Installation Guidelines 48Hr Moisture Resistant
Important note; each project should be installed by a professional flooring contractor or skilled tradesperson. The installation process and method selected is the responsibility of the contractor. You must be satisfied that the contractor is qualified to carry out your site installation. This product is provided with a 48hr moisture resistant core & surface, it is not intended for external use.

Installation in Bathrooms & Wet Areas

To maximise the moisture resistant performance of Oakleaf HD PLUS laminate the following installation method must be followed in any area that could be subject to moisture, such as bathrooms or laundry areas. A mould resistant waterproof silicon sealant should be used to completely fill all expansion joints around the perimeter of the wet area floor. This will prevent water moving from the floor surface to the underside of the planks creating an opportunity for plank deformity to occur. The wet area floor should not be joined to a floor surface in an adjoining room. The wet area should be terminated with a transition trim and sealed appropriately. These additional instructions only apply for wet area locations. The 48hr moisture resistant product is designed to provide surface & plank protection for incidental spills and accidents associated with general living environments. Prolonged exposure to moisture may ultimately damage the planks integrity. Flooding & spills require prompt attention.
Please note: Oakleaf HD PLUS laminate is suitable for installation with Under–Floor heating provided that the heating system
selected is a Hydronic In–slab system. Correct operation of the floor heating system remains at owner’s risk.

GENERAL LAYING INSTRUCTIONS FOR NON–WET AREAS: 5G CLICK & FOLD PROFILE

Please read the following instructions thoroughly and carefully before laying the floor:

• Oakleaf HD PLUS laminate is designed to be installed floating without glue. The 5g click system allows the planks to be joined without the need for adhesive or nail fixing to the sub–floor. In some situations a cross–linked PVA will be required to allow for easier assembly under door thresholds and tight  floor spaces. Refer example diagram, Special Installations.

Fixed & large objects such as a Kitchen Island bench should not be placed on a floating install; laminate must be cut in and around the bench or fixed object.

• The cartons must be stored in a cool, shaded and protected dry place (ambient temperature of 18 – 25 Degrees Celsius). Never open the packs until the day of installation as to avoid moisture pickup of the laminate. Keep cartons in their original unopened packaging to acclimatise for at least 48 hours.

• Each plank should be carefully checked prior to installation: never install damaged planks.

• To better blend and balance the natural batch variation the installer should always work from several open cartons to create a balanced and natural visual for your new installation. Plan the install before commencement.

• The surface–temperature of the sub–floor at installation should be at least 15°C but never exceed 27°C. For optimum performance the ideal relative humidity should be 45% to 55 % but never below 30% or consistently exceeding 60%. Do not heat or cool the area prior to install.

• A concrete sub–floor should be dry, 2.5–4.5%, clean, and free of any cracks. Sub–floor irregularities should not exceed 3 mm in every 3 meters, all directions. If sub–floor levelling is required a cement–based floor–filler should be used and allowed to dry. All wooden substrates must be dry, free of loose or squeaky planks or joists, screw fix ifrequired.


• Install under the flooring a good quality acoustic underlay with a minimum thickness of, 2 incorporating a PE Moisture barrier film. This will reduce sound transmission and retard moisture ingress. Install underlay over a dry, flat substrate, with joins neatly taped. Joining between the plastic sheets should have sufficient overlap and /or sufficient tight joins to avoid leakage of vapour from underneath. Recommended overlap should be at least 20cm.

• If you are using an alternate acoustic underlay that does not incorporate a Moisture Film an age resistant polyethylene membrane plastic sheet (0.2mm thickness) for vapour barrier is required and necessary for a floating–system
installation.

• The Underlay / Moisture Film should be kicked up the skirting boards on perimeter walls to avoid moisture ingress.

• Ensure that the sub floor is thoroughly cleaned to avoid mould growth. Should the RH of the sub–floor be above 95%, the flooring should not be installed? This is strictly prohibited.

• An allowance of at least 12–15 mm on each edge / perimeter should be provided to accommodate floor expansion. Please allow for expansion around heating tube outlets, connection with tiles and fixed items where the floor is installed. Room to room expansion trims at doorways is recommended.

• Use spacing wedges during the installation to assist in maintaining the correct expansions gaps.

• Bigger rooms & long hallways will require a larger allowance for expansion joins. We recommend expansion joins within an appropriate section of the room. As a general guide room widths greater than 6–8 m will require increased expansion provisions. Length runs over 11 m will require increased expansion provisions.

• If the client objects to these inclusions we recommend the installer keep a record that the client did not wish to include expansion trims. Wherever possible each room should be treated as a separate install, this will allow natural expansion & contraction to occur unhindered.

• The widely used formula to calculate the expansion (for floating–system) across the width of the installed floor is 1.5 mm expansion for every 1 meter of floor width.

• We recommend the planks be installed lengthwise against the
longest wall of the room, starting from the corner furthest from
the entrance. This will enhance the visual appearance.

• The plank in the last row must not be less than 300 mm. Therefore measure and plan the floor before the installation begins to calculate the first and last plank.

• REMEMBER: Check your floor continuously during installation. Installed defective boards can be easily replaced No claims will be entertained for any plank defects after installation. If in doubt leave it out or cut it out!

• When installing the laminate floor through several adjoining–rooms, expansion–joins must be provided at doorways to allow for normal expansion and contraction. When using the floating–system installation in a corridors and
hallways, length–wise installation is required.

• When the floating method of installation is employed, skirting–
boards should be installed by fixing them directly to the adjacent wall, never fix them onto the floor planks. This is to allow the floor to move freely without restrictions from skirting or door jambs etc. Do not install large fixed objects &
kitchen benches directly on a floating install.

• Your laminate floor is ready to walk on immediately after installation. If the floor requires cleaning after installation please make sure cleaning and maintenance is done as per the instructions detailed below. Any cleaning should only be done using a damp–dry mop, never use a wet mop or steam
mop to clean the floor. Excessive moisture for prolonged durations can and will damage your new floor.

• Claims regarding visible defective floor planks must be made prior to installation. Each plank should be inspected to ensure that the quality is acceptable. No claims relating to surface defects can be accepted after installation.

• The laminate flooring should not be exposed to direct UV / Sunlight, please use sun blinds or window / door coverings to protect the floor surface from excessive heat exposure. Damage will occur, this will not be covered by our warranty.


DIAGRAMS LAMINATE FLOORS WITH CLICK & FOLD PROFILES.

Sawing / Cutting tip; Laminate floors require attention to detail when cutting, if you are using a cross–cut hand saw or electric drop saw, the surface of the plank should be face up to avoid chipping. If you are using a hand held electric sawing device such as a jig saw then it’s recommended you place the surface, face down to avoid chipping. This will help you achieve a professional look and reduce plank waste.



Fig 1. First plank, first row. Place a spacer of 12–15 mm thickness to the left
and position the plank against the wall. Later, after 3 rows, you can easily position the flooring against the front wall with distances 12– 15 mm.

Fig 2. Second plank, first row place this plank gently and tight to the short end of the first one. Fold / angle down short end into place. Lengthways tap maybe required to secure tightly. Please make sure both long edges and short ends are tight with no visible gaps.

Fig 3. Click in long edge and fold / angle the plank down. During the angle / fold down, make sure the planks are tight against each other. Afterwards press down or slightly tap down at the short end or long edge of the installed plank till its flat. No major force is required.

Fig 4. At the end of the first row, put a spacer 12 – 15 mm, to the wall and measure the length of the last plank to fit.

Fig 5. Cut with a jig saw – visual surface face turned down to eliminate/reduce damage to the face plank. Or if cutting using a hand saw, cut it with the visible face up. Then install it as previous plank.

Fig 6. Starting the Second row First plank should be a min length of 300–500 mm. Put a 12– 15mm spacer against the wall and measure the last piece. If it is shorter than 500mm a new starter piece should be used. Insert the plank at an angle into the previous row and tap (the long side) in using a tapping block till flat.

Fig 7. General distances between short ends. Minimum distance between short ends of planks in parallel rows shall not be less than 300–500 mm. This improves the stability of the floor.

Fig 8a Second plank, second row place the panel
at an angle into the groove of the previous row
making sure that the end of the plank is tight/flush
to the short end of the previous plank. Lengthways
tap is required to flush and secure short end join.

Fig 8b Fold or angle the plank down with a slight press to the left to the short end of the previous plank. Again using the tapping block tap it against the long end into theprevious row. During the fold /angle down, make sure the plank is tight against each other.

Figs 8c As it flattens itself to the floor press or gently tap the top of the short end of the installed panel until its flat. Finish installing this plank by tapping it with a tapping block on the long side to ensure secure installation.


Fig 9. After 2–3 rows. Adjust the distance to the front wall by placing spacer’s 12– 15 mm. Once the adjustment is done against the main wall, continue to install till the last row.

Fig 10. Last row (and perhaps also first row). The Minimum width of the last plank should be NOT LESS than 50 mm. Remember distance to wall is 12–15 mm. Tip! Put a spacer before measuring  Cut the planks lengthwise and glue the short ends. See instructions below.

Diagram 1

Special installations – Small panel widths.

Diagram 1 & 2
For tight spaces under door thresholds or wall ends etc. Joining at short ends length cut planks. Cut the tongue at the same time you cut the length of the
plank and install as shown above. Please note that the smallest width of a plank is 50 mm at the last row. If it is not, the first row width must be adjusted. This can easily be calculated when measuring the room with before installation. Cut off the locking element with a chisel, push the planks horizontally together. If necessary, place some spacers between the last plank and the wall to keep the planks together during the curing time of the glue. Diagram 2








Radiator pipes, installation at radiators. Drill the holes 20 mm larger than the diameter of the pipes. Cut out the panel (with the thinnest blade possible) as per diagram. Install the plank as per normal. Glue the cut out piece back again.



Disassembling Your floor can be disassembled, which enables replacement during installation and also during use. Separate the whole row by carefully lifting up and slightly knocking just above the joint. Fold up or angle and release the whole long side. Disassemble the planks by sliding horizontally where possible or fold up and angle to release.

OAKLEAF HD PLUS LAMINATE FLOORING
Installation Guidelines 48Hr Moisture Resistant

CARE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS:
You have purchased a high–quality, 48hr water resistant laminate flooring product; it will not require any special treatment directly after installation. Whilst the product provides a certain level of extra moisture resistant qualities it remains important that regular care and maintenance responsibilities are required to better preserve your floor. If you follow these general cleaning and required maintenance guidelines your new floor will perform as intended for many years to come.

• Please ensure that an ideal room–climate is maintained whenever possible. Ideal conditions would provide for approximately, 45–60% Air Humidity and 21–25°C room temperatures. This is a comfortable range for indoor climate and provides for optimal health and assists in the overall performance of the floor.

• Do not expose laminate flooring to direct sunlight, please use sun blinds or window / door coverings to protect the laminate flooring from excessive heat & UV exposure.

• Daily cleaning should be done with a vacuum cleaner, static mop or a smooth floor–broom. Any sand or dirt should be immediately removed, the grit can cause scratches and damage the floor surface over a prolonged period. Please ensure no metal screws or sharp edges are evident on the vacuum head. As with all good cleaning practices, water, liquid or food spillage should be wiped or cleaned up as soon as possible.

• Whenever necessary, the floor surface can be cleaned with a well–rung damp–dry mop. Do not use conventional household cleaning solutions and detergents, they are be abrasive and may damage the surface coating. Never use traditional wax or steel–wool on your laminate floor. PH neutral cleaning solutions are required, please observe, and follow manufacturer’s instructions, Bona or Loba cleaning solutions are recommended.

• It is important that you affix felt strips or suitable protection under any furniture–bases, chair–legs and commonly movable objects. At entry points and for high traffic areas the use of floor mats to remove entry grit and dirt is recommended and will be useful to help preserve the floors surface coating. Do not drag or push heavy items across the surface of the laminate floor.

• Roller or castor chairs should not be used directly on the floor surface. Protective mats must be placed on the floor surface.

• Additional surface coatings are not required for your pre–finished laminate floor. Once installed its ready to walk on.

• In case of any plank damage on the surface (e.g. by furniture movement etc.), it is possible to remove damaged planks by pulling up
the surrounding area and re–fitting a new plank. Professional advice and assistance from a qualified installer or specialist retailer could assist if the situation arises.

Note: only In–slab hydronic heating will be considered under warranty provisions. Other heating methods are not covered by
our warranty. Please review carefully with the heating systems guidelines for installation and operational procedures before installing your laminate floor.
Your new Laminate Floor is a living material that will expand and contract in shape if moisture or humidity is raised. It may also shrink if moisture or humidity becomes very low. As a natural product, damage from these circumstances may lead to irreversible deformation of the floor if the room climate and humidity is left too high or too low for an extended period. In winter months for example if the humidity (RH) in a heated room goes below the specified 45 % the floor may be subjected to conditions that may result in plank changes. In this case you should install an air humidifier to prevent damages to your floor. The same may also be necessary with air conditioned rooms.

Disclaimer: Preference Floors has used its reasonable endeavors to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained herein and, to the extent permitted by law, will not be liable for any inaccuracies, omissions or errors in this information nor for any actions taken in reliance on this information. Products must be installed in accordance with relevant installation recommendations and industry best practices.

© Homemirus Pty Ltd trading as Preference Floors. Head Office 02 97381188.