WPC SPC Wall Installation Guidelines

GENERAL INFORMATION 

• Wall or vertical installation of WPC or SPC products is limited to 8mm max thickness products with a cork attached pad.
• Product should be installed in accordance with local building codes. The customer is responsible for checking for compliance against all state and local building codes relative to the use or installation of the product.
• Inspect all wall plank or tiles for damage before installing. If you have any concerns about the product fit or finish, call Shaw Information Services at 1-800-441-7429. Claims will not be accepted for flooring that has been cut to size and/or installed.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, doing so may result in discoloration. During peak sunlight hours, the use of drapes or blinds is recommended. Excess temperature due to direct sunlight can result in thermal expansion.
• To minimize shade variation, mix and install wall plank and tiles from several cartons.
• DO NOT fasten or affix any decorative objects to walls unless directly fastening to a load bearing layer. If mounting large items, you may screw in a sheet of plywood onto the load bearing layer first, and then install the product over it. Do not attach accessories like coat hooks, light fittings, mirrors, etc. directly to the flooring material. Drill holes through the wall plank or tiles and use suitable anchors to attach the accessories securely into the load bearing layer behind.
• Product should be stored and installed in a climate controlled location with an ambient temperature range between 55° - 85°F - 13°-29°C or average temp. of 70 degrees (21.1°). If product is stored in temperatures outside this range prior to installation it is recommended to acclimate the material for 48 hours prior to installation.
• Post installation ambient room temperatures should be maintained between 55° - 85° F.
• Wall installation should only be installed in climate-controlled areas (not recommended on exterior walls or in un-acclimated rooms).

WALL INFORMATION 

• All walls must be clean, flat, dry and structurally sound. The correct preparation of the wall is a major part of a successful installation.
• Using a 6’ or 3’ level check the wall for flatness and plumb. Wall must be flat within 1/8” in 6’ or 1/16”in3’.
• Wall Install Smooth Finish or an equivalent patching compound is recommended to flatten and plumb wall. Refer to manufactures guidelines for proper installation.
• Do not install wall plank or tiles directly on walls that have wallpaper or paneling.
• Installation on walls located in wet areas, i.e., back splash, bathrooms etc., is not allowed.
• NOTE: For residential installation the wall plank and tiles can be installed without fasteners. The first row can be fastened to keep the wall plank or tiles from shifting. For commercial installations, wall plank or tiles must be fastened to studs or plywood.
• Commercial: Painted or primed drywall - Perpendicular to wall studs method only.
• Commercial: Other pattern layouts such as vertical, diagonal, etc. requires 3/8” APA rated plywood over lay fastened to the studs.
• Concrete block or concrete walls in below grade is not recommended. If the concrete block or concrete walls are above grade, then 2”x4” lying flat can be screwed or anchored to the wall. Using a PL type urethane tubed adhesive/screws, fasten 3/8” APA rated plywood to the 2”x4”, make sure the ends of the plywood seat on the 2”x4”.
• Metal stud framing requires used of minimum 3/8” APA rated plywood over lay fastened to the metal studs with minimum 1 ½” flush self –tapping screws.
• Clean Surfaces. Before starting, make sure all surfaces are clean, dry, smooth, and free from dust, grease, wax, etc. Lightly sand any glossy surfaces to remove sheen.

TOOLS AND MATERIAL 

• Cut outside whenever possible to minimize airborne contaminants.
• Always wear adequate eye protection and safety mask.

Installation to wall planks

Remove existing baseboards on the wall that will be receiving the product. Electric outlet and light switch covers will need to be removed. Turn off or disconnect power supply first.      Remove any electric outlet and light switch covers. Take care not to touch any exposed wiring.  Mark all studs using a stud finder and then using a chalk line from top to bottom mark the wall studs (See Figure A).	Figure A
Determine if the installation will start at the ceiling working down or from the floor working up. Starting from the top down is best when there is existing crown molding. When working from the ceiling down, the installation will start from the top left hand corner of the wall, the tongue of the product will be next to the ceiling. Measure the wall to determine if the first row of planks will need to be cut down to avoid a small piece on the finish row. Remember to leave the plank 1/4 inch away from the finish floor/subfloor. When working from the floor up, the installation will start at the bottom right hand corner of the wall, the tongue of the product should be closest to the floor Using a tape measure, pencil and chalk line, establish a starting line. If you are starting at the floor, you can measure from the floor up the point where the first row will end (remember to allow for the 1/4 inch expansion gap at the floor), if you are starting from the ceiling you will need to measure from the ceiling down. Do this on both ends of the wall. Using a chalk line, pop a line using these two marks to establish a starting line (See Figure B). Make sure to visually inspect each tile for any damage or visual defects.	Figure B
Using Wall Install CompleteBond or comparable adhesive put an S-bead of adhesive on the back of the planks (See Figure C). Follow Adhesive guidelines for working times. Wipe off excess adhesive with a clean damp rag. Do not allow residue to dry as it will be difficult to clean. If any dry adhesive is present use rubbing or denatured alcohol and clean rag to remove.	Figure C
Push the plank onto the wall lining it up with the starting line that was established. Using the brad nailer shoot a nail through the groove of the plank into the wall studs. Proper air pressure is important - Make sure that the nail head is seated properly. Take care not to shoot completely through the plank (See Figure D).	Figure D
Once the first row is complete you will need to cut the first plank of the second row to create the proper end joint stagger. The end joints should not be closer than 8 inches (See Figure E). Once you have cut the plank, insert the length side tongue of the plank at an angle into the groove of the plank in the first row applying pressure as you rotate the plank flat against the wall. Connect the plank in the following rows by inserting the short end tongue into the previously installed plank groove. Align the plank so the long side tongue tip is positioned over the groove lip of the plank in the first row. Rotate the top length side of the plank out from the wall. Use a tapping block to tap down on the plank to engage the length side tongue into the groove. Using the brad nailer, shoot a nail through the groove of the first plank into the wall studs on the first plank installed in the second row. Install the third plank and with the brad nailer shoot a nail through the groove of the second plank. It is best to lag one plank when nailing to the studs. This enables the length side of the plank being installed to be rotated out from the wall and engaged.  Use hammer and pull bar to lock in final piece in row. The last row of the planks may need to be cut. Measure the distance between the floor/ceiling to the last row of planks that was installed and using a table saw or jig saw cut the plank to the width desired.	Figure E

INSTALLATION to WALL - TILES

Remove existing baseboards on the wall that will be receiving the product.   Electric outlet and light switch covers will need to be removed.  Turn off or disconnect power supply first. Remove any electric outlet and light switch covers. Take care not to touch any exposed wiring. Mark all studs using a stud finder and then using a chalk line from top to bottom mark the wall studs (See Figure F).	Figure F
Measure the width of the wall to determine the center and using a chalk line from top to bottom mark the center line of the wall, this is where the first tile will start for the installation. (See Figure G).   Measure the height of the wall to determine if the first row of tiles to create an equal width tile at the top. Remember to leave the tile 1/4 inch away from the finish floor/subfloor.	Figure G
Using a tape measure, pencil and chalk line, establish a starting line (remember to allow for the 1/4 inch expansion gap at the floor). Dry-lay a tile at the center starting line and measure out to the wall (See Figure H).   Divide by the length of the tile, if the resulting border is too small, move the starting point over a half tile width so that it straddles the center line. If it is decided to have the center row of tiles straddle either or both of the center lines, additional guidelines should be snapped on the wall ½ tiles width on one side of starting center line. Make sure to visually inspect each tile for any damage or visual defects.	Figure H
Using Wall Install CompleteBond or comparable adhesive put an s-bead of adhesive on the back of the tiles (See Figure I). Follow Adhesive guidelines for working times.   Wipe off excess adhesive with a clean damp rag. Do not allow residue to dry as it will be difficult to clean. If any dry adhesive is present use rubbing or denatured alcohol and clean rag to remove.	Figure I
Push the tile onto the wall lining it up with the starting line that was established with the length side groove facing (Check for levelness using level).   Using the brad nailer shoot a nail through the groove of the tile into the wall studs. Proper air pressure is important - Make sure that the nail head is seated properly. Take care not to shoot completely through the tile (See Figure J).	Figure J
Proceed with installing the first row in both directions (engaging the short end tongue side into the short end groove of the existing installed tile) toward the walls. (See Figure K)   You may also face nail the first row of tiles for added support, and place the nails low enough so that the baseboard or desired trim will cover the nails. Make sure to use a nail that is long enough to go through the tile, sheetrock and into the wall stud.   Once the first row is complete you will need to cut the first plank of the second row to create the proper end joint stagger.	Figure K
Start the second row on the right side of the wall installing toward the left (See Figure L). After you have cut the tile to the desired length apply an s-bead of adhesive to the back of the tile.   Insert the length tongue of the tile at an angle into the groove of the tile in the first row applying pressure as you rotate the tile at against the wall.   Connect the tile in the following rows by inserting the short end tongue into the previously installed tile end groove. Align the tile so the long side tongue tip is positioned over the groove lip of the tile in the first row. Rotate the top length side of the tile out from the wall. Use a tapping block to tap down on the tile to engage the length side tongue into the groove.   Using the brad nailer, shoot a nail through the groove of the first tile into the wall studs on the first tile installed in the second row.   Install the third tile (Make sure to apply an s-bead of adhesive to the back of all planks and firmly place the plank to the wall) and with the brad nailer shoot a nail through the groove of the second tile into the wall studs. NOTE: It is best to lag one tile when nailing to the studs. This enables the length side of the tile being installed to be rotated out from the wall and engaged.   Use hammer and pull bar to lock in final piece in row.   The last row of the tile may need to be cut. Measure the distance between the ceiling to the last row of tile that was installed and using a table saw or jig saw cut the tile to the width desired.	Figure L