Installation Guide

Shaw Glueless Laminate Flooring | LOC N PLACE Technology | Beveled Edge Wood Look Installation Instructions | shawfloors.com 5
Molding and Transitions Installation
• A complete line of trims and transition pieces are offered to finish your
floor, including T-Molding, Reducers, End Molding/Carpet Transitions,
Wallbase, Quarter Round and Stairnosing.
• The transition pieces, (excluding Quarter Round and Wallbase) can be easily
secured in place with the Molding Track which can be screwed, nailed or
glued with silicon adhesive directly to the subfloor. The use of Molding Track
provides a fast, secure transition installation and minimizes the use of screws
or nails through the decorative surface of the transition piece.
• T-Molding is used when two level flooring surfaces meet, like in a doorway or
a narrow archway. In a doorway, center the T-Molding under the space that
the closed door occupies. Likewise, in an archway, the T-Molding should be
centered. To install the T-Molding, first install the molding track by gluing,
screwing or nailing it 1/4" from the edge of each adjoining flooring surface (equals
about 1
1
/8"). Push the T-Molding into the track, working from left to right.
• When laminate flooring meets a flooring surface that is lower, use a Reducer
Strip. Leave 1/2" space between the finished floor and the front edge of the
reducer. Install the Molding Track by gluing, screwing or nailing it 1/4" from the
edge of the flooring. Push the reducer into the track working from left to right.
• The End Molding/Carpet Transition works great when finishing the floor in
areas that meet vertical objects and is also ideal for transitioning between
your laminate flooring and carpet. To finish the flooring in areas that meet
vertical objects like exterior doors, sliding glass doors, tubs or shower basins,
raised hearths or low sills, leave a 1" space between the floor and the vertical
object. Install the Molding Track by gluing, screwing or nailing it 1/4" from
the flooring. Push the molding into the track working from left to right.
• When transitioning from laminate flooring to carpet, leave a 1" space between
the finished floor and the front edge of the carpet. Install the Molding Track
by gluing or nailing it 1/4" from the edge of the flooring. Push the molding
into the track working from left to right. Finish the carpet by tucking it
between the molding and the tack strip.
• Note: In heavy traffic areas, use screw-type fasteners or nails to permanently
secure the molding into the Molding Track.
• The Stairnosing is used to finish stair treads and risers, which have been fully
adhered to the floor using a Shaw approved multipurpose flooring adhesive.
Stop the flooring about 1
1
/2" from the step’s edge. Install the Molding Track
by gluing, screwing or nailing it 3/4" from the edge of the stair tread. Apply
construction grade adhesive to the Stairnosing where the molding makes
contact with the stair tread. Push the Stairnose into the track from left to
right. You must use either screw-type fasteners or nails through the face of
the Stairnose to permanently secure it to the track. Place screws/nails into the
Stairnose 2" from the end and 6" to 8" apart. (Note: riser piece should be in
place under Stairnosing before screws or nails are used).
• To finish the perimeter of the room where the expansion space was left
for the seasonal expansion and contraction of the flooring, remove spacers
and install Wallbase and/or Quarter Round. Both of these moldings are
installed by nailing them directly into the wall. Never allow nails or screws
in the Wallbase or Quarter Round to enter into the laminate flooring or
the expansion zone around the flooring perimeter, as it will prevent proper
expansion and contraction of the flooring. You must pre-drill nail holes in both
types of wall moldings before nailing, to eliminate any splitting. Be sure to
nail the Quarter Round into the wall or Wallbase and not into the flooring
as it will prevent expansion and contraction of the flooring. Use Shaw Color
Coordinated Putty to fill the countersunk nail heads.
• Silicone sealant should be used in expansion zones in bathrooms, near
kitchen sinks, dishwashers and refrigerators with icemakers.
For any questions, call the Shaw Information Center at 1-800-441-7429.
MOLDINGS AND TRANSITION INSTALLATION
Glueless flooring is designed to stand up to the toughest household conditions.
However, to keep it looking its best, follow these simple instructions for
protection and care.
Routine Maintenance
• Use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they happen. Never allow liquids
to stand on your oor.
• Use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth to clean tough spots
such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, or tar. Wipe the area with a damp
cloth to remove any remaining residue.
• Regularly sweep, dust, or vacuum the oor with the hard oor attachment (not
the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt and grit that can scratch or dull
the oor nish.
• Periodically clean the oor with cleaning products made specically for
laminate oor care such as Shaw’s R2x
®
Hard Surface Cleaner.
• Do not wash or wet mop the oor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent,
or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping,
delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated
type cleaners.
• Do not use any type of bufng or polishing machine.
• For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and
then gently scrape with a plastic scraper such as a credit card. Be careful not
to scratch the ooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• A more frequent dust-mopping or vacuuming schedule may be required in very
sandy areas such as a beach home.
Environmental Protection:
• Entry mats will help collect the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as
oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that might otherwise be tracked onto your oor.
• To prevent slippage of area rugs, use an approved vinyl rug underlayment.
• Use oor protectors and wide, load-bearing leg bases/ rollers to minimize
the chance of indentations and scratches from heavy objects. As a rule, the
heavier the object, the wider the oor protector.
• To minimize the natural expansion and contraction of the wood, maintain a
normal indoor relative humidity level between 35 and 65% throughout the year.
a. Heating season (Dry): A humidier is recommended to prevent excess
shrinkage due to low humidity levels. Wood stove and electric heat tend to
create very dry conditions.
b. Non-Heating Season (Wet): An air conditioner, dehumidier, or periodically turning
on your heating will help to maintain humidity levels during summer months.
• Avoid excessive exposure to water during periods of inclement weather.
• Keep your pet’s nails trimmed to prevent them from scratching your oor.
• Never try to slide heavy objects across the oor.
• A protective mat should be used under furniture or chairs with castors/wheels.
Minor Repair Instructions:
• In the event that accidental damage occurs, minor scratches or dents can be
repaired using a Flooring Touchup or Color-ll Kit. This special touchup kit
contains a ller material that is color coordinated to the color of your oor. When
Color-llused properly, the repaired area is often invisible. The repaired area
should hold up to foot trafc and wear just like the rest of your laminate ooring.
Glueless Laminate Board Replacement Repairs:
• Shaw glueless laminate may be assembled and disassembled several times.
• Carefully disassembled glueless joints will retain their original locking integrity
during reassembly. New replacement plank(s) should be acclimated in the
replacement area for at least 72 hours. This allows them to equalize to the
conditions of the ooring in the room where the replacement(s) will take place.
• To replace the damaged board(s), rst remove baseboard, wall base, or
Quarter Round as needed. Take the ooring apart one row at a time. Lift each
row to detach, then separate the individual boards.
• Be sure to stack the individual planks in the proper order for re-installation.
This usually eliminates the need to cut planks for start or end of the row
lengths.
• For best visual results, replace the damaged board with a piece from the
edge of the original installation.
• Insert the properly acclimated new plank(s) along the outer edge of the
original ooring installation during reassembly. This practice minimizes the
chance that a newer plank will stand out from the original installation.
• Reinstall the baseboard, wall base, or quarter round, and the replacement
repair is complete.
CARE GUIDE
©2010 Shaw 12/15/10