Installation & Assembly
INSTALLATION
RESILIENT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES FOR WPC PRODUCTS
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
These installation guidelines apply to the WPCproducts only. All instructions and recommendations should be followed for a
satisfactory installation.
Acclimation of material prior to installation is not required, however, the oor covering should be installed in a climate controlled environment with an
ambient temperature range between 55° - 85°F (13°-29°C) or average temperature of 70 degrees (21.1°).
For installations involving 3 season scenarios, meaning, the dwelling or installed space is without climate control for extended periods during certain
seasons of the year, the post installation temperature range allowed is an ambient room temperature between 32F and 100F (0°- 37.7°C). This
allowance is for oating oors only and does not apply to glue-down installations.
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, doing so may result in discoloration. During peak sunlight hours, the use of drapes or blinds is
recommended. Excess temperature due to direct sunlight can result in thermal expansion and UV fading.
Install product after all other trades have completed work that could damage the ooring.
If cabinets are to be installed on top of the ooring (including islands), that area of material must be fully adhered to the suboor (including an
additional 2’ft beyond the cabinets and islands).
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 t or nish, call Shaw Information Services at 1-800-441-7429.
Claims will not be accepted for ooring that has been cut to size and/or installed.
Use cementitious patching and leveling compounds that meet or exceed maximum moisture level and pH requirements. Use of gypsum-based
patching and/or leveling compounds which contain Portland or high alumina cement and meet or exceed the compressive strength of 3,000 psi are
acceptable.
Installation Methods: Floating (on, above or below grade) / Glue Down (on, above or below grade)
Required perimeter expansion spacing for Floating or Glue Down installation is as follows:
For areas less than 2500 sq ft, use 1/4" gap
For areas larger than 2500 sq ft. use 1/2" gap.
WPC ooring is waterproofand reliably secures the ooring panels on all four sides. However, excessive moisture in the suboor could promote mold,
mildew, and other moisture related issues like the trapping of moisture emissions under the ooring, which may contribute to an unhealthy indoor
environment.
Additional layer of 6 mil poly lm or equal vapor retarder with a perm rating of 1 or less may be used as an additional layer of protection.
A second underlayment is allowed under any currently sold WPC product with attached underlayment in a residential application. If installed over a
second underlayment, this underlayment cannot be greater than 3 mm thick. IIC (ASTM E492-09) and STC (ASTM E90-09) lab testing on certain
WPCproducts tested with and without a second layer of underlayment, to date, does not indicate that a second underlayment will provide additional
acoustic benet.
II. SUBFLOOR INFORMATION
All suboors must be clean, at, dry and structurally sound. The correct preparation of the suboor is a major part of a
successful installation. Suboor must be at – 3/16" in 10' or 1/8" in 6'.
A. Wood Suboors
Do not install material over wood suboors that lay directly on concrete or over dimensional lumber or plywood used over
concrete. Refer to ASTM F1482 for panel underlayment recommendations.
1. Do not apply sheet plastic over wood suboors.
2. 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.
3. All other suboors - 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 ooring system and may not provide
adequate rigidity and support for proper installation and performance. If needed add an additional layer of APA rated underlayment, fasten and secure
according to the underlayment manufacturer’s recommendations.
4. Resilient ooring is not recommended directly over re-retardant treated plywood or preservative treated plywood. An additional layer of APA rated
1/4" thick underlayment should be installed.
B. Concrete Suboors
NEW AND EXISTING CONCRETE SUBFLOORS SHOULD MEET THE GUIDELINES OF THE LATEST EDITION OF ACI 302 AND
ASTM F 710, “STANDARD PRACTICE FOR PREPARING CONCRETE FLOORS TO RECEIVE RESILIENT FLOORING” AVAILABLE
FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS, 100 BARR HARBOR DRIVE, WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
19428; 610-832-9585; HTTP://WWW.ASTM.ORG.
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shawoors.com
For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.