ÿþ<html> <head> <title>installation instructions</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <!-- ImageReady Preload Script (installation-nav.psd) --> <script type="text/javascript"> <!-- function newImage(arg) { if (document.images) { rslt = new Image(); rslt.src = arg; return rslt; } } function changeImages() { if (document.images && (preloadFlag == true)) { for (var i=0; i<changeImages.arguments.length; i+=2) { document[changeImages.arguments[i]].src = changeImages.arguments[i+1]; } } } var preloadFlag = false; function preloadImages() { if (document.images) { installation_nav_ABOUT_US__over = newImage("images/installation-nav_ABOUT_US--.gif"); installation_nav_ABOUT_US__down = newImage("images/installation-nav_ABOUT_U-10.gif"); installation_nav_FLOORING_PRODUCTS_over = newImage("images/installation-nav_FLOORIN-14.gif"); installation_nav_FLOORING_PRODUCTS_down = newImage("images/installation-nav_FLOORIN-15.gif"); installation_nav_INSTALLATION_INSTRUCTIONS_over = newImage("images/installation-nav_INSTALL-20.gif"); installation_nav_INSTALLATION_INSTRUCTIONS_down = newImage("images/installation-nav_INSTALL-21.gif"); installation_nav_FLOOR_CARE_over = newImage("images/installation-nav_FLOOR_C-25.gif"); installation_nav_FLOOR_CARE_down = newImage("images/installation-nav_FLOOR_C-26.gif"); installation_nav_Floors_of_distinction_over = newImage("images/installation-nav_Floors_-30.gif"); installation_nav_Floors_of_distinction_down = newImage("images/installation-nav_Floors_-31.gif"); installation_nav_DISTRIBUTOR_LOCATOR_over = newImage("images/installation-nav_DISTRIB-36.gif"); installation_nav_DISTRIBUTOR_LOCATOR_down = newImage("images/installation-nav_DISTRIB-37.gif"); installation_nav_CONTACT_US_over = newImage("images/installation-nav_CONTACT-41.gif"); installation_nav_CONTACT_US_down = newImage("images/installation-nav_CONTACT-42.gif"); preloadFlag = true; } } // --> </script> <!-- End Preload Script --> <SCRIPT language="JavaScript1.2" src="../tip/main.js"type="text/javascript"></SCRIPT> <link rel=StyleSheet href="coolstyle.css" type="text/css" media="screen"> </head> <body bgcolor="#DFDBC3" leftmargin="0" topmargin="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" onload="preloadImages();"> <DIV id="TipLayer" style="visibility:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1000;top:-100;"></DIV> <SCRIPT language="JavaScript1.2" src="../tip/style.js" type="text/javascript"></SCRIPT> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" background="images/flooring-prod-bot-cell-bg.jpg"> <tr> <td bgcolor="#DFDBC3" valign="top"> <!-- ImageReady Slices (installation-nav.psd) --> <table id="Table_01" width="355" height="713" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td colspan="11"> <img src="images/installation-nav_01.gif" alt="" width="355" height="6"></td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="16"> <img src="images/installation-nav_02.gif" alt="" width="11" height="706"></td> <td colspan="9"> <a href="index.html"> <img src="images/installation-nav_logo.gif" border="0" alt="" width="333" height="121"></a></td> <td rowspan="16"> <img src="images/installation-nav_04.gif" alt="" width="11" height="706"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="9"> <img src="images/installation-nav_05.gif" alt="" width="333" height="31"></td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="14"> <img src="images/installation-nav_06.gif" alt="" width="2" height="554"></td> <td colspan="3"> <a href="about-us.html" onmouseover="changeImages('installation_nav_ABOUT_US_', 'images/installation-nav_ABOUT_US--.gif'); return true;" onmouseout="changeImages('installation_nav_ABOUT_US_', 'images/installation-nav_ABOUT_US-.gif'); return true;" onmousedown="changeImages('installation_nav_ABOUT_US_', 'images/installation-nav_ABOUT_U-10.gif'); return true;" onmouseup="changeImages('installation_nav_ABOUT_US_', 'images/installation-nav_ABOUT_US--.gif'); return true;"> <img name="installation_nav_ABOUT_US_" src="images/installation-nav_ABOUT_US-.gif" border="0" alt="" width="114" height="21"></a></td> <td colspan="5" rowspan="2"> <img src="images/installation-nav_08.gif" alt="" width="217" height="35"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"> <img src="images/installation-nav_09.gif" alt="" width="114" height="14"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="4"> <a href="flooring-products.html" onmouseover="changeImages('installation_nav_FLOORING_PRODUCTS', 'images/installation-nav_FLOORIN-14.gif'); return true;" onmouseout="changeImages('installation_nav_FLOORING_PRODUCTS', 'images/installation-nav_FLOORING_P.gif'); return true;" onmousedown="changeImages('installation_nav_FLOORING_PRODUCTS', 'images/installation-nav_FLOORIN-15.gif'); return true;" onmouseup="changeImages('installation_nav_FLOORING_PRODUCTS', 'images/installation-nav_FLOORIN-14.gif'); return true;"> <img name="installation_nav_FLOORING_PRODUCTS" src="images/installation-nav_FLOORING_P.gif" border="0" alt="" width="182" height="22"></a></td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2"> <img src="images/installation-nav_11.gif" alt="" width="149" height="35"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="4"> <img src="images/installation-nav_12.gif" alt="" width="182" height="13"></td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="4"> <img src="images/installation-nav_13.gif" alt="" width="1" height="79"></td> <td colspan="6"> <a href="installation-instructions.html" onmouseover="changeImages('installation_nav_INSTALLATION_INSTRUCTIONS', 'images/installation-nav_INSTALL-20.gif'); return true;" onmouseout="changeImages('installation_nav_INSTALLATION_INSTRUCTIONS', 'images/installation-nav_INSTALLATI.gif'); return true;" onmousedown="changeImages('installation_nav_INSTALLATION_INSTRUCTIONS', 'images/installation-nav_INSTALL-21.gif'); return true;" onmouseup="changeImages('installation_nav_INSTALLATION_INSTRUCTIONS', 'images/installation-nav_INSTALL-20.gif'); return true;"> <img name="installation_nav_INSTALLATION_INSTRUCTIONS" src="images/installation-nav_INSTALLATI.gif" border="0" alt="" width="329" height="38"></a></td> <td rowspan="10"> <img src="images/installation-nav_15.gif" alt="" width="1" height="484"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6"> <img src="images/installation-nav_16.gif" alt="" width="329" height="7"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <a href="floor-care.html" onmouseover="changeImages('installation_nav_FLOOR_CARE', 'images/installation-nav_FLOOR_C-25.gif'); return true;" onmouseout="changeImages('installation_nav_FLOOR_CARE', 'images/installation-nav_FLOOR_CARE.gif'); return true;" onmousedown="changeImages('installation_nav_FLOOR_CARE', 'images/installation-nav_FLOOR_C-26.gif'); return true;" onmouseup="changeImages('installation_nav_FLOOR_CARE', 'images/installation-nav_FLOOR_C-25.gif'); return true;"> <img name="installation_nav_FLOOR_CARE" src="images/installation-nav_FLOOR_CARE.gif" border="0" alt="" width="113" height="23"></a></td> <td colspan="4" rowspan="2"> <img src="images/installation-nav_18.gif" alt="" width="216" height="34"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <img src="images/installation-nav_19.gif" alt="" width="113" height="11"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6"> <a href="floors-distinction.html" onmouseover="changeImages('installation_nav_Floors_of_distinction', 'images/installation-nav_Floors_-30.gif'); return true;" onmouseout="changeImages('installation_nav_Floors_of_distinction', 'images/installation-nav_Floors_of_.gif'); return true;" onmousedown="changeImages('installation_nav_Floors_of_distinction', 'images/installation-nav_Floors_-31.gif'); return true;" onmouseup="changeImages('installation_nav_Floors_of_distinction', 'images/installation-nav_Floors_-30.gif'); return true;"> <img name="installation_nav_Floors_of_distinction" src="images/installation-nav_Floors_of_.gif" border="0" alt="" width="206" height="17"></a></td> <td rowspan="6"> <img src="images/installation-nav_21.gif" alt="" width="124" height="405"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6"> <img src="images/installation-nav_22.gif" alt="" width="206" height="17"></td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="4"> <img src="images/installation-nav_23.gif" alt="" width="1" height="371"></td> <td colspan="4"> <a href="distributor-locator.html" onmouseover="changeImages('installation_nav_DISTRIBUTOR_LOCATOR', 'images/installation-nav_DISTRIB-36.gif'); return true;" onmouseout="changeImages('installation_nav_DISTRIBUTOR_LOCATOR', 'images/installation-nav_DISTRIBUTO.gif'); return true;" onmousedown="changeImages('installation_nav_DISTRIBUTOR_LOCATOR', 'images/installation-nav_DISTRIB-37.gif'); return true;" onmouseup="changeImages('installation_nav_DISTRIBUTOR_LOCATOR', 'images/installation-nav_DISTRIB-36.gif'); return true;"> <img name="installation_nav_DISTRIBUTOR_LOCATOR" src="images/installation-nav_DISTRIBUTO.gif" border="0" alt="" width="193" height="21"></a></td> <td rowspan="4"> <img src="images/installation-nav_25.gif" alt="" width="12" height="371"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="4"> <img src="images/installation-nav_26.gif" alt="" width="193" height="12"></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <a href="contact-us.html" onmouseover="changeImages('installation_nav_CONTACT_US', 'images/installation-nav_CONTACT-41.gif'); return true;" onmouseout="changeImages('installation_nav_CONTACT_US', 'images/installation-nav_CONTACT_US.gif'); return true;" onmousedown="changeImages('installation_nav_CONTACT_US', 'images/installation-nav_CONTACT-42.gif'); return true;" onmouseup="changeImages('installation_nav_CONTACT_US', 'images/installation-nav_CONTACT-41.gif'); return true;"> <img name="installation_nav_CONTACT_US" src="images/installation-nav_CONTACT_US.gif" border="0" alt="" width="106" height="24"></a></td> <td colspan="3" rowspan="2"> <img src="images/installation-nav_28.gif" alt="" width="87" height="338"></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <img src="images/installation-nav_29.gif" alt="" width="106" height="314"></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="11" height="1" alt=""></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="2" height="1" alt=""></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1"></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="106" height="1" alt=""></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="7" height="1" alt=""></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="68" height="1" alt=""></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="12" height="1" alt=""></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="12" height="1" alt=""></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="124" height="1" alt=""></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1"></td> <td> <img src="images/spacer.gif" width="11" height="1" alt=""></td> </tr> </table> <!-- End ImageReady Slices --> </td> <td valign="top"> <!-- ImageReady Slices (installation1.psd) --> <table id="Table_01" width="797" height="500" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td> <img src="images/installation1_01.gif" alt="" width="797" height="176"></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <img src="images/installation1_02.gif" alt="" width="797" height="61"></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p style="margin-left:20; margin-right:10; margin-bottom:10; text-align:right; font-weight:bold;"> View the pdf version of the Handling & Installation Instructions <a href="Handling&Installation.pdf" target="_blank" title="Download Handling & Installation Instructions"><img src="images/pdfIcon.gif" style="border:0px;" /></a> </p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> BLC takes numerous steps to ensure that the flooring we produce meets our high standards.&nbsp; In order to preserve that quality, several procedures need to be followed between the time your flooring leaves our facility and the time it is installed in your home.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Prior to flooring delivery, the jobsite should be checked to make sure it is ready to receive the flooring. &nbsp;BLC Hardwood Flooring is for interior use only and should never be exposed to excessive moisture conditions.&nbsp; </span> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif"> Abuses during shipment or storage such as exposure to excessive moisture conditions or rough handling should be noted and reported immediately. &nbsp;Once delivered, BLC Hardwood Flooring should be allowed to acclimate to the area where it is to be installed. &nbsp;This helps prevent moisture related problems such as gaps between strips, cupping and/or buckling.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> According to NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (</span><a href="http://www.nofma.org" style="text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">www.nofma.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">) and the National Wood Flooring Association (</span><a href="http://www.nwfa.org" style="text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">www.nwfa.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">), the following items should be done and maintained prior to, during and after delivery to the jobsite and installation of the flooring:</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif"> (1)<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> </span> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Surface drainage of the land around the building should be directed away from the structure; </span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif"> (2)<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> </span> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> The building must be  dried-in with the roof on, all exteriors walls completed and all outside windows and doors in place; </span> </p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif"> (3)<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> </span> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> All concrete, masonry, sheetrock, and framing members should be thoroughly dry;</span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif"> (4)<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> </span> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> The basement and/or crawl space must be dry (meaning no presence of high humidity conditions as well as no standing or liquid water) and a ground cover of 6 mil polyethylene film should be in place over 100% of the crawlspace earth;</span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif"> (5)<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> </span> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> The interior environment must be near occupancy levels with the heating or air conditioning system operating at time of flooring delivery and until after installation and occupancy; and </span> </p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif"> (6)<span style="font:7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span> </span> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> The subfloor moisture content must be checked to make sure it is within normal ranges for the region.</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Once these steps have been completed, your flooring is ready to be installed.&nbsp; BLC hardwood flooring should always be installed either perpendicular or at a 45 degree angle to the floor joists.&nbsp; Failure to do so will result in high ridges in the floor at every joist.&nbsp; Do not use a wall as your starting line because walls are rarely perfectly straight and the flooring therefore will not be straight.&nbsp; Place a straight line on the floor using a carpenter s chalk line.&nbsp; You may need to face nail and/or glue the boards along the starting line to achieve a straight starting row.&nbsp; In very wide rooms, consider placing the starting row in the center of the room.&nbsp; Use a spline to reverse direction so that you can proceed to walls at either end of the room.&nbsp; This will minimize movement and noise issues that may occur should the flooring absorb moisture and swell after occupancy.&nbsp; It is absolutely necessary to leave a ¾ expansion space between the hardwood flooring and the perimeter walls of every room.&nbsp; Failure to leave an expansion space can damage walls and other surrounding fixtures such as fireplace hearths and adjacent flooring materials should the wood flooring absorb moisture and swell.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> BLC hardwood flooring is made to be mechanically fastened to a wood subfloor using flooring cleats or staples.&nbsp; The subfloor should be at least 5/8 thick (3/4 is preferred) exterior-use rated plywood or its equivalent.&nbsp; On flooring that is wider than 3 ¼ , we recommend that wood flooring glue be used in conjunction with mechanical fasteners to make sure that the flooring is properly attached to the subfloor.&nbsp; The fasteners used should be either a 2 barbed flooring cleat or 2 15 gauge flooring staples with ½ crowns.&nbsp; On 2 ¼ and 3 ¼ wide flooring, fasteners should be placed along strips at no more than 10 to 12 apart (8 to 10 spacing is preferred).&nbsp; On 4 or wider flooring, fasteners should be spaced along planks approximately 8 apart.&nbsp; There should be a minimum of two flooring fasteners per board on the shortest boards, and fasteners should be spaced 1 to 3 from the ends of every flooring strip or plank.&nbsp; Flooring nails or staples are made to be driven at an angle through the top of the tongue for blind-nailing.&nbsp; However, face-nailing is often required for starting strips as discussed above or along walls where there is not enough room for a flooring nail-gun.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left: 20; margin-right: 10; margin-top: 10; margin-bottom: 10"> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Once your floor is installed, consult our <i> <a href="floor-care.html">Floor Care</a> </i>page to keep it looking great for life.</span></td> </tr> </table> <!-- End ImageReady Slices --> </td> </tr> </table> <br><br><br> <!-- COPYRIGHT --> <TABLE cellpadding=0 cellspacing="1" border=0 bordercolor="#000000" width="100%" BGCOLOR="C0C0C0"><tr><td> <TABLE cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2 border=0 width="100%" background="picts/bottom-background.gif"><tr><td WIDTH="10"> <IMG SRC="picts/spacer.gif" HEIGHT="10" WIDTH="10" border="0"><BR> </td><td ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <script language="JavaScript" src="copyright.js"></script> </td><td ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=TOP> <script language="JavaScript" src="copyright-aws.js"></script> </TD><td WIDTH="10"> <IMG SRC="picts/spacer.gif" HEIGHT="10" WIDTH="10" border="0"><BR> </td></tr></table> </td></tr></table> <!-- COPYRIGHT --> </body> </html>