Installation Guide

INSTALLATION
planks found in the carton or by cutting four or ve planks in random lengths, differing by at least six inches. As you continue
working across the oor try to maintain a six-inch minimum between end joints. Randomly install different lengths to avoid a
patterned appearance. Never waste materials; the end cuts from starter rows should be used at the opposite side of the room
to complete rows or used to start the next row.
Expansion space: Expansion space around the perimeter is required and should be equal to the thickness of the ooring
material. For commercial installations use a minimum of ½” expansion.
GLUE DOWN INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
Additional Tools Material Needed
Shaw Urethane Adhesive
Clean White Rags
Mineral Spirits/Urethane Adhesive Remover
Adhesive Trowel
Straight Edge
NOTE: REFER TO THE ADHESIVE LABEL FOR PROPER TROWEL REQUIRED, SPREAD RATES AND INSTALLATION
APPLICATION INFORMATION!
INSTALLATION FOR GLUE DOWN METHOD REQUIRES THE USE OF SHAW 35MC OR DMC 140. ADHESIVE MUST BE
APPLIED WITH THE ATTACHED BLADE AT THE 30-35 SQ. FT. SPREAD RATE WHEN INSTALLING OVER CONCRETE
SUBFLOORS!
Before you begin using the following instructions, please refer to the Pre-Installation Job Prep information above.
Getting Started
1. Select a starter wall. An outside wall is best: it's most likely to be straight and square with the room. Measure out from this wall, at each end, the width
of two planks including the tongue plus the space needed (3/8” or ½”) for expansion.
2. Snap a chalk line from these points, parallel to that wall.
3. Prior to installing the ooring, secure a straight edge inside the chalk line to act as a guide and to prevent the row of planks from shifting during
installation. The straightedge could be a straight piece of lumber or piece of ooring. Alternatively, the rst row can be face-nailed with nishing nails
into the wood suboor or sprig nailed into a concrete suboor.
Spreading the Adhesive
Using the proper trowel, hold the trowel at a 45° angle to ensure proper spread rate of adhesive. Apply pressure to allow the
trowel to leave ridges of adhesive on the substrate with little adhesive left between the ridges. This will help to achieve the
proper spread rate of the adhesive. Temperature and air ow across the adhesive can have an effect on the open time of the
adhesive. Urethanes) will have a longer open time in areas of low humidity and will have a shorter open time in areas of high
humidity. (See Adhesive label for further information).
Installing the Floor
4. Spread adhesive from the chalk line/straightedge out to approximately the width of two planks. Install the rst row of starter planks along the chalk
line/straightedge and secure into position with the tongue facing the starter wall.
NOTE: Proper alignment is critical. Misaligned starter rows can cause side and end gaps to appear in proceeding rows of ooring. When you have the
starter rows complete, you can begin the next row
5. When you are certain the rst two starter rows are straight and secure, spread adhesive 2 to 3 feet wide across the length of the room. As a general rule,
never spread more adhesive than can be covered in 30 to 45 minutes. If the adhesive has skinned over remove dried adhesive and trowel new adhesive.
6. Continue to install planks and push them into place. Place the tongue of the board into the grooves of installed boards and press into the adhesive. As
you continue working across the oor try to maintain a six-inch minimum space between end joints. Randomly install different lengths to avoid a
patterned appearance.
NOTE: Never strike a rubber mallet or hammer directly on the ooring to engage the tongue-and-groove. This practice can damage the ooring and/or
the nish.
7. Remove the adhesive from the surface of the installed ooring as you work – this will help to save time. A damp rag with water or mineral spirits will
remove adhesive. Frequently change towels to avoid leaving a haze on the ooring surface. DO NOT use water to remove Urethane adhesives from the
nish.
8. As you approach the end wall it may be necessary to cut the width of the last row – be sure to allow for the expansion space along the end wall. Once the
nal cuts are made set planks into place.
9. After the oor is complete remove the straight edge and glue down the rst two boards.
10. Restrict foot trafc for a minimum of 6-8 hours and wait 24 hours before permitting moving of furniture onto the oor.
11. Clean any wet adhesive from the ooring with a lightly dampened clean cloth. If the adhesive has dried, use mineral spirits on a clean cloth. For
Urethane adhesive use the recommended urethane adhesive remover.
12. If specied in the adhesive instructions roll and cross roll oor with a 100-150 lbs. (45-70 kg) roller at the end of the installation to ensure proper transfer
of adhesive.
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