BHK Cork Installation
BHK Glueless Flooring is easily installed without the use of glue. Flooring planks "click together utilizing an innovative tongue and groove joinery system. This system allows for a 50% faster installation when compared with traditional glued flooring installation. Since no glue is used, BHK Glueless Flooring is also much easier and cleaner to install.
BHK Glueless Flooring Planks can be joined together in two different ways:
- A. The planks can be angled to fit into one another by either pressing the tongue against the groove, or by pressing the groove against the tongue. It is easier if you press the tongue against the groove and the following installation instructions show this technique. Fitting the groove on to the tongue is only required in a few specific situations. In such a situation, position the plank to be installed at an angle of 20-30° to the plank already installed. Move the plank to be fitted slightly up and down, while at the same time exerting forward pressure. The planks will snap securely in to place.
- B. In some cases, the planks can not be angled to fit into one another. For example, along the short edge of a panel that has already been installed along the long side, o under a door frame, etc. In such a case, the planks can be installed by lying flat aginst each other. (Tongue facing groove/groove facing tongue.)
For the short edges:
Using small staps against the installation tapping block, tap until the planks snap solidly together. Start at the corner of the plank and lightly tap against the installation tapping block until the seam begins to close. Continue tapping on the installation tapping block until the planks are solidly joined. There should be no opening in the joints! Never attempt to join planks with just one hit!
Note: For the best results, it is important to follow these installation instructions precisely. Use only BHK approved installation kits, underlayment, accessories and maintenance products to prevent damage to your floor. Use care when using the tapping block with BHK Moderna Toledo Cork Flooring - use small taps to secure cork flooring panels.
BHK does not recommend installation of BHK Glueless Flooring in damp areas such as bathrooms. This product is not suitable for installation in saunas or outdoor applications. It is designed to be used as a floor covering and is not suitable for applications other than those intended. Check panels from all packs before and during installation. Any defective panel should not be used.
TOOLS FOR INSTALLING THE FLOOR
In addition to your most common household tools such as a hammer, saw(s) and possibly a drill, you will need a BHK Installation Kit (available at your dealer), which must be used for product installation. For best cutting results- use a fine toothed hand saw, crosscut saw or jigsaw. When using a jigsaw, place pattern design face down. When using a hand saw or crosscut saw, cut with pattern design up.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Preferably you new floor should be installed with long edges of the planks parallel to the incoming light and/or parallel to the longest wall for a visually more attractive look.
CLIMATIZE YOUR NEW BHK FLOORING
- Room temperature should be between 58-68°F with relative humidity of 50-60%.
- Allow new planks to climatize in original packaging for 48 hours befoer installation in the area where it is to be installed.
- Place cartons in the middle of the room, never against a wall or in a corner.
CHECK
- To be sure the doors still open and close. Your new floor will add at least 3/8" (including foam) in height to the present floor. Remove door(s) if necessary and adjusts its length.
- Door frames may need to be cut at each side to allow the installation of the new floor under them.
- Always remove existing quarter round molding.
THE BASE FLOOR
To ensure the best possible results, the base floor must be thoroughly clean and flat before installation can begin. Level out unevenness of more than 0.1 inch per yard.
INSTALLATION OVER CONCRETE- NEW CONSTRUCTION
The moisture content of the concrete floor may not exceed 2.5% (CM method). Freshly poured concrete must be allowed to cure. Ensure that the area is well ventilated during the curing process. The following table is a basic guideline for the curing of freshly poured concrete but is not a substitute for the actual measurements of the moisture content. In the case of floor heating, the moisture content may not exceed 1.5% (CM method).
| Overall Thickness | Weeks per 13/32" | Total Drying Time | ||
| 1-5/8" | 1 Week | 4 Weeks | ||
| Above 1-5/8" | 2 Weeks | 8 or more weeks | ||
Always install a 6mil PE moisture barrier when working on concrete base floors or on floors below grade. The PE moisture barrier may be taped together with water resistant tape (duct tape), allowing for an 8" overlap on areas that can not be covered with one solid piece. The moisture content for floors with radiant heat may not exceed 1.5% (CM method). Please consult your dealer for additional information.
INSTALLATION OVER EXISTING FLOOR COVERINGS
PVC, Linoleum, Tiles -
BHK Glueless Flooring can be installed over these flooring materials.
Carpets, needle felt, etc., -
Remove the current floor covering prior to installing BHK Glueless Flooring.
INSTALLATOIN OVER WOOD FLOORS
Ensure that the existing floor is sufficiently stable by nailing down any loose planks. If necessary, install a suitable subfloor to level out any unevenness exceeding 0.1 inch per yard. The moisture content of the floor must not exceed 10%. BHK Glueless Flooring planks must be installed at a right angle to the existing wood planks.
INSTALLAING MOISTURE BARRIER AND FOAM UNDERLAYMENT
Depending on your base floor, install the 6mil PE moisture barrier. Run the plastic approximately 4" up the wall and cut it off. If the moisture barrier is not large enough to cover the entire floor space, use additional pieces allowing for an 8" overlap which must be connected with water resistant tape (duct tape). Roll out the 1/8" thick foam underlayment (shiny side up) on top of the moisture barrier. Install the foam side by side and tape edges together using water resistant tape. (Use BHK Underlayment only.)
BASIC RULES OF INSTALLATION
Wood is the primary constituent of BHK Glueless Flooring. Since almost all ood products react to varying degrees in humidity (for example, change in seasons), the floor must be allowed to expand in all directions. This expansion can be up to 3/32" per yard. In general, the greater the area covered, the greater the required space for expansion. Consequently, a space of 5/16" - 13/32" (1/4" for every 10") must be allowed for at all walls, at thresholds or when installing flooring around pipes. Use doorways as additional expansion gaps. These gaps will be covered with molding attached to the base floor upon completion of the installation. Remember, for installation in large rooms, transition moldings must be used for every 33' or in doorways.
Note: The easiest installation method is installing the tongue into the groove.
INSTALLATION METHODS
BHK Glueless Flooring can be installed beginning left to right, right to left, or in the middle of an area/room. For the purpose of these instructions, the installation will be from the left to right side of the room.
Remove four planks from two or three different cartons and place them approximately 2' from the wall. Inspect each plank prior to its installation. Do not attempt to install damaged planks. Cut panel #2 to a length of approximately 34" by measuring the length from the grooved short end. Place the cut end of the plank against the wall. The grooved short end of the plank should face to your right. To ensure perfect expansion joints, the tongues of the planks facing the wall must cut off.
Place your knees on plank #1 and push the tongue of plank #1 into the groove of plank #2. Move plank #2 up and down while forcing it against plank #1 until both planks "click" together. If plank #2 does not stay flat, or if the joint is not perfectly tight, the connectoin has not been properly made. Repeat these steps, using more force until a proper connection has been made.
Now install the second plank of the first row by taking plank #3 in your left hand. Hold the plank slanted so that the tongue (on the short end) can be fitted easily into the groove on the short edge of plank #1.
Move plank #3 up and down while pushing against plank #1. Plank #1 and #3 must be perfectly aligned with one another so that the following rows can be installed correctly.
Before taking the next step, place some weight (ideally use an unopened carton of flooring) on top of planks #1 and #2. This will ensure that the joints you have already made will not come apart during the installation.
Place your knees on planks #1 and #3. Take plank #4 with both hands and hold it slanted so that the tongue on the short end can be inserted into the grooved end of plank #2.
Note: The easiest installation method is installing the tongue into the groove.
Angle plank #4 while pressing against plank #2 and #4 with your left hand. Using the BHK installation tapping blocks, tap the long edge of plank #4 against the grooved end of the first row until they are in direct contact.
Move planks #2 and #4 up and down together while pressing against the grooved ends. You will have to use sufficient force to achieve a solid joint. This may take several attempts. Upon completion, all planks should be flat and even with the ground and all joints should be tight. If this is not the case, then repeat the procedures outlined above. Also, make sure that the planks of the first row have been properly aligned.
Continue the installation by finishing one row at a time. Always join a plank at the short edge followed by the long edge. Use leftover pieces from the previous row as starter pieces for the new row in order to achieve the best possible yield from each plank. Place some weight (a carton of flooring) on the last section installed to prevent it from moving.
THE LAST ROW
There should also be a 3/8" expansion joint between the final row and the wall. Remember to saw off the long edges on the last row of panels. Place these panels one by one next to the panels of the previous row and tap the long edges together using the crowbar and hammer. The short edges can be tapped together using the BHK tapping block.
AROUND PIPES
In the row where there is a through pipe, be sure that this pipe comes exactly at the cross joint of two panels. Use a drill bit with a diameter similar to the diameter of the pipe + 3/4" for expansion. Click the panels together on the short edge. Drill the hole with its center on the joint between the two panels and install the panels as part of the floor.
UNDER DOOR FRAMES
Saw the panels leaving a minimum of 3/8" expansion joint after installation. If you can not angle this panel, use the crowbar or tapping block and hammer to tap the panels together. Our joinery system allows you to tap the planks together and it will not affect the integrity of the joint itself.
FINISHING THE FLOOR
After you have completed the installation of your new floor, you can walk on it immediately to begin finishing procedures.
- Remove all spacer blocks.
- Affix the base molding over the plastic membrane (concrete floors) against the wall.
- Affix quarter round molding if you did not remove the existing base molding during installation.
- Finish the gaps around the pipes with rosettes or elastic paste.
- Fill spaces (expansion gaps) that cannot be finished off with molding with elastic paste.
NEVER affix any molding directly to the floor. This will prevent the floor from expanding and contracting.
You can dissemble and reinstall your BHK Glueless Laminate Flooring up to three times. Reinstall in another room - saves you money, is environmentally conscious and maintains your warranty.