Installation Guide

INSTALLATION
subooring.
On truss/joist spacing of 16” o/c or less the industry standard for single panel subooring is minimum 5/8” 19/32”, 15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1 suboor panels,
4x8 sheets.
On truss/joist spacing of more than 16”, up to 19.2” (488mm) o/c, the standard is nominal ¾” (23/32”, 18.3 mm) T&G CD Exposure 1 Plywood suboor panels,
(Exposure 1) or nominal ¾” 23/32”, (18.3mm) OSB Exposure 1 suboor panels, 4’x8’ sheets, glued and mechanically fastened.
Truss/joist systems spaced over more than 19.2” (488mm) o/c up to a maximum of 24” (610mm) require minimum 7/8” T&G CD Exposure 1 Plywood
suboor panels, (Exposure 1), or minimum 7/8” OSB Exposure 1 suboor panels, 4’x8’ sheets glued and mechanically fastened – or two layers of
subooring or brace between the truss/joist in accordance with the truss/joist manufacturer’s recommendations and with local building codes. Some
truss/joist systems cannot be cross-braced and still maintain stability.
For existing wood oors install new ooring at right angles to the existing ooring.
Do not glue, staple, or nail down hardwood ooring over particle board, oating application is acceptable (products 3” or wider).
Do not install over existing glue down hardwood oors.
Additional tools & material needed:
Hardwood Adhesive
Clean White Rags
Adhesive Trowel
Mineral Spirits /
Urethane Adhesive Remover
Straight Edge
WARNING! DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW, BEADBLAST OR MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE
EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVES OR OTHER ADHESIVES.
These products may contain either asbestos bers and/or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a
cancer and respiratory tract hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos bers greatly increases the risk of
serious bodily harm.
Unless positively certain that the product is a nonasbestos-containing material, you must presume it contains asbestos.
Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine asbestos content and may govern the removal and
disposal of material.
See current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication Recommended Work Practices for
Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for detailed information and instructions on removing all resilient covering
structures. For current information go to www.rfci.com
Ceramic tile and terrazzo: All wax and sealers must be removed with an appropriate cleaner/stripper. Ceramic tile and
terrazzo should be abraded to allow for proper adhesion. Check for loose tiles by tapping and re-adhere. Fill grout lines with a
cementitious latex fortied leveling compound.
Resilient tile, resilient sheet vinyl: Material must be full spread and secured to the suboor. Do not install over perimeter
glued oors. Do not install over more than one layer that exceeds 1/8” in thickness.
Nail/ Staple Down Only - If old ooring is unsuitable to install new ooring then overlay with new underlayment. Test to
conclude that the staples/ cleats are able to properly penetrate and secure the ooring to the suboor.
Glue Down Only – Do not install over more than one layer that exceeds 1/8” in thickness. Clean ooring with an appropriate
cleaner and allow to thoroughly dry. If necessary degloss the oor using an abrasive pad to enhance the bonding of the
adhesive, if wax or other coatings are present, completely remove the material with a quality stripper, rinse the oor and allow
to dry. Always check for proper adhesion bond prior to installing.
CAUTION: DO NOT SAND any existing resilient tile, sheet vinyl ooring, or ooring felt as they may contain asbestos bers that
are not readily identiable. Inhalation of asbestos dust can cause serious bodily harm. Check local, state, and federal laws for
handling hazardous material before attempting the removal of these oors.
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 suboor. 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, nish, milling, and grade. Hold out pieces that may not be acceptable once
installed. PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept responsibility for any costs incurred when plank(s) with visible defects have
been permanently installed.
Undercut Door Casings - Undercut all door casings 1/16" higher than the thickness of the ooring being installed. To do this,
use a scrap piece of ooring as a guide. Lay it on the substrate and cut the casing with a handsaw or use a power jamb saw set
at the correct height.
Blending of Cartons - To achieve a uniform appearance across the entire oor, we highly recommend that you open and
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shawoors.com
For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.