Installation & Assembly

SHAW SOLID HARDWOOD
Installation Instructions Guidelines
Solid Hardwood Installation Instructions
January 22, 2010
Page 4 of 8
Important Notes:
 All subflooring and underlayments should be spaced a minimum 1/8" apart for expansion requirements.
 Hardwood installations should not be parallel to the floor joists, or on joist spacing that exceeds 19" unless the
subfloor has been properly stiffened with additional layers of subflooring to eliminate deflection. Always install
flooring perpendicular to the floor joists whenever possible.
 Any additional layers of subflooring or underlayments required should be installed overlapping the seam areas of
the base subflooring.
 Do not install over nailed floors that exceed 3-1/4" in width. Wide width floors must be overlaid with plywood.
 When installing over existing wood floors parallel with the flooring, install an additional 1/4" layer of plywood to
stabilize the flooring, or install the new wood floor perpendicularly to the previous flooring.
 Remember: Moisture tests should be completed before and after the hardwood has been acclimated, to insure
that the job site conditions meet requirements.
Lightweight Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC):
Do not assume that aerated autoclaved concrete subfloor panels are suitable for Glue-down (adhered), sleeper system, or
attached plywood subfloor treatments sometimes used over normal concrete. Always obtain written approval from the
Aerated autoclaved concrete manufacturer before installing solid hardwood over this type of subfloor system.
Acoustic Concrete (Gypcrete):
Due to large quantities of gypsum, that may hinder the adhesive’s ability to properly bond, acoustic concrete must be
primed with the concrete manufacturers recommended primer/surface hardener. The concrete must have a minimum
compressive strength of 2500 PSI. Always obtain written approval from the concrete manufacturer before installing solid
hardwood over this type of subfloor system.
Acoustic Cork:
Make sure cork is level and permanently bonded to the sub-floor with the adhesive recommended by the cork
manufacturer. The minimum density for cork underlayment is 11.4 lbs/cubic foot, with the maximum density being no
more than 13 lbs/cubic ft. Before using cork underlayment, the concrete surface must be sealed using the appropriate
sealer (as per the sealer manufacturers’ recommendations.) Cork must consist entirely of pure cork with polyurethane
binder, and should be no more than ¼” thick.
Ceramic, Terrazzo, Slate & Marble:
It is the installers’ responsibility to ensure that all the above products are securely bonded to the sub-floor, and that all
gaps that exceed 1/8” must be filled with a cementitous leveling compound. Any area containing the leveling compound
must be dry prior to wood flooring installation. Perform all appropriate moisture tests.
Staple-Down over Resilient Tile, Resilient Sheet Vinyl & Cork Filling:
Ensure that the vinyl or tile is full spread adhesive and properly bonded to the sub-floor. Do not install over more than one
layer, which does not exceed 1/8” thickness over a suitable sub-floor. In the event that the vinyl or tiles are loose,
crumbled, or in poor condition, install an underlayment directly over the sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles. Be advised that as tiles
age they become brittle, make sure that the staple will penetrate these tiles without breakage. Remove these products if
necessary.