Bridgewood NRF Select Composite Rigid Core

Specifications

• Installation Method: Uniclic system, floating floor without glue
• Subfloor Options: Wood and concrete subfloors
• Moisture Content Limits: Wood subfloors – not exceed 14%; Concrete slabs – 8 lbs or less per 1,000 sq ft per 24 hours
• pH of Subfloor: Between 5.0 and 10.0 pH
• Flatness Requirement: Within 1/8 over 6′ or 3/16 over 10′
• Curing Time for Concrete Subfloor: Minimum of 60 days

Product Usage Instructions

Before Installation:

• Check all material for correct color, design, and size.
• Ensure the correct quantity is available to complete the job.
• Complaints about visible defects will not be accepted after installation.
• Store flooring flat away from direct sunlight, heaters, or air vents.
• Ensure proper conditioning by storing flat.

Subfloor Preparation:

• Wood subfloors need a minimum of 5/8 total thickness and proper ventilation.
• Conduct a moisture test on wood subfloors; moisture content must not exceed 14%.
• Avoid applying plastic sheets over wood subfloors.
• Concrete slabs must meet specific moisture level requirements.
• Check pH of the slab using ASTM F710 standard.
• Ensure subfloor is smooth and flat within specified tolerances.
• Cure concrete subfloor for at least 60 days before installation.

Installation:

• Begin the first row with a whole plank.
• Saw off the tongue on both long and short sides.
• Place spacers between planks and walls for expansion joint.
• Follow Uniclic system instructions carefully for clicking panels together.
• Mix panels from multiple cartons to avoid clustering similar panels together.

FAQ

• Q: Can the flooring be installed over any type of subfloor?
  • A: No, only wood and concrete subfloors are approved for installation.
• Q: Do I need to conduct moisture tests on concrete slabs?
  • A: Yes, moisture levels must be within specified limits for concrete slab installations.

BEFORE INSTALLATION

• Material
  • Check all material for the correct color, design, and size.
  • Check all material to ensure the correct quantity is available to complete the job.
  • Complaints in regards to visible defects will not be accepted once the flooring is installed.
  • Acclimation of material prior to installation is not required, however, the flooring should be at a temperature between 60°F (15°C) and 85°F (30°C) at the time of installation
  • To minimize shade variation be sure to mix and install from several carton at a time
• Jobsite
  • The floor covering should be installed in a climate-controlled environment with ambient temperature range between 60° – 85°F (15°-29°C) or average temperature of 70°F (21.1°C).
  • The minimum temperature of the subfloor should not be under 50°F (10°C).
  • The relative humidity inside the room should be between 35% and 65%.
    • Fully functional HVAS systems are the best way to ensure temperature and humidity control.
  • To ensure proper conditioning, all flooring must be stored flat and kept away from direct sunlight, heaters or air vents.
  • It is approved to be installed in 3 season rooms, temperatures cannot exceed 140F° (60°C)
• Sub-Floors
  • Wood and concrete are approved subfloors
  • All wood subfloors should have a minimum of 5/8″ total thickness and at least 18″ of well-ventilated space beneath.
  • For wood subfloors a moisture test is required using a pin-type moisture meter. The moisture content must not exceed 14%.
  • Do not apply plastic sheet over wood subfloors
  • Moisture levels of concrete slabs before, during and after installation must be 8 lbs or less per 1,000 sq ft per 24 hours using an anhydrous calcium chloride test according to ASTM F1869 or if using ASTM F2170 in-situ probes, moisture levels should be less than 90% RH (relative humidity). These tests should be conducted for areas up to 1,000 sq ft. Conduct one additional test for each additional 1,000 sq ft. Always measure, record and keep your testing results.
  • The pH of the slab must be between 5.0 and 10.0 pH as tested using test standard ASTM F710.
  • The subfloor must be smooth and flat within 1/8″ over 6′ or 3/16″ over 10′.
  • If installing over concrete the subfloor must be cured for a minimum of 60 days, a polyfilm is not required but is acceptable to use.
• Radiant Heat
  • Radiant heated substrates must never exceed 85ºF (29ºC) surface temperature.
  • Three days prior to installation, lower the temperature to 65ºF (18ºC). Twenty-four hours after installation, gradually increase the temperature in increments of 5ºF.

Installation Instructions

Uniclic is a revolutionary system for installing floors without using glue. The panels can be clicked together simply thanks to the ingenious shape of the tongue and groove. Uniclic is unique because you can install the planks in two different ways:
Method A: Position on the panel to be installed at an angle of 20 to 30° to the panel already installed. Move the panel gently up and down and at the same me exert forward pressure. The panels will automatically click into place. You can either insert the tongue into the groove, or the groove on to the tongue. The tongue in groove method is the most common and easiest way. See diagram 1A – 1B – 1C.

Method B: With Uniclic you can also tap the panels into each other without lifting. For this method you must use the special Uniclic tapping block. The planks should not be joined with a single tap. To avoid damaging the panels you must tap them together gradually. See diagram 2A – 2B. With Uniclic you can also tap the panels into each other without lifting. For this method you must use the special Uniclic tapping block. The planks should not be joined with a single tap. To avoid damaging the panels you must tap them together gradually. See diagram 2A – 2B.

Tools for installing the floor
For the best result, it is essential that you follow the installation instructions exactly. Besides the regular tools for installing floors (i.e. hammer, saw, pencil, measure) you will also need the following accessories:

• installation kit (Pullbar, 1/4″(6.35mm) spacers and Uniclic-adapted tapping block
• maintenance products

Of course we also need to saw the panels. To obtain a clean cut, the pattern side should face down when you use a jigsaw, saber saw or circular handsaw and up when you use a handsaw or a crosscut saw.
9 Important Points

1. Thanks to the Uniclic-system, the floor floats and is installed without glue. You can walk on the floor during and immediately after installation.
2. With Uniclic panels you can choose where you want to begin. Think about what will be the easiest way to install the floor. We will demonstrate the installation for right-handed people, from left to right. You can work in the other direction if you want.
3. Make sure the panels are mixed sufficiently when you install them, so that you do not end up with too many identical, light or dark panels next to each other. It is best to work from multiple cartons at a time.
4. Check all panels in daylight before and during installation. Defective panels must never be used.
5. The floor should preferably be installed parallel to how the light enters the room.
6. Room humidity can vary according to the season, so it is vital that the floor is able to expand and contract. For this reason, make sure you leave an expansion joint of minimum 1/4″ (6.35mm) on all sides of the floor, around pipes, thresholds and under doors.
7. For large rooms over 40 feet width-wise to the panels or over 40 feet length-wise, the floor will require a 1/2″ (12.7mm) expansion joint on all sides of the floor, around pipes, thresholds and under doors.
8. Ensure that the end joints of the panels in two successive rows are never in line. Always ensure that the joints are staggered by at least 6 inches (15cm).

Installing the floor

• Begin the first row with a whole plank. First saw off the tongue on both the long and the short sides. See diagram 3B.
• Put the plank with cut off sides against the walls. Put the spacers from the installation kit between the planks and the wall. This will ensure that your expansion joint is wide enough: 1/4″ to 3/8″ (6.35mm to 10 mm). See diagram 3C.
• The diagrams indicate where the Uniclic panels are clicked together by angling up and down or where they are tapped together flat. Follow the diagrams precisely. See diagrams 4.1 > 4.16
• In places where it is too difficult to install the Uniclic planks with the tapping block (e.g. against the wall), you can tap them together using the pullbar and a hammer. See diagrams 5A – 5B – 5C.

• There must also be an 1/4″ to 3/8″ (6.35mm to 10 mm) expansion joint between the last row and the wall. Keep this in mind when sawing the last row of panels.

Pipes

In rows where there is a pipe, make sure the pipe falls exactly in line with the short side of two panels. Take a drill bit with the same diameter as the pipe plus 3/4” (20 mm) for the expansion. Click the panels together on the short side and drill a hole centered on the joint between the two panels. Now you can install the panels in the floor. See diagrams 6A – 6B – 6C.

Under doorframes

When sawing the panels ensure that the expansion joint under the door is at least 3/8” (10 mm). If you cannot lift the panel, use an adapted tapping block or pullbar and hammer to tap the panels together with the planks that are flat on the floor. See diagrams 7A – 7B.

Finishing

• Remove all spacers.
• Install the Base board, 1/4 round or finish molding, never attach the molding to the floor. This method allows the floor to expand and contract under the molding.
• For a perfect finish around pipes, use rosettes or flexible caulking.
• In places where profiles or skirting cannot be placed, fill the expansion gaps with flexible caulking.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

• Always protect the floors when moving heavy objects to prevent permanent scratches and tears.
• Use appropriate wide floor protectors under tables, chairs, and any heavy furnishing to avoid permanent damage and scratches.
• Place walk off mats, without rubber backing at all entrances. This helps in protecting the floor from water, grease, sand and dust.
• During peak sunlight hours, the use of blinds or curtains is recommended. Prolonged direct sunlight could cause fading
• Do not over wet or flood the floor with water nor subject the floor to standing water.
• Protect your floors against burns. Burns from cigarettes, matches or other extremely hot items can cause permanent damage.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods as this can cause discoloration.
• Sweep the floor regularly with a soft bristle broom to remove loose dirt.
• Clean the floor with non-abrasive, neutral PH floor cleaner.
• For everyday maintenance, a mop moistened with warm water will suffice.
• Spills should be cleaned up immediately.
• Use furniture glides and protectors to prevent scratching and indentations.

Documents / Resources

Bridgewood NRF Select Composite Rigid Core [pdf] Installation Guide NRF Select Composite Rigid Core, Composite Rigid Core, Rigid Core

References

• User Manual