Buckling and Warping Possible Installation Issue Acclimation and Not Defective Shaw Product?? Bryan McGlasson is the owner of a number of flooring, carpeting and hardwood companies in Colorado including Floor Covering Direct, Inc., Floors Free Inc. (855) 833-3733, and Direct Flooring & Design Inc. of Castle Rock/ Highlands Ranch (303) 471-2485. I contracted with Bryan McGlasson and Direct Flooring to install laminate flooring from Shaw in the ground floor of my townhouse in Colorado. Bryan McGlasson failed to properly acclimate the flooring product after delivery and before installation. I notified Bryan McGlasson that floor was beginning to warp at the seams. A few months after being installed, Bryan McGlasson had the manufacturer (Shaw Flooring) send a representative who inspected the defective flooring, and declared it to be a total loss due to severe buckling and warping to the point at which it was not usable because Bryan McGlasson failed to properly acclimate the product after delivery and before installation. A second credentialed flooring expert also perform testing on-site and determined that the flooring had warped to the point at which it was not usable because Bryan McGlasson failed to properly acclimate the product after delivery and before installation. Bryan McGlasson and Ryan McGlasson did not disclose to me at the time that they had lost their Shaw dealership rights due to non-payment. Bryan McGlasson and Ryan McGlasson would not stand behind their labor or materials warranty. If Ryan McGlasson, Bryan McGlasson or Floors Free, Inc. promise you any type of warranty, do not believe them. As the companyâÂÂs officers, they do not stand behind their work. Be smart. Check the Better Business Bureau BBB or other reviews and ratings (like this site) of your installer first!!!

@Devin, our Guardian Oak has held up great. No scratches that I can see and that is with a dog, a cat, and two kids. We have felt on the bottom of all the furniture, but I did just check the bottom of the stairs where the cat and dog regularly chase each other with audible scratching as they rush around the corner. I couldn’t find anything. With the animals, we vacuum almost every day. It does show dust and dirt, but we’d rather see it and vacuum regularly than unknowingly walk through kid crumbs. :) Our only issue has been the install concerns I mentioned. We get some movement at the end joints still, as they had trouble going together in spots. Shaw suggested CA glue as the solution, but I haven’t been brave enough to try that yet.

Thanks for the tips. I'll get the sample and compare! We like the look of the shaw empire oak vanderbilt but don't know how to assess quality. My research on this has been all over the place. My takeaway is that engineered flooring innovation has exploded through the recent years and that the quality of the some engineered flooring is the same or better than hardwood. But if I don't get the right one, I'm in for splinters, cracking, black water spots and more. Any brands/qualities that I should require as we make the final selection?

The warranty is no different than any other. USE is personal to your living habits. Think of it like the care label on a sweater. If you like the floor, get the floor.. FOLLOW ALL THE INSTRUCTION.s: ) for daily care. ........they know darn well few do and this is why warranties are essentially BS residential Resilient Waterproof Products lifetime Limited Warranty Shaw Industries, Inc. (“the Company”) warrants its resilient waterproof flooring products under this Residential Limited Warranty when used in the proper fit for use indoor Residential applications with light to moderate foot traffic. The warranty belongs to you, the original end-use purchaser, and begins when you purchase the resilient and extends for the limited warranty period stated above. The basis of any warranty related claim is the original “Company” invoice or authorized “Company” dealer. The resilient waterproof flooring must be installed in accordance with the Company’s installation guidelines and specifications. The product must be maintained in accordance with the Company’s maintenance (resilient care) recommendations and such maintenance (resilient care) continues throughout the duration of the original installation. Damage resulting from a failure to follow installation and cleaning/maintenance guidelines will not be covered under this warranty. Installation guidelines, specifications, and resilient care recommendations can be obtained from your dealer. For additional information, please see the bottom of this page. Shaw products are not warranted against squeaking, popping or crackling. Some squeaking, popping, or crackling is possible when installed using floated methods. What the Warranty Covers Manufacturing Defects – The Company warrants that the floor plank or tile will be free from manufacturing defects during the period of this warranty. Manufacturing defects include delamination, core voids, thickness variation, and dimensional stability defects. Dimensional stability related defects are defined as dimensional changes in the width and/or length of the product greater than the tolerances as defined in ASTM F2199. Thickness variation is defined as thickness exceeding the thickness tolerance as defined in ASTM F386. Wear – The vinyl layer of the floor plank is warranted not to wear through under normal residential use during the period of this warranty. Gloss reduction, scratches and dents in the finish are not considered surface wear and are not covered under the warranty. Wear through is defined as wear due to light to moderate foot traffic will not wear through to the pattern layer of the product. Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty - Upon determination of a valid manufacturing defect, credit will be issued to the dealer and will be good toward the purchase of a replacement. When a defective product is installed, credit applies to material only and does not include labor since it is the responsibility of the installer to determine suitability of material prior to installation. Should a problem attributable to a manufacturing defect develop after flooring is installed, the cost of labor for repair will be covered by the Limited Lifetime Structure Warranty. Limited Lifetime Petproof Warranty - The Company warrants that your luxury vinyl floor will resist staining caused by pet (domestic cat or dog) stains, including urine, feces, and vomit. Stain resistance means the ability of your floor to resist (i.e., minimize or withstand) permanent stains for as long as you own your floor. Cleaning of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery. The more time that elapses before removal, the more difficult a stain will be to remove. The Limited Petproof Warranty DOES NOT COVER: Any urine, feces, or vomit stains other than pet. Limited Lifetime Waterproof Warranty – This warranty covers topical moisture as long as the water does not flow over the edge of the surface (edge of the room, cut boards, etc.). The Company warrants that for the lifetime of stated warranty period from the date of original purchase, your Shaw product will not swell, cup or crack due to: Normal cleaning practices (see care and maintenance document for additional information) Moisture due to everyday household spills (see care and maintenance document for additional information) Normal moisture levels from subfloor when exposed to such conditions (see installation instructions document for additional information) While moisture will not affect the product’s integrity, it is possible that, when excessive moisture accumulates in buildings, subfloors, or on building materials, mold (and/or) mildew growth can occur - particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. In addition, such excessive moisture levels can cause the ends and/or sides of the product to lift/flare due to the vapor pressure from underneath. Such damage from excessive moisture levels (as outlined in the installation instructions document) are not covered by this warranty. All sources of subfloor moisture should be remedied prior to installation. No Acclimation – The Company warrants the floor plank or tile can be installed without allowing the product to achieve room temperature as long as the building where product will be installed is acclimated and climate controlled as according to the installation guidelines. 1 For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded. What Conditions Apply For jobsite and floor preparation conditions, see product specific installation guidelines. Any moisture related testing (i.e. relative humidity, pH, and calcium chloride) is not the responsibility of the Company and all issues related to subfloor moisture, including any product related issues, are excluded from this warranty. Chair floor protectors are recommended to inhibit premature wear of the surface of the resilient. Replacement resilient will come from current running-line products comparable to the warranted product. Your warranty does not cover the following: damage caused by improper installation and/or maintenance; differences in color between products and samples or photographs; problems arising from excessive moisture, alkali or water pressure from the sub floor, floods, indentation from improper loading including heavy static loads, high heels, spiked shoes, rolling loads, chairs or other furniture not using floor protectors; cracking, warping, soiling, fading, improper maintenance or abuse caused by items such as roller skates and/or golf shoes; surface scratches, changes in shading, texture and/or gloss during use; damage caused by chemically reactive material, adhesive or tape, dye, mold, stains, spillage, burns, gouges, scratches, indentations, accidents, abuse or any harsh scouring pads while buffing; damage due to U.V. light and thermal heat sources or damage to floor caused by flooring that is installed using the floating method that subsequently is heated to temperatures above those specified in the product specific installation instructions. What If You Need Warranty Service You, the original purchaser, will contact your authorized Company dealer and/or Sales Representative for warranty or claim service. Please provide a valid proof of purchase and a detailed description of the issue, along with photographs showing the concern. Samples should be submitted for testing when available. Dealers/Shaw Sales Representatives will file a claim via www.shawnow.com and submit the information you provided. A Shaw claims representative will thoroughly evaluate your claim. Claims contact information: Shaw Industries Financial Services, PO Box 2128, Dalton, GA 30722 - 1-800-257-7429. What We Will Do Replacement resilient will come from current running-line products comparable to the warranted product. Within One Year: Claims on defects of this product as covered by this warranty that are reported in writing within one year of purchase, Shaw will arrange a credit based on the original purchase of the product or replace the product. Reasonable labor costs are included. Between Year One-Two: Claims on defects of this product, as covered by this warranty, that are reported in writing after one year but within two years of purchase, Shaw will arrange a credit based on the original purchase of the product or replace the product. Shaw will pay 50% of reasonable labor costs. After Year Two: Claims on defects of this product, as covered by this warranty, that are reported in writing after two years of purchase and within the specified warranty coverage term, Shaw will arrange a credit based on the original purchase of the product or replace the product. Labor costs are not included. Should a defect covered under this warranty be found, the affected area will be repaired to conform to the warranty. If repair is not practical, the Company may, at its sole option, replace the affected resilient or refund the proportional purchase price for the affected area. The Company will pay the reasonable costs for freight and labor. Any additional costs incurred will be at the consumer’s expense. AND ALL WILL DEPEND.................. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE Daily removal of dirt and dust is important to prevent particles from abrading the surface of resilient floors. Sweeping, dust mopping, and vacuuming are recommendations to remove soil particles that can result in scratches and worn appearances. Do not use vacuums with rotating beater bars on hard surfaces. Periodic wet cleaning will be necessary to help maintain the floor’s appearance. Always pre- vacuum or dust mop before any type of wet cleaning. Appropriate vinyl floor cleaning equipment and cleaning agents (neutral pH floor cleaners) are recommended. Do not use abrasive cleaners or cleaning agents that leave dull residues on the surface of the floors. Follow the cleaning manufacturer’s instructions for damp mopping and application. If rinsing is necessary, use clean water and expedite drying with air movers or fans. Encore, COREtec neutral pH floor cleaner or equivalent floor cleaner are recommended for general spotting and cleaning. Avoid using mop and shine products on your resilient flooring. Products containing bleach and steam mops are not recommended. SPOT & SPILL REMOVAL Our flooring products are engineered to resist and minimize common staining. Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting with paper or cloth towels. Rinse with water if necessary and blot dry. Dried spots should be removed by gentle agitation and rinsed with water. Blot dry. Use Encore, COREtec cleaning products or products formulated for vinyl floor cleaning. Do not use detergents or abrasive cleaners since these products can leave a dull residue. Use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) with a clean white cloth for spots requiring a solvent type cleaner that water and cleaning agents cannot remove. Please note that some stain conditions may become permanent. Safety Caution: The surfaces of resilient floors change during wet cleaning and finish applications. Use appropriate safety measures.