MAISON PLANK INSTALLATION

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

• Temperature: 61–70°F (16–21°C)
• Relative humidity (RH): 40–60%
• Maintain these conditions 48 hours before, during, and after installation.

• Store unopened boxes in the installation area for 24–72 hours.
• Keep boxes flat, off the ground, away from exterior walls and direct sun.
• Do not open cartons until you are ready to install..

SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS

• Concrete slabs
• Plywood or OSB subfloors
• Existing tile or natural stone (properly prepped)
• Existing hardwood (structurally sound and flat)

• Flat
  • Max deviation 3 mm (⅛”) over 6′ 6″ (2 m)
  • Or 1 mm (1⁄32″) over 8″ (20 cm)
• Clean
  • No dust, paint, oil, adhesive residue, joint compound, or construction debris.
• Sound
  • No loose sections, hollow spots, delamination, or active cracks

• ASTM F2170 (RH testing) – in-slab relative humidity probes
• ASTM F1869 (calcium chloride) – moisture vapor emission rate

• The adhesive manufacturer’s limits
• The flooring system recommendations

• Moisture content of wood subfloors should generally be within 2–4% of the flooring moisture content and in line with regional norms.
• Subfloor must be structurally sound, firmly fastened, and free of squeaks or deflection.
• Fix loose panels and correct any structural issues before installing.

Underfloor Heating & Cooling

• The radiant system must be fully commissioned and tested before flooring installation.
• The system must deliver even temperature across the surface, with no hot spots.
• Maximum floor surface temperature: 80°F (27°C).

• Turn off heating at least 48 hours before installation.
• Ensure slab temperature has returned to room temperature (not warm to the touch).

• Wait at least 24 hours before turning heat back on.
• Increase temperature gradually; no more than 9°F (5°C) per day.
• Never exceed a floor surface temperature of 80°F.
• Typical maximum water temperature at the boiler/output: 122°F (50°C).

• The system must incorporate dew-point control or equivalent safety technology.
• Cooling water supply temperature must remain between 64–72°F (18–22°C), depending on climate and humidity.
• Room thermostats should never be set more than 5°F lower than the room temperature.
• As a general rule, radiant cooling systems should not pull the room below roughly 75°F (24°C) in humid conditions.

Floating Installation (Click-Lock)

• Common installation tools (tapping block, spacers, pull bar)
• Underlay with integrated moisture barrier
• Moisture-resistant tape for seams
• Hammer, saw, utility knife, measuring tape, pencil

• Use a 6-mil polyethylene moisture barrier or an underlayment with an integrated moisture barrier.
• Lap seams at least 8–12″, tape all seams, and extend 2–3″ up the wall.

• Use a suitable acoustic underlay. A separate moisture barrier may or may not be required depending on conditions (e.g., over crawl spaces).

• Minimum ⅜” (10 mm) gap at all walls, columns, pipes, and fixed objects.
• For rooms wider or longer than 33′ (10 m), add a transition / T-profile to create an additional expansion break.
• Treat fixed islands, built-ins, and heavy objects like walls — do not trap the floor under them without expansion space.

• Install in the direction of the main light source or the longest wall, unless the design calls for another layout.
• Mix planks from multiple boxes to blend variation.
• Avoid repeating patterns and keep end joints staggered at least 12″ (30 cm).

1. Inspect planks:
   Do not install boards with visible defects. Set defective pieces aside.
2. First row:
   • Cut off the tongues on the long and short side of all first-row boards.
   • Place with groove side toward the wall and use spacers to maintain expansion gap.
3. Click mechanism:
   • Insert the tongue of one plank into the groove of the previous plank at an angle, then rotate down to lock.
   • Use the tapping block and hammer to seat joints if needed — never strike the plank directly.
4. Stagger joints:
   • Use cutoff pieces from one row to start the next row, provided they are at least 8″ (20 cm) long.
   • Maintain minimum offset of 12″ (30 cm) between end joints in adjacent rows.
5. Continue rows:
   • Assemble the first 2–3 rows away from the wall so you can sit on the work area.
   • Slide the assembled section into position, maintaining the expansion gap.
6. Last row:
   • Measure and rip boards lengthwise to fit, preserving expansion gap along the wall.
   • Use the pull bar to pull the last row tightly into place.

• Undercut door jambs where possible and slide flooring underneath, keeping the expansion gap hidden.
• Around pipes, drill holes slightly larger than the pipe diameter, cut a wedge piece out behind the pipe, install, and glue the wedge back in. Cover with trim or a pipe cover as desired.
• Seal around pipes with an appropriate flexible sealant to reduce moisture intrusion while preserving movement.

• Remove all spacers.
• Install baseboards and/or quarter-round, attaching to the wall only, never to the floor.
• Seal gaps where trim is not practical with flexible sealant to reduce moisture intrusion.

Glue-Down Installation

• Approved wood flooring adhesive, such as:
  • Ultrabond ECO S948 1K
  • Ultrabond ECO S955 1K
  • Ultrabond ECO P909 2K
• Trowel
• Moisture barrier / primer if required by concrete conditions
• Standard tools: saw, utility knife, tape measure, chalk line, etc.

• Room temperature: 61–70°F (16–21°C)
• RH: 40–60%
• Wood flooring and subfloor moisture levels must be in equilibrium with these conditions.

• Must meet flatness, soundness, and cleanliness standards listed above.
• Test moisture using ASTM F2170 (RH testing) and/or ASTM F1869 (calcium chloride).
• If readings exceed the adhesive manufacturer’s limits, install a compatible moisture mitigation product or delay installation.
• Remove all curing compounds and surface contaminants that can interfere with adhesion.

• Plywood/OSB must be properly fastened and structurally sound.
• Sand high spots, fill low spots with appropriate patching compound, and vacuum thoroughly.

• Ensure existing tile is firmly bonded. Replace loose tiles and patch.
• Degrease thoroughly and, if required by the adhesive system, mechanically abrade to promote adhesion.
• Use the primer specified by the adhesive manufacturer when needed.

• Maison Plank still expands and contracts with changes in humidity, even when glued down.
• Leave a ⅜” (10 mm) expansion gap at all walls, columns, cabinets, and other fixed vertical elements. 
• Use spacers along the perimeter while setting the first rows, then remove them once the adhesive has cured and baseboards are installed. 
• Never fasten trim to the flooring itself.

1. Inspect planks:
   Do not install boards with visible defects. Set defective pieces aside.
2. Layout:
   Strike control lines to maintain straight, square installation.
3. Apply adhesive:
   • Use the specified trowel.
   • Work within the open time and working time of the product.
   • Do not spread more adhesive than you can cover within that window.
4. Set planks:
   • Press planks into wet adhesive following directional layout.
   • Use tapping block and pull bar as needed to close joints without overdriving them.
   • Respect expansion gaps at all fixed vertical surfaces.
5. Rolling (if required):
   • Some adhesive systems require rolling with a suitable roller to ensure full contact. Follow adhesive guidelines.
6. Cure time:
   • Restrict foot traffic and load until adhesive is fully cured.
   • Avoid rolling heavy loads (refrigerators, islands, etc.) across the new floor until cure time is complete.
7. Last row:
   • Measure and rip boards lengthwise to fit, preserving expansion gap along the wall.
   • Use the pull bar to pull the last row tightly into place.

After Installation & Protection

• Maintain indoor conditions in the 61–70°F and 40–60% RH range whenever possible.
• Use mats at exterior entries to reduce grit.
• Use felt protectors under furniture legs.
• Use soft, non-marking casters for rolling chairs and consider a protective mat in high-use office areas.
• Avoid dragging heavy objects across the floor.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

• Use a cleaner approved for Maison Plank’s finish system like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
• Do not use steam mops, abrasive cleaners, or overly wet mopping methods.
• Wipe spills promptly. While Maison Plank is highly resistant to daily wear and moisture on the surface, prolonged standing water is never recommended for wood-based flooring.