1、 Preparation before installation
a. Ground foundation (of utmost importance)
-The ground must be self leveling/precision leveling, with a 2-meter ruler and a height difference of ≤ 2mm; large drops can cause abnormal locking sounds, curled edges, and uneven corners.
-Ground moisture content:
-Ordinary cement floor: ≤ 10%; Floor heating: ≤ 8%
-The ground is clean, free of floating sand, sanding, and oil stains; The sanding ground should be solidified first, otherwise the moisture-proof pad will bulge.
-Underfloor heating environment: Before laying the floor, it must be completely baked. Gradually increase the temperature, with a maximum temperature not exceeding 55 ℃, and dry for 7-14 days to release moisture; Cool down to 18-22 ℃ before installation before construction.
b. Material acceptance and environmental adaptation
-Before entering the site, open the box for inspection: most of the herringbone splicing is paired with A and B boards, and the two types of boards are alternately spliced. Check the model, quantity, and whether there are any missing boards, bumps, or color differences.
-The floor should be left at the construction site for 24-48 hours to adapt to indoor temperature and humidity (temperature 18-26 ℃, humidity 40% -65%) and prevent shrinkage/expansion after laying.
-Auxiliary material verification: It is recommended that the thickness of the moisture-proof pad be around 2mm; Special IXPE mute damp proof pad is selected for floor heating, and ordinary thick foam pad (affecting heat conduction) is prohibited; Prepare the skirting board and closing strip in advance.
c. Advance line drawing+pre layout (herringbone core)
-Don’t just come up to the store! The entire house must be marked with a cross reference line to determine the starting point.
-Layout principle: Place the entire board in the center of the entrance and living room; Cut the broken boards and try to hide them in blind spots such as sofas, cabinets, and under beds.
-Confirm with the master: the starting angle and seam alignment standard for herringbone splicing, check the layout effect of the sample in advance, and avoid laying crooked lines.
2、 Key points of construction process
a. Paving method: Composite/multi-layer herringbone splicing with priority suspended installation (locking buckle), do not apply glue to fully adhere; Only local adhesive reinforcement is applied. Floor heating must not be filled with glue.
b. Expansion joint reservation
-All edges against walls, columns, and door frames: reserve 8-12mm expansion joints that cannot be stuffed in.
-If the length of the paving is greater than 8 meters or there are no door stones between rooms, expansion partitions/closing strips should be installed to prevent large-scale arching.
c. Splicing control: The joints should be tight, with a gap of ≤ 0.2mm; the sharp corners of the herringbone must be aligned, and the height difference should not exceed 0.1mm; diagonal misalignment is the most common tipping point in herringbone splicing.
d. Moisture proof pad laying: Seal the joints with tape; Do not overlap the moisture-proof pads, as overlapping can cause the ground to bulge and make abnormal noises.
e. Door frame treatment: The bottom of the door frame should reserve a height of floor and moisture-proof pad, and the floor should be inserted under the door frame to make the closure more beautiful; Do not forcefully squeeze the board.
f. Cabinet fixation: The wardrobe and cabinet are placed on the ground, with the floor laid to the side of the cabinet, and no floor laid below the cabinet; Pressing the cabinet against the floor will block expansion and later cause arching.
3、 Completion acceptance (on-site inspection, do not wait for the master to leave)
✅ Visual inspection: The herringbone lines are straight and aligned diagonally, without any gaps or height differences; There is no obvious color difference concentration.
✅ Hand touch: The splicing position is smooth and there are no prickly steps.
✅ Stepping on it: There is no abnormal noise everywhere (slight friction sound from the lock buckle in some areas is normal, while large-scale abnormal noise belongs to uneven ground).
✅ Check the expansion joint: The wall gap is reserved in place and not completely blocked by the skirting board.
4、 Maintenance after installation
a. Try to avoid stepping on the lock as much as possible within 24 hours of completion to ensure stability.
b. Floor heating: After installation for 7 days, gradually increase the temperature, with a daily increase of no more than 5 ℃ and a maximum surface temperature of ≤ 28 ℃.
c. Daily: Avoid spilling large amounts of water; Clean with a slightly damp mop; Do not expose to prolonged sunlight to prevent local fading and shrinkage.
