Remove any carpet padding in the same manner and cut it up into strips that can easily be transported. Although NuCore can’t be installed over carpet, it can be installed over even concrete, wood, vinyl, linoleum, and ceramic tile floors. Remove any remaining carpet tack strips and staples from the carpet pad when you’re done. Slide a pry bar under the nails that secure the strips and lift them up. For staples, pull them up with pliers and use a flat-bladed screwdriver to pull them out.
Don’t remove your boards from their packaging during acclimation. Maintain your installation room’s temperature between a steady 60 to 80 °F (16 to 27 °C) both before and during installation.
Use a digital contact moisture meter to check the floor’s moisture. Tap the device’s 2 points to the floor and ensure that the moisture level is not about 2. 5%. [2] X Research source Check that your subfloor is level to 3⁄16 inch (0. 48 cm) within a span of 10 feet (3. 0 m). If it’s not, you need to level it by using an electric sander followed by a leveling compound.
For example, if your floor is 55 inches (140 cm) and your planks are 6 inches (15 cm), you are left with 9. 16, meaning 9 full planks will fit and leave just 1 inch (2. 5 cm) of width remaining. This means you need to cut 1 inch (2. 5 cm) from the width of each first row plank to accommodate it. On average, planks are between 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm) wide and 48 inches (120 cm) long.
After cutting your plank, you should be able to fold it in half and pull off the extra piece. Cut down each plank in the first row in this manner. For example, if you need to cut 1 inch (2. 5 cm) from your 6 inch (15 cm) first row planks, they should all be 5 inches (13 cm) in width after cutting.
Plastic spacers can be purchased from home hardware stores. Leave the front wall without spacers for now—you will only need them later.
Always ensure that both planks are properly aligned and at the same height. If the planks aren’t locking together properly, disassemble them and check for debris inside the locking region.
For example, if there is 18 inches (46 cm) left, your final number to take to the next step is 17. 75 inches (45. 1 cm).
Use a piece of measuring tape and a pencil to mark the plank.
Place your left hand very close to the cut to ensure natural splitting. The cuts won’t go through the surface—just be sure to cut deep enough that the board easily comes apart. You can also use a miter saw and 80-tooth finish saw blade to cut your planks to size. [7] X Research source
Always make sure that your planks are at least 12 inches (30 cm) long. The end joints (vertical crack between each attached plank) of every row should be 8 inches (20 cm) or more horizontally apart from adjoining rows.
Always make sure your planks are perfectly aligned. If they’re not, disassemble them and check for dirt or particles lodged in the locking regions.
Be sure to do this after each row is complete—gaps can compromise the entire installation.
Use this time to make sure that all of your end joints are at least 8 inches (20 cm) apart. [8] X Research source
If you’re unsure which is the tongue side, look for the side that has a piece extending outward from the middle of the board that fits into the groove of the next piece.
Continue cutting boards in this manner to create planks for the final row.
Remove the spacers before you place each plank into the final row.
