Installation Guide
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
These installation guidelines apply to the Floorte™ Fold n Tap™
product only. All instructions and recommendations should be
followed for a satisfactory installation.
The floor covering should be stored and installed in a climate
controlled location with an average temperature between 55° -
85°F - 13°-29°C.
Post installation temperature range is between 32 and 100
degrees F - 0°-37.7°C.
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, doing
so may result in discoloration. During peak sunlight hours, the
use of the drapes or blinds is recommended.
Regardless of new construction or remodeling projects, keep
flooring stored in rooms that are not being worked in and only
install product after all other trades have completed work that
could damage the flooring.
To minimize shade variation, mix and install planks from several
cartons.
Inspect all planks for damage before installing. If you have any
concerns about the product fit or finish, call Shaw Information
Services at 1-800-441-7429. Claims will not be accepted for
flooring that has been cut to size and/or installed.
All subfloor patching must be done with a Portland based
compound and allowed to dry completely prior to installing
flooring.
Installation – Floating or glue down methods - installed on,
above, or below grade.
Tools:
Tape Measure, Utility Knife, Jigsaw, Tapping Block or
Rubber Mallet, Pull Bar, ¼" Spacers, T-Square, Safety Glasses,
Broom or Vacuum and, if necessary, tools for subfloor repair.
II. SUBFLOOR INFORMATION
All subfloors must be clean, flat, dry and structurally sound. The
correct preparation of the subfloor is a major part of a successful
installation. Subfloor must be flat – 3/16" in 10' or 1/8" in 6'.
Underlayments
- For floating installations an underlayment is
generally not required. That said, if you prefer an even quieter
installation we do offer three approved pads -- Bravo, Groundworks,
and Selitac. We recommend installing several planks of Floorte in
your room and walking on them to determine if the extra step of
underlayment meets your needs better."
CAUTION:
Some types of nails, such as common steel nails, may cause
discoloration of the vinyl floor covering. Recommendations for attaching
underlayment panels are not included. Solvent based construction
adhesives are known to stain vinyl floor coverings. All responsibility for
discoloration problems caused by the use of the above mentioned
products is not the responsibility of Shaw, but rests with the installer and
the underlayment panel manufacture
A. Wood Subfloors
1.
Do not install material over wood subfloors that lay directly on
concrete or over dimensional lumber or plywood used over
concrete.
2.
Do not apply sheet plastic over wood subfloors.
3.
Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Use of a 6 mil black
polyethylene is required to cover 100% of the crawl space earth.
Crawl space clearance from ground to underside of joist is to be
no less than 18” and perimeter vent spacing should be equal to
1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl space area to
provide cross ventilation. Where necessary, local regulations
prevail.
4.
All other subfloors - Plywood, OSB, particleboard, chipboard,
wafer board, etc. must be structurally sound and must be
installed following their manufacturer’s recommendations.
Local building codes may only establish minimum requirements
of the flooring system and may not provide adequate rigidity and
support for proper installation and performance.
5.
Floorte™ resilient flooring is not recommended directly over
fire-retardant treated plywood or preservative treated plywood.
An additional layer of APA rated 1/4" thick underlayment
should be installed.
B. Concrete Subfloors
1.
Floors shall be smooth, permanently dry, clean, and free all foreign
material such as dust, wax, solvents, paint, grease, oils, and old
adhesive residue. The surface must be hard and dense, and free from
powder or flaking.
2.
New concrete slabs must be dry. Maximum moisture level per
CaCl test method is 8 lbs. per 1000 in 24 hr. Maximum level for
ASTM 2170 In-situ Relative humidity test method - 85%.
3.
Do no install over concrete with a history of high moisture or
hydrostatic conditions.
4.
Ph level of concrete should be between 5- 9
5.
The final responsibility for determining if the concrete is dry
enough for installation of the flooring lies with the floor
covering installer.
Radiant Heat: Hydronic only -
Radiant heat components must have
a minimum of 1/2" separation from the product. This is the only type
of radiant heat system that is approved. Radiant heat system must be
on and operational for at least 2 weeks prior to installation to reduce
residual moisture within the concrete. Three days prior to installation
lower the temperature to 65 degrees, after installation gradually
increase the temperature in increments of 5° F to avoid overheating.
Maximum operating temperature should never exceed 85°F. Use of
an in-floor temperature sensor is recommended to avoid overheating.
INSTALLATIONGUIDELINESFOR
FLOORTE™
FOLDNTAP™VINYLPLANK