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Installation Guide   -   For Hardwood   |   For Laminate   |   For Carpet

Installation Guide   -   Hardwood   -   Pre-Installation
 

Subfloor Requirements

  1. CLEAN - Scrape, broom clean, and smooth. Free of wax, paint, oil, sealers, adhesives, curing agents and other debris.


  2. LEVEL/FLAT - Within 3/16" in 10' and/or 1/8" in 6'. Sand high areas or joints. Flatten low spots with layers of 15# builders felt, plywood or shims(not leveling compounds).

    NOTE: Laminated rosin paper or 15# builders felt(tarpaper) acts as a moisture retarder and may be used to reduce movement caused by changes in subfloor moisture, thereby reducing cupping and warping. (This is especially helpful over crawl spaces and basements) In addition, the use of these materials can give the flooring a more solid feeling, reduce sound transfer, prevent noise caused by minor irregularities and debris, and make it easier to slide the wood together across the surface of the subfloor. Kraft paper may be used to make installation easier but DOES NOT serve any other purposes.


  3. STRUCTURALLY SOUND - Nail or screw any loose areas that squeak. Replace any water-damaged, swollen or delaminated sub flooring or underlayments. Avoid sub floors with excessive vertical movements.


  4. DRY - Check moisture content of the subfloor with the appropriate moisture meter.