INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
Simple, easy-to-follow instructions for the handy DIYer.
SIMPLE
Start to finish, everything you need to know to install your SMARTCORE floor like a professional.
TECHNICAL
INSTALLATION 101
Follow these simple steps for an easy DIY installation with quick, professional results.
Gather your tools
Make sure your space is: clean, flat, dry and structurally sound.
Tape Measure Pencil Rubber Mallet Utility Knife
¼" Spacers Tapping Block Pull Bar
Measure your space
T-Square
Choose your starting wall
Place tongue side in the starting corner
(work from left to right).
Use several spacers to maintain 1/4" expansion gap along the walls.
An easy way to distinguish the tongue from the groove is that the tongue comes off the top of the plank.
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Lock the short ends together to complete your first row. Cut the planks as needed to fit the space.
Start your second row. With a cut-off that is more than 8" long or start with a new plank.
Remember to stagger end joints from row to row – 8+" for planks and 12+" for tiles.
Planks: Use the cut-off end from the previous row to begin the next row. If the cut-off end is less than 8", cut a new plank to be 8" or more to start the next row.
Tiles: Always begin a row with either a full tile or a half tile so the joints are consistently staggered in a “brick work” type pattern.
Connect the length side at a slight angle and rotate down.
Tap the length end to ensure a tight fit, then tap the short end to drive down the short end tongue into groove.
Use a scrap piece of plank to keep the joints lined up.
This is called a “bridge.”
Repeat steps to finish the room Enjoy your new floor!
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General Information
RESILIENT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES FOR WPC PRODUCTS
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
These installation guidelines apply to the WPC (Wood Polymer Composite) products only. All instructions and recommendations should be followed for a satisfactory installation.
Acclimation of material prior to installation is not required however the floor covering should be installed in a climate controlled environment and/or a temperature between 55° - 85°F (13°-29°C) or average temp. of 70 degrees (21.1°)
Post installation temperature range is between 32 and 100 degrees F (0°- 37.7°C).
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. Excess temperature due to direct sunlight can result in thermal expansion and UV fading.
Install product after all other trades have completed work that could damage the flooring.
If cabinets are to be installed on top of the flooring (including islands), that area of material must be fully adhered to the subfloor (including an additional 2’ft beyond the cabinets and islands).
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 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 Methods: Floating (on, above or below grade) / Glue Down (on or above grade only)
For installation in areas larger than 50’x50’, 2500 sq. ft. provide a minimum expansion space of 1/2” (12.7 mm) around the perimeter.
WPC flooring is waterproof 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.
Additional layer of 6 mil poly film or equal vapor retarder with a perm rating of 1 or less may be used as an additional layer of protection.
A second underlayment is allowed under any currently sold WPC product with attached underlayment in a residential application. If installed over a second underlayment, this underlayment cannot be greater than 3 mm thick. IIC (ASTM E492-
09) and STC (ASTM E90-09) lab testing on certain WPC products tested with and without a second layer of underlayment, to date, does not indicate that a second underlayment will provide additional acoustic benefit.
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. Subfloor must be flat – 3/16" in 10' or 1/8" in 6'.
A. WOOD SUBFLOORS
Do not install material over wood subfloors that lay directly on concrete or over dimensional lumber or plywood used over concrete.
Refer to ASTM F1482 for panel underlayment recommendations.
1. Do not apply sheet plastic over wood subfloors.
2. 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.
3. 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. If needed add an additional layer of APA rated underlayment, fasten and secure according to the underlayment manufacturer’s recommendations.
4. 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.
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For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.
General Information
B. CONCRETE SUBFLOORS
NEW AND EXISTING CONCRETE SUBFLOORS SHOULD MEET THE GUIDELINES OF THE LATEST EDITION OF ACI 302
AND ASTM F 710, “STANDARD PRACTICE FOR PREPARING CONCRETE FLOORS TO RECEIVE RESILIENT FLOORING”
AVAILABLE FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS, 100 BARR HARBOR DRIVE, WEST
CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428; 610-832-9585; HTTP://WWW.ASTM.ORG
.
1. Floors shall be smooth, permanently dry, clean, and free all foreign material such as dust, wax, solvents, paint, grease, oils, and old adhesive residue. The surface must be hard and dense, and free from powder or flaking.
2. New concrete slabs must be dry. Maximum moisture level per CaCl test method is 8 lbs. per 1000 in 24 hr. Maximum level for
ASTM 2170 In-situ Relative humidity test method - 90%.
3. Do not install over concrete with a history of high moisture or hydrostatic conditions. 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.
4. pH level of concrete should be between 7-10.
5. The final responsibility for determining if the concrete is dry enough for installation of the flooring lies with the floor covering installer.
NOTE: IT MAY NOT BE THE FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CONDUCT THESE TESTS. IT IS,
HOWEVER, THE FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THESE TESTS HAVE BEEN
CONDUCTED, AND THAT THE RESULTS ARE ACCEPTABLE PRIOR TO INSTALLING THE FLOOR COVERING. WHEN
MOISTURE TESTS ARE CONDUCTED, IT INDICATES THE CONDITIONS ONLY AT THE TIME OF THE TEST.
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.
Lightweight aggregate concretes having dry densities greater than 90 lbs. per cubic foot may be acceptable under resilient flooring.
Concrete slabs with heavy static and/or dynamic loads should be designed with higher strengths and densities to support such loads.
Surface must be permanently dry, clean, smooth, free of all dust, and structurally sound.
Perform Bond testing to determine compatibility of adhesive to the substrate. Shaw 9050 primer can be utilized to promote adhesion.
Three internal relative humidity tests should be conducted for areas up to 1000 SF. One additional test, for each additional 1000
SF.
Radiant Heat: Hydronic only - Radiant heat components must have a minimum of 1/2" separation from the product. This is the only type of radiant heat system that is approved. Radiant heat system must be on and operational for at least 2 weeks prior to installation to reduce residual moisture within the concrete. Three days prior to installation lower the temperature to 65 degrees, after installation gradually increase the temperature in increments of 5° F to avoid overheating. Maximum operating temperature should never exceed
85°F. Use of an in-floor temperature sensor is recommended to avoid overheating.
C. EXISTING FLOOR COVERINGS
Flooring can be installed over most existing hard–surface floor coverings, provided that the existing floor surface is fully adhered, clean, flat dry structurally sound and free of deflection.
Existing sheet vinyl floors should not be heavily cushioned and not exceed more than one layer in thickness. Soft underlayment and soft substrates will compromise the product's locking ability as well as diminish its indentation resistance.
Installation is NOT allowed over any type of carpet.
Do NOT install over wood floors adhered to concrete.
Never use solvents or citrus adhesive removers to remove old adhesive residue. Solvent residue left in and on the subfloor may affect the new floor covering.
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RAISED ACCESS PANEL SUBFLOORS
For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.
General Information
Raised access panels must be stable, level, flat, free and clean of existing adhesives
24" x 24" panels are recommended.
Lippage (variation of height) between of panels must not exceed 0.295” (0.75 mm)
Gaps between panels must not exceed 0.039” (1mm)
There should be no deflection of the individual panels – Concave less than 0.0295” (0.75 mm)
Flatness 1/8” in 10’
Stagger the flooring tiles/planks to overlap the access panels
Telegraphing of access panel seams may be visible and is not considered a product defect nor warranted by the flooring manufacturer.
If needed overlay the panels with a 1⁄4” (6 mm) plywood and properly fasten to the access panels prior to the installation of the floorcovering. Prior to underlayment installation, repair any loose or unstable panels. Use the appropriate installation methods for the product.
III. INSTALLATION
Tools: Tape Measure, Utility Knife, Jigsaw, Tapping Block or Rubber Mallet, Pull Bar, ¼" Spacers, T-Square, Safety Glasses,
Broom or Vacuum and, if necessary, tools for subfloor repair.
Floating Installation
WPC flooring is designed to be installed utilizing the floating method. Proper expansion space 1/4” (6.35 mm) is required. Undercut all doorjambs. Do not fasten wall moldings and or transition strips to the planks.
Glue Down Installation: WPC products are approved for glue down installation over approved wood and concrete substrates. Follow adhesive label application instructions. Install flooring into wet adhesive. Maintain 1/4” (6.35 mm) perimeter expansion space. Refer to adhesive label for moisture limits of the adhesive. Roll flooring immediately after installation with a 100 lbs. 3 ‐ section roller.
Recommended Adhesive: Shaw 200, T-180 or DP99 (or comparable premium adhesive)
Tile patterns must be installed in a staggered (offset) brick pattern. Minimum 1/3 offset, 1/2 offset is preferred.
LAYOUT
Step 1: Begin installation working from left to right. Insert spacers at ends and edges where planks meet wall.
Step 2: Lock short end of plank by inserting tongue into groove at an angle and drop in place.
Continue to end of first row.
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For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.
equal to 30cm for proper appearance.
Step 3: Use leftover plank from first row as starter for second row.
There must be at least 20cm between plank end joints on adjacent rows.
FOR TILE
INSTALLATIONS:
The distance between end joints should be
Step 5:
IMPORTANT!
Use hammer and tapping block to tap long edge of plank to ensure a tight fit. ANY
GAPPING CAN
COMPROMISE
THE LOCKING
SYSTEM!
NOT TO DAMAGE LOCKING PROFILE.
Step 7: Tap end of plank with hammer and tapping block to lock ends of planks together.
Remove bridge and continue towards wall until installing the final plank in the row. BE
SURE TO TAP
ON EDGE OF
VINYL SO AS
For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.
General Information
Step 4: Lock long edge of plank by inserting tongue into groove at an angle and drop in place. Slide plank toward end of previously installed plank until the tongue just touches the groove.
Step 6: Attach a scrap piece of floor to bridge the gap between ends of planks.
Step 8: Use hammer and pull bar to lock final piece in row.
Insert spacer at end of row.
Continue installation to final row.
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General Information
Step 9: Use hammer and pull bar to lock long edges of planks on final row.
Installing underneath door jambs:
Step 1: Undercut space under door jamb to allow plank to slide freely. Tap long edge with hammer and tapping block to lock long edge.
Step 2:
Use hammer and pull bar to lock short end of plank.
1. Protect all exposed edges of the flooring by installing wall molding and/or transition strips. Make sure that no plank will be secured in any way to the subfloor.
2. For wet areas such as bathrooms caulk the perimeter of the floor with a flexible silicone caulk.
3. Protect the finished flooring from exposure to direct sunlight to reduce fading and thermal expansion.
For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.
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Revision: 05232019
