A)
Before You Begin
Tips:
- Install floor last when doing renovations.
- Heat your home for at least one week before installation.
- Keep subfloor dry and make sure basement is well ventilated.
- Maintain relative humidity at ± 45% [between 40% and 60%].
- Use a hygrometer [relative humidity indicator] to check moisture
content in the air to ensure that relative humidity is within the
recommended range.
- Allow concrete subfloors to dry for at least 30 days [preferably 45 to 90 days].
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See your Mirage specialized dealer for more
information on the acoustic membranes recommended for Mirage Engineered floors.
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Important: Wear your security equipment and maintain a safe environment at all times. |
Prepare
your tools and accessories
Check
subfloor moisture level
Using a wood moisture meter, ensure that the moisture reading for the
subfloor does not exceed 12% and that the difference between the reading for the boards and subfloor
is no more than 4%. If the moisture reading is too high, find the moisture source and correct it.
Using a concrete moisture meter, check for moisture. If moisture is detected, a calcium chloride
test must be conducted. Concrete subfloor moisture content must not exceed 3 lb./1,000 sq. ft./24
hours. If the moisture level is greater than 3 lb., install a complete concrete waterproofing system
[sealant and adhesive].
Check
that subfloor is appropriate
For stapling, subfloor must be plywood [minimum 5/8” [16 mm] thick] or
approved OSB [3/4” [19 mm]]. Screw subfloor firmly onto joists to prevent floor movement and
squeaks. Replace any existing floor or subfloor that has suffered water damage or shows structural
weaknesses. The surface must be flat. The maximum tolerance is 3/16” [5 mm] variation over 10 ft. [3
m]. If necessary, sand any bumps using #20 grit paper or fill any holes with leveling compound.
The subfloor must be vacuumed clean and be smooth and free of any debris,
staples, visible nails, old adhesives, or other dried substances.
B)
Preparation
Sketch
out the installation
Determine starting point or wall and the direction in which boards will be
installed.
Open a
few boxes and lay out boards in the same position they will be installed
To create a more pleasing appearance, use boards from different boxes to
ensure a good mix of colors, nuances, and lengths. Before you start, select which boards go best
with the transition moldings you will be installing.
C)
Laying Boards [stapled or glued]
Stapling
Using a chalk line, mark a guideline parallel to the starting wall
[2-13/16" [71 mm] from the wall for 2-9/16" [65 mm] boards, 3-9/16" [90 mm] from the wall for
3-5/16" [84 mm] boards, or 5-1/4" [133 mm] for 5" [127 mm] boards], allowing at least 1/4" [6 mm]
for the expansion gap.
Place,
drill, and nail the first row
Align the first board with tongue side along starting line and grooved
side facing the starting wall; leave a 1/4" [6 mm] gap from the right side wall [perpendicular to
starting line]. Drill and nail boards from above, as close to the wall as possible. Install
subsequent boards from right to left until ready to trim row end boards.
Use
trimmed boards to start next row
To minimize trim waste, select row end boards that are long enough for
their trimmed ends to be used to start subsequent rows. Leave a 1/4" [6 mm] gap between the wall and
the end of each row. The first board of the second row must be at least 6" [150 mm] shorter or
longer than the one used in the first row. Cross joints must be staggered by at least 6" [150 mm]
from one row to the next. Avoid lining the joints up or having them follow too regular a pattern.
Since wall proximity prohibits the use of a stapler, use a hammer and nail
punch to drive finishing nails approximately every 4" [100 mm] along the tongue for the first few
rows.
Use
floor stapler as soon as possible
Subsequent rows should be installed the same way, using the stapler.
Staple boards about every 4" to 5" [100 to 250 mm], and at least 2" [50 mm] from each board end.
The last 4 or 5 rows should be installed the same way as the first rows
due to the proximity of the wall. You may have to trim the boards closest to the wall to leave the
1/4" [6 mm] required for the expansion gap.
Enjoy your Mirage floor for many years to
come!
Gluing
Using a chalk line, mark a guideline parallel to the starting wall [31"
[788 mm] from the wall for 2-9/16" [65 mm] boards, 33-3/8" [848 mm] from the wall for 3-5/16" [84
mm] boards, or 30-1/4” [768 mm] for 5” [127 mm] boards]. The area between the starting wall and the
chalk line will be your working area while installing the first rows, and will be the last part of
the floor to be completed. This will help prevent having to trim the last row of boards while
leaving the 1/4" [6 mm] minimum required for the expansion gap.
Place
and nail down holding blocks
Nail down holding blocks inside the working area along the line, to secure
starting row in place.
For optimal adhesive application, work trowel at a 45° angle;
adhesive left on the floor by trowel teeth is just the right amount. Only apply adhesive to surfaces
that can be reasonably covered in under 2 hours.
Install
first row of boards
Laying from the working area, leave a 1/4" [6 mm] gap alongside the left
wall perpendicular to starting line, prop tongue side against the holding block, and press first
board down into adhesive. Install subsequent boards, proceeding from left to right until ready to
trim first-row end board.
Use
trimmed boards to start next row
To minimize trim waste, select row end boards that are long enough for
their trimmed ends to be used to start subsequent rows. Leave a 1/4" [6 mm] gap between the wall and
the end of each row. The first board of the second row must be at least 6" [150 mm] shorter or
longer than the one used in the first row. Cross joints must be staggered by at least 6" [150 mm]
from one row to the next. Avoid lining the joints up or having them follow too regular a pattern.
Insert tongue end into board groove, lower board as close as possible to adjacent one, slide tongue
into groove, and press board down.
Use a
pry bar to fit last row in place
Proceed the same way for subsequent rows. Once the main part of the floor
has been laid, remove holding blocks from the working area and complete installation there in the
same manner. Use a pry bar to fit the last row of boards into place, being sure to leave the minimum
1/4" [6 mm] expansion gap.
Achieve
the perfect finishing touch!
- Use 3M blue adhesive tape to secure boards in place so they won’t shift or leave gaps during
installation.
- After installing a section of floor, use the roller to ensure optimal contact of boards with
adhesive.
- Keep adhesive out of board grooves to ensure perfect fit with adjacent board tongue.
Wait 24 hours before moving furniture back
into place
Enjoy your Mirage floor for many years to
come!
In the event of a discrepancy between the information written in this section and the
Installation Guide, the latter shall prevail.
Hardwood
