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ULTRAWOOD
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Job Site & Requirements
Locking engineered hardwood is a durable oor covering,
not intended as structural material. Locking engineered
hardwood requires a clean, dry, secure suboor that
meets building codes. Locking engineered hardwood
ooring can be installed above, on or below grade.
The following requirements are not intended to
supersede federal, state or local building codes, but as
with many other interior nish products, may require
modifying existing structural components for successful
installation. Owner assumes responsibility for compliance
with all building codes.
All work involving water or moisture (plumbing, masonry,
painting, plastering) must be completed prior to ooring
installation. 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.
Precautions should be taken to protect oors from other trade work. Do not cover oors 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 craft paper; inks from printed cardboard could damage the hardwood
oor. The oor should be thoroughly cleaned before covering to remove grit and debris that would damage the nish. The oor must be completely covered
to eliminate uneven ambering from exposure to UV light. Remove covering immediately after other trades have nished to avoid moisture damage from
condensation. Warranties do not extend to damage caused by trapped moisture.
Locking engineered hardwood ooring is suitable for use in climate controlled indoor installations only and should not be installed over any oor with a
sump pump or in a room with a oor drain. Room temperature should be 60-80°F, with relative humidity between 35-55%. These environmental conditions
are specied as pre-installation requirements and must be maintained for the life of the product. Additionally, any HVAC system must be in operation for a
minimum of 14 days prior to performing moisture tests or installation.
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. As with all wood ooring, expansion and contraction will be minimized if the interior relative humidity is consistently maintained year-round.
Humidication and/or dehumidication systems may be necessary to maintain your home environment to prescribed relative humidity conditions.
All heating methods create dry, low humidity conditions. Humidiers are recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage or gapping in wood oors due to
seasonal periods of low humidity. Manufacturer warranties do not cover natural expansion and contraction that results in separation between planks,
or damage caused by excessively low or high humidity. Seasonal gapping is not considered a manufacturing defect.
During the non-heating season, proper humidity levels should be maintained by using an air conditioner or dehumidier.
RADIANT FLOOR HEATING – This product can be used in combination with many types of in-oor heating. The heating system can be cast in a concrete oor
or in a thin layer of ller on the surface of a concrete suboor. It can also be installed under a wood suboor or installed on the surface of the suboor as an
electrical matting if it meets the oor atness requirements.
a. Follow the instructions from the supplier of the oor heating system.
b. Concrete suboors must be installed and cured with no heat transfer for a minimum of 60 days.
c. The heating system must be in operation for at least two weeks before installation. The system may be turned off or set to a suitable installation
temperature (65 to 72°F).
d. The ooring surface temperature, which is the surface of the suboor or the heat radiating from electric heating mats, should not exceed 84°F (29°C).
e. Do not use area rugs on top of engineered hardwood ooring installed over radiant heat systems. Area rugs trap heat, creating elevated temperatures
capable of damaging engineered hardwood ooring.
CAUTION – Excessive oor heating will damage ooring planks. Radiant heating systems create dry heat that lowers interior humidity levels. It may be necessary
to add supplemental humidity in order to maintain recommended RH levels (35-55%) and prevent damage to the wood oor.
To reduce the risk of moisture related failures, test wooden suboors by taking a minimum of 20 moisture content readings with a pin-type meter. Moisture
readings should not exceed 12%. Concrete suboors should be tested with in-situ probes using the most recent version of ASTM F2170. Moisture readings
should not exceed 80% RH.
10' (3 m)
> 5" (130 mm)
6 mil (0.15 mm) virgin PE vapor barrier
Ground
> 8" (200 mm)
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Acceptable job site conditions, including relative humidity and suboor moisture conditions, must be maintained throughout the lifetime of the ooring.
This product is installed as a oating oor only and requires the use of T-moldings in doorways less than 32 inches (0.81m) if the installation changes direction in
the doorway (regardless of doorway size) and in rooms 50 feet (15.24 m) or larger in length or width. Floor movement must not be constrained by glue, nails, screws,
hardware or other xed obstructions . This includes the base board pinching the oor. You should avoid installing cabinets or any other hardware, directly on top
of the laminate. Install permanent items to your sub oor rst, and then install the ooring to provide enough space for the ooring to expand and contract with
temperature/moisture changes.
This product must be installed in accordance with these installation instructions.
Tools Required for Installation
Site and Material Preparation
a. Remove carpet and padding. Also remove any wood ooring installed on concrete. Do not remove products unless they are asbestos-free.
b. Undercut door frame and wallbase. Slide the ooring at least 1/4" underneath the door frame and wallbase. Also leave a concealed 3/8" minimum
expansion space under each.
c. Vertical deection of wood suboors should not exceed 3/16". Secure all loose panels.
d. Acclimate unopened product before installation. If there is no time for acclimation, there should be no more than a difference of 25º F and/or 20% relative
humidity between the stocking/transportation environment of the ooring and the nal installation environment of the ooring.
e. Clean debris from suboor before installation.
Door Frame
Cutting Line
Wallbase
Casing
1 inch
(2.5 cm)
BA
C
%
D
48 hours 60° – 85° F
35% – 65% RH
G
E
6 mil (0.15 mm) virgin
polyethelene vapor barrier
> 8" (200 mm)
F
subfloor
SAVE OUR TREES
SALVEMOS NUESTROS ÁRBOLES
This hardwood plank has a natural imperfection.
To minimize waste, we reccomend to cut at the edges of the sticker.
Use the cut pieces as a starter plank after the first row or to end a row.
Este tablero de madera dura tiene una imperfección natural.
Para reducir la producción de residuos, se recomienda cortar en los bordes del adhesivo.
Utilice las piezas cortadas como tabla de inicio después de la primera fila o para terminar una fila.
CUT HERE
CUT HERE
CUT ALONG THE EDGE OF THE STICKER
CORTE AQUÍ
CORTE AQUÍ
CORTE A LO LARGO DEL BORDE DEL ADHESIVO
CUT HERE
CUT HERE
CUT ALONG THE EDGE OF THE STICKER
CORTE AQUÍ
CORTE AQUÍ
CORTE A LO LARGO DEL BORDE DEL ADHESIVO
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Moisture
Meter
Common Tools
Carbide
40T Blade
Floor tapping
block and 5m (3/16")
spacers
Finishing
Putty
Moisture
Meter
100% Silicone
Sealant
Felt Furniture
Pads
PE Foam
Backer Rod
Other Tools and Supplies
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f. For concrete suboors, install Performance Accessories Moisture Barrier.
g. For planks without attached underlayment, install over single layer of underlayment no more than 3.0mm thick with moisture barrier appropriate for
locking engineered wood oors. For planks with attached underlayment, it is acceptable to install Performance Accessories Platinum
™
underlayment prior
to ooring installation if desired. Make sure to follow the Performance Accessories Platinum installation instructions, taking special care to seal all foam
edges with sealing tape and repair all rips and perforations in the underlayment vapor barrier prior to ooring installation. A separate vapor barrier should
not be used in conjunction with Performance Accessories Platinum underlayment.
h. Some cartons may include a starter/cut plank with a white label on the face. These planks are a conservation measure to help reduce the waste of trees that
contain natural imperfections. We recommend to cut the plank on each side of the label to create two planks for starting and nishing a row during your
installation. If the label is near the end of the plank, you will only be able to cut on one side of the label. DO NOT install cut pieces less than 8” in length.
For more information call 1-888-387-9881 or visit mohawkooring.com.
Flooring Installation
1. Inspect each plank. Floor should be installed blending planks from several cartons to ensure good color and shade mixture throughout the installation.
2. For the rst row along straight walls, remove the tongue on all long side joints and on the short side of the 1st plank only.
3. For uneven walls, trace contour on tongue-side of plank and cut.
4. Assemble the rst row tongue side toward wall. Insert the end tongue into the end groove and rotate downward to assemble. Keep the planks aligned and
the joints closed.
5. Align two spacers thick side to thick side = 3/8".
6. Provide a 3/8" space for expansion on all sides. First piece must be at least 8" long. Start new rows with pieces trimmed from previous row or use a starter/
cut plank from step H of site and material preparation. Ensure at least a 12" end joint offset.
7. At a slight angle, insert the tongue of plank two into the groove of plank one until the plank edges meet, and then rotate down until the joints lock.
8. Join the short end of the plank rst. There will be a gap on the long side joints when the plank is rotated down.
1
2
3
5
1 3 5 5
2
4
6
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6
6
> 12" (305 mm)
6
14 15
16 17
10
11
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4
Left
Right
7 8 9
1
2
3
4
18
PE foam backer rod
Molding
Silicone sealant
19
Silicone sealant
PE foam
backer rod
Molding
Silicone sealant
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9. Raise the outside edge of the plank upward approximately 1". Maintain this angle as you push the plank in, until the plank edges meet. Rotate the plank
downward until the joint locks. Repeat these steps to complete the installation. Installation Tip: Place a carton of planks across the end of the row being
installed to keep installed planks in place during installation.
10. Alternate Tap Method: Align the tongues into the grooves of the long and short sides of the planks. Install the long side rst by placing a tapping block no
closer than 8" from either end and tap lightly along the long side until the joint is closed tightly. Then tap the end using the tapping block into a locked
position. Note: Uneven tapping or use of excessive force may damage the joint.
11. Ensure there will be a 3/8" gap (after the joint is closed) to the wall for expansion.
12. For the last row, align the plank to be used on top of the 2nd to last row. Using a full width plank as a spacer, trace wall contour and cut plank.
13. For the last row, install the long side tongue into the groove with the end joint aligned. Using a pull bar and hammer, work evenly along the length of the
plank and lightly tap the joint closed.
14. After tapping the long side joint closed, tap the short side closed, using a tapping block or a pull bar.
Installation Under Doorway Frames
15. Slide plank under pre-cut door frame; ensure there is enough space for expansions and contraction.
16. Tap the long side joint closed rst. Then tap the end joint closed.
Installation Around Fixed Objects (such as Pipes)
17. Allow 3/8" expansion space around pipes or other xed objects.
Finishing the Installation
18. Remove all spacers.
19. The entire perimeter of the installation must be sealed with the WetProtect molding system in accordance with the installation instructions. For sections
where the WetProtect molding system cannot be used, seal the perimeter with 100% silicone sealant, as follows. DO NOT use acrylic sealant.
• First ll all expansion spaces with 3/8” compressible PE foam backer rod and cover with silicone sealant.
• Prior to installing the moldings, apply silicone sealant to the portion of the molding or transition that will contact directly with ooring surface.
• Install moldings and immediately wipe away any excess silicone sealant.
• Apply silicone at connections to doorframes or any other xed objects.
• Place molding slightly above the oor, allowing enough space for the silicone sealant to connect the molding to the oor. Do not install the molding
too tight to the oor.
Care and Cleaning
Place felt oor protectors under legs of moveable furniture. Chair casters should be rubber — not plastic or metal. Place walk-off mats at entrances. Dust mop as
primary cleaning method. Occasionally wet mop with water only, using a well wrung-out mop; DO NOT pour liquid directly on oor or use an excessively wet
mop that will puddle or leave moisture standing on the oor. If needed, use a solution of 1 cup of vinegar per gallon of water OR 1/3 cup ammonia per gallon of
water. DO NOT use detergents, abrasive cleaners, soaps, waxes or polishes. A residential steam mop may be used provided the steam is applied to a microber
pad and not applied directly to the oor. Make sure to set the temperature of the steam mop to the appropriate setting for hardwood oors, or to the lowest
setting. Steam mop in the length direction of the planks only. Use correct hard surface vacuum tools. DO NOT use rotating beater bars, oor scrubbers, jet mops
or similar products. Wipe up spills immediately. DO NOT allow topical moisture to remain on the oor longer than the time specied in the product warranty.
Engineered hardwood reacts to sunlight. Hardwood contains certain types of acids in its cellular structure. With exposure to sunlight these acids begin to amber.
The color change is referred to as patina. The hardwood will reach its own natural warmth and patina level and stop ambering. The amount of patina is directly
related to the species, amount of acids and the level of sunlight. The entire oor will reach the same patina level over time. This is often noticed after a rug is
removed and the oor is noticeably different in color underneath. If you remove the rug and expose the entire oor to the same amount of light, it will even out
over time and become uniform in color.
WARNING: Wood Dust
• 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 classied wood dust as a
human carcinogen.
• Airborne wood dust can cause respiratory, skin and eye irritation. Power tools should be equipped with a dust collector. Use an appropriate NIOSH-
designated dust mask. Avoid dust contact with skin and eyes.
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• In case of irritation ush eyes with water. If needed seek medical attention. If dermatitis occurs, seek medical attention.
• PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer.
• The products in this carton DO NOT contain asbestos or crystalline silica.
• DO NOT MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVES OR OTHER
ADHESIVES. Refer to www.rfci.com for Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Covering.
• DO NOT sand existing resilient tile, sheet ooring, backing or felt linings. These products may contain asbestos bers that are not readily identiable.
Inhalation of asbestos dust can cause asbestosis or other serious bodily harm. Check with local, state and federal laws for handling hazardous material
before attempting the removal of these oors.
IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE FOR MINNESOTA RESIDENTS ONLY:
THESE BUILDING MATERIALS EMIT FORMALDEHYDE. EYE, NOSE, AND THROAT IRRITATION, HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND A VARIETY OF ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS,
INCLUDING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE. ELDERLY PERSONS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, AS
WELL AS ANYONE WITH A HISTORY OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, OR LUNG PROBLEMS, MAY BE AT GREATER RISK. RESEARCH IS CONTINUING ON THE POSSIBLE
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE. REDUCED VENTILATION MAY ALLOW FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ACCUMULATE
IN THE INDOOR AIR. HIGH INDOOR TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY RAISE FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS. WHEN A HOME IS TO BE LOCATED IN AREAS SUBJECT TO
EXTREME SUMMER TEMPERATURES, AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAN BE USED TO CONTROL INDOOR TEMPERATURE LEVELS. OTHER MEANS OF CONTROLLED
MECHANICAL VENTILATION CAN BE USED TO REDUCE LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR CALL LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Warranty Conditions
The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for nal inspection of product quality. Examine ooring for color, nish and style 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 manufacturing and natural deciency tolerances up to 5% of the total installation. Installer
should work from minimum of three cartons at the same time to ensure good color and shade blend. The installer must use reasonable selectivity and hold
out or cut off piece with deciencies. DO NOT install undesirable pieces. Flooring warranties DO NOT cover materials with visible defects once they are installed.
Installation is acceptance of product quality.
It is the responsibility of the installer and owner to ensure that jobsite, environmental, suboor 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oor, substrate or environmental deciencies or jobsite conditions.
For detailed product specications, please contact Technical Services at 888-387-9881.
For service under this warranty please notify your retailer in writing. Be sure to describe the specic problem and to include a copy of your invoice. Your retailer
will take appropriate action, including notifying Mohawk, if necessary.
Mohawk UltraWood is manufactured and distributed by
Mohawk
®
Flooring
160 S. Industrial Blvd.
Calhoun, GA 30701