Installation & Assembly

SEHWII011007
Installing Shaw Hardwood Floors over Radiant Heated Sub Floors
¾ Oak, Ash, Hickory, and Walnut species of Shaw Engineered Hardwood products, are approved for installation
over radiant heated subfloors using either Adhered or Floating installation methods, if applicable for the product.
¾ Nail or Staple Down installation methods are not recommended for Radiant Heated Sub Floors.
¾ Radiant Heating Systems used must be designed and controlled specifically for Hardwood flooring by the system
manufacturer, and include an Outside Temperature Probe, and Surface Temperature Controls.
¾ The end consumer should be aware that minor gapping between wood planks during the heating season is a normal
occurrence with hardwood flooring installed over radiant heated subfloors.
¾ Proper humidity controls within the home or business will help to minimize the natural wood reaction to seasonally
changing climate conditions.
¾ Indoor climate should be maintained between 60-80° F and a relative humidity range of 35%-65%.
Adhere to the following guidelines for a successful installation over radiant heat:
 Newly installed water type radiant heated flooring systems should be in operational mode with the temperature set
between 64° -72°F, for a minimum of 4 weeks to insure that all sub floor moisture has properly dried.
 Older water type radiant floor heat systems should be fully pressure tested, properly maintained, and set to a minimum of
64°F, for at least 4 days before flooring delivery; acclimation, or installation processes may begin.
 All radiant heating systems must be set to room temp. (A minimum of 64°F), for at least 4 days before flooring delivery;
acclimation, or installation processes may begin.
 Always check wood sub floors to insure that the moisture content is less than 14% using an accurate wood moisture
meter.
 Concrete sub floors must register “dry”, using a reliable concrete moisture meter.
 The pH level of concrete sub floors should register between 6 and 9, on a fourteen point pH scale.
 Sub floors must fully comply with these “dry” requirements before proceeding with the delivery, acclimation, or
installation of the wood flooring at the job site.
 Regulate the job site to insure that the relative humidity is between 35% and 65%, and that temperature is between 60°
and 80° F, throughout the flooring delivery, acclimation, installation and any required curing processes.
 Deliver and acclimate the engineered hardwood flooring, for at least 48 hours before installation begins.
 Install the hardwood flooring according to the instructions that pertain to the product.
 After completing the installation, do not change the radiant heat setting for 48 hrs.
 Throughout the life of the installation, 3 to 5 degree daily increments must be used when adjusting system temperature
for either upward or lower adjustments; so that the hardwood flooring can adjust to the temperature changes in a gradual
manner.
 Never raise the flooring surface temperature setting above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
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JOBSITE PREPARATION
• Undercut door casings
• Remove any existing wall base, shoe molding, quarter round or doorway threshold.
Important:Do not install cabinets or walls on top of the flooring when using the floating installation method.
Step 1: POSITION THE FIRST ROW
Important: The flooring should be installed from several cartons at the same time to insure proper color, grain, and
shade mix.