Planning Your Installation
Step 1Plan on this project taking at least two days for the actual installation. You can't walk on the floor for 24 hours after it's been glued down, so make sure you leave yourself a way to leave the room without walking on the boards. You’ll have to finish the last few rows the following day.


Step 2Bring the flooring into the room so the wood planks can acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity for at least 72 hours before installation. This reduces problems associated with moisture, such as warping and fit. Stack the flooring in a flat position in the room or rooms where it's to be installed and allow it to acclimate.


Step 3Check the moisture level of the subfloor to make sure the floor is within the manufacturer’s recommendations. If your moisture level isn't within manufacturer’s recommendations, stop the installation and call a Lowe’s associate for help.


Step 4Once you have prepped the subfloor, carefully sweep and vacuum the surface on which the flooring will be installed.


Step 5There are many types of glue on the market. Since moisture can be an issue for wood flooring, it's best to use a glue that has some type of moisture resistance. Many glue systems have two parts: a moisture barrier that's applied before installation and a glue that works with the moisture barrier to secure the floor. A great example is the Bostik glue system which uses Bostik MVP as the moisture barrier and Bostik Best as the glue.


Step 6Check the planks for warping and defects, which typically affect around 5% of the product. These boards are unusable and should be discarded. If more than 5% of the product is defective, stop the installation and call a Lowe’s associate for help.


Installing the First Rows
Step 1Put on your safety glasses and latex gloves.


Step 2Place spacers between the flooring and the wall for the expansion gap.

• Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the appropriate expansion gap.

Step 3Trowel out enough glue for two to three rows at a time since you can't walk on the glue.

• Make sure you have the correct trowel for the type of glue you're using.
• Pour glue out of the bucket by tipping the bucket on its side allowing a small amount of glue to pour out.
• Use the trowel to cut the glue off.
• Trowel the glue by holding the trowel at a 45-degree angle and using enough pressure to make sure the teeth are in contact with the concrete.

Step 4Using the straightest boards, lay the first row of flooring along the guideline, with the tongue side facing the room.

• This will serve as a guide for the rest of the room or house.
• Press the wood firmly into the glue to ensure proper adhesive transfer.
  • The ridges of the glue from troweling should be in contact with the subfloor and also the back of the plank.
• Use the dead blow hammer and gently tap the tapping block against the flooring to ensure a tight fit.
  
  • It's important to use a tapping block so you don't damage the tongue and groove system.

Step 5For the second row, fit the groove on the tongue of the first row.

• Once again, use the dead blow hammer and gently tap the tapping block against the flooring to ensure a tight fit.

Step 6Place the second row so that the ends are at least 6 inches apart in each row.

• This will help strengthen the floor.
• This will also give the floor a staggered look, so you may need to cut the first plank.
• To cut the flooring, lay the plank on its face and cut with a circular saw.
  
  • Make sure you’re using the correct blade to cut the flooring.
  • Make sure you allow for the appropriate expansion gap.

Testing with Moisture Meter
All concrete sub-floors can also be tested using a Delmhorst moisture meter, Tramex Concrete Encounter or Wagner Concrete meter. (Check floor in several areas). Test at each outside wall and 1-5 times in center area depending on the size of room for residential, and at each outside wall and every 6’ in center area for commercial.

Tesing without Moisture Meter

Polyfilm : One test per 200 sqf. (minimum 2 tests per jobsite)
Completely tape down 2’x2’ polyfilm squares and leave them for 48 hours. Check for condensation under the plastic. Condensation indicates slab has moisture. Noticeable color changes indicates moisture.

Phenolphthalein : One test per 200 sqf. (minimum 2 tests per jobsite)
Chip small section of concrete off floor and apply 3% Phenolphthalein in alcohol solution (available at most druggists) in the area. Red color indicates moisture. ALWAYS chip concrete as this protects against the possibility that a concrete sealer was applied. Keep phenolphthalein out of direct sunlight. Average shelf life of Phenolphthalein in 6 months. If any of these tests indicate moisture is present in the slab, the calcium chloride test should be run.

Calcium Chloride Test : One test per 1,000 sqf. for 24 hours. See details for NWFA Moisture Testing Procedures.
If calcium chloride test resulted more than 3 lbs, or moisture is present, DO NOT install, find the source of moisture and correct it.

NAIL-DOWN INSTALLTION

Tools & Materials:
Hammer, Power saw, Chalk line, Flooring nails, Tape measure, 15 lbs. asphalt felt, Flooring cleaner, Moisture meter.
* 15 lbs. asphalt felt is not considered a moisture barrier. Use of extra moisture barrier (6 mil polyethylene film minimum) may be required if necessary.

Recommended Nail : 3-1/4” wide products 5” wide products

Powernail (800-323-1653)
: Model 200, 1-1/2”, 20 gage, 85 PSI, U1 PAD with 1 SHIM.
: Model 50P, 1-1/2”, 18 gage, 85 PSI, .200 PAD with 2 SHIMS.

Model 200, 1-1/2”, 20 gage, 85 PSI, U1 PAD with 1 SHIM.

• Inspect ALL materials carefully BEFORE installation. Warranties & Claims DO NOT cover materials with visible defects once they are installed. It is the responsibility of the installer to determine if the job site sub-floor and job site conditions are environmentally and structurally acceptable for wood flooring installation. We can’t accept any responsibility for job failure resulting from and associated with sub-surface or job-site environment, climate and deficiencies.
  
  
• The installer and home owner has the final responsibility to inspect as to the condition of the products including quality, finish, and whether it is the correct product ordered (type, quantity, color, grain, size.) Do not install if the flooring is not acceptable. He must use good judgment and reasonable selectivity and hold out or cut off pieces with visible defects whatever the cause. Flooring with obvious defects or imperfections should be trimmed and used in hidden places or discarded. We will not, in any case, be liable for installer’s lack of judgment, quality of installation, labor, installation, and associated costs. Should any boards be un-acceptable, and need to be returned, exchanged or replaced for any reason, contact your supplier immediately. Once installed, the floor is considered as having been accepted by the owner and installer.
  
  
• Hardwood flooring is a product of nature and therefore, not perfect nor identical in grains or color and defects in the flooring can occur in the manufacturing process or naturally as a characteristic of the wood. Our products are manufactured in accordance with accepted industry standards which permit defects for up to 5%. Order 5% additional material above actual square footage of the installation to allow grading and cutting of the wood.
  
  
• The use of color coordinated wood floor putty to cover small cracks and gaps should be considered normal in hardwood flooring installations.
  
  JOBSITE CONDITIONS & PRE-INSTALLATION PLANNING (Requirements)
  
  

• The building must be structurally completed and enclosed. All outside doors and windows must be in place and have latching mechanisms. All concrete, masonry, plastering, drywall, and paint must also be completed, allowing adequate drying time as to not raise moisture content within the building. All texturing and painting primer coats should be completed.
  
  
• HVAC systems must be fully operated at least 14 days prior to flooring installation, maintaining a consistent room temperature between 60-80°F and relative humidity between 35-55% and should remain at this level year round. This is not only stabilizes the building’s interior, environment, but also is essential when acclimating hardwood flooring to the job site. Wood is a hygroscopic material that expands and contracts depending on the relative humidity level of the environment. Flooring must be stored in a climate controlled area, which is equal to the environment it will be installed 5-7 days prior to the installation, but DON NOT OPEN the carton until you are ready to install.
  
  
• Exterior grading, directing drainage away from the structure, as well as gutters and down-spouts should also be completed. Floors may be installed on, above, or below grade level and are not recommended in full bathrooms.
  
  
• It is essential that basements and crawl spaces are well ventilated and dry. Crawl spaces must be minimum of 24” from the ground to underside of joists. A vapor barrier must be established in crawl spaces using 6 mil polyethylene film with joists overlapped and taped.
  
  
• During the final pre-installation inspection, Subfloor must be checked for moisture content using the appropriate metering device for the wood and concrete. 
• Tips
  
  
  • Work out of several different cartons at the same time to obtain the best distribution of color, grain and shade mixture.
    
    
  •   Undercut door casings to avoid difficult scribe cuts, and remove any existing wall base, shoe molding, quarter round or doorway threshold. These items can be replaced after installation, but should be replaced in such a way to allow at least 1/2” room for expansion. See NWFA Installation Guideline for details.
    
    Subfloor Preparation: All Subfloor must be;
    
    
  • Clean, free of wax, paint, oil, plaster, debris. All previous or existing glues or adhesives must be removed before installation. #3 1/2 grit open coat paper may need to be used to grind a concrete sub-floor. This will loosen any dirt, loose concrete or contaminates. Sweep or vacuum thoroughly.
    
    
  • Flat to 3/16” per 8’ radius or 1/8” per 6’ radius. If a sub-floor prep work is required, “hills” should be sanded down and the “valleys” filled with an underlayment patch. Subfloor irregularities and undulations may cause any wood flooring installation to develop hollow spots between the flooring and sub-floor. These hollow spots are NOT the result of any wood flooring manufacturing defect and are NOT covered by the warranty.
    
    
  • Structurally sound and properly secured with nails or screws every 6” along joists to reduce the possibility of squeaking after installation. Nail or screw any loose areas that squeak or reveal movement and replace any damaged sub-floor or underlayments.
    
    
  • Dry and should be covered, wall-to-wall, with 15lb asphalt saturated felt. Lap edges of this felt 4” when positioning it. Double the felt around heat ducts in the floor. It is essential that basements and crawl spaces are well ventilated and dry. Crawl spaces must be minimum of 24” from the ground to underside of joists. A vapor barrier must be established in crawl spaces using 6 mil polyethylene film with joists overlapped and taped. ALL sub-floors must be tested for moisture. See below for an appropriate moisture testing.
    
    Acceptable sub-floors
    
    
  • 5/8” minimum thickness, preferred 3/4” or thicker exterior plywood installed with long edges at right angle to floor joists and staggered so that end joints in adjacent panels break over different joists.
    
    
  • 1” x 4” to 6” wide, square edged, kiln dried coniferous lumber, laid diagonally over 16” on center wooden joists. The ends of all boards are to be cut parallel to the center of the joists for solid bearing.
    
    
  • 3/4” inch minimum O.S.B. on 19.2” center floor joists system properly nailed. When joist space is greater than 19.2”, flooring may exhibit minimum performance. Adequate and proper nailing as well as soundness of the sub-floor should be ascertained.
    
    
  • Concrete sub-floors must be at least 90 days old, clean, level, sound and of sufficient compression strength (3000 lbs. P.S.I.) being sure that the surface is not slick. Sections not level such as waviness, trowel marks, etc. are to be eliminated by grinding or the use of a leveling compound.
    
    
  • Do not install over radiant heat system.
    
    
  • Appropriate moisture test must be done prior to installation – Always document your readings.
    
    Wood subfloors
    
    Check the moisture content of both the sub-floor and the hardwood flooring with a quality calibrated pin moisture. Wood sub-floor must not exceed 12% moisture content, or 3% moisture content difference between hardwood flooring and sub-floor. If sub-floor exceeds this amount, the source of the moisture needs to be located and eliminated before installation.
    
    
  
  
  

UV oil is a unique way of emphasizing the rich colors of natural wood, containing primarily cold pressed vegetable oils and aromatic hardening oils, penetrate into the surface of the wood floor and, as they cure, harden to form a very protective surface that becomes part of the wood floor. This means that normal wear and tear, such as small scratches and indentations, do not show up as much as on a floor with a urethane finish. The oil finish will also let the wood floor breathe through its surface, not just along its edges.

UV oiled floors are different from natural oiled floors as they are cured using UV lights, protecting the wood from natural sunlight. This is a popular choice with prefinished floors as the manufacturer can apply a factory finish quickly and the end user can have a floor that requires no additional oiling after installation.

Your hardwood floor is a major investment that can add value to the look and feel of a home. If they are cared for and maintained well, they can last for a very long time. No matter what type of hardwood floors you have, proper care and maintenance is absolutely essential to keep hardwood floors looking its best. Here are simple tips and guidelines to follow that will help maintain the finish and the natural beauty of your hardwood floors:

•   The best way to remove loose, coarse dirt (e.g. dust and sand particles) is the regular use of a soft brush, Dust Mop or vacuum cleaner.
  
  
•   A good-quality doormat placed at the entrance to the room will retain dust and grit.
  
  
•   Your wood needs the right environment: ideally, a room temperature between 60 and 80
  
  degrees and around 35-55% relative air humidity. Exceeding these limits may cause your floor
  
  to expand and contract unexpectedly and cause such things as gaps appearing in your floor.
  
  
•   Wipe up any water or other liquids spillages immediately.
  
  
•   Stick felt pads under the legs of all furniture.
  
  
•   Lift and avoid dragging when moving the furniture.
  
  
•   Trim pets’ claws to keep your best friend from scratching the floors.
  
  
•   Regularly vacuum or dust mop your floor to prevent sand or abrasive dust buildup that can
  
  scratch the floor finish.
  
  
•   Do not use ammonia or oil-based wax, polish, household dust treatment chemicals, abrasive
  
  cleaners, furniture cleaners.
  
  
•   Do not wet mop the floor, as excess moisture may cause damage to your wood floor.
  
  

Care & Maintenance Instructions for UV Oiled Floors

Dry Cleaning

The best way to remove loose, coarse dirt (e.g. dust and sand particles) is the regular use of a Vacuum, Soft Brush or Dust Mop. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATER BAR/BRUSH.

Routine Cleaning

After dry cleaning, clean your floor with ROYAL OAK COLLECTION Hydro Cleaner Wood

Floor Cleaner for sealed and oiled wood flooring.

• For use, spray a light mist over a 6 ft. x 6 ft. (or smaller) square area of the floor. Do not
  
  pour cleaner directly on the floor. Make light even strokes with a soft cotton cloth or applicator pad to get the desired results. Sponge, String Mops or saturated cloths are not recommended. Spray and mop one small area at a time until you have cleaned the entire surface. After drying, use Hydro Care to maintain your floor. Always test in an inconspicuous area prior to use.
  
  Protecting your floor
  
  Before applying ROYAL OAK COLLECTION Hydro Care Wood Floor Protector clean floor
  
  properly using Hydro Cleaner Wood Floor Cleaner.
  
  Gently shake to mix for 30 seconds. For use, squirt product onto the floor and spread.
  
  Work in sections small enough to keep the applicator pad wet. Smooth with the grain. Continue working in sections until the entire floor is finished. When finished, rinse applicator pad with water. Allow to dry at least 1 hour before walking.
  
  
• For best results: always perform a test on a small inconspicuous area that is representative of your whole floor to determine compatibility and to ensure you like the newly polished look before use. Do not apply product too thin or streaking will occur. Coat the entire floor to ensure an even appearance. Allow floor to dry completely before walking (typically 1 hour). A second coat may be applied after 2 hours. Allow 24 hours before heavy traffic. Protect Hydro Care from frost and freezing.
  

Repair

• H. Behlen & Bros. repair products are recommended for scratches and gouges.
  
  Visit the H. Behlen & Bros. website www.mohawk-finishing.com for more information.
  
  
• Minwax maintenance & repair products are recommended for scratches and gouges.
  
  Visit the Minwax website www.minwax.com for more information.
  
  
  

Hardwood floors are one of the most important design elements in your home or business. No matter what your lifestyle, wood floors add value and comfort to any décor, but with all the choices available today, selecting the right floor can be daunting.

Inspired by French Chateau’s, Italian Villas and English Manors, the Royal Oak Collection includes naturally aged and distressed European Oak flooring that look and feels naturally worn presenting an authentic antique old world appearance. European Oak flooring is a natural product. Each tree, each board, is unique. It has its own individual characters include closed and open knots, natural splits, and color variations. All of its characteristics is after all, the attraction of real wood, and therefore, will never date.

Over the years the floors will mature and the color will deepen, increasing richness and depth. The timeless beauty of Royal Oak Collection compliments both contemporary and traditional architectures lending a feeling of warmth and ideal for new developments, commercial/retail spaces, and private residences.

Description
Wood is a natural product subject to color, character and grain variations. Mineral streaks, knots, splits, cracks and other imperfections may also be present and are not considered defects of the hardwood floor. We can not guarantee that the wood you order will exactly match this sample board because real wood is an organic material and will vary somewhat from tree to tree and board to board.
Specifications Dimensions:  T : 5/8”   W : 7-½”   L : 37-½” & 75”
Installation:  Glue down, staple or float:
Warranty:  25 year residential surface finish warranty. 3 year commercial surface finish warranty. Lifetime structural integrity warranty.