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Cutting, sanding or machining wood products produces wood
dust. While wood products are not hazardous under the OSHA
Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), the
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the State
of California have classified wood dust as a human carcinogen.
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: This product produces wood dust
when cut, sanded or machined. Wood dust is considered a
carcinogen by the State of California.
Precautionary Measures: Airborne wood dust can cause
respiratory, skin and eye irritation. Power tools should be
equipped with a dust collector. Use an appropriate NIOSHdesignated dust mask. Avoid dust contact with skin and eyes.
First Aid Measures in case of irritations: In case of irritation flush
eyes with water. If needed seek medical attention. If dermatitis
occurs, seek medical attention.
To request a Material Safety Data Sheet, call 877-282-4352
DO NOT MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVES, OR OTHER ADHESIVES.
Previously installed resilient floor covering products and the asphaltic or cutback adhesives used to install them may contain either asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica. The products in this carton DO NOT contain asbestos or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of asbestos or crystalline dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm. Unless positively certain that the product is a non-sbestos-containing material, you must presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine asbestos content and may govern the removal and disposal of material. See the current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication “Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings” for detailed information and instructions on removing all resilient covering structures
For Tongue and Groove Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Tongue and Groove Engineered Hardwood Flooring can be installed over most properly prepared subfloors and are engineered to be dimensionally stable, making them suitable for installation on all grade levels where moisture conditions do not exist. We continuously make technological advancements that improve product performance or installation techniques or methods. To confirm you have the most recent installation instructions, please contact Technical Services
It is the responsibility of the installer and owner to ensure that job site environmental, sub-floor and subsurface conditions involved meet or exceed all requirements as outlined in installation instructions prior to installation. Manufacturer declines all responsibility for product performance or installation failure due to sub-floor, substrate or environmental deficiencies or jobsite conditions.
All work involving water or moisture (plumbing, masonry, painting plastering) must be completed prior to flooring being delivered. Building envelope must be complete and exterior doors and windows installed. Exterior grading and gutter downspouts should be completed and permanent HVAC systems in operation for 14 days prior to flooring being delivered to job site. Measures should be taken to protect floors from other trade work. Do not cover floors with plastic, red rosin, felt or wax paper or previously used cardboard. Instead use a breathable material such as clean, dry, plain uncoated cardboard or Kraft paper. Inks from printed cardboard could damage the hardwood floor The floor should be thoroughly cleaned before covering to remove grit and debris that would damage the finish. The floor must be completely covered to eliminate uneven ambering from exposure to UV light.
Manufacturer requires Engineered Hardwood products acclimate for 48 hours prior to installation. Acclimation allows flooring to achieve equilibrium moisture content (EMC) with the installation environment. All wood continually expands and contracts until it reaches moisture equilibrium with the environment in which it’s installed. As with all wood flooring, expansion and contraction will be minimized if climate control is consistently maintained year round. This is especially important with tropical species, because denser woods experience more significant shrinkage in low moisture / low humidity environments. Room temperature should be 60 – 80 F, with relative humidity
between 35 – 55%. These environmental conditions are specified as pre-installation requirements and must be maintained for the
life of the product.
Building interiors are affected by two distinct humidity seasons – Heating and Non- Heating. Care should be taken to maintain humidity levels between 35-55% year round. Manufacturer warranties do not cover natural expansion and contraction which results in separation between planks, or damage caused by excessively low or high humidity. Seasonal gapping is not considered a
manufacturing defect. Heating season – Low Humidity, Dry. All heating methods create dry, low humidity conditions. Humidifiers are recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage or gapping in wood floors due to seasonal periods of low humidity.
Non Heating Season and Coastal or Waterfront Areas – High Humidity, Wet During the non heating season proper humidity levels should be maintained by using an air conditioner, dehumidifier or by turning on your heating system periodically during the summer months.
Examine flooring for color, finish and quality prior to installation. If material is unacceptable, contact the seller immediately. Wood is a natural product and contains characteristics such as variations in color, tone and graining. Flooring is manufactured in accordance with industry standards, which allows the manufacturing and natural defect tolerances up to 5% of the total installation. Installer should work from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color and shade blend. Installer should not install undesirable pieces.
Flooring warranties DO NOT cover materials with visible defects once they are installed. Installer and Owner are responsible for final inspection of flooring manufacture, grade and finish. Purchase an additional 5% of flooring to allow for cuts and an additional 10% if installing diagonally.
WARRANTY NOTE: Installer should provide owner with one carton end label from product installed for warranty purposes. Owner should retain carton end label and copy of invoice with product style name and style number for their records. Excess flooring should be retained and stored for future repairs in the event planks are ever damaged.
The use of stain, filler or putty for correction is considered a normal practice and a routine part of installation.
- Always review the instructions included in your box thoroughly before you start installation.
- Use only nailers or staplers designed for installation of 3/4″ hardwood floors.
- High moisture areas or rooms larger than 20 ft. by 20 ft. may need 1/32 spacers for extra expansion as well as 3/4″ at any verticle obstruction.
- i.e., walls. Mullican recommends prefinished foot for manual and air nailers/staplers.
- If you plan on storing the material prior to installation, store at least 4″ or more off the ground and in a dry area.
- Before you begin your project, place the cartons in the home and allow flooring to acclimate. For Oak, acclimation time is 3 to 5 days in live in conditions with normal relative humidity and temperature. Other wood species may require a longer acclimation time.
- Lay flooring only after sheetrock and tile work are thoroughly dried and all woodwork and trim have been completed.
- Always pull planks from different boxes as you install to provide a more consistent look across the floor.
Eckowood hardwood Floors recommended 3 main methods of installation: Float, Glue, and Nail installation.
Float installation – is the fastest type of installation, glue is applied into the plank (board) groove, and seat it by tapping with a hammer and a tapping block. For this type of installation flooring underlayment is required.
Glue down installation – Eckowood recommends urethane adhesive and, if required, concrete sealer for the installation of our products. Carefully read and follow the instructions provided by the adhesive manufacturers for the use and application of their product. Check with your flooring retailer for other adhesives and sealers that are compatible with engineered floors. Be sure to clean any surplus adhesive off the surface of the plank as you go. Do not let it dry. Use a Urethane adhesive remover for this purpose.
The first step is to find a starting line. Snap a line from the wall the width of 2 or 3 boards plus a 3/8” expansion space. Nail a holding board, i.e. 1” x 2” or 1” x 4” length of straight wood along the line, this will help keep the first rows straight and firmly in place. Apply the adhesive and place the first plank down up against the holding board with the groove side facing the wall. Continue laying the planks using the tongue and groove method. Gently tap the planks together using a rubber mallet and press down into the adhesive. Be sure to leave the expansion gap at the beginning and end of the row. Continue laying the second row, staggering end joints of boards
from row to row a minimum of 8” and 10” apart. If necessary use blue installers tape to maintain a tight floor.
Repeat row-by-row using the same method until the entire section is complete. Remove the starting board and complete the area from the starting board to the wall.
- Always review the instructions included in your box thoroughly before you start installation.
- Use only nailers or staplers designed for installation of 3/4″ hardwood floors.
- High moisture areas or rooms larger than 20 ft. by 20 ft. may need 1/32 spacers for extra expansion as well as 3/4″ at any verticle obstruction.
- i.e., walls. Mullican recommends prefinished foot for manual and air nailers/staplers.
- If you plan on storing the material prior to installation, store at least 4″ or more off the ground and in a dry area.
- Before you begin your project, place the cartons in the home and allow flooring to acclimate. For Oak, acclimation time is 3 to 5 days in live in conditions with normal relative humidity and temperature. Other wood species may require a longer acclimation time.
- Lay flooring only after sheetrock and tile work are thoroughly dried and all woodwork and trim have been completed.
- Always pull planks from different boxes as you install to provide a more consistent look across the floor.
TOOLS: BASIC TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES:
Broom , Terry Cloth Towels , Putty Knife , Coordinating transition strips or molding , Mineral Spirits Coordinating stain, Filler or putty , Chalk line Hand or Electric Jam Saw, Power Circular saw or Miter Saw Thick felt or rubber pads , wood / Concrete Moisture meter or both Safety Glasses, ½ inch wood spacers , Straight Edge , Table Saw Tape measure , Carpenter’s Square , pry Bar or Trim Puller, Utility Knife , Pencil , Pull Bar , 15 Lb. Saturated Felt, Floating Floor Glue (for Floating Installation)
Uniclic Tapping Block , 3M Blue #2080 Tape Plastic Scraper , Urethane Adhesive for (Glue Down Installation) Moisture Membrane, Hardwood Flooring Cleaner
For Floating Installation: Use Performance Accessories
Underlayments or products that meet or exceed these products’
specifications. The use of accessories other than Performance
Accessories might cause damage to the Engineered Hardwood
Flooring. Therefore, we recommend products specifically
designed and tested for use with Engineered Hardwood Flooring.
For Direct Glue Installation: It’s important to check Adhesive
Manufacture for correct Adhesive and Trowel according the
subfloor and flooring products. When installing on concrete
subfloors, trowels should be replaced every 3000 ft. Never use a water
based adhesive to install Engineered Hardwood Flooring.
