Installation Guide
turned for 2 rows side by side, not to exceed 12 boxes high. A 5/8” or thicker plywood must also be placed on the pallet first.
d. Do not stack pallet’s 2 high unless utilizing a 1” thick plywood in between pallets.
3. SUBSTRATES:
Note: All substrates to receive resilient flooring shall be dry, clean, smooth and structurally sound. They shall be free of dust, solvent, paint,
wax, oil, grease, residual adhesive, adhesive removers, curing, sealing, hardening/parting compounds, alkaline salts, excessive
carbonation/laitance, mold, mildew, and other foreign materials that might prevent the adhesive from bonding.
WOOD SUBSTRATES:
Wood subfloors must be structurally sound and in compliance with local building codes.
a. Double-Layered APA rated plywood subfloors should be a minimum 1" total thickness, with at least 18" well ventilated air space beneath.
b. Chip board, OSB, particleboard, construction grade plywood are generally not acceptable substrates – add a layer of APA underlayment
grade ply wood that is dimensionally stable, non-staining, with a smooth fully sanded face.
c.
Underlayment panels
can only correct minor
deficiencies
in the sub-floor
while providing
a smooth, sound
surface
on
which to
adhere
the
resilient
flooring. Wood subfloors should be flat – 3/16” in 10’ or 1/8” in 6’.
d. Insulate and protect crawl spaces with a vapor barrier covering the ground.
e. DO NOT install over sleeper construction subfloors or wood subfloors applied directly over concrete.
f. Underlayment panels can only correct minor deficiencies in the sub-floor while providing a smooth, sound surface on which to adhere the
resilient flooring.
g. Any failures in the performance of the underlayment panel rest with the panel manufacturer and not with Shaw Industries, Inc.
h. It is recommended that your chosen APA underlayment grade panels be designed for installation under resilient flooring, and carry a
written warranty covering replacement of the entire flooring system.
i. SHAW resilient flooring is not recommended directly over fire-retardant treated plywood or preservative treated plywood.
j. The materials used to treat the plywood may cause problems with adhesive bonding. An additional layer of APA rated 1/4" thick
underlayment should be installed.
k. Always follow the underlayment manufacturer’s installation instructions.
STRIP – PLANK WOOD FLOORING:
Due to expansion/contraction of individual boards during seasonal changes, SHAW recommends 1/4" or thicker APA rated underlayment panels be
installed over these types of subfloors.
CONCRETE:
New or existing concrete subfloors must meet the guidelines of the latest edition of ACI 302 and ASTM F 710, “Standard Practice for Preparing
Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring”.
a. On or below-grade slabs must have an effective vapor retarder directly under the slab.
b. Wet curing 7 days is the preferred method for curing new concrete.
c. Curing compounds (DO NOT USE). If present they can interfere with the bond of the adhesive to the concrete. Seek assistance from a
substrate manufacturer if curing agents are detected.
d. Remove curing compounds 28 days after placement, so concrete can begin drying.
e. Concrete floors shall be flat and smooth within 1/8" in 6 feet or 3/16” in 10 feet.
f. F-Number System: Overall values of FF 36/ FL 20 may be appropriate for resilient floor coverings.
Note: Perform Bond testing to determine compatibility of adhesive to the substrate. Shaw 9050 primer can be utilized to promote adhesion.
Expansion joints in concrete are designed to allow for the expansion and contraction of the concrete. Resilient flooring products should never be
installed over expansion joints. Expansion joint covers designed for use with resilient floorings should be used. Control joints (saw cuts) may be
patched and covered with resilient once the concrete is thoroughly cured, dry and acclimated.
LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE
All recommendations and guarantees as to the suitability and performance of lightweight concrete under resilient flooring are the responsibility of
the lightweight concrete manufacturer. The installer of the lightweight product may be required to be authorized or certified by the manufacturer.
Correct on-site mixing ratios and properly functioning pumping equipment are critical. To ensure proper mixture, slump testing is recommended.
a. Lightweight aggregate concretes having densities greater than 90 lbs. per cubic foot may be acceptable under resilient flooring.
b. Concrete slabs with heavy static and/or dynamic loads should be designed with higher strengths and densities to support such loads.
c. Surface must be permanently dry, clean, and smooth, free of all dust, and structurally sound.
d. Perform Bond testing to determine compatibility of adhesive to the substrate. Shaw 9050 primer can be utilized to promote adhesion.
For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.