Installation Guide

INSTALLATION
3. SUBSTRATES
Note: All substrates to receive resilient ooring 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 suboors must be structurally sound and in compliance with local building codes.
a. Double‐Layered APA rated plywood suboors 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 onlycorrect minor deciencies in the sub‐oor while providing a smooth,sound surface on which to adhere the resilient
ooring. Wood suboors should be at – 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 suboors or wood suboors applied directly over concrete.
f. Underlayment panels can only correct minor deciencies in the sub‐oor while providing a smooth, sound surface on which to adhere the resilient
ooring.
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 ooring, and carry a written warranty
covering replacement of the entire ooring system.
i. SHAW resilient ooring is not recommended directly over re‐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 suboors.
CONCRETE
New or existing concrete suboors 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”.
1. On or below‐grade slabs must have an effective vapor retarder directly under the slab.
2. Wet curing 7 days is the preferred method for curing new concrete.
3. 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.
4. Remove curing compounds 28 days after placement, so concrete can begin drying.
5. Concrete oors shall be at and smooth within 1/8" in 6 feet or 3/16” in 10 feet.
6. F‐Number System: Overall values of FF 36/ FL 20 may be appropriate for resilient oor 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 ooring products should never be installed over expansion joints. Expansion joint covers designed for use with
resilient oorings 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 ooring
are the responsibility of the lightweight concrete manufacturer. The installer of the lightweight product may be required to be
authorized or certied 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 ooring.
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.
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