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How
To
Install
KronoSwiss Laminate Flooring
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION KronoSwiss (Glueless)
Installation Instructions
Tools/accessories
For the proper installation of KronoSwiss, you need only the following: underlayment, spacers, a fine toothed saw (electric pad saw or circular saw), hammer, pencil, spirit level, plumb line, tapping block.
Checklist for installation
Prior to beginning installation check that the gap underneath the door is sufficient, once the floor is laid, to open and close freely. If this is not the case remove the necessary amount from the bottom of the door.
KronoSwiss may be installed upon the following existing floors:
Wood, linoleum, PVC (elastic flooring must be firmly arrested upon its base), needle felt, and ceramics
Cement floors (maximum residual moisture 2.0 CM %)
Anhydrite and anhydrite flow screed (maximum residual moisture 0.3 CM %)
Attention: It is important to establish a protocol of the residual moisture for the location of installation, as the manufacturer without such a protocol cannot accept claims for consequential damage.
Floor heating
KronoSwiss laminated flooring is designed to be laid over hot water floor heating. Special features, to be found in comprehensive laying instructions or requested from a specialist, must be taken into consideration when laying the flooring. The development of slight gaps between the panels when the heating is active cannot be ruled out due to the atmospheric conditions. However, they will close again when the atmospheric humidity has equalised accordingly and do not constitute grounds for complaint.
Basic rules
KronoSwiss must be installed only on floors, which are absolutely level, clean and firm. Unlevelled areas (>3 mm on one 1 m) must first be levelled. As a protection against moisture, a damp proofing membrane (poly film or combi 2-in-1 foam/film) must always be used especially on mineral based sub-floors (concrete)
The joints of the damp proofing membrane must be overlapped and sealed with an adhesive moisture resistant tape. A floor temperature of at least 15 °C and a room temperature of at least 18° Centigrade, with a relative humidity of 50%70% are required for installation. For optical reasons, the panels should always be installed running toward (or away from) the main source of light. (see fig. 5)
KronoSwiss can be glued especially at the short ends through door opening and stair junctions. This is also the case for small end pieces. The panels come from the factory with a pressure sensitive glued on the end joints.
Expansion joints
As it is a natural material, wood "works", so that the panels must be allowed to expand and contract in all directions. For this reason, it is required to provide expansion joints of at least 8 mm at the walls, conduits, thresholds, etc., secured by means of the spacers, which are to be removed following complete installation. In rooms, which measure more than12 m in panel longitudinal direction and/or more than 8m in panel transverse direction, an additional expansion profile must be inserted. This also applies to door openings, room passages and corridor corners. Skirting boards must be fastened only at the wall (after installing the floor). They must never be fastened to the floor.
IMPORTANT!
Please read before laying:
Leave KronoSwiss in a horizontal position for 48-72 hours at room temperature before opening. When opened, use packages in one day. Check panels for obvious defects, straightness and identical colour with due care.
A. Laying the first row
 1. First lay out the damp proofing membrane correctly. Commence in the left-hand corner of the room with the tongue to the wall. Join the first two panels together. Ensure no gaps on the short end (fig. 1). The righthand panel should be knocked into the left-hand panel. (We recommend the use of a tapping block to avoid any damage.)
2. The third panel should be connected in the same way. Very important is to ensure a straight laying line. You must measure the room size before commencing installation. If the last panel width is smaller than 5 cm a correction should be made in the first row. An expansion gap is needed of 1,5 mm per linear meter (min. 10 mm) (see fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)
3. The last panel in the row should be at least 40 cm long. If not, please shorten the first panel of this row. To cut the last panel to size, turn around 180° and (with the decorative side uppermost) lay it against the row already laid so that the groove rests against the groove. Remember to calculate an expansion gap on the end. Mark the section and cut off. When Sawing with a mechanical hand saw the decorative side must be uppermost to avoid splintered edges. When sawing with an electronic jigsaw or circular saw the decorative side should point downwards.
4. Align the row exactly (check with a plumb line), click the tongue into the groove and check that the row is straight.
B. Laying the following rows
1. Start with the second row using half a panel or a leftover piece from the previous row (at least 40 cm). (see fig. 2)
2. Insert the panels together as flat as possible (approx. 20° - 30°) long side into long side. Through a downward and insertion movement insure a tight connection and continue to reduce the angle of the panel downwards until it is flat with the adjoining one. (see fig. 2)
3. The following panel should be inserted in the same way long-side first (as described above) insuring that the short end meets as closely as possible but not touching. Then the short end of the right hand panel should be tapped tongue to groove into the short end of the left hand panel until there is no longer a gab visible (see fig. 4).
4. Continue in this manner with each row of panels until the room is completely covered insuring an expansion gap between the floor and wall / doors.
5. In an ideal case each row should be started with a piece from the previous row of at least 40 cm. This will achieve a greater stability of the overall area.
C. Laying the last row
Measure the exact width of the last row. For this purpose, lay a panel on the penultimate row of panels. Then lay a second panel with the groove facing the wall on the panel to be measured and use this as a ruler (see fig. 5). And remember the gap between the panel and wall. Cut the panel according to the marking and fit in place.
Dismantling
If required the panels can be dismantled for changes, repairs and the like. To begin with the whole row of panels must be lifted together and then each short end joint can be worked apart. This may require some force and a repetitive action. To re-lay the removed panels a 3D-glue should be used.
Cleaning and care
KRONOSWISS is a hygienic laminate floor, which can be simply and easily cleaned with a hair broom or vacuum cleaner. Adherent soiling can be removed with the usual cleansing agents or laminate cleaner or acetone respectively, but do not use wax or polish. In special areas particular prone to soiling, place a dirt-collecting mat on this spot on
KONOSWISS. Minor damage can be repaired by the user means of the Repair Kit, e.g. Color-Fill. For lager repairs professional advice should be sort. Claims for damages are excluded in case of the use of wrong cleaning methods. In order to maintain the quality of your laminate floor, you should provide for felt sliding devices and soft chair castors made of rubber (DIN 68131 Type "W) for the feet of your furniture. A healthy climate in the room is as important to your floor as it is to you and your family (room temp. 18°C to 22°C humidity 55% to 65%) | 