Balterio Flooring Fitting Guide
Preparation
Acclimatisation
- Leave the packed planks horizontally in the centre of the room to acclimatize for 48 hours;
- Ideally, the temperature in the room should be 22°C and air humidity 55%;
- Check the planks for visible defects
The surface
- Balterio laminate can be installed on hard surfaces
- The surface needs to be dry, even and dust-free before installation
The subfloor
- A good subfloor is essential when installing a laminate floor but it is just as important that you install a damp screen first.
Balterio Installation Instructions
Step 1. Subfloor & Surface
Clean and even out the surface. Install the dump screen and the subfloor. Check laminate planks for visible defects.
Step 2. Doorframe Height
Measure the height of the doorframe by placing a laminate plank against the door frame with the decorated side down and mark the height. Then saw off the door and doorframe to the desired height.
Step 3. First Row
The Click Xpress system allows you to choose a starting point. You can work in either direction. It is advisable, however, to start either from a door or a corner and begin with the tongue side of the plank towards the wall.
Option 1: Starting from a corner.
Place a plank with the tongue side towards the wall in the very corner. Roll the front edge of the second plank into the first one. An 8 to 10 mm expansion should be taken into an account between the first row and the wall.
Option 2: Starting from a door.
Commence with the installation of the row near the door. Saw the plank that is going under the doorway to the required measurements. Make sure there is an 8 to 10 mm expansion joint and install the plank inside the doorframe. Saw all the first row planks to size.
After measuring saw the final plank in a row to size.
Step 4. Floor Completion
Start with the cut-off part of the final plank from the first row. Always begin on the same side as the previous row leaving 8 to 10 mm expansion joint between laminate plank and wall.
Roll the plank against the first row and press it downwards. Roll the short side of the following laminate plank into the one beforehand using the tongue-in-groove method.
Cautiously raise the laminate plank together with the previous one in the very same row under an angle of 30°. Press against the previous row and after the planks are well joined, push them downwards. Continue onwards following the same procedure until full completion of the floor.
IMPORTANT:
- ALWAYS roll the short sides of the planks first!
- NEVER roll a complete row in order to join it to the previous one!
- ALWAYS leave 8 to 10 mm expansion joint between planks and walls or other fixed objects!
Step 5. Last Row.
After leaving the necessary 8 to 10 mm for expansion joint, measure and saw along the length of the last row planks. Install the final row and level off edges of the dump screen and subfloor before installing the skirtings.
Finishing Off
You can walk on the floor straight after installation and begin your finishing works but do allow the laminate to expand and shrink and place the skirtings against the wall if necessary.