Instructions / Assembly

ManualsBrandsShaw ManualsKitchen3/8 in. x 5 in. Appling Suede Engineered Hickory Hardwood Flooring (19.72 sq. ft. / case)

EPIC/ENCORE ENGINEERED FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Important Information Before You Begin

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you read and understand this information completely prior to starting, since improper installation can void

the warranties.

SPECIAL NOTE: THE PLANK ORIENTATION FOR THE EPIC HARDWOOD 3/8" PRODUCT IS REVERSED FOR

THE NAIL DOWN INSTALLATION PROCESS. THE PLANKS WILL BE PLACED WITH THE TONGUES FACING

TOWARD THE STARTING WALL. STAPLES WILL BE PLACED THROUGH THE BOTTOM GROOVE EDGE OF THE

PLANKS.

Installer/Owner Responsibility

Carefully inspect ALL material prior to installation for defects. Materials installed with visible defects are not covered under

warranty. Remember – Wood is a natural product that can vary in color, grain, and contains natural characteristics that varies from plank to plank and

is to be expected. We do not warrant against these natural variations from plank to plank or variations from sample to plank. Remember – If you are

not satisfied with the flooring prior to installation, contact your dealer – DO NOT INSTALL the flooring. Accepting or rejecting the material must be

done on full shipment of quantities only, not carton by carton or plank by plank. Material is manufactured to exceed industry standards (ANSI/HPVA

EF 2009).

• We urge you, as the final inspector to inspect for proper color, finish, style, and quality PRIOR to installation. Verify that the flooring is

the correct material. Care should be taken at this time to remove or repair particular characteristics you do not desire. Manufacturer

declines responsibility for any costs incurred when plank(s) with visible defects have been installed.

• The use of stain, filler, or putty stick for the correction of minor defects during installation should be accepted as normal procedure.

• 5% cutting allowance, depending on layout, must be added to the actual square footage amount needed. (Diagonal, herringbone, or

bordered installations will require a higher percentage)

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

PRE INSTALLATION & JOBSITE CONDITIONS

It is the installer/ owners’ responsibility to ensure that the jobsite conditions and jobsite subfloor are environmentally and structurally acceptable prior

to the installation of any hardwood flooring. The manufacturer declines any responsibility for failures or deficiencies of hardwood flooring resulting

from or related to sub-floor, sub-surface, or job-site environmental conditions. All substrates must be clean, flat, dry, and structurally sound.

• Subfloors must be clean and free of dirt, curing compounds, sealers, drywall mud, paint, wax, grease, urethane, or other materials that may

affect the integrity of the flooring material or adhesives used to install the flooring.

• All subfloors and subfloor systems 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 of a hardwood floor. Whenever possible install the planks perpendicular to the floor joists for maximum stability.

Our warranties DO NOT cover any problems caused by inadequate substructures or improper installation of said substructures.

• Test wood sub floors and wood flooring for moisture content using a pin-type moisture meter. Take readings of the subfloor – minimum of 20

readings per 1000 sq. ft. and average the results. In most regions, a “dry” subfloor that is ready to work on has a moisture content of 12% or less

and the wood should be within 4% of the subfloor moisture content.

• The moisture content for concrete subfloors registered after a calcium chloride test should not be greater than 3 pounds per 1000 square feet of

area. If it exceeds these limits, DO NOT install the flooring. Before moisture testing begins, the slab must be cured for a minimum of 30

days.

• 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 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.

Broom or vacuum

Moisture Meter

Safety Glasses

Tape Measure

Hand Saw

Color Wood Filler

Chalk Line & Chalk

Electric Miter Saw/Table Saw

Clean Green™ Hardwood Floor Cleaner/ Shaw R2X

Hammer

Pry Bar

NIOSH designated Dust Mask

CAUTION: WOOD DUST

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified wood dust as a nasal carcinogen. The sawing, sanding, and/ or machining of

wood products can produce wood dust that can cause respiratory, eye, and skin irritations. Equipment should be equipped with a dust collector to

reduce airborne wood dust. Wear an appropriate NIOSH designated dust mask to reduce exposure to airborne wood dust. Avoid contact with eyes and

skin. In case of irritation, flush eyes or skin with water for at least 15 minutes. In cases of severe irritation; seek immediate medical attention. For

further technical or installation questions or to request a Product Specification Data Sheet contact the manufacturer. 1-800-441-7429

Attention California Installers & Consumers

WARNING

Installation of this product and wood product may create wood dust, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer.

Summary of content (7 pages)

PAGE 1
EPIC/ENCORE ENGINEERED FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES Important Information Before You Begin It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you read and understand this information completely prior to starting, since improper installation can void the warranties. SPECIAL NOTE: THE PLANK ORIENTATION FOR THE EPIC HARDWOOD 3/8" PRODUCT IS REVERSED FOR THE NAIL DOWN INSTALLATION PROCESS. THE PLANKS WILL BE PLACED WITH THE TONGUES FACING TOWARD THE STARTING WALL.
PAGE 2
• The subfloor must be flat, meeting a minimum of 3/16” within 10’ or 1/8” in 6’. Concrete subfloors - Grind high spots or use a Portland-cement-based leveling material (minimum compressive strength 3000 psi) to fill all low spots. Follow the leveling compound manufacturer’s instruction. Leveling compounds must be allowed to thoroughly cure and dry prior to installation of wood flooring. Wood subfloors - For staple down application use layers of 15lb. felt or wooden shims to fill low spots.
PAGE 3
Acoustic Cork Underlayment: (Glue Down Only) – Install the cork underlayment according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The cork underlayment must be fully adhered to the subfloor. The cork underlayment should be of pure granulated cork combined with a polyurethane binder with a minimum density of 11.4 lbs. per cubic foot and not to exceed 13 lbs. per cubic foot. Pre installation/ Job Preparation Inspect the Flooring – Inspect material for color, finish, milling, and grade.
PAGE 4
NOTE: Never strike a rubber mallet or hammer directly on the flooring to engage the tongue-and-groove. This practice can damage the flooring and/or the finish. 7. Remove the adhesive from the surface of the installed flooring 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 flooring surface. DO NOT use water to remove Urethane adhesives from the finish. 8.
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Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions for complete set-up and operation of equipment. Getting Started 1. After the subfloor has been properly cleaned and prepped cover the subfloor with 15lb. asphalt felt paper. This material will help to keep the floor clean and help to retard moisture from below (there is no complete moisture barrier system for staple or nail-down applications). 2. Select a starter wall. An outside wall is best: it's most likely to be straight and square with the room.
PAGE 6
Installing the Floor 7. Insert spacers at walls to maintain the expansion space between the flooring and the wall. 8. Before starting to glue planks, dry lay the first two rows of flooring. Working from right to left, install planks so that the groove faces the straight edge (starter board). When reaching the end of the first row, cut the plank as necessary to fit. On the first 4 rows stagger end joints a minimum of 16” and then 8” thereafter. 9.
PAGE 7
• • • • • • COMPLETING THE JOB – ALL INSTALLATIONS Sweep or vacuum floor Clean the floor with proper hardwood floor cleaner Install transition pieces -i.e. – thresholds, t-moldings, base boards and quarter round. Nail moldings to wall, not the floor. Inspect final floor for nicks and or minor gaps – fill with appropriate color wood putty. Unused material should be left with owner and stored in a dry place in case of future repairs are needed.