Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsShaw ManualsEngineered HardwoodWestern Hickory Saddle 3/8 in. Thick x 5 in. Wide x Random Length Engineered Hardwood Flooring (23.66 sq. ft. / case)

DURAS/ EPIC + EPIC EXTREME HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Important Information Before You Begin

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you read and understand this

information completely prior to starting, since improper installation can void

the warranties.

Installer/Owner Responsibility

Carefully inspect ALL material prior to installation for defects. Materials

installed with visible defects are not covered under warranty. Remember –

Wood is a natural product that can vary in color, grain, and contains natural

characteristics that varies from plank to plank and is to be expected. We do not

warrant against these natural variations from plank to plank or variations from

sample to plank. Remember – If you are not satisfied with the flooring prior to

installation, contact your dealer – DO NOT INSTALL the flooring. Accepting

or rejecting the material must be done on full shipment of quantities only, not

carton by carton or plank by plank. Material is manufactured to exceed industry

standards (ANSI/HPVA EF 2009).

 We urge you, as the final inspector to inspect for proper color, finish,

style, and quality PRIOR to installation. Verify that the flooring is the

correct material. Care should be taken at this time to remove or

repair particular characteristics you do not desire. Manufacturer

declines responsibility for any costs incurred when plank(s) with

visible defects have been installed.

 The use of stain, filler, or putty stick for the correction of minor

defects during installation should be accepted as normal procedure.

 5% cutting allowance, depending on layout, must be added to the

actual square footage amount needed. (Diagonal, herringbone, or

bordered installations will require a higher percentage)

 Install cabinets prior to flooring to prevent damage to the flooring.

Shaw is not responsible for removal of cabinets in the event of a

claim

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

CAUTION: WOOD DUST

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified wood

dust as a nasal carcinogen. The sawing, sanding, and/ or machining of

wood products can produce wood dust that can cause respiratory, eye,

and skin irritations. Equipment should be equipped with a dust collector

to reduce airborne wood dust. Wear an appropriate NIOSH designated dust

mask to reduce exposure to airborne wood dust. Avoid contact with eyes

and skin. In case of irritation, flush eyes or skin with water for at least 15

minutes. In cases of severe irritation; seek immediate medical attention. For

further technical or installation questions or to request a Product

Specification Data Sheet contact the manufacturer. 1-800-441-7429

WARNING

Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can expose you

to wood dust a substance known to the State of California to cause

cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or other

safeguards for personal protection. For more information go to

www.P65Warnings.ca.govtwood

PRE INSTALLATION & JOBSITE CONDITIONS

It is the installer/ owners’ responsibility to ensure that the jobsite conditions and

jobsite subfloor are environmentally and structurally acceptable prior to the

installation of any hardwood flooring. The manufacturer declines any

responsibility for failures or deficiencies of hardwood flooring resulting from

or related to sub-floor, sub-surface, or job-site environmental conditions. All

substrates must be clean, flat, dry, and structurally sound.

 Subfloors must be clean and free of dirt, curing compounds, sealers,

drywall mud, paint, wax, grease, urethane, or other materials that may

affect the integrity of the flooring material or adhesives used to install

the flooring.

 All subfloors and subfloor systems 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 of a hardwood floor. Whenever possible

install the planks perpendicular to the floor joists for maximum stability.

Our warranties DO NOT cover any problems caused by inadequate

substructures or improper installation of said substructures.

 Test wood sub floors and wood flooring for moisture content using a pin-

type moisture meter. Take readings of the subfloor – minimum of 20

readings per 1000 sq. ft. and average the results. In most regions, a “dry”

subfloor that is ready to work on has a moisture content of 12% or less

and the wood should be within 4% of the subfloor moisture content.

 ASTM F-2170 – in-situ relative humidity – 85% RH or less is

acceptable.

 ASTM 1869 – 5.0 lbs. or less is acceptable

 Readings greater than 85% RH or 5.0 lbs. requires the use of a

proper vapor retarder or adhesive/moisture abatement system.

 Before moisture testing begins, the slab must be cured for a minimum of

30 days.

 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 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.

 The subfloor must be flat, meeting a minimum of 3/16” within 10’ or 1/8”

in 6’.

Concrete/Wood subfloors - Grind high spots or 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. Follow the leveling compound manufacturer’s instruction.

Leveling compounds must be allowed to thoroughly cure and dry prior to

installation of wood flooring.

 All “wet” work – i.e. – paint, drywall, concrete, masonry, plumbing

must be complete and dry well in advance of delivery of hardwood

flooring



Gutters and downspouts should be in place and the exterior grade

complete to allow for proper drainage of water away from the building’s

exterior perimeter.

 Flooring should not be exposed to extremes of humidity or moisture.

 Permanent HVAC should be on and operational a minimum of 5 days

and maintained between 65 – 75 degrees and a relative humidity of

35%- 55% prior to delivery, during, and after installation of the flooring.

 If HVAC is not possible at time of installation the environmental

conditions must be at or near normal living conditions between 60 – 80

degrees and at the average yearly relative humidity for the area.

It is the Installer/Owner responsibility to ensure that the conditions are

acceptable prior to the installation of the hardwood floors.

The manufacturer declines any and all problems with the hardwood flooring

that are related to or attributed to improper jobsite conditions.

Recommended Subfloor Surfaces

Concrete Subfloor Guidelines

Concrete slabs should be of high compressive strength and constructed to

prevent groundwater from permeating the concrete. Engineered hardwood

flooring can be installed on, above, or below-grade. In addition, it can be

installed over above-ground, suspended concrete floors. The suspended

concrete must be a minimum of 1 1/2 inches thick and must be structurally

sound. The exception to this is lightweight concrete (which usually contains

high amounts of gypsum) having a density of 100 pounds or less per cubic

foot. Test for lightweight concrete by using a nail to scratch the surface of the

concrete. If the concrete crumbles or turns to powder, it is not sound and you

should NOT install the hardwood flooring.

Wood Subfloors Guidelines

Subfloor panels should conform to U.S. Voluntary Product Standard PS1-07,

Construction and Industrial Plywood and/or US Voluntary PS 2-04 and/or

Broom or

vacuum

Moisture Meter Safety Glasses

Tape Measure Hand Saw Color Wood Filler

Chalk Line &

Chalk

Electric Miter

Saw/Table Saw

Hammer Pry Bar NIOSH designated

Dust Mask

For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.

Summary of content (5 pages)

PAGE 1
DURAS/ EPIC + EPIC EXTREME HARDWOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION GUIDELINES Important Information Before You Begin It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you read and understand this information completely prior to starting, since improper installation can void the warranties. Installer/Owner Responsibility Carefully inspect ALL material prior to installation for defects. Materials installed with visible defects are not covered under warranty.
PAGE 2
Canadian performance standard CAN/CSA 0325.0-92 Construction Sheathing. Other CSA standards also apply. Acceptable Panel Subfloors: Truss/joist spacing will determine the minimum acceptable thickness of the panel subflooring.       On truss/joist spacing of 16” o/c or less the industry standard for single panel subflooring is minimum 5/8” 19/32”, 15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4x8 sheets. On truss/joist spacing of more than 16”, up to 19.
PAGE 3
6. Continue to install planks and push them into place. Place the tongue of the board into the grooves of installed boards and press into the adhesive. As you continue working across the floor try to maintain a six-inch minimum space between end joints. Randomly install different lengths to avoid a patterned appearance. NOTE: Never strike a rubber mallet or hammer directly on the flooring to engage the tongue-and-groove. This practice can damage the flooring and/or the finish. 7.
PAGE 4
floor and blind nail using l” finishing nails. Alternatively, drill pilot holes in the face every 6” (try to drill holes in darker portion of the wood) and install with 1” finishing nails. Countersink nails and fill with appropriate colored wood filler – remove excess filler from surface with a clean rag and proper cleaner.
PAGE 5
AFTER INSTALLATION & SEASONAL OPERATION  48 hours after completion of installation, slowly raise temperature of the heating system to its preferred operating level over a period of 5 days. Do not allow the surface temperature to exceed 80°  Humidity level must be maintained between 35%-55% R.H.  Seasonal gapping should be expected.  Surface checking can be expected if the proper humidity level is not properly maintained between 35-55% R. H. or if the floor’s surface temperature exceeds 80°.