I am not familiar with Anderson Floor's installation guide...did their guide mention the use of a tapping board? When dh installed our Lauzon red oak engineered wood (glue down on concrete sub floor), he used a rubber mallet and a tapping board. We are just DIY people and not professionals. Hopefully, a flooring installer with lots of experience will give you some good advise. In our situation, it worked out well having two of us tackle this job. I had several rags ready for small smudges of glue that randomly appeared on many places on the finished surface of the wood. I wiped it with what I think was called Mineral Spirits (might be paint thinner?)and then went back over that with a clean dry cloth. The mineral spirits did not effect the finish but the glue came off very well. Even though dh was very careful during install, these glue spots could not be avoided completely. Our wood has a semi gloss factory finish that is holding up very well. I would call the Anderson customer service department before installing just to make sure.

I own a custom rug manufacturing business and can tell you that rubber back rugs are not good on hardwood floors if there is any chance the rug may get damp or wet. The rubber & moisture will ruin the hardwood floor. For instance never put rubber backed rug in a hardwood entry because people come in with wet feet when it rains or snows. Never put it in a kitchen or dining room with hardwoods if there is any chance of moisture or in a bathroom if there is hardwood in a bathroom. We always tell our clients this and if they still want it they have to sign something stating that they are aware that it could ruin their hardwood floors & that we are not responsible if it does. Hope that helps!

I wonder about comfort mats? There is a particular kind I have in mind but can't think of the name. I think Bed, Bath and Beyond carries a small amount and then they sell online.....Antifatigue type thing. I am not sure about whether they might damage the floor. My only solution for a spotless floor in my kitchen is no eating or cooking in there...lol. Who the heck can afford that. So, we have no five second rule at my house. I try and keep it clean but if anything hits it only the dog can eat it.

FYI, I found a solution to the same kind of prob as the original poster. A cheap woven rug made of synthetic materials had "etched" it's pattern onto my floors (which were red oak with a satin water-based polyurethane finish. And BTW, I did NOT put the rug down until several years after the floor was finished). Tried rubbing alcohol first, but it seemed to actually sort of "melt" the finish a little, and even though it helped a little, it seemed way too dangerous to use, I mean it seemed like it would just remove the poly finish if I rubbed too hard. So simply I tried LIGHTLY rubbing with "0000" steel wool (WITHOUT using any alcohol or mineral spirits or anything) then lightly buffing by hand, and it worked like a charm! Hope this helps.