Installing wide width hardwood
Installing Wide Width Solid Hardwood
With solid hardwood floors getting wider and wider, special precautions must be taken to help ensure a proper installation. These precautions include;
Proper Acclimation and subfloor moisture Acceptable vapor retarders
Proper Expansion
End Joint Stagger
Fastener Spacing
Optional use of premium grade urethane construction adhesive on back of planks Maintaining Proper Relative Humidity levels
Prior to installation, ensure that hardwood flooring is within acceptable range of moisture content with the wood subfloor. The wood subflooring materials must not exceed 13% moisture content. Using a reliable wood moisture meter, measure moisture content of both subfloor and the hardwood flooring to determine proper moisture content. For solid strip flooring (less than 3′′ wide), there should be no more than 4 percent moisture content difference between properly acclimated wood flooring and subflooring materials. For wide-width solid flooring (3′′ or wider), there should be no more than 2 – 3 percent difference in moisture content between properly acclimated wood flooring and subflooring materials. Please refer to the specific manufacturers guidelines for subfloor moisture.
Before installing wood flooring, place an approved vapor retarder. Some examples of acceptable vapor retarders over wood subfloors include: (Please see note under using glue to assist fasteners)
1. An asphalt laminated paper meeting UU-B-790a, Grade B, Type I, Style 1a (Aquabar B) 2. Asphalt-saturated kraft paper or #15 builders felt
As a general rule, a 3⁄4′′ expansion space must be left around the perimeter and at all vertical obstructions.
Stagger end joints of boards row to row a minimum of 8′′ – 10′′ for 3′′ to 5′′ wide planks, and 10′′ for plank wider than 5′′.
Seasonal shrinkage and cupping in wide width flooring 4″ and over may be reduced by gluing the flooring to the subfloor, in addition to the use of mechanical fasteners. The glue should be a premium grade urethane construction adhesive (SikaBondConstruction Adhesive item code #106403 or Mapei Ultrabond 905 item code # MAP92667 for the 10 oz. tube or item code
# MAP92619 for the 29 oz. tube) applied in a serpentine pattern to the back of the hardwood.
Please note, that adhesives used for this purpose will not perform their function when used in conjunction with a moisture retardant. Glue-assisted applications will not be satisfactory without direct contact with the subfloor.
Maintaining Seasonal Humidity
When selling any hardwood flooring, you should be advising your customers of the following;
Due to the sensitivity of hardwood floors, dimensions will be slightly affected by varying levels of hu- midity within the building or home. Care should be taken to control and stabilize humidity levels within the 35-55% range. To protect your hardwood and to assure that your floors provide lasting satisfaction, please see the recommendations below.
Heating Season (Dry) – A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage in hard- wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions.
Non-Heating Season (Humid, Wet) – Proper humidity levels can be maintained by use of an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or by turning on your heating system periodically during the sum- mer months. Avoid excessive exposure to water from tracking during periods of inclement weather. Do not obstruct in any way the expansion joint around the perimeter of your floor
Special thanks to jj Haines for the info