Installation & Assembly

SHAW SOLID HARDWOOD
Installation Instructions Guidelines
Solid Hardwood Installation Instructions
January 22, 2010
Page 3 of 8
SHAW SOLID HARDWOODS SUBFLOORING REQUIREMENTS
IMPORTANT NOTE
As flooring manufacturers and wholesalers, we are unable to specifically evaluate each type of Engineered Wood
Subflooring System. Spacing and span lengths, as well as their engineering methods and expected usage
specifications, are the responsibility of the builder, engineer, architect and consumer; who are better able to
evaluate their expected results, based on site-related conditions and floor covering performance requirements.
In all cases, the decking material used as subflooring must be rated at or above the expected beam spacing of
the system. (i.e.: for an engineered joist system spaced at 24 inches on center with a 26 foot rated span length;
the decking material used must also be rated for 24 inches on center with a 26 foot span length.) Engineered
subflooring systems may allow for wider spacing of engineered beam support systems; and alternative subfloor
decking materials, while also providing equal performance characteristics to the traditional subfloor systems
discussed below.
The general information provided below describes common, non-engineered wood joists and subfloor decking
systems.
Approved Joist Constructed Subfloor Types:
1. APA approved minimum - 5/8” thickness, 3/4” or thicker exterior grade plywood is preferred, on 16” centered
2”x10”joists.
NOTE: When installing and fastening approved plywood subfloor decking, please follow the specific structural
panel manufacturer’s installation instructions.
2. 3/4” (23/32”) OSB on 16” center, 2”x10” floor joists properly nailed. (Remember, when installing hardwood over
any joists and/or truss systems that are spaced wider than 16” on center, it may be necessary to add an
additional layer of subflooring or use additional cross bracing to stiffen the deck system, reducing excessive
deflection if the decking being used is not rated for the increased joist spacing.)
All Subfloors must be:
 CLEAN - Scraped or sanded, swept, free of wax, grease, paint, oil and other debris.
 SMOOTH/FLAT - Within 1/8” in a 6’span. Sand high areas or fill low areas with cement base leveling compound-
no less than 3000 psi rating.
 STRUCTURALLY SOUND - Nail or screw any loose areas that squeak or reveal movement. Replace any
damaged subflooring or underlayment.
 DRY - Moisture content of wood subfloor must not exceed 12% prior to installation of wood flooring.
 MOISTURE CONTENT BALANCED - Wood based subfloors and the wood flooring to be installed must be within
a 4% range of each other’s moisture content for strip flooring and a 2% range of each other’s moisture content for
plank flooring.
Remember: Moisture testing results must be verified both before and after, the wood has been acclimated, and all other
job site requirements have been met. Test the moisture of the wood substrate using a calibrated (pin type) moisture
meter approved for testing wood moisture content.
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