INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR HARDWOOD FLOOR PRODUCTS
- Solid Wood Floors

INSTALLER/OWNER RESPONSIBILITY

Cantrust hardwood floors are products of nature and not perfect. Our floors are manufactured in accordance with accepted industry standards, which permit grading deficiencies not to exceed 5%. These grading deficiencies may be have a manufacturing or natural type.

Before installation, the installer must determine that the job-site environment and the sub-surface involved meet or exceed all applicable standards. Recommendations of the construction and materials industries as well as local codes must be followed. These instructions recommend that the constructions and subfloors be dry, stiff and flat. The manufacturer declines any responsibility for job failure resulting from or associated with sub-surface, sub flooring or job-site environmental deficiencies.

The installer assumes all responsibility for final inspections as to grade, manufacture and factory finish. This inspection of all flooring must be done before installation. Carefully examine flooring for color, finish and quality before installing it. The installer must use reasonable selectivity and hold out or cut off pieces with deficiencies, whatever the cause. If material is not acceptable, don’t install it and contact the seller immediately.

Use of stain, filler or putty stick for touch-up during installation should be accepted as normal procedure.

When floors are ordered, 5% must be added to the actual square footage needed for cutting and grading allowance.

Should an individual piece be doubtful as to grade, manufacture or factory finish, the installer should not use the piece.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

CanTrust Solid wood flooring is a quality product made from lumber that has been kiln-dried. To maintain the moisture level, don't truck or unload it in the rain, snow or other excessively humid conditions. Cover it with a tarpaulin or vinyl if the atmosphere is foggy or damp.

Solid wood flooring should be stored in an enclosed building that is well ventilated with weather proof windows and located in areas where in which it is expected to perform. Material should be allowed to acclimate for 72 hours or as long as necessary to meet minimum installation requirements for moisture content. The storage area within the building should be clean and dry. Leave adequate room for good air circulation around stacks of flooring. Continual dry heat may over-dry flooring, which may later result in buckled floors when flooring is delivered to the job and installed without a proper acclimation or spacing.

TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES NEEDED

It is very important to use the proper adapters as well as staples or cleats. Improper fasteners, machines and air pressure can cause severe damage. The manufacturer of these flooring products is not responsible for damage caused by use of improper tools or misuse.

• Broom
• Drill with 1/16" drill bit
• Tape Measure
• Chalk line & Chalk
• Hammer
• Hand saw
• Nail Set
• Table saw, jig saw, or circular saw
• 6-7 screw-shank nails.
• Moisture meter
• 2" blind fasten machine.
• Undercut or Jamb Saw
• Ear plugs and safety glasses.

Basic Requirements

• Hardwood floor installation should be the very last step of any construction or renovation project.
• Prior to installation, heating system must be in operation, and room temperature must have been maintained at 65 °F ± 5 for at least two weeks.
• To avoid any moisture-related damages, subfloors must be dry and basement well ventilated.
• Relative humidity must be maintained between 45% and 65% at all times.

Subfloors Moisture Level Check

Wooden subfloor moisture reading must not exceed 12% and differential between strips and subfloors must be less than 4%. Wood moisture meters are available from your Cantrust Authorized Dealer. If moisture reading is too high, postpone installation, find moisture source and correct it if needed, raise heat gradually and increase ventilation until proper conditions are met.

• Subfloor preparation: Installation requires minimum 5/8" [16 mm] plywood, or 3/4" [19 mm] approved OSB chipboard subfloor, if installed over 16" [400 mm] center-to-center joist sub-structure.

• Sound: Wooden subfloor must be securely screwed down to joists to prevent any movement or squeaks. Thoroughly inspect and replace existing floor or subfloor that shows evidence of water damage or structural weakness.

• Level: Subfloor surface must be level and maximum tolerance is 3/16" [5 mm] per 10' [3 m]. If necessary, level down any irregularities, using #20 grit paper, and fill any uneven spots with leveling compound.

• Dry: Subfloor must be dry and within moisture reading specs.

• Clean: Vacuum and free subfloor from any debris or obstacles such as cleats, nail heads, dried glue or any other material.

PREPARATION

• Sketch installation to avoid surprises.
• Decide starting point or wall.
• Decide layout angle: 90° or 45° installation to joists is recommended.
• Remove any baseboard, doorsill and old floor covering if necessary.
• Trim bottom of the doorstop with handsaw to insert strips underneath.
• Pre-select and set aside strips that color-match best transition moldings, stair nosing and reducers, for future installation.
• Lay felt paper [or equivalent] on the entire floor surface.

Step 1,
• Undercut door casings. Remove any existing base. Shoe mold or doorway thresholds. These items can be replaced after installation. All door casings should be notched out or undercut to avoid difficult scribe cuts.

Step 2,
• It is very important that installation be started straight and square.
• Carefully select strips, remove imperfections and save strips with high color variation for hidden places such as closets or under refrigerator.
• Align first strip tongue side with starting line, grooved side facing starting wall; leave 1/4" gap from right side wall, which is perpendicular to starting line. Drill and nail strip vertically as close to wall as possible to hide nail heads when baseboards and quarter rounds are in place. Install subsequent strips from right to left until ready to trim row end strip.
• To minimize trim waste, select strip long enough for row end, so that remaining trimmed end may be used to start subsequent row. Leave 1/4" gap at end of each row.
• To prevent end-joint alignment effect as illustrated, first strip of second row must be at least 6" shorter or longer than that of first row.
• Since wall proximity prohibits use of nailer, use finishing nails approximately every 4 alongside tongue for first few rows, and punch nail heads down.
• Subsequent rows must be installed the same way, using the nailer; nail or staple strips every 4" to 5", but at least 2" from each strip end.
• Because of wall proximity, installation of last 4 or 5 rows is identical to installation of first few rows. You might have to rip-saw last row of strips to leave required 1/2" gap alongside finishing wall.

Step 3: Accessories Installation

• If applicable, install transition moldings, stair nosing and reducers.
• If applicable, reinstall baseboards and quarter rounds, making sure to nail them only to walls and not to floor.

Step 4: Complete the Job

To prevent surface damage avoid rolling heavy appliances or furniture on the floor. Use plywood, hardboard or appliance lifts if necessary.

Proper care and cleaning of all hardwood floors is essential for maintaining its natural beauty. Use mats on both sides of your front door, so as little as possible grit and other loose dirt is carried onto the floor. Remove particles with a vacuum cleaner or a brush. When you want clean the floor thoroughly, dry wipe it with a barely-most cloth. A drop of any neutral washing liquid can be added to the washing water if required and your cloth dipped in it and well squeezed out before wiping the floor. If liquid is split on the floor, wipe it off immediately.

In order to protect the floor from scratches and knocks, use felt pads on the base of all furniture. Remove any girt and other abrasive substance immediately. Avoid wearing stiletto heels on the floor. Keep animal nails trimmed. Protect your floor when using a dolly for moving furniture or appliances. Never slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across the floor.

Rearrange area rugs and furniture periodically so that the floor ages evenly. For an even surface, correct installation of any hardwood floors is essential.

Cantrust Manufacturing International Inc. is pleased to offer you the following Residential Warranty Program on all Cantrust prefinished flooring products installed following recommended installation guidelines, and complying with floor maintenance procedures and specific relative humidity conditions within your home.

Structural Lifetime Warranty

Cantrust Manufacturing International Inc. warrants to the original purchaser its Cantrust prefinished hardwood floors against any manufacturing defects caused by improper milling, grading and staining. Structural Lifetime Warranty means the hardwood floor product will remain free from defects in milling, dimension and grading for as long as the original purchaser owns the residence.

Cantrust Manufacturing International Inc. warrants to the original purchaser its Cantrust prefinished hardwood floors in normal environmental conditions, as suggested in the present guide.

Normal environmental conditions mean that heating and ventilation systems should be designed to maintain interior relative humidity level between 35% to 55% RH all year round, to ensure the best performance of the Cantrust hardwood flooring and other wood furniture or wood cabinets.

Whenever this warranty is applicable, Cantrust Manufacturing International Inc.’s liability is limited to replacing, or repairing, at the option of Cantrust Manufacturing International Inc. the defective boards due to manufacturing defects in excess of five percent [5%], industry standard, material only. Damage due to improper transportation, storage, installation, extreme indoor conditions (heat, dryness or moisture), extreme sunlight, or any other cause are not covered. Exposure to excessive heat, dryness or moisture may cause damage to the flooring. It is natural, due to the inherent properties of wood that some minor contraction and expansion might occur. These occurrences and/or visual changes on the hardwood floor will self-correct with seasonal climate changes and/or when maintaining suggested normal environmental conditions.

Finish Warranty

Cantrust Manufacturing International Inc. warrants, to the original purchaser, that the surface finish, UV cured Aluminum Oxide, factory applied on its prefinished hardwood floor will not wear through or separate from the wood for a period of: Twenty (20) years from the date of purchase, when used under normal residential traffic conditions.

These Warranties apply on the condition that regular and preventative maintenance have been carried out as recommended in this guide and in the Cantrust Maintenance & Warranty Guide.

Finish Warranty excludes any indentations, scratches or surface damage caused by lack of proper maintenance, misuse, negligence, accidents, spiked-heeled shoes, water, wet mopping, erosion, pebbles, sand, other abrasives, insufficient prevention and/or protection. The surface wear must be readily visible and cover at least ten percent [10%] of the surface area.

Gloss reduction is not considered surface wear.

Your Obligation to Cantrust Manufacturing International Inc. - As the purchaser of our product, you agree to follow all installation, care and maintenance directions as related to wood floors. You also agree to allow Cantrust Manufacturing International Inc. an opportunity to correct any claimed defects.