Installation & Assembly
SHAW SOLID HARDWOOD
Installation Instructions Guidelines
Solid Hardwood Installation Instructions
January 22, 2010
Page 8 of 8
When installing over existing wood flooring, it is important not to install over wood flooring that has been glued
down. In addition, do not install over nailed floors that exceed 3 ¼” in width. It is important to install the new
wood flooring at right angles to the existing wood flooring. If this is not possible, it may be necessary to install
¼” of plywood over the existing flooring to stabilize the sub-floor.
Whenever installing this wood flooring, applicable standards and recommendations of the construction and
materials industries must be met or exceeded.
GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR 5/16” SOLID HARDWOOD ONLY:
Note: Do not install 5/16” Solid Hardwood products over Radiant Heated Subfloors.
Tools and Accessories Needed:
Soft Rubber Mallet 3-M Blue Hardwood Tape Broom
Hand saw Table saw or jig saw Chalk line & chalk
Pencil Hammer Tape Measure
Moisture meter Urethane Adhesive
A moisture barrier must be used on subfloors to prevent damage to the flooring. Over concrete, use only concrete
moisture sealer systems that are specifically designed for moisture suppression and adhesive bonding properties. For
wood or wood based subfloors, use 15 pound asphalted felt paper. The sub-floor must be tested for moisture using
the appropriate test method(s). (Please review NOFMA or NWFA guidelines for subfloors)
General Glue-down Installation Tips:
In order to achieve the most appealing overall appearance of the floor, you must stagger the ends of the
boards at least 6”, from one row to the next, at all times.
Flooring should be installed from several cartons simultaneously to ensure consistent color and grade mixing.
Installation parallel to the longest wall is recommended for the best overall appearance.
For larger installations, or in areas of high humidity, it is recommended that you allow ample room for internal
or field expansion. In this situation, use 2-millimeter spacers every 3-4 ft. to allow sufficient room for
expansion.
Leave an expansion zone around the entire perimeter of the installation equal to the thickness of the flooring
product to be installed.
Concrete Slabs:
Use a Moisture-Cured Urethane Adhesive approved for this application. Carefully follow the instructions
provided by the adhesive manufacturer, and make sure the adhesive system chosen is compatible with any
moisture protection system used when installing over concrete subfloors.
In order to prepare the concrete surface for optimum performance use mechanical methods such as sanding
or scouring with open coat paper or a titanium disk.
All concrete slabs should have a minimum of 6-mil poly film moisture barrier between the ground and
concrete.
Determine the starting wall, and measure an even number of planks out plus the required expansion and the
width of the tongue of the flooring strip or plank, and used those measurements to snap a reference chalk line.
Using the recommended trowel evenly spread the adhesive per the manufacturer’s instructions. Special
attention should be given to spread rate and cure times. Do not spread adhesive on an area larger than what
can be covered in the open working time as specified by the adhesive manufacturer.
Install the first row using the longer strips, groove side toward the starting wall. Use top nails or a sacrificial
board on the opposite side of the chalk line to firmly hold the first row in place. The first row must be
“completely and firmly” aligned and seated before proceeding, as all additional rows will be pushed against it.
Allow expansion space equal to the thickness of the flooring product around the entire perimeter of the
installation area, including undercut doorjambs or cabinet kick bases etc.
Be careful to protect finished installed areas while completing the installation.