AquaProof Andiron Wood Laminate Plank Flooring

INSTALLATION TOOLS
For all installation methods:
• Tape measure
• Tapping block (Required)
• Pencil
• Leveler
• Rubber Mallet
• 1/2” Spacers
• Pry bar or pull bar
• Chalk line
• Crosscut power saw/ Table Saw
(with dust collector)
• 3M Scotch-BlueTM 2080 Tape (do
not leave on for more than 12 hours

• Recommended underlayment: GenieMat RST

Acceptable sub-floor types:
• CDX Underlayment Grade Plywood (at least
1⁄2” thick) Underlayment grade particleboard
(at least 3⁄4” thick)
• Concrete slab
• Existing wood floor
• Ceramic tile, Resilient tile & sheet laminate

FOR BEST VISUAL REPRESENTATION
This flooring replicates the look of a natural product which has natural variations in color and texture. For best visual effect, shuffle planks from several cartons and do not install similar boards next to one another.

COLOR VARIATION
Batch to Batch – inspect the carton label production run of flooring you received and make sure it meets your expectations. Layout several cartons of material to confirm lots can be mixed.

SUBFLOOR PREPARATION
Subfloor should be dry and level to 3/16” per 10 ft. radius for best installation results. Laminate flooring should only be used indoors

READ BEFORE INSTALLING
Flooring is not a moisture barrier. Concrete should always be cured and tested for moisture and a moisture barrier should always be installed in the crawl space and even under the floor over a concrete sub-floor. Please refer below for further guidance. Please check for defects, squeaky
noises, sub-floor issues or finish issues by installing 100 sq. ft. of flooring. Because houses and buildings, as well as adjacent hardwood or laminate floors, expand and contract, Manufacturer recommends leaving an expansion gap the thickness of the plank between the perimeter
walls, door frame/entrances and any adjacent floor. Do not install floors where it will be exposed to temperatures greater than 85° F. Use good common-sense installation practices, and you’ll have a successful installation that results in a beautiful floor. Check that all ITEM NUMBERS
are the same and that you have purchased sufficient packs to complete the job. Floor exposed to low and high moisture at any time during or after installation may cause the floors to cup, lift, peak or separate. During any inspection the inspector may not find moisture at the present
time but because of the structure movement of the planks, moisture or a jobsite condition might change the floor.

TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY 

Room temperature and humidity of installation area should be consistent with normal, year-round living conditions for at least one week before installation of flooring. Maintaining an optimum room temperature of 70° F and a humidity range of 40-55% is recommended throughout the space.

STORING 

Proper conditioning of the job site is necessary. Flooring planks should not be exposed to sudden changes in temperature. Store, transport and handle the flooring planks in a manner to prevent any distortions. Distortions will not disappear over time. Store cartons flat, never on edge. Ensure that the flooring planks are lying flat at time of installation. 

TRANSITIONS 

When installing next to other types of flooring use a transitional strip/molding. Installations of carpet, tiles, metal strips and other transition moldings should not push fully into the flooring and should allow for some slight movement wherever practical.

STARTING YOUR INSTALLATION 

Work from several open boxes of flooring and “dry lay” the floor before permanently laying the floor. This will allow you to select the varying grains & colors and to arrange them in a harmonious pattern. Remember, it is the installer’s responsibility to determine the expectations of what the finished floor will look like with the end user first and then to cull out pieces that do not meet those expectations. Begin installation next to an outside wall. This is usually the straightest and best reference for establishing a straight working line. Establish this line by measuring an equal distance from the wall at both ends and snapping a chalk line. The distance you measure from the wall should be the width of a plank. You may need to scribe cut the first row of planks to match the wall in order to make a straight working line if the wall is out of straight. You may want to position a few rows before starting installation to confirm your layout decision and working line. When laying flooring, stagger end joints from row to row by at least 8”. When cutting the last plank in a row to fit, you can use the cut-off end to begin the next row. If cut-off end is 8” in length or less, discard it and instead cut a new plank at a random length and use it to start the next row. Always begin each row from the same side of the room. When near a wall, you can use a pry bar to pry close the side and end joints. 

RECOMMENDED - FLOATING INSTALLATION 

For Floating installation, the planks are not to be secured to the subfloor. Always undercut wood door jambs. Avoid “pinch points” on any fixed home materials with an expansion gap the thickness of the floor. 

LAYOUT – It is important to balance the layout of the plank format. Proper planning and layout will prevent narrow plank widths at walls. Determine layout to prevent having less than half a plank width or very short pieces. As with all plank products, lay the long dimension of the plank parallel to the long dimension of the work area. Accurately measure the room to determine the centerline, adjust this established line to accommodate a balanced layout and then transpose this line to a comfortable width away from the starting wall (approximately 2’ to 3’ wide). Determine if the starter row will need to be cut. If the first row of planks does not need to be trimmed in width, it may be necessary to cut off the unsupported tongue so a clean, solid edge is toward the wall.

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

For general cleaning, use a dust mop or vacuum cleaner with the correct hard surface attachment – never a rotating brush, floor scrubbers, jet mops, buffers or similar products. The floor may be cleaned with a light damp or wet mop / microfiber cloth and an appropriate laminate cleaner.

 • Avoid using too much water and never pour the bucket of water / solution across the floor. Be sure to squeeze the water out of the mop before mopping, and rinse the mop frequently. • Do not allow for liquid to remain on the floor for longer than 24 hours. 

• Remove stains immediately with a well-wrung cloth. Worn-in stains are difficult to remove. Pet stains (including urine, feces and vomit from domestic cats or dogs) need to be cleaned within 12 hours. 

• After washing always wipe dry with a micro fiber cloth until no more moisture is visible on the floor and allow your floor the time to dry. 

• The use of residential steam mops on this product is allowed. Use at lowest power with a suitable soft pad, and do not hold a steam mop on one spot for an extended period of time (longer than 30 seconds). Refer to the steam mop’s manufacturer instructions for proper usage. NOTE: Excessive steam mopping can damage the floor.