Moisture.
Do not install laminate panels in bathrooms, shower rooms, or other
rooms exposed to excessive moisture.
Concrete Surfaces.
It is recommended that a moisture barrier be placed over all concrete
floors, even if no moisture emissions are apparent.
Moisture barrier. To
protect panels against moisture from surfaces where moisture is
likely to occur, a moisture barrier must first be placed over the
base surface. Use 6-mil (0.2mm) polyethylene film. Overlap the edges
of the polyethylene by a minimum of 8 inches and seal the junction
with moisture proof self-adhesive tape. Use on concrete floors and
all floors below grade or other areas where condensation or moisture
emissions may occur.
Radiant Heat Floors.
A moisture barrier should be installed over floors with radiant
heat. Before laying the barrier, turn heat down to 15?C (60?F) one
week before. Keep the temperature below 27 (80) at all times.
Underlayment. Laminate
panels must be installed on top of underlayment. Use a good quality
foam underlayment. Underlayment seams should not overlap and should
be taped with self adhesive tape. If installing both a moisture
barrier and underlayment, place the underlayment on top of the moisture
barrier, or use a reliable combination product if preferred.
Sawing panels.
Wear protective mask, safety glasses and gloves when sawing
panels. Always cut laminate panels with the or side facing down.
An electric circular saw or miter saw with a finishing blade is
recommended..
Moldings.Transition
moldings in matching trims can be used for the following purposes:
- End molding: Use for transition from
laminate panel floor to another type of flooring.
- Quarter round: Use at base of wall.
NOTE: Always fasten quarter round molding to the wall, never to
the floor.
- Reducer: Use in transition from laminate
floor to linoleum or other type of hard surface.
- Stair-nose: Use at the edge of each
step in a staircase.
- T-molding. Use in doorways, between
rooms are adjacent floors, and expansion joints.
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Measurements.
Be sure to measure all floor surfaces with the required expansion
gaps. (See Expansion below.) Panel tongues are 5mm and must be part
of the measurement when considering expansion space. If preferred,
you can cut off the tongue facing the expansion gap on the first
row. It is also important to measure the room for squareness. If
walls are not square, it is recommended that you use the longest,
straightest wall as your reference line, and draw perpendiculars
lines from it. TIP: Draw your line at a distance from the wall more
than width of the laminate panel so it is visible after you position
your first row of panels.
It is recommended that all installed panels be at least 12 inches
(30.5 cm) in length. TIP: Measure the length of a row and cut the
first panel of the row according to the length desired for the last
panel of the row.
Direction of panels.
For appearance, panels are normally installed so the length
direction of the panels is the same as the length direction of the
room. This will also reduce the amount of cutting required.
Preparation.
- Measure doors for clearance of installed
panels. Cut away doorframe at bottom if necessary.
- Remove baseboards if necessary.
- Surfaces should be clean, smooth, and
level. Surfaces with slopes steeper than 12.5 mm/1.62m (1/2 in./5ft.)
must be leveled.
- Measure the perimeter of the room to
determine room squareness, and the required width of the last
row of panels. Allow for expansion gaps along each wall.
- Sapphire tongue-and-groove panels are
easily installed without glue. Simply attach the tongue on one
panel to the groove side of the other panel and the panels will
lock snugly together. Start with the first panel flat on the floor,
or surface up, and the groove side away from the wall. Insert
the tongue of the second panel partially into the groove on the
first, while holding the second panel at about a 20?angle from
the floor. Press the second panel down flat and the tongue will
lock firmly into place. (Reverse the procedure to release.) Continue
in a similar fashion for the remaining panels. TIP: After you
have locked a few rows in place, you may find it easier to stand
on the installed panels when setting the next row in place.
Expansion.
Because changes in heat and humidity will cause laminate
panels to expand and contract in both length and width, expansion
spaces must be allowed on all sides of the installed floor. The
use of spacers inserted between the panels and perimeter walls is
recommended. The spacers should be removed after the panels are
installed and before moldings are attached to the walls.
For rooms up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) in width and 40 feet (12.2
meters) in length, allow for expansion between 3/8?and 5/8?(10mm
to 16mm) along each wall.
Expansion joints.
For floors more than 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide or more than 40 feet
(12.2 meters) long, an additional expansion joint must be inserted.
Expansion joints are also required in doorways, and between adjoining
rooms or areas where adjacent flooring is installed. Use a T-molding
to cover the expansion joint.
Install at a room temperature of 65?F (18?C)
Pipes and other obstacles.
When installing a laminate panel around a pipe or other obstacle,
leave the same expansion gap as you would next to a wall. Measure
and precut the affected panel. If there is condensation from the
pipe, cut the panel so there is sufficient space to keep the panel
dry. It is recommended that you treat the exposed edge of the panel
to protect it from pipe condensation. TIP: Fill the space around
a pipe with caulking in order to protect the exposed (cut) edge
of the panel.
Installation.
First Row
- Measure the row before laying the first
panel. Cut the first panel according to the length required for
the last panel. (See Measurents above.)
- Measure for straightness and cut the
panels to make sure the inner edge of the first row panels is
square before starting second row. TIP: Measure the last row for
panel width first. Then cut first row panels to the same width
as last row, recommended not less than 2 inches.
- Position the first row panels along
one wall, leaving space for expansion between the panel and the
wall.
- Lock the ends of the panels together
until the first row is finished.
Second Row
- The first panel of the second row should
be long enough so the ends of the second row panels reach past
the end seams of the first row panels. TIP: If the remaining section
of the last panel of the first row is long enough, use it for
the first panel of the second row.
- Line up the first panel of the second
row so the outside end is even with the outside end of the first
panel of the first row. Lock the long side of the second row panel
onto the panel of the first row. After locking in place, lay the
remaining panels of the row by first locking the long side in
place and then tapping the end of the panel to slide it into firmly
into place at its end.
Middle Rows
- Lay each of the panels of the remaining
middle rows in the same manner. In order to stagger the end seams
of each panel, it is recommended that the length of the first
panel of each row be varied.
Last Row
- Because the width of the last row may
be less than that of the previous rows, it may be necessary to
cut the panels of the last row to the appropriate width. (See
TIP for first row).
Precautions. Caution:
Wood Dust can be hazardous to your health.
Wood products including fiberboard and engineered wood products
produce wood dust when sawn, sanded, or machined. Airborne wood
dust can cause health problems and can also be an explosive hazard.
Power tools should be equipped with dust collectors, and precaution
should be taken to prevent ignition. In the United States, the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends
limiting wood dust exposure to prevent the following health problems:
eye and skin irritation; allergy, reduced lung function, asthma,
and nasal cancer. Use an appropriate NIOSH approved dust mask and
safety glasses when sawing, sanding, or machining wood products.
In countries outside the USA, consult the relevant national occupational
health and safety authority for the appropriate standard in protective
equipment.
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