Installation guidelines
Synergy™ prefinished, strand bamboo,
solid-strip flooring

Please read Teragren LLC's warranty, maintenance instructions, and ALL of the following guidelines before opening any packaging or beginning your flooring installation. This information is provided as a courtesy to our customers and is intended as an installation guideline only.

Teragren LLC recommends using the services of a professional hardwood flooring installer. For more information and guidelines on the installation of hardwood flooring, please contact the National Wood Flooring Association (800.422.4556).

Because bamboo is a natural fiber, it is not uncommon for natural variations in color to occur within and between individual flooring planks. Teragren's warranty does not cover variations in color either in individual planks, between the planks, or the variations in color between our product samples and the installed flooring. An industry standard of 5% material overage should be added to the actual square footage required for cutting and grading allowances.

Prior to installation, the installer and/or homeowner should inspect all material to ensure the material received matches the work order. Any visible defects or discrepancies should immediately be reported to your distributor or dealer. Installation of any material serves as acceptance of that material as delivered.

It is considered the installer/owner's responsibility not to install flooring having finish, manufacturing, or unacceptable naturally occurring material variations. Individual planks with defects should not be installed or the defect should be cut-out prior to installation. The Teragren warranty does not cover materials with visible defects once they are installed.

Teragren LLC makes no warranty or guarantee of the quality of the chosen installer's work or of a particular installation performed by the installer. Teragren LLC disclaims all liability for any errors or improprieties in the installation of its products by an installer.

Pre-Installation Notes

It is considered the sole responsibility of the installer/owner to determine if the job site's sub-floor and environmental conditions are suitable for the installation of Teragren flooring and accessories.

Teragren Synergy Solid-Strip flooring should be allowed to acclimate on the job site for a minimum of three (3) days. Open each box and remove the shrink-wrap and foam, and stack the flooring planks off the ground to allow for complete air circulation. This acclimation period should occur at expected normal room temperature and humidity levels before and after installation. Damp or cold conditions before and during installation should be avoided. The maximum difference in moisture content between the sub-floor and the flooring material should be no more than 3%. On-site humidity levels should remain between 40% and 60%. 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, moisture content of the flooring and sub-flooring (wood moves as moisture content rises and falls) and the dimensional stability of the material.

Teragren Synergy Solid-Strip flooring is best installed by nailing, stapling, or gluing planks to a wood sub-floor. Note: if gluing directly to a concrete slab, installation may only be done at or above grade. Do not install below grade. Teragren Synergy Solid-Strip flooring may also be installed over radiant floor heating systems (see Radiant Heating Systems section below). Note: Teragren manufactures other prefinished bamboo flooring styles for installation below grade.

Tools Recommended

Staple/Nail Installation: Hammer (1 lb), tape measure, chalk line, pencil, carpenter square, scribing block, flat bar, 1⁄2" wedges, saw, chop saw, moisture barrier such as 15-lb. asphalt saturated felt paper or equivelent, pneumatic tongue-and-groove flooring stapler/nailer or manual nailer, 1" - 1-3⁄8" long 18 - 20 gauge 1⁄4" crown staples/cleats or equivalent (see appropriate section below). Note: staple and or nail gauges larger than 18 gauge (e.g., 15.5 gauge) will damage Synergy Solid-Strip flooring and void Teragren's warranty.

Glue-down Installation: Hammer (1 lb), tape measure, chalk line, pencil, carpenter square, scribing block, flat bar, 1⁄2" wedges, saw, chop saw, premium wood flooring adhesive, low adhesive painter's tape.

Sub-floors

Wood sub-flooring surfaces must be clean, dry and, if gluing the flooring, free of contaminants that would interfere with an adhesive bond. A moisture-vapor retardant such as 6 mil polyethylene film should be placed in crawl spaces. Fix any squeaks or movement in the sub-floor prior to installation. The sub-floor surface must also be level and smooth prior to the installation of any flooring. High spots should be sanded flat. Teragren recommends using 3⁄4" CDX plywood as a nailing substrate or for a glue application, 5⁄8" CDX plywood for 12" on center and 16" on center floors, and 3⁄4" CDX plywood for 24" on center floors. A sub-floor of 1-1⁄8" plywood over joists at 16" on center is recommended for an optimal installation.

Concrete sub-floors must be tested for moisture in more than one place for consistent readings. Teragren recommends using the Calcium Chloride Test Method to quantify the volume of moisture vapor radiating from a concrete slab surface over time and if vapor pressure exceeds 3 lbs per 1000 square feet in 24 hours to not install the floor. Concrete should be checked for flatness prior to installation and any low spots or voids should be filled to a minimum of 3⁄16" within a 10' radius or 1⁄8" in a 6' radius, and high spots ground to surface. Surface must be smooth and free of debris, oils, grease and solvents.

Staple Down

Prior to installation, place a 15-lb. asphalt saturated felt paper or equivalent, meeting ASTM D4869 standards, over the entire sub-floor following the manufacturer's instructions. Note: staple gauges larger than 18 gauge (e.g., 15.5 gauge) will damage Synergy Solid-Strip and void Teragren's warranty. The following staplers have been tested by their manufacturers for use with Synergy Solid-Strip flooring products. The use and selection of any stapler is at the sole discretion and responsibility of the purchaser/installer.

Port-A-Nail -Model 461
HighPro - Model AS-4090
Spotnails - Model WS4840W2
Duo-Fast - SureShot 1848F

The Port-A-Nail Model 461 is a pneumatic tongue-and-groove flooring stapler that uses a 1" long, 18-gauge, 1⁄4" crown staple. More information on this product is available from Port-A-Nails.

The HighPro Model AS-4090 is a pneumatic tongue-and-groove flooring stapler that can use the HighPro 1-1⁄2" long, 18-gauge, 1⁄4" crown staple or equivalent. More information on this product is available from HighPro.

The Spotnails Model WS4840W2 flooring stapler is a pneumatic tongue-and-groove stapler that uses an 1-3⁄8", 18-gauge, 1⁄4" crown staple that can use only Spotnails staple part # 4811PN-30M. More information on this product is available from Spotnails.

The Duo-Fast Model SureShot 1848F flooring stapler is a pneumatic tongue-and-groove stapler that uses a 1-1⁄2", 18-gauge, 1⁄4" crown staple. More information on this product is available from Duo-Fast.

Note: The correct air-pressure will vary with the sub-floor material, but will likely range between 55 to 95 psi.

Due to the extreme density of Synergy Solid-Strip, it is the responsibility of the installer to determine the correct psi for their stapler/nailer and unique installation environment. Test staple a sacrificial plank to the sub-floor to check for correct air pressure, surface damage, tongue damage (splitting), etc. before proceeding with the installation.

Flooring should be square with the space and perpendicular to the joists. Leave a 7⁄16" expansion space from base plate or wall. Starter rows shall be held firmly in place by gluing, wedging or blind-nailing. Once starter rows are secure, additional rows shall be stapled directly above the tongue at a 45-50 degree angle to the face.

Carefully monitor stapler pressure to keep the crown of the staple from entering into the tongue. The bottom surface of the staple crown should rest against the top surface of the plank tongue. Ensure staple crown rests cleanly in the "nail" pocket. Staples shall be placed no closer than 3" from the ends of each plank and then spaced at 8" intervals or as required to prevent tongue splitting/damage.

Nail Down

Prior to installation, place a 15-lb asphalt saturated felt paper or equivalent, meeting ASTM D4869 standards, over the entire sub-floor following the manufacturer's instructions. Note: Nail gauges larger than 18-gauge (i.e., 15.5 gauge) will damage Synergy Solid-Strip flooring and void Teragren's warranty. The following nailers have been tested by their manufacturer for use with our Synergy Solid-Strip flooring products. The use and selection of any nailer is at the sole discretion and responsibility of the purchaser/installer.

Powernail Model 50P - Pneumatic
Powernail Model 50M - Manual
Powernail Model 200 - Pneumatic
Powernail Model 250 - Manual

The Powernail Model 50P is a pneumatic tongue-and-groove flooring nailer which uses a 1-1⁄2" long, 18-gauge cleat.

The Powernail Model 50M is a manual nailer that uses a 1-1⁄4" long, 18-gauge cleat.

The Powernail Model 200 is a pneumatic tongue-and-groove flooring nailer which uses a 1-1⁄2" long, 20-gauge "E" cleat and was tested using a U-1 adapter pad and no shims.

The Powernail Model 250 is a manual nailer which uses a 1-1⁄2" long, 20-gauge "E" cleat and was tested using a U-1 adapter pad and no shims.

More information on these products is available from Powernail.

Note: The correct air-pressure will vary with the sub-floor material, but will likely range between 55 and 95 psi.

Due to the extreme density of Synergy Solid-Strip, it is the responsibility of the installer to determine the correct psi for their staplee/nailer and unique installation environment. Test nail a sacrificial plank to the sub-floor to check for correct air pressure, surface damage, tongue damage (splitting) etc. before proceeding with the installation.

Flooring should be square with the space and perpendicular to the joists. Leave a 7⁄16" expansion space from base plate or wall. Starter rows shall be held firmly in place by gluing, wedging or blind nailing. Once starter rows are secure, additional rows shall be nailed directly above the tongue at a 45 to 50 angle to the face.

Carefully monitor nailer pressure to ensure that the nail head enters the tongue only as deeply as required to allow adjacent plank to fit properly. Ensure nail head rests cleanly in the "nail" pocket. Nails shall be placed no closer than 3" from the ends of each plank and then spaced at 8" intervals or as required to prevent tongue splitting/damage.

Other staplers and nailers may work equally well.

Glue Down

For glue-down applications, Teragren recommends using a premium wood flooring adhesive which contains no water (e.g., Bostik's Best). The sub-floor must be extremely flat, and the flooring should be square with the space and run perpendicular to the joists leaving a 7⁄16" expansion space from base plate or wall. Starter rows should be held firmly in place by wedging or blind nailing. Once the starter rows are secure, apply the adhesive in a Wet-Lay or Walk-on-Work method of installation. It is helpful to apply weight to hold flooring down during drying time. All adhesive spillage should be removed immediately, using methods defined within the adhesive manufacturer's instructions, to prevent permanent damage to the flooring.

Wet-Lay Method: Apply adhesive directly to substrate with a suitable trowel. Immediately place flooring onto "wet" adhesive. Follow all of the adhesive manufacturer's instructions.

Walk-on-Work Method: Apply adhesive directly to substrate with a suitable trowel and allow it to develop tack (which could take an hour or more depending on temperature and humidity). Once the adhesive is tacky begin installing the flooring directly onto the adhesive. Immediately roll finished installation with 150-lb roller. The room, flooring and adhesive should all be conditioned at room temperature for 72 hours before and after installation. Follow all of the adhesive manufacturer's instructions.

On floors wider than 20'

In an effort to minimize expansion, floors that are wider than 20' may require more or less spacing depending on geographical area, interior climate control and time of the year installed. In some areas, additional spacing may not be necessary. Where spacing is required, use a washer or removable spacer to leave additional space every few rows and/or start in center of room and work out to both sides. Reference: National Wood Flooring Association Technical Reference Manual.

Radiant Heating Systems

Teragren Synergy Solid-Strip bamboo flooring is suitable for installation over many radiant heating systems as long as the surface temperature of the installed flooring never exceeds 85°F. Due to the fact that radiant heating systems create "dry" heat, it is essential that the relative humidity in the installation environment be maintained between 40% and 60% and that the maximum difference in moisture content between the sub-floor and the flooring material never exceed 3%. The owner/installer assumes sole responsibility for ensuring that the job site has environmental conditions/controls suitable for the installation of Teragren bamboo flooring over the chosen radiant heating system. The radiant heat system needs to be in operation for at least 7 days prior to installation, shut off 4 hours prior to installation, and then returned to operation once the installation is complete. When choosing an installer for application over radiant heat, consider a member of the Radiant Panel Association. Please refer to the Radiant Panel Association for more information.

Maintenance

Teragren recommends vacuuming or sweeping in order to remove dirt and grit prior to cleaning the flooring. When a spill occurs, make sure to soak up the bulk liquid promptly. As with all natural products, exposure to the sun and ultra-violet rays can accelerate the oxidation of bamboo. Because caramelized bamboo products will lighten and natural bamboo products will tend to darken over time, periodically rearrange rugs and furniture to allow for even aging of the flooring. Use area rugs in high traffic areas. Install wood guards on the feet or legs of furniture.

Do not use wax, oil soap or other household cleaners. Teragren recommends using WoodWise Floor Cleaner by Design Hardwood Products (800.424.7092) or Bona Swedish Formula® MicroPlus Hardwood Floor Cleaner by BonaKemi USA, Inc. (800.574.4674).

Proper care and maintenance can extend the life of your floor for many years; however, at some time a re-coat or total refinishing may be desirable. To re-coat your floor and remain in conformance with the Teragren warranty, follow the manufacturer's instructions at either of the following:

Basic Coatings Tykote Sandless Re-coating System (800. 441.1934) or BonaPrep™ Re-coating Adhesion System by BonaKemi USA (800.872.5515).

Contact your Teragren distributor or retailer for more information or email tech support.

Installation guidelines Synergy™ prefinished, strand bamboo, solid-strip flooring