Installing your Sensa Laminate Floor

 
	
     	
      	
      	
      	
  
	
  
Installing your Sensa Laminate Floor

READ COMPLETELY BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION.

Please Note – This Installation guide and warranty must be read in conjunction with, any
additional Clever Choice installation guides posted on www.cleverchoice.com.au, or provided
to you by the seller. These instructions do not allow for every possible use or installation of
this product. Any omission to reference the user/Installers intentions for this product, does
not assume or imply, that it is suitable or practical for the intended use. If you have any
questions for suitability for application not covered in these instructions, please contact your
supplier, or Clever Choice immediately. Check www.cleverchoice.com.au for up to date
details and articles relating to installation, care and maintenance.

Dear Installer and/or homeowner, Please check that you are satisfied that the boards match
the colour selected at time of purchase. Stop, or do not start installing if you are not satisfied
with the product. Please inspect every board for defect, colour variation and uniformity
before installation. Please integrate or remove any boards from the installation if they have a
visual defect or you will not accept the variation. Some variations may be stronger than
others. Please ensure the lighting and the Relative Humidity in the environment is as it will
be upon completion of the install. It is our position that you, the installer, and/or
homeowner, accept the appearance and take responsibility for any visual variation or defect
in boards you choose to install, and not separate for replacement. Any defects should be
reported to the retailer immediately for inspection and/or replacement. We cannot and will
not accept responsibility for flooring that has been installed with visible defects or
unacceptable color variation.

Pre Installation Check list:

!      Inspection of site is conducted, checking for rising damp, ground built up higher than
       weep holes. This is very important in ensuring your floor performs to optimum levels.

!      Room temperature between 15°-30°C is recommended for optimum performance.
       Room temperature and humidity of installation area should be consistent with
       normal, year-round living conditions for at least a week before installation.
       Do not install the floor during periods of “unseasonal weather”

!      Relative humidity range of 35-65% must be maintained by the homeowner to avoid
       excessive movement of the floor and maintain warranty. It is recommended that
       when installing a laminate floor in your home, that you use a thermometer and
       hydrometer to monitor the temp and humidity in your house, and make adjustments
       as necessary. See www.cleverchoice.com.au for more details.

                                                 	
  

!   Please check your installation environment. Your floor will be affected by Air
      Conditioning and heating systems, and seasonal changes which can dry air and effect
      Relative Humidity. Bush fires and drought conditions also cause changes which can
      affect your floor. Laminates will expand and contract as seasons and conditions
      change, this is why the correct use of expansion joints and expansion/contraction
      gaps are essential to ensure the optimum performance of your floor. ALL LAMINATE
      FLOORS REACT TO HUMIDITY AND MOISTURE IN THE INSTALLED ENVIRONMENT:
      The floor will react to the Relative Humidity or RH of the installation, and in some
      installations a permanent humidifier/dehumidifier may be required to reduce the
      natural movement of your Laminate floor as it reacts to the environment of the
      home/installation. Warranty does not cover damage or changes to appearance of the
      floor due excessive water vapor or moisture.

!    Contraction and gaps may appear during periods of unseasonal heat or dryness. The
     relative humidity is a measure of how dry the air is and the lower the RH value the
     drier the air. A dry environment causes a reduction in moisture content in laminate
     flooring and can result in shrinkage of some boards. There are a few simple things
     that can assist. Bowls of water, some water left in the sinks and wet washing on a
     clotheshorse will all add moisture into the air. Similarly the humidity generally
     increases during the evening so ventilation over night is also beneficial. Consider the
     time of the year you are laying your floor as the climatic environment may be
     extreme and differ to what conditions your house will be for most of the year. If your
     house is locked up over Christmas or hot months for extended periods, please ensure
     there are some coverings on the windows and that the house is ventilated during this
     time. Oven like conditions can be created when houses are closed up during this
     period and your floor won’t appreciate it and will react accordingly. Any change to
     the flooring due to environmental conditions is not regarded as a manufacture defect
     or warranty issue

!    Sensa Laminates are for indoor residential, commercial use only. Not suitable for
     bathrooms, laundry’s or wet areas. Installations outside these recommendations are
     not covered by warranty.

!    It is most important that you install the flooring once you open the cartons, without
     waiting for several hours. Sensa Laminate floating floors are made to be installed
     once opened, and allowed to acclimatise on the floor once clicked together.

!    Do not store cartons directly on concrete or near outside walls. This will avoid
     moisture from entering through the cartons.

!    Sub floor is tested for moisture content

!   Ensure that your sub-floor is clean, flat, smooth and level with a tolerance no greater
    than 2mm over a 2m straight edge. Correct any changes in levels using a leveling
    compound. After leveling, wait at least 1 week to allow the compound to dry
    completely before laying your laminate Floor, to prevent moisture related issues. Apply
    a dust-inhibiting sealant

                                                	
  

!    No warranty or product defect will be accepted if installed over floors with subfloor
     heating.

!    Kitchens or built-in units, are not to be installed on top of Sensa Laminate flooring, as
     this will restrict the natural movement of the floor, causing such problems as,
     gapping, cupping or creaking. This can occur with other moveable heavy objects,
     which can restrict the floor from the natural floating movement required for
     expansion and contraction. Restricting natural floor movement will void your
     warranty.

!   All surfaces must be clean, dry and sound, free of voids, loose materials and
    contaminants

!   Complete removal of any contamination must be carried out where it is suspected or
    evident.

!    Use only Clever Sound Underlay or similar specification underlay. Any carpeting and
     under padding must be removed to avoid possible humidity problems or excessive
     movement.

!   CONCRETE SURFACES:
     Water vapor from concrete slabs can migrate into your laminate flooring laid on top.
     Excessive water vapor emissions can cause the flooring to be dimensionally unstable
     resulting in undesirable changes to its appearance. Warranty does not cover damage
     or changes to appearance of the floor due excessive water vapor or moisture.

!   If the subfloor is unlevel, surface preparation may be achieved by diamond grinding,
    shot blasting, sand blasting, captive abrasive blast cleaning (Blastrac), or other suitable
    method. (Acid etching is not recommended, as the concrete has to be neutralized and
    dried afterwards.) Best preparation is to diamond grind the surface of the slab, as it
    enables the removal of high spots as well as laitance.

!   Surface shall be structurally sound and level. [Concrete slabs shall be in accordance
    with AS2870-1996 Residential Footings and Slabs Code.] Concrete surfaces shall have
    a finish equivalent to that obtained when using a steel trowel. To be stable, new
    concrete should have been cured until the moisture content of the slab is less than
    5.5%. Concrete must meet ASTM F710-98. Suspected dampness in a concrete slab,
    can be checked by moisture meter using “plugs” drilled into the slab. If the slab is
    below grade, and there is a possibility of the water table being high enough to
    pressurize the concrete, perimeter drains would need to be installed.

!   Use Clever Sound Acoustic Underlay or similar underlay with moisture barrier.
    Apply a proven moisture barrier to reduce the moisture transmission rate from a cured
    slab to less than7g/m²/24hrs. (ASTM F1869-98), or Lay a moisture barrier of 0.2 mm
    polyethylene plastic and overlap any edges by 200mm. Using a wide adhesive tape,
    seal the edges by taping along the entire seam. Lay the moisture barrier up the walls
    50 mm, to prevent moisture from penetrating the edges of the flooring.

!   WOODEN SURFACES:
    Insure that your sub-floor is clean, flat, smooth and level. Slopes of more than 2mm
    over 2 meters must be leveled. Correct any changes in slope and ensure that the
    leveling compound has lost its moisture prior to starting your installation.

!    We recommend using Clever Sound 3in1 Acoustic underlay or equivalent for a more
     sold feel and quieter under foot. This will also reduce the chance of excess

                                              	
  

movement and boards squeaking. Do not use felt, low-density foam, or underlay
    more than 3mm thickness. Issues arising from use of incorrect underlay are not
    covered by warranty. For optimum performance use Clever Sound Acoustic
    underlay.

!   We recommend all installations to be carried out as a floating floor using Clever
    Sound 3in1 acoustic underlay as instructed above to allow the floor to move naturally
    during seasonal changes and not be placed under extra pressure. If you decide to
    direct stick our bamboo product, you will need to contact us directly prior to
    installation through the link at www.cleverchoice.comau. Warranty will be void if this
    is not done.

!   Laminates are a print and has variations in shade and grain. It should be installed
    from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color and shade mixture.

!   For best results, pre-select and set aside boards that blend best with all floor
    beadings, skirting boards or mounted moldings used to assure a uniform final
    appearance. Install these boards adjoining the moldings.

!   Check every board before installation for any defects.

!   Be attentive to staggering the ends of boards in adjacent rows. They should be
    staggered at mid point when the boards are of equal length. When installing boards
    of random length ensure that the staggered length is at least 40cm. This will help to
    ensure a more structural and favorable overall appearance of the floor.

!   Any installation requiring the flooring to exceed 8 meters in width or 12 meters in
    length will require an expansion/contraction trims to be installed at these parameters.

!   Remove existing moldings and baseboards before installation.

!   Undercut Architraves and plaster board before laying the laminate floor, to allow for
    expansion and contraction. Use 19mm quad or skirting. The floor needs 15mm of
    coverage in both directions for natural expansion and contraction in seasonal
    changes. If you undercut this will allow 11mm clearance under the plasterboard and
    19mm clearance under the skirting or moulding. Offering a total coverage of 30mm.
    This will allow the required cover for natural movement. Failing to do this may result
    in gaps appearing from under skirting or moulding during extreme climate changes.
    Any such gaps are considered natural movement and therefore not covered by
    warranty.

!   In climates of higher humidity or larger rooms, the expansion/contraction cover must
    be a minimum of 15mm with plasterboard undercut to allow for the natural
    expansion/contraction of the floor as it adjusts to the installed environment.

!   Always allow a minimum 15mm expansion/Contraction around all vertical
    obstructions

!   Check door and doorframe clearances to insure that doors will move freely without
    contacting the flooring surface.

!   Clean and sweep the subfloor before laying Clever Sound Underlay.

!   Although Laminate Floors can be installed in any direction, as a rule, Floors are
    usually installed perpendicular to a wall with a window. Installing the Floor parallel to
    the longest wall tends to make a room appear larger. You will get better results by

                                             	
  

laying two or three rows of laminate Floor in advance to get an eye pleasing
    distribution of the plank.

!   Measure the room carefully to determine if it is square, and to calculate the width of
    the last row. For planks less than 40mm in width, re-cutting the first row will be
    necessary to insure stability (do not include the tongue of a plank in your
    measurements, as all exposed tongues must be removed from the perimeter of the
    floor, i.e. the first row of planks). Should you have an irregular wall for the first row,
    the plank must be cut to follow the wall’s irregularities.

!   When preparing to saw a plank (use safety glasses and mask), always insure that the
    teeth of the saw will be cutting into the decorative surface of the plank. (Ex: using a
    table saw face laminate side down).

!   Starting in one corner of the room, the flooring should be installed from left to right,
    with the tongue sides facing the walls. Place spacers between the plank and the wall,
    1 spacer on the width and one spacer at each end where one plank joins another.
    (Spacers provide the necessary space required for expansion around the perimeter of
    the floor. It is especially important to leave at least 10mm expansion around the
    entire floor, including when going under doorframes). Larger spacing of 15mm is
    required in more humid climates.

!   The planks at the end of each row must not be shorter than 40cm, to insure stability.
    If your last plank is shorter than 40cm, it is advised to re-cut the first plank in the
    row. The remainder of the plank from your first row can be used as the first plank of
    the next row. Stagger the planks by cutting the first plank of every other row in half.

!   When laying the planks for the first row, place the first plank flat and against the
    spacers. The next plank being laid must be elevated at a slight angle to allow the
    Click to slip into the groove of the first plank. Once flat, push and gently tap the
    planks together until they “Click” in tight.

!   For the second and consecutive rows, elevate the plank on the long side at a slight
    angle to allow the Click to slip into the groove. The next plank should be laid the
    same way but, with the Click on the left side of the plank falling just next to the
    previous plank. Once flat, you can Lift and Lock the planks together until they “Click”
    in tight.

!   When you reach the final row, place a loose panel precisely on the last laid panel.
    Place another panel on top, but with its edge a minimum 10mm from the solid
    object. Trace a cutting line along the middle panel, and saw it along that line.

!   Lay the panel you cut and ease it into position. Insert spacers between the wall and
    the last panel laid to be sure there is a 10mm expansion gap, remembering to ensure
    that molding will cover at least 10-15mm for contraction. For different size skirting or
    moulding, amendments will need to be made to be able to follow this rule.

!   To pass obstacles through the floor covering (pipes, radiator mounts), use a pencil to
    trace the position for drilling. Find the centre then drill, using a big enough bit to
    leave 10mm peripheral play. Cut the strip in two so that the saw mark goes through
    the centre of the drilled hole, so that the strip can be re-assembled around the pipe.
    If the obstacle is on the long side of a strip, cut it in a trapezoid shape, otherwise a
    straight cut would be best.

!   When going from one room to the other make sure to separate every doorway or
    opening with an expansion join. This will ensure that when the floor natural moves

                                             	
  

with seasonal change, it can so without added pressure. There are many colour
       matching trims that can be installed to cover the expansion join.

!      FINISHING: Remove the spacers.

!      Cover the expansion/contraction gaps around the perimeter of the floor with 19mm
       skirting or moldings. If a vapor barrier was used, do not forget to fold the
       polyethylene film along the edge of the walls under the skirting or moulding. Fit these
       products to the walls without attaching them to the floor, to allow the floor to move
       natural underneath.

!      Install the top plate of expansion / contraction trims to hide the gaps where needed
       (doorways, more than 8 meters, etc.).

!      Sweep the floor.

!      Ensure that every piece of furniture has adequate protective pads installed, to
       prevent your floor from excessive scratching.

!      Any remaining boards can be kept for several years, stored flat in a moisture-free
       area. Furniture can be put back in position right away.

!      The floor is ready for use as soon as it is laid.

!      Stairs When installing Laminate to stairs, it is recommended to use an approved
       flexible flooring glue to stick the stairnoses and boards to the constructed staircase.
       By using an approved flexible flooring glue, this will ensure that the flooring will still
       be able to move with expansion / contraction while keeping the stairnosing secure to
       the staircase. When fitting boards to each step, it is recommended to leave a
       minimum 5mm expansion / contraction under the riser, that is fitted on top of the
       tread. Where a stairnosing is installed to a top landing leading into a room of
       flooring, an expansion trim is to be installed between the top stairnosing and floor
       boards.

!      Slip resistant tape or inserts are available from trimming suppliers that can be
       installed to comply with building codes.

!      Customers responsibility is to control the Temperature and RH once floor is installed.
       All windows should have coverings to assist in controlling direct sunlight and heat
       being transferred in to the floor. Regular sweeping and cleaning to avoid build up and
       scratches. Installation of adequate furniture protection.

!      Customer to read a copy of supporting Maintenance guide for full details.

!      Full Installation, Maintenance and warranty forms are posted on our website
       www.cleverchoice.com.au

STEP BY STEP INSTALLATION
Fig 1. - First plank, first row. Place a distance 10mm 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 10mm

                                                 	
  

Fig 2. - Second plank, first row. Press the short end of the next floorboard at an angle to the
first one, then lay down. Complete the first row.

Fig 3. - At the end of the first row, put a distance 10mm, to the wall and the length of the
last plank to fit.

Fig 4. - Cut with a jig saw- décor turned down or with a hand saw with the décor visible.

Fig 5.- Second row. First plank min length 10mm. Put a distance against the wall.

Fig 6. - General. Distance between short ends. Minimum distance between short ends of
planks in parallel shall not be less than 40cm.

Fig 7. - Place the floor board an angle against the floorboard in the previous row, press
forward and fold down at the same time.

Fig 8. - Second plank second row. Place the short end of the floorboard at an angle against
the previous installed floorboard and fold down.

Fig 9. - Lift floorboard (together with the previous installed in the same row) lightly up
(about 30 mm) and push it against the row in front. Put in down when the floorboards are
positioned tightly together.

                                               	
  

Fig 10. - After 2-3 rows. Adjust the distance to the front wall by placing distances 10mm.

Fig 11. - If the wall is uneven, the floorboards must be adapted to its contours. Mark the
floorboards with the contour of the wall. Do not forget to leave a minimum 10mm space to
the wall.

Fig 12. - To remove the first row, lift the floorboard a few centimeters and tap along the
joint. Cut the floorboards as required.

Fig 13. - Reinstall the first row from left to right. Press the boards against the edges of
floorboards that are already in position, with the strip first.

Fig 14. - Last row. Remember distance to wall ca 10mm. Tip! Put a spacer before measuring.
Cut the panels lengthwise and install. Remembering to ensure that molding will cover 9mm
of the boards.

! Disassembling
Your floor can very easy be disassembled, which enables replacement during installation and
also after made installation when it is needed or desired to replace one or several planks or
even the whole floor. Remove mouldings and trims and Release boards by angling up.

The warranty for Clever Choice Design Floors is subject to following the above
installation guides and maintaining the relative temperature and moisture ranges
stated in these instructions. For a copy of our full warranty guide, go to
www.cleverchoice.com.au
For more information on Clever Choice Design floors and flooring accessories,
please contact your supplier or go to our website www.cleverchoice.com.au