY friendly. Unlike a nail or glue down installation, floated floors act as an entire unit as each plank interlocks edge-to-edge to form a single mat-like surface and the flooring material is not secured to the subfloor or underlayment. There are some crucial details that you should know before installation.
As all laminate floors contain a hygroscopic core and they expand and contract with the change of season.
Please read carefully and follow these points for a successful project:
1. Ensure that subfloors are dry prior to onset of installation and that a moisture barrier is installed between the ground and subfloor.
Concrete should be cured and tested for moisture. It is the responsibility of the installer to determine if concrete is dry enough for installation.
2. The flooring must acclimate for at least 24 to 48 hours before installing it in the designated room.
3. Room temperature and relative humidity must be consistent with normal year-round living conditions for at least one week prior to installation.
Conditions should be maintained at the same temperature and humidity level expected for normal use between 65-85 degrees F (18-29 degrees C) with relative humidity range between 35-55%, before, during and a minimum of two weeks after installation.
4. For larger rooms, break down the flooring installation into smaller sections and incorporate expansion joints as necessary.
5. Maintain an approximate 5 mm gap between the flooring and walls, as well as any permanent construction elements like pillars or kitchen islands.
6. Avoid placing exceptionally heavy pieces of furniture, such as kitchen islands or cabinets, directly on the flooring.
7. Ensure the indoor climate falls within a temperature range of 15-23°C and a relative air humidity range of 30-60%.
8. Always adhere to the subfloor preparation requirements and specifications provided by the flooring manufacturer.
Pre-Installation Warranty
To make sure you are receiving the right floor, please inspect all flooring carefully before installation. If during inspection the installer or buyer feels the flooring is the wrong colour, improperly manufactured, has finish problems, is off-grade or is the wrong gloss level, do not install the flooring.
Please immediately contact us. No claim will be accepted for flooring which is visually defective if such flooring is installed, the installed flooring is deemed to be acceptable.
NOTE:
Warranty coverage may be lost due to failure to strictly follow all installation instructions and recommendations and/or the use of improper materials or tools.
While the floating method offers some advantages, there are some things of which you should be aware:
- The floor may have a hollow sound when walking on it.
- The laminate rests on the subfloor with its own weight, which may cause the floor to have slight vertical movement.
- A damaged plank cannot be replaced as simply as in a staple down, nail down, or full glue down installation.
Jobsite Requirements
1. All work involving water or moisture should be complete before installing laminate flooring.
For any new construction or remodelling project, laminate flooring should be one of the last items installed.
The job site should be monitored for consistent, normal room temperature of 68 deg. F (16 deg. C) in winter and 74 deg. F (22 deg. C) in summer, and relative humidity of 40~60% for at least one week before installation.
This flooring should be kept in the shrink-wrapped boxes until immediately before installation.
2. All subfloors should be flat and clean.
The subfloor surfaces must be level to within 3mm in a 2.5 metre. radius and the maximum level tolerance is 5mm per 3 metres.
Check this by using a 2 metre or longer straight edge to find high and/or low spots.
If necessary, flatten out any irregularities using #20 grit paper and fill any low spots with levelling compound.
3. Wood subfloors must be dry and well secured, with a moisture content under 12%.
The bottom side, if facing outside (like a crawl space) must be under 15% MC and a 6mm Polyfilm placed over the dirt in the crawl space.
Adequate ventilation must exist, with clearance of 46cm to 61cm. Leave 3mm gap around perimeter. Levelled by
sanding or grinding down high spots and filling in low spots with an underlayment patch as necessary.
Preferred subfloor: 19mm CDX grade Plywood subfloor / underlayment (Exposure 1), 4' x 8' sheets or 1.90cm OSB subfloor/ underlayment grade, PS2 rated, sealed side down, with joist spacing of 49cm
on centre or less.
4. Concrete subfloor must be fully cured for at least 60 days.
Installed properly with minimum 6mm Polyfilm between concrete and ground. Dry all year round.
Do not install over concrete if you are not sure it will remain dry. Tested for moisture by using calcium chloride test.
Preparation
Set the unboxed floors aside for at least 48 hours before installation. This allows the moisture content of the floor to equilibrate with the surrounding environment.
Make sure your subfloors match the regulations above.
Once all requirements are met, you may open each box of floors carefully and inspect each planks visually before installation. Please note that the boards are considered accepted by the installer and the homeowner once installed.
IMPORTANT:
As an installer, it is your responsibility to be aware of the grade, Relative Humidity of the room, and moisture content of the subfloor.
You should check that each plank is free of damage or manufacturing defects.
Any unusable boards should not be used, and any boards that you find visibly objectionable should either be used in an inconspicuous place or not used at all.
Fitting Instructions
Start by placing two RR panels and three LL panels in the form of a V shape.
Connect the first RR panel into the first LL panel by angling it.
Connect the second LL panel on the left side of the V shape by angling it.
Alternate RR and LL panels until all five panels have been connected.
Mark a straight line from the lower left corner of the third LL panel through the top right corner of the first LL panel to form a triangle. Cut along the line with a saw.
Place triangles working your way outward from the centre of the wall.
Measure and cut the remaining two triangles and slot them between the walls and the other triangles.
Continue with the next row of RR panels. Connect the long side by angling it. Measure and cut the panel closest to the wall as necessary.
Slide the panels along its long side and connect the short side by snapping it using a tapping block.
Use LL panels for the next row. Measure and cut the panel closest to the wall as necessary. Continue alternating RR and LL panels for the remainder of the room.
After Installation
Retain excess planks in case of future repairs.