Installation Instructions for 8" Planks
For more detailed instructions, see the Pergo Installation Essentials Guide for Laminate Flooring at www.pergo.com or call our consumer helpline at 1-800-33-PERGO (1-800-337-3746).
Job Site Conditions
It is important for you to review the following building code requirements and maintenance practices that protect homes from excessive moisture exposure.
A moisture test is recommended on all concrete subfloors and wood subfloors constructed over a crawl space or basement. Maximum acceptable moisture reading for wood subfloors is 14%. Maximum acceptable moisture reading for concrete subfloors is 4.5% or a moisture vapor emission rate of 5 lbs./1000 sq. ft./24 hrs.
Important Note: During a dry season, you may find that you get an acceptable moisture reading even if other job site conditions are not acceptable. Before installing Pergo floors, you must be sure that your job site conditions, as well as your moisture reading, are acceptable.
General Installation Instructions
Allow unopened cartons of planks to remain in the room where they are to be installed at least 48 hours (96 hours in drier or very humid climates) prior to installation. Pergo flooring can be installed over most existing subfloors. However, carpeting and wood flooring installed on a concrete subfloor must always be removed. Your subfloor must be clean, dry and level. Any spots lower than 3/16 of an inch must be filled in with a portland cement-based leveling compound and any ridges must be removed. On all concrete subfloors, including those covered by tile, vinyl, linoleum or sheet-flooring, you must use a non-recycled (100% virgin) resin 6-mil (.15 mm) polyethylene film as a vapor barrier. We strongly recommend the use of Pergo Moisturbloc™ or SoftSeal™ combination underlayment or equivalent as a vapor barrier. To absorb sound and improve comfort, we strongly recommend the use of Pergo Soundbloc™ Foam, or SilentStep™ underlayment foam or an equivalent foam; these materials can be purchased through your retailer. Use rolled underlayment foam only for those planks without attached underlayment foam. You must use at least a closed cell foam, 0.075 inches (2 mm) in thickness; 2.0-2.2 lbs./cu.ft. density; compression set less than 15% of original thickness; less than 0.1 lb. sq. ft. of water pick up or equivalent. Use Pergo Installation Spacers between the planks and the wall to allow for the required 1/4 inch expansion space (2 spacers placed together, thick to thin side, equal 1/4 inch). You will need approximately one spacer per square foot of installation area.
Step 1: Undercut the door frame and wall base. Slide the flooring at least 1/4 inch underneath the frame and wall base. Also leave a concealed 1/4 inch expansion space under each.
Step 2: Assemble the first row of planks with the tongue side toward the starting wall. Insert the tongue into the groove of the end joints and rotate downward. Keep planks aligned and joints closed.
Step 3: Use spacers to maintain a 1/4 inch expansion space.
Step 4: Remove the tongue on the end of the first plank and the tongue along the length of all planks against the starting wall when the wall is straight.
Step 5: If the starting wall is uneven, scribe or draw the contour of the wall on the planks and cut along the pencil line. Also remove the tongue on the end of the first plank of the first row.
Step 6: Loose lay the first row of planks approximately 2 feet from the starting wall. Cut the first plank of row two 32 inches in length and loose lay several full sized planks for row two.
Step 7: At a slight angle, insert the tongue of plank 2 into the groove of plank 1 until the laminate edges meet, then press downward until the joint locks. There should not be any gaps at the joints.
Step 8: Join the short end of plank 1 to the end of plank 3 while keeping the plank ends perfectly aligned.
Step 9: Join the short end of plank 4 to the end of plank 2. There will be a gap on the long joint between planks 3 and 4.
Step 10: Raise plank 4 upward approximately 1 inch. Maintain this angle as you take your hands and press against the long edge of plank 4 until the joint locks. Use these methods to complete rows 1 and 2 all the way to the opposite wall and to finish the remainder of the floor.
Installation Tip: Place a weight or carton of planks on the row that you are installing when using this method. It will keep the installed planks in place.
Step 11: Align the tongue into the grooves of the long and short side. Install the long side first by placing the tapping block no closer than 8 inches from either end of the plank and tap along the long side until the join is closed tightly.
Step 12: Tap the end joint into locked position.
Step 13: When there is not enough space to raise a plank at the end of a row, use the pull bar. Set the plank flat on the floor. Align the tongue into the grooves. Use the tapping block to tap in the long joint. Use the pull bar to tap in the end joint.
Step 14: Slide the two assembled rows to the starting wall. Maintain a 1/4 inch expansion space with spacers. Use pieces cut from the opposite wall to begin the next row or another row always providing at least a 12 inch or greater distance between the end joints from one row to the next.
Step 15: Cutting the last row: Place a full row of planks directly on top of the last installed row of full planks. Use the full width of a scrap piece of plank. Place the tongue side against the wall and the pencil against the extended groove and mark a line the length of the wall. Cut along the pencil line.
Step 16: When installing around pipes, leave a 1/4 inch expansion space around the pipes. Use glue to join the cut pieces.
Step 17: As an additional option, when there is heavy furniture or when used commercially, Pergo Elegant Expressions can be glued. Place a continuous 1/8 inch bead of glue in the lower portion of each groove, and then assemble as shown for the glueless installation instructions. Wipe up any glue residue with a damp cloth immediately. Glue all joints.
Note: The installer can walk on the floor as needed to finish the installation. Following installation, allow the floor to set overnight for 12 hours before resuming normal usage of the room.
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