Installation & Assembly

SHAW SOLID HARDWOOD
Installation Instructions Guidelines
Solid Hardwood Installation Instructions
January 22, 2010
Page 7 of 8
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: ESTABLISH A STARTING POINT:
 Before beginning the actual installation, provide proper layout of flooring by distributing short and long lengths
equally over the areas where the flooring is to be installed.
 Remember: Flooring is to be installed at right angles to the floor joists and if possible, in the longest
dimension of the room.
 Work out of at least six cartons at a time to insure proper color and shade mixture.
 Align the first row of planks to be sure you have a good straight line from one side of the room to the other.
Snap a chalk line at the desired distance from the wall to help align the planks. The end joints of plank or strip
flooring should be staggered to achieve the best appearance in the finished floor. (Minimum 6”)
 Important: Always allow at least the thickness of the hardwood being installed as an expansion space at all
walls and vertical obstructions. Expansion spaces will be concealed using baseboard, and quarter round trim.
Step 2: INSTALLING THE FLOORING
 Align the first piece on the chalk line. The groove side and end will be facing the starting wall. Pre drill holes
and drive 7D or 8D finish nails or screw type flooring nails into the face of the board every 12” approximately
1/3” - 3/4” from the edge closest to the starting wall and within 2”- 3” from the ends and in the darker grain of
the wood.
 Edge nail the plank by driving the same type nails at a 50
o
angle through the tongue of the first piece, spacing
the nails every 8” - 10” and within 2” - 3” from the ends. This process should be repeated for each piece in the
entire first row. Upon completion of the first row, go back and sink the face nails with a nail punch. If it
appears that the holes will not be covered by the wall base or quarter round trim, fill the holes with matching
wood filler, which blends with your pre-stained floor.
 Typically, the first few rows must be edge nailed by hand, rather than with a nailing machine due to the
vertical wall obstruction. When clearance allows, use an approved nailing machine, which drives 2” fasteners
with an appropriate mallet. Used to simplify and speed up the nailing process.
 Install each succeeding row of planks by edge nailing the tongue side every 6” - 8” to within 2” - 3” from board
ends. Be attentive to staggering the ends of the boards at least 6” in adjacent rows to avoid clustering end
joints. It is best to build a rack 4-6 planks wide as you install wood through the length of the room. Upon
reaching the last row to be installed, the planks should be ripped to allow the required expansion space. The
last rows must be fastened by nailing approximately 1/2” - 3/4” from the back edge of the board every 12”.
The same process of counter sinking the face nails and applying color matched wood filler, should be
repeated (as above on starting wall).
 Make sure when the installation is complete that the expansion space is covered with the appropriate molding
such as, base board and ¾ rounds.
5/16” Solid Hardwood Staple-down installation tips:
 Use appropriate 5/16” blind staple machine with 1” minimum glue coated staples. (We recommend the
Stanley-Bostitch SX-150-BHF-2 or equivalent) Adjust pressure accordingly to achieve flush-sink stapling.
 Blind staple along the length of strips or planks and near the ends. Staple must be at least 2” from each end
and 4” to 6” apart with a minimum of 3 staples per strip or plank. Proper staple schedule will enhance floor
performance, and is required for warranty protection.
 Determine starting wall and snap a chalk line parallel to it.
 Install the first row using longer strips, groove side toward the starting wall. Use top nails or a sacrificial board
on the opposite side of the chalk line to hold the first row “aligned and firmly in place”.
 End joints should be staggered a minimum of 6 inches to maintain a random pattern.
 The final 1-2 rows may need to be face nailed if there is not enough space to utilize the staple machine.
 Allow 5/16” expansion space around the perimeter of the installation area. Take care to protect finished areas
while completing install.
 Wood flooring performs best when there is no horizontal or vertical movement of the sub-floor. Ensure that
the wood sub-floor is properly secured, and well nailed or screwed down every 6” along each joist to avoid
squeaking or popping before the floor is installed. Make sure the sub-floor is given ample room to expand.
 Install wood flooring perpendicular to floor joists whenever possible.