ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Laminate 15mm Series ®  

Professional Installation Guidelines 

GENERAL INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 

NOTE: Serendipity Collection Laminate Flooring is intended to be installed as a floating  

floor system. Do not secure flooring to underfloor. 

Storage & Handling 

  • Thoroughly inspect laminate panels before installation. The warranty does not cover labor for repair or replacement when a panel with visual defects is installed. 
  • Always store flooring horizontally in the original, unopened package. 
  • The storage area must be climate controlled with a temperature range between 65°F and 90°F (18°C and 32°C) and a relative humidity between 30% – 65%. 
  • Always handle cartons carefully. Do not puncture packaging. Cartons should not be opened until time of installation. 

Jobsite Conditions 

  • Under normal conditions Serendipity Collection Laminate flooring does not need to be acclimated to the job site. If extreme temperature and humidity variations exist during storage or transportation, acclimating the laminate flooring to jobsite conditions is required. 
  • In all cases, jobsite temperature should be at least 65°F and no greater than 90°F and the relative humidity should be between 30% – 65%. The temperature and humidity must be controlled and maintained within the ranges described above for the life of the laminate flooring. 
  • The continuous installation area cannot exceed 1,000 square feet and no greater than 30 linear feet length or width without a T-mold expansion break. 
  • Considerations for transitions must be made at substrate changes, room to room environment changes, extremely complex layouts, subfloor elevations, or areas larger than recommended. 

Subfloor/Underfloor Recommendations & Preparation 

  • Subfloors must be structurally sound, clean, dry and smooth. Subfloor variations should not exceed 1/8” in 6’ (3.18 mm in 1.8 m). All high spots must be sanded or ground. Fill low spots, cracks and depressions with high quality Portland based cement patch. 
  • You may install Serendipity Collection Laminate Flooring over existing vinyl floor coverings (does not apply to loose lay or multiple layers of vinyl flooring), wood flooring and ceramic tile (grout joints must be leveled). • Do not install Serendipity Collection Laminate Flooring on top of carpeting. 
  • Do not install Serendipity Collection Laminate Flooring in high-humidity areas where the floor is usually wet (steam rooms or saunas). 

Wood Subfloors 

  • Structurally sound wood subfloor systems will not have movement or deflection. Subfloor movement or improper subfloor installation can negatively impact the performance of Serendipity Collection Laminate. Be certain the substrate and substructure are in compliance with all local building codes. 
  • All wood floors must be suspended at least 18” above the ground. Adequate cross-ventilation must be provided, and the ground surface of the crawl space must be covered with a suitable vapor barrier. Wood substrates directly fastened to concrete or installed over sleeper construction are not satisfactory for installation of Serendipity Collection Laminate. 
  • All wood subfloors must have an adequate vapor barrier retarder below the subfloor system. 
  • Wood subfloors must be structurally sound, clean, dry, smooth, and flat. Subfloor variations cannot exceed 1/8” in 6’ (3.18 mm in 1.8 m). 
  • Wood subfloor moisture shall not exceed 12%. 

Concrete Subfloors 

  • Concrete subfloors must meet requirement prescribed in ASTM F710 Standard Practice for preparing concrete. • Concrete on or below grade require a vapor barrier retarder directly under the slab. 
  • Concrete subfloors shall be Sound, clean, dry, smooth, and flat. Free from dust, solvent, wax, grease, oil, asphalt sealing compounds and other extraneous materials. The surface must be hard and dense, and free from powder or flaking. Furthermore, the concrete must be flat within 1/8” in 6’ (3.18 mm in 1.8m). 
  • High or low spots in the slab should be grinded down or filled with a high-quality portland based patching or leveling compound. 
  • The final responsibility for determining if the concrete is dry enough for installation of Serendipity Collection Laminate lies with the floor covering installer. Due to environment and indoor quality, Serendipity Collection Laminate should not be installer where excessive moisture emissions may exist. In accordance with ASTM 1869, moisture emission from the concrete may not exceed 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours measured with the calcium chloride test. If using the ASTM 2170 In Situ Relative Humidity Text, relative humidity cannot exceed 75%. Serendipity Collection will not assume responsibility for floor covering failure due to hydrostatic pressure or moisture vapor emission. New concrete slabs should be thoroughly dry (at least six weeks) and completely cured. Excessive subfloor moisture is an ideal breeding ground for mold, mildew, and fungus – all of which can contribute to an unhealthy indoor environment. The Limited Warranties do not cover discoloration from mold or flooding, leaking plumbing or appliances, water entering through sliding glass doors or similar conditions. 

Radiant-Heated Subfloors 

Serendipity Collection Laminate Flooring may be installed over hydronic radiant-heated subfloors, provided the surface  temperature of the system does not exceed 85°F. Before installing Serendipity Collection Laminate Flooring over newly  constructed radiant- heating systems, operate the system at maximum capacity to force any residual moisture from the  cementitious topping of the radiant heating system. Then set the thermostat to a comfortable room temperature for  the installation. Radiant Heating mats are acceptable if designed and warranted to be used with Laminate flooring by  their manufacture. Electric mat products cannot exceed 80F.  

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

GETTING STARTED 

Assemble all required tools listed below before beginning the installation process. 

Tools & Materials 

  • Appropriate underlayment • Transition moldings 
  • Spacing wedges–5/16” (1 cm); • Hand or power jamb saw 
  • Utility knife • Circular or miter saw 
  • Universal tapping block • Drill 
  • Jig saw • Chalk line 
  • Tape measure • Safety glasses* 
  • Pull bar 

* Always wear safety glasses when using a hammer or power equipment. Follow safety instructions and SDS Data Sheets. 

Don’t forget to order moldings that match or blend with the flooring. Before installing the first panel, select an adequate  amount of planks that closely blend with the molding.  

  1. Remove existing wall base, trim, and transition moldings. Measure out the entire work area. Undercut all door casings a  1/16” higher so the new flooring will fit underneath. Use a scrap piece of the new laminate flooring as a guide. Make the cut using a power jamb saw, oscillating cutter, or a hand saw. Be certain to allow enough room under the casing for an expansion gap. 
  2. Inspect each plank before installing it. Serendipity Collection will not be responsible for installed defects. 
  3. Determine in which direction the panels will be laid. As a general rule, the long dimension of the panels should be laid parallel to the longest wall. When possible lay out panels parallel to the light coming in from windows. 
  4. A minimum 5/16” expansion gap must be provided at all walls and fixed vertical surfaces. The expansion gap is provided for the inherent movement of the structure. Homes and buildings will expand and contract throughout the changing seasons. 
  5. When installing in a bathroom the expansion gap including the toilet flange must be filled using 100% silicone caulking. Additionally, all expansion gaps around exterior doors. 

6 Make sure the last row of panels to be laid in the work area will be more than 2” wide. If not, the first panel to be laid in  the work area must be cut to compensate the difference on the last panel.  

  1. Cover entire installation area with the appropriate laminate underlayment. Install one sheet net along the starting wall. Unroll only one sheet at a time during panel installation to prevent damaging the underlayment. Once the first sheet of underlayment is covered with laminate flooring, install the second sheet. Do not overlap sheets. Butt the two edges of the sheet together and seal with sealing tape or duct tape. Always use appropriate underlayment; never install laminate flooring directly over exposed substrates. 

PROCEDURE

  1. Carefully measure the room to determine squareness of the area and to provide for a “balanced” layout. If the width of the last row of planks will be less than one half of the panel width, adjust the width of the first row of planks by rip cut ting the panels. Careful layout to minimize back-laying Restoration laminate. 
  2. If the wall along the first row of planks is irregular, scribe the planks to fit the wall and cut. 
  3. Always lay planks from left to right, with the tongue side against the starting wall. Remove the tongue on the first row of the planks to provide for a solid edge at the wall juncture. Provide a 5/16” expansion gap at all fixed vertical surfaces. 
  4. Just as the work area was laid out to provide for a balanced width it should also be “balanced” to avoid having any short planks at either the beginning or end of a row. Plan the plank layout to have the first plank and the last plank in a row to be at least 12” (300 mm) long. 
  5. Begin the installation by laying the first plank on the floor with the tongue side to the wall, cut off the tongue profile. With a slight angle, position the end tongue of the second plank in the first row into the end groove of the first plank  and lock into position
  6. Begin second row with at least 12” stagger of end joints, assemble the first panel in the second row to the adjacent panel in the first row by slightly angling tongue into groove until plank locks into position. Insert the tongue at about a  15-20º angle and lock the planks together. 
  7. With Restoration Laminate, position the end tongue of the second plank over the first plank in the second row, approximately 1/8” to 1/4” away from the side groove. Lock the end seam together. Always lock the end (“head”) seams  together before connecting side seams (refer to photo #4). If necessary lightly tap plank as installed using a Serendipity  Collection universal tapping block. 
  8. Continue laying the floor from tongue into groove, plank after plank, row after row. Maintain a 5/16” expansion gap at all  fixed vertical surfaces. Work from several different cartons to minimize “clustering” of patterns. Maintain a random stagger of end seams. Unroll additional widths of the appropriate Laminate underlayment as required. 
  9. The last row of panels will more than likely need to be cut to fix. If not, it is still necessary to cut off the groove profile to  provide a full plank thickness at the wall. If nothing prevents angling this last row of planks into position, proceed as normal to complete the installation. 


INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

  1. If there are obstacles (door casing, toe kicks, radiators) that prevent the planks from being angled into position it may be necessary to plane/remove the bump from the groove side profile. With the locking system modified, it will need to be glued with (PVA adhesive). 

Position the panel onto the already installed rows; slide the panel under the obstruction. It’s a good practice to pre-fit the panel to make certain it will slide into place before applying Glue adhesive. 

Separate the panel to completely expose the groove. Apply a thin bead of Glue adhesive onto the groove; slide the  panel back into position. If necessary, use a pull bar to position the panel and lightly tap panel to close any gaps. Wipe  off excess glue, and secure with blue releasable tape. 

  1. Remove spacers and install appropriate trims and moldings. 
  2. Be certain moldings maintain proper expansion gap where applicable. 
  3. Moldings cannot be secured through the laminate to the substrate. Always ensure the laminate can float freely within and under the moldings. Never hard caulk moldings to laminate any caulking must be done with 100% silicone  caulking. 

Coordinating Moldings 

Step Nosing Reducer Strip Wall Base 

Quarter Round Molding T-Molding End Cap

REPAIRS 

Always inspect panels before installation; however, if damage occurs after installation the following repair procedures may  be used: 

  • If a panel is slightly damaged or chipped, fill the void with a Color Matched Filler. Several products are now available to fill small chips; such as Robert’s Universal Flooring and Furniture Repair Kit. 
  • If a panel is severely damaged and must be replaced the flooring will need to be disassembled back to the damaged planks. Determine the shortest distance from a sidewall and remove the molding. Carefully lift up and out on the panels and remove the entire row back to the damaged area. Replace the damaged plank and reassemble the flooring. 
  • If the planks are not damaged Serendipity Collection Laminate can be carefully disassembled and reassembled several  times. 
  • In some instances, a single plank replacement is a better option for repair. Please visit the Serendipity Collection Flooring Youtube channel and installation demos for a detailed video of this process. 

For future repairs, wrap remaining panels in original shrink wrapping and store in a normal, dry interior storage area. 5

MAINTENANCE 

Serendipity Collection Laminate Flooring is very easy to maintain and is extremely resistant to wear  and stains. 

  • Spot clean your floor as needed and completely clean when needed with Mannington’s Ultra Clean System. • Occasionally vacuum (no beater bar vacuums) or sweep to eliminate loose dust and debris. • Wipe soiled spots with a cloth dampened with clean water or Serendipity Collection Ultra Clean. Make sure the cloth is thoroughly wrung out. Never flood the floor with water or cleaner. 
  • After damp cleaning, dry the floor thoroughly with a clean cloth. 
  • Remove tough, stubborn stains such as paint, adhesive, asphalt, oil, etc. with alcohol, acetone or nail polish remover. • Place rugs or floor mats on heavy traffic areas to avoid excess wear and tear. 
  • Place doormats in front of outside entrances. 
  • Never wax, polish or use soap. Doing so may damage the wear surface, causing it to be slippery or to have unattractive  smudges. 
  • Serendipity Collection Restoration Laminate is approved for residential steam mops. 
  • Never use scouring powder products, steel wool or abrasives. 
  • Do not treat or seal Serendipity Collection Laminate Flooring panels after they have been installed. IF YOU HAVE A WARRANTY CLAIM: 

Contact your retailer and describe the problem. In many instances, the retailer can provide you with a solution to correct the situation.