I am a DIYer ready to install 400sf of Summit Private Reserve Engineered Hardwood Flooring, 7-inch wide planks. Instructions for nail/staple-down installation say to use 15 pound paper as moisture barrier. Instructions also state that planks wider than 5 inches requires that a 3/16 bead of supplemental adhesive be applied along the length of the groove side and end of each plank. But using adhesive on top of paper doesn't seem right. What do you think? I bought the flooring from a brick and mortar flooring store but I hesitate to ask them about it as they seem unsure about installation in general. I am afraid they might give me some bad advice. Even though the manufacturer has a web site, they do not provide any form of customer service contact info that I could find, perhaps wishing to keep things betweem themselves and their vendors/distributors. I am ready to go with the project as soon as this issue is resolved. Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

CYA.....Cover your A*S......install it as they recommend. The paper is stapled first, and the wood is stapled. Not sure where it's going to be a lot of help, but nothing about it should hurt. To be sure though, I would give them a call. They are in Santa Fe Springs, CA. 562-236-5744

I believe they are saying to glue the tongue and groove together, not glue the boards to the paper.

Begin gluing the boards; Run a continuous bead of adhesive along the groove of the short side (width) and
the plank’s side groove (length). Proper alignment is critical. Misaligned starter rows can cause side and
end gaps to appear in proceeding rows of flooring.

I called Summit at the number supplied by "bw" here in this space. They said that it was their first inquiry on that particular instruction. I was on hold several times as the agent I was speaking with apparently consulted. I was finally told to use the moisture barrier and that it would be acceptable to drop the adhesive requirement as long as I nailed (I'm using 1-1/2" cleats), and stuck to the spacing requirement (every 4 inches and no farther than 2 inches from the ends). They will be revising their published instructions.

I am relieved to have a definitive answer from the manufacturer. That would not have been possible without the phone number supplied to me by a forum contributor. Beyond simply wanting to do the job right, I have a pretty penney invested in the material and definitely do not want to bungle the job for that reason as well. I am grateful for the information and ideas you guys have afforded me, and in such a timely manner. Thanks very much.