BELLAWOOD Engineered  1/2" x 3-1/4" Select Brazilian Cherry Engineered

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We can only recommend our Bellawood Floor Cleaner, or cleaners that are safe for water based urethane finishes. Never use any polish, wax, oil soaps or cleaners that add shine to the floor. In addition, we do not recommend using steamers or wet-jet cleaning systems for hardwood because spraying can collect moisture in between board edges. The use of these products is at your own risk.
Thank you for your inquiry.

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Stability is not the issue with this engineered brazilian Cherry.

Even though Brazilian Cherry is more stable than Red Oak it is not recommended for radiant heat installations. One reason is because calcification and other natural properties of this species can slowly migrate to the surface just under the clear top finish manifested as small whitish mineral spots. The sustained heat associated with Radiant heated floors can have a negative impact on this type of wood, accelerating or worsening this whitish condition.

It is not the style of the Radiant heat or its features that are of concern, it is the Species type used that is questioned; therefore, it is suggested to choose another type of engineered wood.

Technical and Installation

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FLOATING FLOOR INSTRUCTIONS (From our install instructions)
During installation, Carpenters wood glue should be applied to each groove on the short and long sides of the planks to ensure bond with the other planks. Two separate continuous beads of glue should be applied: one continuous bead applied inside the groove, and one continuous bead applied to the top part of the tongue at all seams to ensure a secure bond with the top and bottom of the tongue. This double-gluing helps to minimize board gaps or separation. Note that seasonal gapping is normal in wood flooring and does not constitute a product failure. Seasonal gapping can be minimized by the acclimation recommendations provided on page 1.
Floating floor expansion
Perimeter expansion space for room areas 30’x30’ and under is ½”. Room areas exceeding 30’x30’ expansion space is ¾”
No spans or connected flooring can be greater than 40’ in any direction without an expansion break. A connected area is defined as all room areas using the same flooring, connected. Expansion breaks can be placed in doorways, between rooms or hallways. Expansion breaks can be hidden using T- type expansion moldings.
(1) Complete floor preparation as earlier outlined, next install a moisture barrier (6-8mm sheet plastic) over cement, kitchen vinyl and ceramic tiles. Omit plastic moisture barrier when installing directly over bare wood subflooring.
(2) Install recommended underlayment such as: Bellawood Premium underlayment, Eco Silent Sound HD, Quiet Walk, Insulayment or Cork.
(3) The flooring should be installed from left to right, tongue side towards to wall, with the groove sides facing out from the wall.
(4) Starting in one corner of the room, lay the first row of planks flat and against ½” spacers. (During installation, spacers provide the necessary space required for expansion around the perimeter of the floor. It is especially important to leave at least ½” free around the entire floor). Planks can be elevated at a slight angle to allow the tongue to slip into the groove of the first plank. Once flat, push and gently tap the planks together until they lock tightly, use a tapping block if necessary.
(5) When edge-gluing, ensure that the glue is still wet when the planks are joined. Special attention should be paid to ensure that there is no excess glue dripping to the subfloor as this could bond the plank to the underlayment and hamper floor movement. Keep the surface clean using a damp clean rag.
(6) For the second and consecutive rows, elevate the plank at a slight angle along its length to allow the tongue to slip into the groove. The next plank should be laid the same way but, with the tongue on the left side of the plank falling just next to the previous plank. Once flat, push down and gently tap the planks together until they lock-in without any visible joint between the planks. Blue painters tape #2080 can be used to keep board ends together until the adhesive has cured. (Not using the correct tape can harm the finish)
(7) Complete the floor: When you reach the final row, place a loose board precisely on the last laid panel. Trace a cutting mark and allow for a ½” expansion. Next, Lay the board you cut and ease it into position. Insert spacers between the wall and the last panel laid to be sure there is an ½” expansion gap.
(8) To pass obstacles through the floor covering (pipes, radiator mounts), use a pencil to trace the center position for drilling. Use a big enough drill bit to leave a ½” expansion around the pipe. Next, cut the strip in two so that the saw mark goes through the center of the drilled hole, so that the strip can be glued and reassembled around the pipe.
Post-installation
• After installation, allow glue to fully cure for 24hrs before replacing furniture and foot traffic • For matching milling and finish sheen, save a box of flooring in case of future repairs.
You can find complete installation instructions on the product page by clicking on the specs tab and then clicking on - Installation Guide.pdf
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Unfortunately this is not recommended for solids or engineered flooring.
Chapter 9 – Solid Strip & Plank Flooring Installation
Copyright 2007 National Wood Flooring Association 12 REVISED APRIL 2008
Part VI – Solid Strip & Plank Installation Methods
A. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended installation procedure.
B. Unfinished and factory-finished solid strip and solid plank flooring should be installed
perpendicular to the joists or on a diagonal for any single layer subfloor. (Exception: Over
diagonal, solid subfloor boards, install perpendicular to joists or subfloor direction.)
C. When ¾" solid strip and solid plank flooring is laid parallel with the floor joists, follow one of
these two steps:
1. Add a layer of minimum nominal ½" (15/32”) CD Exposure 1 (CDX) plywood
underlayment to the existing subfloor (as previously recommended)
2. Or brace between truss/joists in accordance with the truss/joist manufacturer’s
recommendations and with local building codes. Some truss/joist systems cannot be
cross-braced and still maintain stability.
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I believe that either width will do equally well provided the proper steps are taken.
You can find complete installation instructions on the product page by clicking on the specs tab and then clicking on - Installation Guide.pdf
Thank you for writing in.

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AC ratings are only done on laminate flooring and this material is an engineered product

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The stability of a wood determines whether or not it may or may not be suitable for radiant heat

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Hardwood Engineered has a dimensional stability recommended for glue-down on flat and level tile or concrete. Troweled on Moisture Barrier is recommended if subfloor is on or below grade concrete. Always use the same manufacturer of moisture barrier and adhesive or combo type adhesive moisture barrier.

You can glue to flat level concrete free of contaminates, moisture and sealers.

See - www.lumberliquidators.com/assets/images/installation/bellawood_engineered.pdf

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The Bellawood line of products will give you the most resistance of against scratches of any product in the market. We currently have 1800 sqf of product at our main facility in VA., it will take approximately 3 - 4 weeks to move to any of our stores in the West Coast. Please feel free to contact our product specialists at 1-800-476-0007 with any additional questions or to complete your order. Thank you for your inquiry.

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Engineered products are made of pressed wood glued together with an actual wood veneer on top. Solid hardwoods are the actual wood material from top to bottom. Please feel free to contact our product specialists at 1-800-476-0007 with any additional questions or to further discuss your project.