Before You Begin

• Adherence to Installation Guide is mandatory to validate warranty.

• Adherence to Care & Maintenance Guide is mandatory to validate warranty.

• Flooring products must be acclimatized for at least 5 days prior to installation in the installation area that meets the SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT guideline.

• Flooring products must be installed on a surface that meets the SUITABLE SURFACES guideline.

• In the rare event of visually defective material, Kennedy Floorings will not be held responsible for the installation of material with visual defects. It is the responsibility of the installer to visually approve material before it is installed.

• Kennedy Floorings will not be held responsible for the installation of an incorrect product. It is the responsibility of the installer and the end user to double check that the product to be installed is from the correct product collection and is the correct decor.

• FLORESTA is an engineered hardwood flooring product, and may vary in colour and character from display models and literature. In addition, product boards may differ from one another in colour and character, which is an acceptable characteristic of hardwood.

• FLORESTA is manufactured in accordance with recognized industry standards allowing for a natural variation or manufacturing defect tolerance of 5%; therefore, the installer/owner must use reasonable selectivity and allow for defects accordingly. Pieces of flooring with noticeable flaws (finish, sheen, color, grade, etc.) are generally used for cuts or for installation in closets, along walls or areas covered by furniture or discarded. The use of putty, stain and filler to conceal flaws is considered normal and an accepted manufacturing practice.

• The installer/owner assumes full responsibility for the final inspection of this product. Inspection should be done prior to installation and should include: print/colour/texture, factory finish and milling. If the product is not acceptable, DO NOT INSTALL IT. Contact your dealer immediately for assistance. Flooring that has been installed will be deemed to have been inspected and quality accepted.

• Kennedy Floorings accepts no responsibility for product failure extending from or related to failure to meet job area/environment and subfloor requirements. If the installation is for a newly built home or construction, the installer/owner must ensure all windows and doors are installed and that wall and floor boards are completely dry and that the homes HRV/heating/air-conditioning system is functional and running at living conditions to which the floor will be maintained. It is recommended that flooring be the last stage in a construction project.

• Before starting installation, it is important you read all instructions and warranty information. By starting installation of this product you are agreeing that you have read and understand all installer/owner’s requirements and responsibilities and are aware that deviating from the instructions and recommendations in this installation guide may result in voiding the product warranty.

→Maintenance Guide

→Warranty Information

Suitable Environment

• Flooring utilizing a Valinge 5Gi locking system is intended for indoor use only.

• FLORESTA floor cover products with a 5Gi locking system can be installed in environments with a temperature variation of 16ºC and +26ºC with a relative humidity range of 30% to 70% throughout the year. It is the responsibility of the owner to maintain the environmental condition of the installation area year round. Failure to maintain humidity levels may void warranty.

• The temperature variation during its occupied use is assumed to remain between 16ºC and 40ºC.

• During installation the installation area must be climate controlled at a temperature between 16ºC and 25ºC with the product given 48 hours to acclimatize to the climate controlled installation area.

Suitable Surfaces

• Adequate sub-floor preparation is necessary to ensure a successful installation. It is the sole responsibility of the installer/owner, prior to installation, to assure that the planned installation area is suitable for flooring utilizing a 2G locking system.

• The subfloor must be well-bonded, dry, smooth, level, clean, and dust-free, with a tolerance not exceeding more than 1/8’’ in a 6’ span.

• All sub-floor and leveling patch must be done with a non-shrinking, water-resistant Portland cement patching compound.

• Holes, grooves, expansion joints, and other depressions must be filled with a Portland cement-based leveling compound and troweled smooth and feathered even to the surrounding surface.

• If installing on a concrete slab, it must be dry, clean, and well-cured for at least 6 weeks prior to installation). Concrete must be free from dust, powder, flaking, solvent, paint, wax, grease, oil, and other erroneous compounds. Moisture content of concrete subfloor should not exceed 5%.

• Installing on wood and wood composite panels (plywood, OSB, flake board, and particle board) can be used provided they are smooth, flat, structurally sound, and free of deflection.

• It is acceptable to install over an existing ceramic tile provided it be made smooth by applying a water-resistant Portland cement overlay such as patching or leveling compound to smooth out grout joints.

• Moisture in the sub-floor will not damage the flooring, but excessive moisture may cause mold or mildew in the sub-floor and surrounding structures, so ensure that the subfloor is free of excess moisture.

• Flooring utilizing the Unilin 2G locking system can be installed over existing non-cushioned resilient flooring, ceramic tile, and existing wood floors, as long as the floors are clean, level, well bonded to the sub-floor and free of cupping and deflection.

• Kennedy Floorings accepts no responsibility with product failure or issues caused by an underlying flooring or failure to meet subfloor requirements.

Radiant Heated Subfloors & Sunrooms

FLORESTA can be installed with concrete embedded radiant heated floors.

• Flooring must be installed using an embedded hydronic radiant heat system or electric radiant heat system that utilize embedded cables within the sub-floor.

• Radiant heat systems must be covered by a self leveling concrete and separated by the flooring at a minimum of ½”.

• Radiant heat must not exceed 29ºC and changes in temperature settings must be gradual at 0.5ºC everyday until the desired temperature is reached.

• Humidity must be maintained between 40% and 70% continuously throughout the year.

• It is recommended that transitions are used between areas with and without radiant heat, as well as the use of transitions in door ways.

• Any damage, issues, or failures of the flooring product caused by radiant heating is not covered under warranty.
  

Tools & Supplies

You will need a few tools to ensure a successful installation:

1. Measuring: straight edge, framing square, tape measure.

2. Cutting: exacto knife, laminate cutter, miter saw, or table saw.

3. Installing: spacers, tapping block, rubber mallet, and pull bar.

4. Safety: safety glasses, and a N95 respirator if using a power tool to cut the flooring.

Installation

FLORESTA Stone Core Hardwood is engineered to be installed utilizing the floating installation method.

• Do not install cabinets or fixed objects on top of flooring product.

• Verify locking profile prior to installation, checking for debris or damage.

• Can be installed up to 65’ by 65’ before needing a transition.

• It is highly recommended to always draw planks from a minimum of three different boxes during installation to assure an even distribution of any colour or character variations.

• Planks with visual defects can be used along walls or other hidden areas, or cut down and used to end rows or begin new ones.

Cutting the Flooring

• Flooring can be cut using a laminate cutter.

• Power saws (circular saw, table saw, miter saw, or jigsaw) can be used to cut the product, but planks or tiles should always be cut away from the installation area in a well ventilated space in order to prevent debris from affecting the installation site.

• Always wear safety glasses and a N95 respirator when using a power saw.

BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION ENSURE THAT SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT AND SUITABLE SURFACES GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN MET. NEGLECTING TO MEET GUIDELINES MAY RESULT IN A VOIDED WARRANTY

Planning the Installation

1.  Determine the direction you want the flooring to run. Typically the length of plank flooring will run with the length of the room or the length of the floor plan. If flooring runs parallel to joists, an additional subfloor may be required to prevent sagging (see NWFA guidelines).
2.  It is important to plan ahead in order to avoid narrow planks widths or short plank lengths near walls and doors. Using the width of the room, calculate how many full boards will fit into the area, and how much space remains that will need to be covered by partial planks (width of room in inches ÷ width of plank in inches = number of rows). Do the same calculation for the length of the room (length of room in inches ÷ length of plank in inches = number of planks). Adjust the starting plank as necessary to avoid a narrow row of planks along a wall or door.
3.  Based on the above calculations, if the width of the planks along the last row is less than 25% of the width of a full plank, then begin the first row using planks that are cut down to reduce the width of the first row, thus increasing the width of the last row.
4.  If the last plank (fill piece) in each row is shorter than 8’’ in length, then adjust the starting point accordingly. This is necessary in order to achieve the correct staggered effect and to maintain structural integrity of the product.
5.  Planks should be installed randomly, staggering the end joints, no less than 8’’ from the previous row end joints. Stagger the joints at a minimum of 8’’ apart.

Installing Using the Locking System

Kennedy Floorings FLORESTA Stone Core Hardwood utilizes a 2G drop lock and 5Gi (along end joints) locking system, where planks are angled into the locking system then dropped into place.

6.  Layout first row of planks, the inserting tongue should be facing the wall. First panel should start 1/4” (6mm) from the wall. Cut the last panel to finish 1/4” (6mm) from opposite wall. We recommend you use temporary spacers to keep the floor away from the walls, as the floor will shift during installation due to it being a floating floor. Place the spacers every 2-3’ along the starting wall, plus at the end of each of the starting rows so planks do not shift when set into place.
7.  Assemble the end joints by lining up the two end profiles, the receiving tongue on the floor and lower the inserting tongue into place. Press the end joint until you feel/hear it click into place (you may need to lightly tap it with the rubber mallet (NOTE: take care not to break end profiles). Continue in this manner until the first row is complete.
8.  To start the second row, you may use the remainder of the last plank from the first row, if it’s longer than 12”, otherwise cut a new plank at a desired length to achieve a staggered effect throughout the installation. To ensure structural integrity, it is mandatory to always stagger the end joints from row to row by at least 8”.
9.  You must always leave the recieving tongue of the drop-lock profile exposed for the next plank to be dropped into place and pressed until they are locked together. You cannot reverse the installation and must continue to start from the same side.
10.  Install one plank at a time, always leaving the exposed lower profile and the lower drop-lock profile exposed on the end joint. Lining your plank up to the previously installed plank in the same row, insert the small tongue of the plank into the larger lower lip groove profile at approximately a 22° angle. Push slightly forward and down, the plank should drop into place with little resistance. Do not force the plank down, as this may damage the profile. If the plank will not drop, check the locking profile for debris or damage and re-try. Longer planks may require a second set of hands to seat both ends of the plank simultaneously.
11.  In the case where you are unable to angle planks (ex. under a doorframe or radiator), you can cut away the locking edge of the lip of the bottom groove by using a utility knife. Run a bead of flooring adhesive on the now modified tongue and groove. Tighten the planks gently with the use of a pull bar and a hammer.
12.  If a doorframe must be undercut, lay a panel of flooring next to the doorframe with the patterned side facing down. Undercut the doorjamb with a saw, then slide the flooring panel under the doorjamb with the decorative pattern facing upwards. Please note that the floor must be allowed to expand under the doorjamb and recommended expansion gap must be respected.
13.  Ensure there is a minimum 1/4” (6mm) gap around the entire floor perimeter and any obstacles. Measure and cut the last planks to fit so that there is a minimum 1/4” (6mm) gap along the last wall.
14.  Use a mitre or jig saw for cutting intricate pieces to fit around door jams and cabinets.
15.  In order to create a waterproof barrier between the surface of the floor and the subfloor, it is recommended to runs a bead of 100% silicone around the perimeter of the baseboards in the room(s) where the flooring is installed.

Note: We recommend that you use a “T” moulding transition strip between rooms. Failure to do so may cause damage to the floor and this may void the warranty. All transition mouldings must be sealed with a bead of 100% silicone between the transition and the flooring. Installation runs in in both directions that exceed 65’ require a “T” moulding transition strip.

SUPPORT

• Product support is available through your authorized dealer, and you may also contact Kennedy Floorings directly through email or phone for any questions or concerns you may have.

• This is a comprehensive installation guide to ensure our customers experience a successful installation the first time, but does not cover all tricks and knowledge of a floor covering installation expert.

• Kennedy Floorings is dedicated in providing our customers the best flooring products available. All Kennedy Floorings products are rigorously tested to ensure our customers receive the best product possible.

Support by phone: (800) 665-7424

Support by email: support@kennedyfloorings.com