CushionWorx™

These installation procedures are intended to assist in the installation of CushionWorx under most job conditions. See Shaw’s Carpet Tile Installation Guidelines for specific questions regarding installation not covered within or refer to Shaw Technical Support at 1.800.471.7429. Any variance from these procedures will become the responsibility of the installer and not the manufacturer.

CushionWorx by Shaw, a premium polyethylene foam cushion underlayment for EcoWorx® carpet tile. CushionWorx withstands and performs in unison with Shaw EcoWorx carpet tile, providing added underfoot comfort and sound reduction in high-traffic environments including hospitality, corporate and healthcare.

1. Condition Your Site and Test

A proper installation depends on the proper site conditions. The following conditions must be maintained for 24 hours prior to, during and permanently after installation:

• HVAC System: Must be operational maintaining the following conditions.

• Temperature: The installation site, carpet and adhesive must be between 50°F and 95°F. The adhesive will not function properly when applied over an extremely cold surface. Do not begin the installation if the subfloor temperature is below 50°F.

• Humidity: The installation site’s ambient relative humidity must not exceed 40%.

• Moisture: Conduct Relative Humidity testing.(ASTM F-2170), or the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride (ASTM F-1869). Shaw recognizes RH as the qualifying standard.

• pH: Conduct pH testing on the floor in several locations. A reading below 5.0 or above 9.0 (ASTM F-710) requires corrective measures.

Do not begin the installation if an unacceptable moisture level is detected. Contact Shaw Technical Support for additional recommendations. If excessive moisture is present, the general contractor or building owner must be advised and a decision made if the installation is to begin. Shaw Industries will not be responsible for any moisture related installation failures if these guidelines are not strictly followed.

2. Prepare the Floor

The substrates must be structurally sound, clean, level and dry. The substrate must be free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, paint, curing agents, concrete sealers, loosely bonded toppings, adhesives, loose particles and any other substance or condition that may prevent or reduce adhesion.

NOTE: Do not sand or scrape Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT) without proper attention to abatement procedures and precautions in accordance with all state and local codes. Shaw Industries makes no claims as to the acceptability of this procedure as a mitigation method in lieu of asbestos removal; and accepts no responsibility if any loose asbestos-containing floors are affected upon removal of a Shaw Industries CushionWorx or commercial carpet tile.

CAUTION: Do not allow cutback asphaltic adhesive or any other non-approved adhesive to come into contact with new adhesives, an installation failure could result. If this situation arises, contact Shaw Technical Support. Fill depressions or cracks with a cementitious patching / leveling compound that meet or exceed Shaw Industries maximum moisture level and pH requirements. 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.

You may use wax-based (green) sweeping compounds if you sweep and remove them immediately

Concrete floors must be sealed with a latex primer such as Shaw 9050 if dusting or powdering exists.

3. Select Your Adhesive

Adhesives such as Shaw 3800 / 4151 Carpet Adhesive must be used between the floor and CushionWorx and Shaw LokWorx+ Carpet Tile / 5100 / 4151 Carpet Adhesives are advised to be used between the CushionWorx and carpet tile.

NOTE: Shaw LokWorx+ Carpet Tile / 5100 / 4151 must change color from cream to clear and tacky to touch with no transfer prior to the installation of Shaw’s EcoWorx tile. The amount of open time needed may vary due to temperature and humidity. Air movers placed on the floor moving air directly across the adhesive surface will aid in the tack time of the adhesive.

4. Install Cushionworx

• Measure, cut and place CushionWorx.
• After the cushion is in place, fold it back and apply Shaw 3800 / 4151 carpet adhesive with a 3/8” foam paint roller (3800 14-16 yds. per gal.) (4151 35-40 yds. per gal.). Placing the cushion into the adhesive immediately.
• Assure 100% adhesive transfer to the cushion with the use of a 75 lb. roller, rolling the cushion in both directions.
• Apply the Shaw LokWorx+ Carpet Tile/ 5100 / 4151 adhesive with a 3/8” foam paint roller (35-40 yds. per gal.).
• Apply the adhesive in quadrants or full spread. Allow the adhesive to become thoroughly cured, tacky to the touch with no transfer prior to installing carpet tiles into the adhesive.

6. Install Your Tile

Install each full carton and complete an entire pallet before starting another pallet to minimize product variation. Each tile has directional arrows on the back. These arrows allow for one-directional or multi-directional installation. Some styles may be large scale or linear in design and require quarter turning. If you are unsure about whether or not your product requires a quarter turned installation, please contact the number featured at the bottom of this page. Numbers with the arrows are for manufacturing purposes and are not related to installation.

• Begin installation at the intersection of two chalk lines. Continue until you complete on quadrant. Proceed to an adjoining quadrant until all four quadrants are completed. Larger areas may require chalk lines bisecting the original four quadrants.
• Install carpet tiles using the pyramid technique. This gives you multiple alignment checks. If the edges do not align and the misalignment increases with progression of the installation, find and correct the source of the problem.
• Carpet tiles come in various sizes and shapes. All Shaw tiles have directional arrows on the back of the tile. This facilitates the installation method which is based on the requirements of the product, or the preference of the customer.
• Slide carpet tiles into position to prevent yarn from being trapped between the tiles.
• Trapped yarn will adversely affect the appearance of the installation and will cause alignment problems.
• Carpet tiles must fit snugly, but not be compressed. Press the entire surface of the tile to ensure adhesion. Check for fit by measuring the length of ten full carpet tiles after installation. The measurement must not be less than, or exceed by more than ¼ inch, the length of the carpet tiles being multiplied by ten. For example: if 24” x 24” carpet tiles are being installed, the measurement should be between 240 and 240 ¼ inches.
• Roll the entire installation with a 75 lb. or greater roller to assure the proper adhesion to the substrate.

Flatwire Cable Systems

Flatwire cables should be installed on top of the adhesive and centered underneath the carpet tile for better seam quality.

7. Cut Your Tiles

• Measure and cut tiles from the back using a straight edge. Be sure the arrows are pointing in the correct direction.
• Or let tiles cove up the wall and cut with a carpet knife, wall trimmer or similar tool. Do not compress.

8. Post Installation Care and Protection

• Place plywood over the carpet when heavy objects are moved within 24 hours after installation.
• Use protective chair mats under chairs with casters. This will prevent excessive wear to the face of the carpet and possible transfer of the pressure sensitive adhesive to the back of the carpet.
• Place a non-staining building material paper over the carpet to protect it when additional construction activity is to take place. Do not use plastic sheeting as it will trap moisture.
• For best results, temperature should remain above 50°F and the ambient humidity should not fall below 40%.