The best method of installing engineered French Oak flooring is as per the American National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) guidelines. It is important that you follow these guidelines in order to qualify if any warranty issues arise.
A printout of a brief summary of installation guidelines can be emailed to you.
Most important, as per the NWFA guidelines for installation of any wood floor, the installation site must be properly prepared so that it is clean and the sub-floor is, and will remain, free of moisture.
👉 Acclimation: Also as per NWFA guidelines, prior to installation, flooring MUST be properly acclimated. It must be taken out of its cartons or bundles, placed on sticks in the rooms where it will be installed and left to breathe so that all sides of the flooring are exposed to air. Acclimation in most climates is usually 7-14 days prior to installation at the ambient temperature and humidity at which it is going to "live".
➤➤➤ Don't just place the cartons or bundles in the room/s or location where the French Oak flooring is to be installed: This will NOT achieve acclimation.
The installer's moisture meter must be calibrated specifically for French Oak (not “default" or American Oak). The site "environment" must also be maintained once the floor is installed.
The flooring can be nailed, glued, or floated. Staples can also be used. For nailing, a flooring cleat nailer is the best option. These are purpose designed for flooring installation and, if you are tackling installation as a DIY project, they can be hired from most flooring stores. A couple of points about using flooring cleat nailers: You would might to (1) reduce the gun pressure and also (2) adjust the cleat head at the end of the gun. The latter can be adjusted with blue painter's tape.