A glue-down installation method can be used on 21mm or 20,4mm solid wood flooring as well as engineered products. The wood floor is attached to a concrete or wooden subfloor using glue adhesive that has been applied using a notched trowel. This method of installation can be used below ground level as well as any other level in the home.
Xylon recommends the Elastilon nail-down method of installation whenever possible.
Step by step instructions
- Surfaces must be clean, dry and smooth; free of voids, projections, loose materials, oil, grease, sealers and all other surface contaminants. If there are any moisture-related concerns, or if solid wood is being installed, completely remove cutback adhesive residue by sandblasting, shotblasting or scarifying. When sandblasting, shotblasing or scarifying, surface texture must be similar to light broom finished concrete. Maximum acceptable floor variation is 1/8" in 10 feet. Surface areas requiring patching or leveling should be done using a portland cement based material. As you work, immediately clean any adhesive or pre-finished flooring with a soft cloth and mineral spirits, being careful not to harm the finish.
If adhesive is cold, place the pail in either a warm area or bucket of warm water to improve workability.
- Ensure starter rows are firmly in place by wedging or lace nailing. Once initial rows are secure, use adhesive in a Wet-Lay or Walk-On-Work method of installation.
Wet-Lay Method
Apply adhesive to substrate with suitable trowel. Immediately place flooring onto "wet" adhesive.
Walk-On Method
Apply adhesive to substrate with suitable trowel and allow it to develop tack (refer to temperature/humidity chart). Install flooring onto "tacky" adhesive. As you work, immediately clean any adhesive from prefinished flooring with a soft cloth and mineral spirits, being careful not to harm finish.
Rolling is recommended for all installations. Flooring that is not flat should be tacked, weighted, or rolled to ensure proper contact between flooring and the substrate.
Where plywood substrate over concrete is required
Using a 1/4" by 1/4" square notched trowel to apply adhesive, set 4' by 4' sheets of 3/4" exterior grade plywood into wet adhesive. Score plywood sheets on the backside every 8" to 10" by using a circular saw and cutting one half the thickness of the sheets. Scoring or "kerting" takes the tension out of plywood and helps prevent possible warping or curling. Allow to fully cure before nailing strip or using Bostik's Best in a Wet-Lay or Walk-On-Work method of installation. Bostik's Best Adhesive is recommended by Xylon for installation of 21mm or 20mm solid flooring.
- Once cured, Bostik's Best Adhesive is the most tenacious adhesive known to the hardwood industry. Immediately clean any adhesive on pre-finished flooring with a soft cloth and mineral spirits. Do not allow mineral spirits to sit on hardwood surface. Clean tools and equipment with mineral spirits before adhesive cures. Wear rubber gloves when using adhesive. Removal of cured adhesive from pre-finished flooring, skin, tools and equipment is extremely difficult. Use Bostik #94 Hand Cleaner for removal of uncured adhesive on skin.
Before use, cover areas of trowel that are not used to spread adhesive with clear packaging or gray duct tape. After use, simply tear off the tape before material cures. Clean remainder of trowel with a dry cloth or mineral spirits.
- Limitations
- This adhesive will not prevent moisture-related damage to wood flooring installations.
- Humidity affects characteristics of adhesive to a greater degree than temperature. The higher the humidity, the faster the cure.
- Slab temperature should be between 50°F and 100°F during installation.
- Do not use on wet, contaminated, or friable substrates.
- Below-grade installations are limited to engineered plank and foam divided parquet (this is due to limitations in solid wood flooring i.e. lack of dimensional stability).
- Do not use in areas subject to hydrostatic head.
- Do not use over concrete treated with sealers or curing compounds.
- Do not allow light foot traffic until fully cured; usually 8 to 12 hours.
- Do not use as a leveling material.
- Do not install solid wood over cutback residue.
- If there are any moisture related concerns, completely remove cutback adhesive residue by sandblasting, shotblasting or scarifying.
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