Installation Guide

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WARNING! DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW,
BEADBLAST OR MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT
FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVES
OR OTHER ADHESIVES.
These products may contain either asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation
of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers
greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm. Unless positively certain that the product is a non-
asbestos-containing material, you must presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the
material be tested to determine asbestos content and may govern the removal and disposal of material. See
current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication Recommended Work Practices
for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for detailed information and instructions on removing all
resilient covering structures. For current information go to www.rfci.com
C. Existing Floor Coverings

Smartcore PRO flooring can be installed over most existing hard–surface floor coverings,
provided that the existing floor surface is clean, flat dry and structurally sound.

Existing sheet vinyl floors should not be heavily cushioned and not exceed more than one
layer in thickness. Soft underlayment and soft substrates will compromise the product's
locking ability as well as diminish its indentation resistance.

Installation is NOT allowed over any type of carpet.

Do NOT install over wood floors adhered to concrete.

Never use solvents or citrus adhesive removers to remove old adhesive residue. Solvent
residue left in and on the subfloor may affect the new floor covering.
III. INSTALLATION
Floating Installation
Smartcore PRO plank flooring is designed to be installed utilizing the floating method. Never
secure the planks to the subfloor when using the floating installation method. Do not install
cabinets or fixed objects on top of the flooring. Proper expansion space (5/16”), 8mm is
required. Undercut all doorjambs. Do not fasten wall moldings and or transition strips to the
planks.
Glue Down Installation: Required Adhesive – Shaw T-180 adhesive is the only approved
adhesive. On, above and below grade. Smartcore PRO is approved for glue down installation
over approved wood and concrete substrates. Follow adhesive label instructions for proper
trowel and required temperature for the adhesive. Maintain 5/16” (8mm) perimeter expansion
space. Refer to adhesive label for moisture limits of the adhesive.
Tile patterns must be installed i n a staggered (offset) brick pattern.
1. Before you start with the installation, it is important to determine the layout of the flooring.
Proper planning and layout will prevent having narrow plank widths at wall junctures or
very short length pieces at the end of rows.
2. As with all plank products, install the planks parallel to the longest exterior wall.
3. Determine if the starter row will need to be cut. If the first row of planks does not need to
be trimmed in width, it will be necessary to cut off the unsupported tongue so that a
clean, solid edge shows towards the wall.
4. Installation of the product must start from the left side of the room, working to the right
when working in front of the planks or facing the starting wall. Use spacers along the
walls to maintain proper expansion space (5/16”) 8mm and align the first plank.
5. Install the second plank in the row by aligning and dropping the end tongue over the end
groove of the first plank. Apply light pressure to join the two planks together.
6. If needed use a rubber mallet to fully engage the short side of the plank by lightly tapping the
plank to engage and sit flush with the adjacent plank. Maintain an expansion gap of
approximately 5/16" from the wall. Repeat this process to complete the first row.
7. Start the second row by cutting a plank to the desired length. Keep in mind that the plank must
not be shorter than 6" (15cm) to achieve the best appearance.
8. Install the first plank in the second row by inserting the long side tongue into the groove
of the plank in the first row. This is best done with a low angle of the plank. Maintain
light pressure into the side seam as you rotate the plank to the subfloor. Repeat the
process with additional planks to complete each row. Very little force is required to seat
the tongue into the groove. You should feel the tongue lock into the groove.
9. It is critical to keep the first two rows straight and square, as they are the “foundation” for
the rest of the installation. Check for squareness and straightness often.
10. Continue installing planks and make sure to achieve a random appearance with end
pieces of minimum 6" - 15cm. Check that all planks are fully engaged; if a slight gapping
is found, the gap can be tapped together by using a tapping block and a scrap of flooring
to cover the tapping block in order to avoid damages on the planks.
11. To fully engage the short end, apply light pressure and press down to engage the end
joint. If the end is raised use a non-marking rubber mallet to lightly tap the end (tongue
side) about 1” from the seam. Do NOT tap directly on the seam.
12. When fitting under door casings, if necessary, a flat pull bar may be used to assist in
locking the planks.
13. When fitting around obstacles or into irregular spaces, planks can be cut easily and
cleanly using a utility knife with a sharp blade. It is often beneficial to make a cardboard
template of the area and transfer this pattern to the plank.
14. Protect all exposed edges of the flooring by installing wall molding and/or transition
strips. Make sure that no plank will be secured in any way to the sub floor.
15. For wet areas such as bathrooms caulk the perimeter of the floor with a silicone caulk.
16. Protect the finished flooring from exposure to direct sunlight to reduce fading and
thermal expansion.
© Rev.021218 Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Company