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.
- Store the sealed boxes of wood in the room where the floor is to be installed for at least 24
hours prior to installation.
- Maintain relative humidity ± 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].
- Procure
the recommended acoustic membrane
- Check the
benefits of the recommended membrane
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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 7 lb./1,000 sq. ft./24
hours..
Check
that subfloor is appropriate
The 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 3/32" [2 mm] variation over 7 ft. [2 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. The boards in the last row must be at least 1-1/2" [38 mm] in width to ensure they are
properly secured. If the last row works out to be less than 1-1/2" [38 mm] wide, you must reduce the
width of the first row so that both the first and last rows meet this minimum requirement.
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.
Using a chalk line, mark a guideline parallel to the starting wall and
perpendicular to the adjacent wall.
C)
Laying Boards
Cover all of the subfloor as well as the base of the walls [approx. 2" [51
mm]] with the
recommended membrane. Place the
membrane strips in the opposite direction to the boards, without overlapping. The recommended
membrane includes a self-adhesive flap. Use waterproof tape to attach the strips on the short side.
Facing the wall, start at the left corner of the room, with the groove of
the first board facing you. Leave a gap between the wall and the edge of the board. Moving right,
put the next board in place. Moving vertically, insert the end tongue into the end groove of the
first board. Continue in this way until it is time to cut the last board to finish the first row.
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 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 the tongue
at the side of the board into the groove of the first row board at a 45° angle. Line up the far left
side, set the board down, and apply slight pressure to lock in place.
Install subsequent rows in the same way. As the floor can still be moved
after the third row has been installed, it is recommended that you measure and realign with buffers,
if necessary.
Lay
boards in the last row
The boards in the last row must be at least 1-1/2" [38 mm] wide. Remember
to leave the necessary expansion gap. If an obstacle prevents the last board sliding into place, cut
the latch of the groove’s locking system with a chisel. Apply wood glue to the groove and insert the
last board.
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.
