Lay 15 lb non-tarred felt paper or equivalent (with 3” to 4” overlapping end) in the direction of the boards using staples, to reduce normal mechanical friction between materials and facilitate installation.

Use chalk line to trace starting line with ½" expansion joint at the side and ¼" at row end.

Lay out 4 to 5 rows of planks ahead of time that match in terms of joints and color.

Cut out imperfections planks or place them in less visible areas

Install the 1st plank along the starting line with the tongue facing out and grove facing the wall.

1st row must be hand-nailed. Drill holes at a 90° angle on the surface of the plank. Drive nails head in with a nail driver. Then drill holes at a 45° angle in the tongue and fasten with spiral nails.

Cut plank to fit end row and fasten with pull bar.

Start subsequent row using the remainder of the cut-off end plank from previous row. The remainder should be at least 6”. Fasten with knocking block at the side.

Use manual or pneumatic nailer for subsequent rows. Fasten each plank with at least 2-nails. Do not nail less than 2” from plank end to prevent the tongue from splitting.

The final planks should be installed the same way as the 1st plank.

You may have to rip the last row lengthwise to leave a ½” for expansion joint.