Installation Guide
INSTALLATIONGUIDELINESFORVERSALOCK®VINYLPLANK
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
These installation guidelines apply to the VersaLock
®
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 65° -
85°F - 18°-29°C.
Acclimate material 48 hours prior to installation in the room/ location where the installation will take place.
Do not store directly on concrete, allow for air circulation. Do not open the cartons but spread them out and protect corners
from damage.
Failure to follow these guidelines may result in an installation failure (i.e. flooring may expand or contract, resulting in gapping).
VersaLock
®
Plank is an interior product and must be installed in a temperature- controlled environment, maintained between
65 and 85 degrees F - 18°-29°C. Please keep in mind a concrete floor can be up to ten degrees colder than the actual room
temperature.
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.
Use cementitious patching and leveling compounds that meet or exceed Shaw’s 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 – This product can be installed on, above, or below grade.
VersaLock, Shaw’s patented locking technology, is water/moisture resistant and reliably secures the flooring panels on all four
sides. However, excessive moisture in the subfloor could promote mold, mildew, and other moisture related issues like the
trapping of moisture emissions under the flooring, which may contribute to an unhealthy indoor environment.
Shaw Industries does not warrant nor is responsible for damage to floor covering due to moisture related issues.
Tools:
Tape Measure, Utility Knife, Tapping Block, 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. Roughness or unevenness of the subfloor may telegraph through the new floor covering, resulting in an unsightly surface
and may cause excessive wear on high spots. Subfloor must be flat – 3/16" in 10' or 1/8" in 6'.
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. If the surface of the wood subfloor is not smooth, a 1/4" underlayment panel must be installed over the subfloor, per the
underlayment manufacturer’s written instructions.
6. Versalock 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.