ENGINEERED TIMBER FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDE
Imperial Flooring Australia®
Imperial Flooring Australia® Engineered Timber Flooring is designed for performance, stability, and aesthetic longevity. The product may be installed using one of the following approved methods:
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Direct Stick (Glue-Down Installation) – Recommended for maximum stability and long-term performance.
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Floating Floor System – Suitable where subfloor conditions permit and in accordance with product specifications.
Important: Herringbone and Chevron formats must be installed using the direct stick (full glue-down) method only.
Installation must comply with this guide and relevant Australian Standards. Failure to adhere to installation requirements may void warranty.
General Installation Requirements
Fixed Structures
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For direct stick installations, heavy fixed items such as kitchen islands and cabinetry may be installed over the flooring once adhesive has fully cured.
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For floating installations, flooring must be installed around all heavy fixed objects to allow for natural expansion and contraction.
Floating floors must never be mechanically fixed or restricted.
Material Allowance
To ensure sufficient material for installation:
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Engineered plank styles: Allow minimum 10% additional material.
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Herringbone and Chevron styles: Allow 15–20% additional material due to increased cutting and pattern alignment.
DIRECT STICK INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Comprehensive Guide – Glue-Down Engineered Timber
1. Tools and Materials Required
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Imperial Flooring Australia® Engineered Timber Flooring
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Bostik Ultraset HP Timber Flooring Adhesive (or equivalent approved adhesive)
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4.8mm V-Notch Trowel (as specified by adhesive manufacturer)
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Wakol PU 280 Moisture Barrier (where required)
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Tape measure
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Mitre saw and table saw
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Imperial Pulling iron
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Multi-tool or jamb saw
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Spacers or wedges
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Vacuum or broom
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Cleaning wipes
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Floor levelling compounds and preparation equipment (if required)
Adhesives and moisture barriers must be used strictly in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
2. Subfloor Preparation
Subfloor preparation is critical to installation success.
The subfloor must be:
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Structurally sound
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Dry and moisture compliant
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Clean and free of dust, oil, grease, and contaminants
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Flat within tolerance
Subfloor Flatness Tolerance
Subfloor deviation must not exceed: 3mm over 3 metres (as per Australian Standards).
Low areas must be rectified using approved levelling compounds. High spots must be mechanically ground.
Subfloor must not be washed or wet prior to installation.
Timber or Particleboard Subfloors
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Lightly sand to remove surface coatings or contaminants.
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Level peaking joins.
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Remove construction residues and debris.
Moisture Protection
For ground-level concrete slabs or moisture-prone substrates:
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Apply Wakol PU 280 (or equivalent approved moisture barrier) in accordance with manufacturer specifications prior to adhesive application.
Moisture testing must comply with Australian Standards with moisture prone subfloors
Underfloor Heating Requirements
Imperial Flooring Australia® Engineered Timber Flooring is compatible only with in-slab hydronic underfloor heating systems. The maximum surface temperature of the timber flooring must not exceed 26°C at any time. Electric systems void warranty
3. Undercutting Door Frames
Door jambs and architraves must be undercut to allow flooring to slide beneath without restriction.
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Use an inverted plank as a height guide.
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Cut using a multi-tool or jamb saw.
This ensures correct expansion allowance and a professional finish.
4. Layout and Expansion
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Select a starting wall and establish a straight reference line using a chalk or laser line.
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Maintain a minimum 8mm expansion gap around all perimeter walls and fixed vertical structures.
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Install the first row accurately, as it establishes alignment for the entire installation.
Expansion gaps must remain unobstructed.
5. Adhesive Application
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Apply adhesive using a 4.8mm flat V-notch trowel held at approximately 45°.
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Spread adhesive in manageable sections only (approximately 300mm wide).
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Do not spread adhesive across the entire floor at once.
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Follow adhesive manufacturer’s open time and spread rate instructions.
Adhesive must be applied in full, continuous coverage. Broken or inconsistent spread patterns may result in movement or squeaking.
Excess adhesive must be removed immediately using approved cleaning wipes or acetone where required.
6. Flooring Installation
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Position the first plank against spacers with the tongue facing outward.
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Engage subsequent planks by inserting the tongue at approximately 45°, lowering, and sliding into place.
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Ensure full adhesive contact beneath each plank.
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Maintain a random stagger pattern to achieve a natural appearance.
Minimum recommended board length: 450mm where practical.
Use a tapping block and white rubber mallet if required. Planks must not be struck directly.
Light weights or tension straps may be used to maintain joint tightness while adhesive cures.
7. Cutting and Fitting
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Measure accurately and allow for expansion gaps.
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Avoid repetitive or uniform joint alignment.
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Ensure pattern consistency, particularly with feature grades or long boards.
8. Curing and Finishing
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Allow adhesive to cure for 8–12 hours minimum (or as specified by adhesive manufacturer) before light foot traffic.
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Do not place heavy furniture until full cure is achieved.
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Remove spacers once curing is complete.
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Reinstall skirting or trims by fixing to the wall only, not the floor.
For final cleaning, use mineral spirits or acetone sparingly and in accordance with finish manufacturer guidelines. Do not flood the floor with water.
Minor gaps may be filled using colour-matched filler or cork compound (test on offcut first).
Site Floor Protection
On active building sites, newly installed flooring must be protected immediately to prevent damage. Use breathable floor protection systems such as THOR Floor Protection matting or equivalent. Protection must allow airflow and must not trap moisture.
Maintenance
Maintain Imperial Flooring Australia® Engineered Timber Flooring using approved timber care systems such as BONA® Floor Care products or equivalent.
Avoid:
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Excessive water exposure
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Steam mopping
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Harsh or abrasive cleaning agents
Disclaimer
Installation must be carried out by a qualified flooring professional and in accordance with this guide and relevant Australian Standards. Imperial Flooring Australia® accepts no responsibility for failure resulting from improper installation, inadequate subfloor preparation, moisture issues, or non-compliant site conditions.
Flooring Accessories
Floating Floor Installation Procedure
Imperial Flooring Australia®
Floating installation is a popular method for engineered timber floors, combining speed, durability, and a clean finish. This guide covers the full process, step by step, for Tongue & Groove profile systems (note: clip-lock systems do not require PVA glue).
Step 1: Prepare the Subfloor
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Clean thoroughly – Sweep or vacuum to remove all dust and debris. Do not wash or wet the subfloor.
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Check for flatness – The surface must be even and free of humps or dips. 3mm over 3metre flatness is required
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Moisture barrier – For ground-level concrete slabs, apply a painted-on moisture barrier or install an approved floating floor underlay with integrated vapour film.
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Underlay – Spread out the underlay over the moisture barrier, or use a combination product that includes vapour protection.
Step 2: Undercut Door Frames
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Place a plank upside down against the frame to measure the correct height.
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Trim the frame with a multi-tool cutter or jamb saw so planks can slide neatly underneath for a seamless finish.
Step 3: Start the Installation
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Always begin with the groove side facing the wall (to avoid tapping the groove side).
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Place spacers around the room to create an expansion gap of 10mm or more between the flooring and the wall.
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Lay the first row of boards along the starting wall, with the tongue facing outwards.
Step 4: Stagger the Boards
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Start the second row with either:
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The leftover piece from the previous row, or
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A board at least 450mm shorter or longer than the first board in the previous row.
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Ensure all end joints are staggered by at least 450mm to achieve a strong and natural-looking floor pattern.
Step 5: Apply Adhesive for T+G systems
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Use only cross-linked PVA wood adhesive – never standard wood glue.
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Apply glue in a continuous line to the top inside edge of the groove (including end joints).
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Do not spot glue – floating floors must move as a raft. Spot gluing restricts natural movement and can cause peaking.
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Wipe away excess adhesive immediately with a clean damp cloth or Bostik handy wipes, followed by a dry cloth.
Step 6: Lay and Join Boards
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Insert the tongue into the glued groove, press the board into position, and gently tap with a rubber mallet and tapping block (never strike directly).
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If boards don’t close properly, check glue application – too much adhesive can create a vacuum effect.
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Continue row by row, ensuring joints close tightly.
Step 7: Install the Final Row
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The last row will usually need to be trimmed to fit.
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Measure the gap, subtract 10mm for the expansion space, and cut boards accordingly (do not include the tongue in your measurement).
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Apply adhesive to the groove, insert boards, and use a spacing bar with a protective block to gently lever them into place.
Step 8: Finishing Steps
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Allow the adhesive to dry as per the manufacturer’s instructions before walking on the floor.
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Remove all spacers once the glue has set.
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Fill any visible gaps with colour-matched filler or cork compound (test on an offcut first).
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Install skirting boards or scotia by fixing them to the wall, not the floor.
Important Notes
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Clip-lock systems do not require PVA glue – follow manufacturer-specific instructions.
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For Tongue & Groove systems, gluing all joins is mandatory.
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On active building sites, always install floor protection matting to prevent damage. We recommend THOR Floor Protection, available via our webstore.
Disclaimer
Installation must be carried out by a qualified flooring professional and in accordance with this guide and relevant Australian Standards. Imperial Flooring Australia® accepts no responsibility for failure resulting from improper installation, inadequate subfloor preparation, moisture issues, or non-compliant site conditions.
