Solid Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring

Installation Instructions
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION. IN ADDITION TO THESE INSTRUCTIONS, WE RECOMMEND THAT THE INSTALLER FOLLOW ALL INSTALLATION GUIDELINES AS SET FORTH BY THE NATIONAL WOOD FLOORING ASSOCIATION.
If the following instructions leave any unanswered questions or if additional information is required, please call Robina Floors Inc. toll free at 678-626-0510
FLOORING MATERIAL SHOULD BE INSPECTED PRIOR TO INSTALLATION
Responsibility for the suitability of Robina Floors Inc. flooring and accompanying products for each individual installation cannot be assumed by Robina Floors Inc., since Robina Floors Inc. has no control over the installer's proper application. Should an individual plank be doubtful as to appearance or dimension the installer should not use this piece. Robina Floors Inc. will send replacement in a timely fashion.
PRE-INSTALLATION JOBSITE REQUIREMENTS
ROBINA FLOORS INC. cannot be held responsible for site conditions. ROBINA FLOORS INC.’ solid strand woven bamboo should only be installed at or above grade level. Do not install below grade level. Carefully examine the flooring prior to installation for grade, color, finish and quality. Ensure adequate lighting for proper inspection. If flooring is not acceptable, contact your supplier immediately and arrange for replacement. ROBINA FLOORS INC. cannot accept responsibility for flooring installed with visible defects. Prior to installation of any flooring, the installer must ensure that the jobsite and subfloor meet the requirements of these instructions. ROBINA FLOORS INC. is not responsible for flooring failure resulting from unsatisfactory jobsite and/or subfloor conditions. Flooring should be one of the last items installed in any new construction or remodel project. All work involving water or moisture should be completed before flooring installation. Water and wood do not mix. Installing flooring onto a wet subfloor will most likely cause cupping, tip & edge raising, telegraphing of core and subsequent gapping. Room temperature and humidity of installation area should be consistent with normal, year-round living conditions for at least one week before installation of flooring. Optimum room temperature of 70° F and a humidity range of 30-50% is recommended during installation. Humidity levels below 30% will most likely cause movement in the flooring, including gapping between pieces and possible cupping and checking in the face. Store the flooring in the installation area for 72 hours before installation to allow flooring to adjust to room temperature. Do not store the boxes of flooring directly on concrete. These floors need adequate acclimation for moisture equalization prior to installation and should not be installed from just-opened boxes. Shuffle the boards for best visual mix of lengths and color.

Product Acclimation

Acclimation should occur at the room temperature expected to be present before, during, and after installation. Robina Floor’s Bamboo Flooring should be allowed to acclimate (inside of its unopened box) on the job site for a minimum of three (3) days. For maximum material stability, Bamboo Flooring should be installed into environments with relative humidity (RH) and temperature controls capable of maintaining the delivered moisture content of 7-9%.

It is important to note that gaps in the floor may come and go seasonally due to temperature and relative humidity changes. The amount of movement depends upon the temperature and relative humidity (bamboo, like all hardwoods, expands and contracts as its moisture content rises and falls).
PRE-INSTALLATION SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENT
All Subfloors must be: Dry and will remain dry: Subfloor must remain dry year-round. Moisture content of wood sub floors must not exceed 11%. Concrete must be tested for moisture content using the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride test method, a non-invasive moisture meter, or a pin/probe moisture meter.
Structurally sound Clean: Thoroughly swept and free of all debris (If being glued down, subfloor must be free of wax, grease, paint, sealers, & old adhesives etc., which can be removed by sanding)
Level: Flat to 3/16” per 10-foot radius Wood subfloors must be dry and well secured. Nail or screw every 6” along joists to avoid squeaking. If not level, sand down high spots and fill low spots with a Portland Based leveling patch. Concrete subfloors must be fully cured, at least 90 days old, and should have minimum 6-mil polyfilm between concrete and ground. Subfloor should be flat and level within 3/16” per 10’ radius. If necessary grind high spots down and level low spots with a Portland leveling compound. All concrete should be tested for moisture prior to installation using the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride test method, a noninvasive moisture meter, or a pin/probe meter. When using a Calcium Chloride Test, the result must not exceed 3 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. in a 24 hour period. Ceramic Tile, resilient tile and sheet vinyl must be well-bonded to subfloor, in good condition, clean and level. Do not sand existing vinyl floors, as they may contain asbestos. A moisture test must be performed to ensure that the slab is dry. Remember, a concrete slab on/below grade that measures dry today may become moist in the future due to rising groundwater. Installing a moisture barrier now may be viewed as an insurance policy against concrete becoming wet in the future. ROBINA FLOORS INC. is not responsible for site related moisture issues. For additional protection, you may want to consider applying moisture barrier compound system. When using the glue down method Robina Floors Inc. recommends an adhesive which has a moisture barrier built in to the adhesive.

INSTALLATION TOOLS
For all installation methods:
Tape measure
Tapping block (trimmed piece of flooring)
Pencil
Pry bar or pull bar
Chalk line
Wood or plastic spacers (1/2”)
Crosscut power saw
3M® Blue Tape
For glue down installation (recommended), you’ll also need:
Trowel per flooring adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations.
For nail-down installation you will also need:
18 gauge air cleat nailer compatible with profile of the flooring material
1 ¼” – 1 ½” cleat nails
Underlayment (Felt paper or Rosin paper)
Air compressor
Acceptable subfloor types:]
CDX Underlayment Grade Plywood (at least ½” thick)
Underlayment grade particleboard (glue-down only)
OSB (at least ¾” thick)
Concrete slab (glue-down only)
Existing wood floor
Ceramic tile (glue-down only)
Resilient tile & sheet vinyl (glue-down only)

STARTING YOUR INSTALLATION
Make sure subfloor is tested for moisture first and is properly prepared.
Since natural flooring expands with any increase in moisture content, always leave at least a 1/2” expansion space between flooring and all walls and any other permanent vertical obstructions, (such as pipes and cabinets). This space will be covered up once you reapply base moldings around the room. Use wood or plastic spacers during installation to maintain this 1/2’’ expansion space. No area of connected flooring can span greater than 40 feet in width or 120 feet in length. For larger spans, install T-moldings or other transition pieces that allow the flooring to expand and contract. Work from several open boxes of flooring and “dry lay” the floor before permanently laying the floor. This will allow you to select the varying grains & colors and to arrange them in a harmonious pattern. It also allows you the opportunity to select out very dark/light pieces for use in hidden areas in order to create a more uniform floor. Remember, it is the installers’ responsibility to determine the expectations of what the finished floor will look like with the end user first and then to cull out pieces that do not meet those expectations.
Begin installation next to an outside wall. This is usually the straightest and best reference for establishing a straight working line. Establish this line by measuring an equal distance from the wall at both ends and snapping a chalk line. The distance you measure from the wall should be the width of a plank plus about 1/2’’ for expansion space. You may need to scribe cut the first row of planks to match the wall in order to make a straight working line if the wall is out of straight.
You may want to dry lay a few rows, (no glue or nails), before starting installation to confirm your layout decision and working line. When laying flooring, stagger end joints from row to row by at least 8”. When cutting the last plank in a row to fit, you can use the cut-off end to begin the next row. If cut-off end is 8” in length or less, discard it and instead cut a new plank at a random length and use it to start the next row. Always begin each row from the same side of the room.
To draw planks together, always use a tapping block (a short piece of flooring), as tapping the flooring itself will result in edge damage. For best results, flip the tapping block upside down and use the groove edge to tap the tongue edge of the plank being installed. Fit end joints tightly together before tapping long edges together. When near a wall, you can use a pry bar to pry close the side and end joints. Take care not to damage edge of flooring. Use 3M® Blue Tape to hold any pieces which might have side bow and need to be held straight & tight until the adhesive sets up.

GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION (RECOMMENDED)
Robina Floors Inc. recommends glue-down installation as the best method for installing tongue and groove solid strand woven bamboo flooring. Make sure subfloor is tested for moisture content first and is properly prepared.
On concrete subfloors, which are on or above grade (ground level), always assume the worst even if they measure dry. We recommend taking the following installation steps to ensure a trouble-free installation:
Testing and documenting moisture content prior to installation.
Applying a sealer to the subfloor as needed. Recommended adhesive which has a moisture barrier built in to the adhesive. Follow adhesive manufacturer’s instructions for proper trowel size, minimum temperature, adhesive set time and open times before beginning installation of flooring. If gluing down over cork underlayment, Robina Floors Inc. suggests using a double glue-down method. This type of installation requires the cork be glued to the subfloor and for installing the flooring to the cork underlayment. Once the spread adhesive has setup sufficiently per adhesive manufacturer’s instructions, lay the first row of flooring with groove facing the wall, and continue laying flooring. Always check your working lines to be sure the floor is still aligned. Use tapping block to fit planks together, but be careful not to let installed floor move on the wet adhesive while you are working. Always leave at least a 1/2’’ expansion space between flooring and all walls and vertical objects (such as pipes and cabinets). Use wood or plastic spacers during installation to maintain this expansion space. Remember to stagger end joints from row to row at least 8” apart. When first section is finished, continue to spread adhesive and lay flooring section by section until installation is complete. Use a damp cloth to IMMEDIATELY REMOVE ANY ADHESIVE that gets on the flooring surface. If adhesive cannot be completely removed with a damp cloth, use the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive remover. Never let flooring adhesive dry completely on the finished surface. Walk each section of flooring in order to make sure it is well bonded to the subfloor with the adhesive working time. Flooring planks on the perimeter of the room may require weight on them until adhesive cures enough to hold them down.

NAIL DOWN INSTALLATION
Make sure subfloor is tested for moisture content first and is properly prepared.
IMPORTANT: Due the extreme hardness of solid strand woven bamboo, particular care must be taken by the installer to ensure that the appropriate nailer, proper cleats nails, and the correct PSI settings are used to create a successful installation without damaging the floor. Robina Floors Inc. takes no responsibility for damage incurred to the floor as a result of improper installation. This includes damage to the surface or tongue of the plank.
Robina Floors Inc. recommends using ONLY 18 gauge cleat nailer and cleat nails 1-1/4” to 1-1/2” depending on whether the subfloor is plywood or OSB. Choice of appropriate power nailer and selection of proper PSI settings are the sole responsibility of the home owner/installer. The PSI settings can range from 65-100 so it is important to test nail a plank or planks to determine the correct PSI required to install the floor without incurring damage. Check with the power nailer manufacturer for specific PSI recommendations for installing solid strand woven bamboo flooring.
Make sure subfloor is tested for moisture content first and is properly prepared. Use an air nailer compatible with profile of flooring material (or) a nailer of your choice. Test on a sample to make sure that nailing will not cause dimpling (localized raised edges) in the finished floor or damage to the tongue. (Note: be sure to look at the face of the installed flooring at a low angle from a distance to see if dimpling is occurring as it is hard to see when directly above the floor.) If dimpling does occur, STOP and adjust the nailer shoe and angle/place of cleat entry in order to avoid it. ROBINA FLOORS INC. is not responsible for dimpling or damage to the tongue. For the first and second starting rows: lay first plank inside chalk line with grooved edge toward wall. Install entire first row in the same manner. Always leave at least a 1/2” expansion space between flooring and all walls and vertical objects (such as pipes and cabinets). Use wood or plastic spacers during installation to maintain this expansion space. In order to affix the first rows, as it is difficult to get the nail gun in place next to the wall, you will need to face nail them or glue them to the floor. If face nailing, you must fill nail holes with wood putty that matches the floor. You may wish to set these rows in mastic and glue them down rather than face nailing them and leaving unsightly nail holes which must be filled with putty to match the wood floor. After gluing down these starting rows, set weight on top of these rows and allow them to set before commencing stapling/nailing the additional rows, as nailing the adjacent rows may cause the starting rows to subsequently move. Make sure the starting rows are straight and drawn tight. Subsequent rows: Lay by using floor nailer/stapler to blind-nail top inside edge of tongue at a 45 degree angle. Nail each board every 8” and within 2” of each end. Remember to stagger end joints from row to row at least 8” apart and use a tapping block to fit boards together. It may be necessary to face-nail in doorways or tight areas where the nailer can’t fit, (or glue down in these areas and weight them while the mastic sets). The last two rows will need to be face-nailed, (or glued down), in the same manner as the first two rows. Always make sure to visually check the installed floor as you go to ensure that the nailing is not causing dimpling on the face. (Note: be sure to look at the face of the installed flooring at a low angle from a distance to see if dimpling is occurring as it is hard to see when directly above the floor.) If dimpling does occur, STOP and adjust the stapler/nailer shoe and angle/place of staple entry in order to avoid it. ROBINA FLOORS INC. is not responsible for dimpling.

FLOATING INSTALLATION
Robina Floors Inc. does not recommend floating installations for Solid Strand Woven T&G Bamboo floors. Installing Solid Strand Woven Bamboo floors by means of the floating method will void your warranty.

Robina Floors Bamboo Warranty
Limited Warranty for Bamboo Flooring
This warranty applies to Robina Floors Inc. bamboo flooring brands installed in buildings. We want you to be happy and confident in your investment. Since its inception, Robina Floors Inc. has been committed to providing only the finest flooring products in the market. Our superior design, production technologies and style allow us to provide one of the best warranties in the industry subject only to a few common sense exclusions.
Warranties
For all of our bamboo flooring, Robina Floors Inc. makes the following Structural Warranty.

Structural Warranty;
This Warranty extends to the first owner of the structure in which the Flooring is installed. Robina Floors Inc. warrants that the bamboo flooring sold under this Warranty (the "Flooring") is, at the time of sale, free from defects in material and manufacture and that it conforms to Robina Floors Inc.’s standard specifications for the flooring model. Under the Limited Structural Warranty, Robina Floors Inc. further warrants that when maintained according to Robina Floors Inc. guidelines and used for its intended purpose, the Flooring will not delaminate, separate, buckle or cup as a result of manufacturing defect during this Warranty period (see chart below).

Finish Warranty;
This Warranty extends to the first owner of the structure in which the Flooring is installed. Robina Floors Inc. warrants that the factory-installed finish on the Flooring is, at the time of sale, free of defects in material and manufacture and that it conforms to Robina Floors Inc.’s standard specifications for the finish. Robina Floors Inc. further warrants that when the Flooring is maintained according to Robina Floors Inc. instructions and used for its intended purpose, the finish will not wear through to the underlying Flooring or separate from the Flooring as a result of a manufacturing defect for set number of years (see chart below) from the date of sale (the “Finish Warranty Period”). This warranty does not cover scratches, reduction in the shine of the finish, minor imperfections and irregularities (up to 5%) or damage to the finish caused by damage to the underlying Flooring.
The Robina Floors Inc. maintenance instructions MUST be followed as a condition for these Warranties to have effect. You may obtain these instructions from your local dealer. This Warranty does not cover damage or defects resulting from or in any way attributable to:
1. Improper storage, handling or installation of the Flooring (including improper installation of joists and subflooring or improper surface preparation);
2. Abuse, lack of maintenance, neglect, abnormal use or misuse, negligence, application of solvents, corrosives or other chemicals to the Flooring, color change, fading or damage due to exposure to the sun, crazing, excessive pivot and point-loads, spike-heeled shoes, unpadded furniture feet, water, damage from sand, pebbles or other abrasives or other unintended uses;
3. Insect infestation after shipment from the point of origin;
4. Stains and finishes;
5. Improper alterations of original manufactured product;
6. Moisture problems (including subfloor moisture, leaks, rain, wet mopping, etc.) or excessive dryness or heat;
7. Settlement or movement of the structure to which the Flooring is attached;
8. Natural events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods;
9. Variations in color, grain and markings that exist in the Flooring when new (such variation in bamboo is a natural occurrence, so that Flooring may not match display samples) or that develop over time because of varying exposure to sunlight or UV light;
10. Installation over radiant floor heating with a surface temperature in excess of 85°F (or temperatures per installation guidelines for specific product); or
11. Installation of Flooring with visible defects.

Disclaimer of Implied Warranties
THE ABOVE WARRANTIES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE AND SOLE WARRANTIES GIVEN BY ROBINA FLOORS INC. FOR THE FLOORING. THEY SUPERSEDE ANY PRIOR, CONTRARY OR ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, ANY WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE WARRANTY PERIODS FOR THE CORRESPONDING EXPRESS WARRANTIES, ABOVE.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you.
What we’ll provide if the Flooring is Non-Conforming.
If during the applicable Warranty Period, the Flooring does not conform to the preceding Warranties, the owner of the Flooring shall notify Robina Floors Inc. as provided below, and within a reasonable time Robina Floors Inc. will provide, at its option, one of the following: (1) repair of any nonconforming or defective Flooring (for defects in finish, this means refinishing the affected planks), (2) provision of conforming planks to replace any nonconforming planks, including a reasonable allowance for associated costs of removal and reinstallation, but this allowance shall be included only during the first two years of use and it does not include the cost of removal of fixtures installed on the Flooring, (3) refund of the purchase price for any nonconforming planks that have not been installed, or (4) refund of the percentage of the purchase price for the non-conforming planks equal to the percentage of the Warranty Period remaining when Robina Floors Inc. is notified of the nonconformity.
THESE REMEDIES SHALL BE THE EXCLUSIVE AND SOLE REMEDIES FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY.
If the Flooring does not conform to the Warranty, the owner of the Flooring must notify Robina Floors Inc. in writing at the address below within thirty (30) days after discovering the nonconformity. The notice must describe the location and nature of the nonconformity. The owner must give Robina Floors Inc. a reasonable opportunity to examine the claimed nonconformity before undertaking any repairs, removal or replacement. The owner must present the original invoice, bill or other proof of the date of purchase. Compliance with the requirements of this paragraph is a condition to coverage under the Warranty: if these requirements are not complied with, Robina Floors Inc. will have no obligation to remedy any nonconformity.

Exclusion of Incidental and Consequential Damages.
IN NO EVENT SHALL ROBINA FLOORS INC. BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM NONDELIVERY OR FROM THE USE, MISUSE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT OR FROM ROBINA FLOORS INC.’S OWN NEGLIGENCE.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State.
Robina Floors Inc.
825 Great Southwest Parkway SW
Atlanta, GA 30336
P. (888)862-9898
F. (678)626-0520
www.robinalloors.com

Robina Floors Floor Care Guidelines
Robina Floors is among the easiest to keep clean and with proper care their beauty will endure for decades. The tips below are intended to help you care for and prevent damage to your Robina Floors floor.

Don’t Damp Mop–Water and our floors don’t mix! Use only the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products, such as Bona Kemi hardsurface cleaner on your Robina Floors. Our floors require a relative humidity similar to your personal comfort levels to limit cracking and swelling over time. Limiting excessive heat and moisture will ensure that your floors perform as they should.

Dust Mop–Use a good dust mop–one with a 12 to 18 inch cotton head–and a special dust mop treatment. Spray the treatment onto the mop head, not the floor.

Sweep–Brooms with fine, exploded ends trap dust and grit effectively.

Vacuum Regularly–Small stones, mud and gritty dirt tracked in from outside can damage our floor’s finish. To help combat this, use long bristle welcome mats placed at all outside entrances for people to wipe their feet before stepping on the floor. Also, when vacuuming use a bristle brush attachment. Don’t use vacuums with beater bars. Canister vacuums with special bare floor attachments are the best way to get rid of dirt and dust.

Use the Proper Chair Glides–Narrow wheels, sharp furniture legs and metal furniture legs can scratch and dent Robina Floors. Any furniture that rests directly on top of a Robina Floors floor should have felt protectors under all its feet.

Don’t Use Oil Soaps–There are many over the counter oil-based soaps and wax-based cleaning products that may damage or dull the finish of your floor. The best suggestion is to only use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products on your Robina Floors flooring.

Wipe Spills Immediately–When accidents happen and liquid is spilled on your Robina Floors floor, you should use a paper towel to immediately clean up and dry the affected area.

Furniture–Lift the furniture to move it, avoid dragging. The legs of furniture should have felt on the bases to prevent scratching as the furniture moves with use. Take caution when moving heavy objects across Robina Floors; it is preferable not to drag things on the floor, but if one must then lay down a blanket or other item that will slide easily for the item to rest on.

Shoe Marks–The biggest cause of floor damage is what is on one’s feet; make sure your shoes are not exceedingly dirty, be cautious of walking in high heels or cleats across Robina Floors, and black rubber soles can leave marks which will require friction to remove.

Pets–The previous statement also applies to your household pets! Keep your pets’ nails trimmed so they do not scratch up the Robina Floors, and your pets’ dishes should sit on a nonslip rubber mat to keep the food and water off the floor.

Sunlight–Robina Floors are natural products that are affected by light. Both artificial and natural light can change the color of your Robina Floors over time. Window coverings can help prevent or retard this color change

Further Information – Please visit the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) website at www.nwfa.org.