VersaShield MBX
Rolled Moisture Barrier for Concrete Floors
For floors up to 99.5% RH
A dimensionally-stable, four-ply composite product, engineered as a rolled moisture barrier
system for all grades of concrete. Protects against moisture up to 99.5% RH.
Features:
o Suppresses extreme moisture emission levels in concrete up to 99.5% RH
(Relative humidity) ASTM F2170
o Ideal for vinyl tile (LVT, VCT), carpet tile, engineered wood and laminate
o Saves installation time and money by as much as 85%
o Quick and easy to install with no mixing, special tools, or cleanup required
o Protects against alkalinity and promotes flooring adhesion
o Mold and fungus resistant (ASTM D3273)
o Exceptional lay flat performance
o Excellent for planned flooring removal on jobs designed to be replaced
o 10 Year Limited Warranty
Special Note: One roll of VersaShield MBX requires one roll of 2 1/2 inch wide (blue) VersaShield Tape (180 lineal feet) and two rolls
of 4 inch wide VSM-DS double sided tape (100 lineal feet). In addition to the application of VSM-DS double-sided tape underneath
every seam, the use of 4 inch wide rolls of VSM-DS double sided tape (100 lineal feet) is required for utility purposes at door threshold
plates, around walk off mats, floor boxes, pillars, and non-flat flooring surfaces. Calculate the required number of rolls of 4 inch wide
VSM-DS double sided tape, based on the size of the project and the total number of areas requiring this application.
Product Specifications
Product V/S Properties
Style Name
Style Number
Roll Size
5' x 144' (720 sq. ft.)
095VS
Minimum Basic Weight (ASTM D2646)
12.5 lbs. per 100 sq. ft.
VSM-TP-MBX 2.5" tape (blue)
097VS
Minimum Thickness (ASTM D5729)
28.0 mils
VSM-DS douple-sided 4" tape
098VS
Permeance (ASTM E96)
0.044 grain h ¯ ¹ ft ¯ ² inHg ¯ ¹
Maximum PH Allowed
12
Mold and Fungal Resistance (ASTM D3273)
No Growth
Specifications are subject to nominal manufacturing variances.
Material supply and/or manufacturing processes may necessitate changes without notice.
shawhardsurface.com
1.877.502.7429
©2014 Shaw, a Berkshire Hathaway Company
VersaShield MBX
Rolled Moisture Barrier for Concrete Floors
For floors up to 99.5% RH
Installation Instructions
VersaShield® MBX is a preformed vapor retardant membrane designed to reduce the
upward movement of water vapor from concrete floor slabs into finished flooring systems.
VersaShield MBX can be installed on elevated slabs (structural concrete, precast, or slabs
on metal decks) and on slabs on-ground (on-grade and below-grade).
•
Make sure the seams remain butted and flush with no overlapping.
•
The top of the seam must now be secured.
VersaShield MBX is not designed, intended, or warranted to resist liquid water pressure
(hydrostatic pressure).
•
Tape all seams with VersaShield MBX 2-1/2" wide seam tape and roll with a hand
roller to insure a good bond.
Moisture Testing
Step 3: Installation of VersaShield MBX 2-1/2" Wide Seam Tape
•
Testing must be conducted prior to initial VersaShield MBX installation with results
documented and retained in order to be in compliance with the VersaShield MBX
Limited Warranty.
VersaShield MBX is easily cut to fit around irregular objects such as pillars and poles;
use VersaShield MBX 2-1/2" wide seam tape to secure the seams in these areas.
•
Store VersaShield MBX 2-1/2" wide seam tape indoors in a cool, dry area at
temperatures between 60°F and 80°F.
•
Testing must be conducted in accordance with the latest version of ASTM F2170; a
maximum reading of 99.5% RH is allowed.
•
•
Do not install VersaShield MBX on slabs below-grade where hydrostatic pressure
exists.
VersaShield MBX 2-1/2" wide seam tape is marked with the VersaShield MBX logo
on the tape and tape core for identification purposes; use of any other seam tape is
never recommended and will void the VersaShield MBX Limited Warranty.
•
Preparation of Concrete Subfloor
•
•
All joints, cracks, and variations in the concrete surface 1/8" or greater must
be filled.
VersaShield VSM-DS double-sided 4" tape (white) must be used for utility purposes at
door threshold plates, around walk off mats, floor boxes, pillars and non-flat flooring
surfaces.
•
•
Use a quality patching and/or leveling compound warranted by the compound
manufacturer to withstand high moisture conditions.
Concrete must be smooth, clean, and free of debris, oily materials, coatings, and
other surface treatments.
•
Protrusions must be ground flat.
•
•
All patching, leveling, and/or crack suppression materials must be cured and surfaced
dry before installing VersaShield MBX.
Unroll VersaShield double-sided tape with release liner attached, cut at desired
length, apply to the concrete surface, firmly press on the release liner using a hand
roller, peel off the release liner section by section as the VersaShield MBX Rolled
Moisture Barrier is ready to be applied.
•
Concrete slab surface must be dry, smooth, clean, flat, and structurally sound within
flooring manufacturer's specifications.
•
Firmly press on VersaShield MBX using a hand roller or 100 pound roller.
•
Residual adhesives must be scraped down to the concrete surface and removed prior
to installation of VersaShield MBX.
•
•
Do not use solvent-based adhesive remover chemicals; certain oils, solvents, and
contaminants in the concrete may cause damage to VersaShield MBX and should be
removed. If contaminants are known or suspected, contact Halex Corporation at
800-576-1636.
Install floor covering on top of VersaShield MBX mineral-coated (rough) surface in
accordance with the flooring manufacturer's written instructions.
•
Acclimate the floor covering at the installation site per the flooring manufacturer's
requirements.
•
The floor covering manufacturer's recommended installation guidelines must be
followed using recommended adhesives and application guidelines.
•
Apply the floor covering manufacturer's recommended adhesive directly onto the
VersaShield MBX blue mineral-coated surface.
•
Take care not to scratch, rip, tear, puncture, or damage the VersaShield MBX while
spreading adhesive.
•
VersaShield MBX's surface is non-porous; adhesives will take longer to flash off.
•
If the flooring manufacturer has specific recommendations regarding adhesive and
trowel size for different types of concrete, VersaShield MBX rolled moisture barrier
should be considered non-porous.
•
When installing LVT, VCT, or SVT, ensure the seams of VersaShield MBX are offset
from the seams of the LVT, VCT, or SVT. Vinyl plank type tile should be installed
perpendicular (90 degrees) to the VersaShield MBX seam pattern.
•
When installing carpet and carpet tiles, the carpet tiles should be adhered directly to
the VersaShield MBX. Ensure the seams of the VersaShield MBX are offset from the
seams of the carpet.
•
Most wide width carpets may be installed over VersaShield MBX.
•
Some pattern match carpets may require stay nailing, knee kicking, crab stretching,
or power stretching. These applications are not approved, as they may act to damage
or distort the VersaShield MBX.
•
Step 1: Installation of VersaShield 4" Wide VSDS Double-Sided Tape
•
Store VersaShield 4" Seam Tape indoors in a cool, dry area at temperatures between
60°F and 80°F.
•
VersaShield 4" Wide VSDS double-sided tape is marked with the VersaShield
MBX logo on the tape core for identification; use of any other seam tape is never
recommended and will void the VersaShield MBX Limited Warranty.
•
Determine the required layout of the VersaShield MBX Rolled Moisture Barrier.
•
Utilize a chalk line or straight edge line, mark the floor where the VersaShield MBX
Rolled Moisture Barrier will be positioned.
•
Apply the VersaShield double-sided tape directly (centered) over the seam lines
marked on the floor.
•
Use a hand roller to roll the tape, as it will ensure the VersaShield MBX double-sided
tape properly adheres to the concrete surface.
•
Do not remove the top release paper from the upper side of the VersaShield doublesided tape at this time.
Step 2: Installation of VersaShield MBX Rolled Moisture Barrier
Step 4: Installation of Flooring
•
The rolls of VersaShield MBX should be acclimated for a minimum of 24 hours at the
job location.
•
Roll out the VersaShield MBX moisture barrier in desired placements starting in one
corner of the room.
•
VersaShield MBX is not approved for use with unitary backed carpets.
•
Install the shiny, light blue underside down and the rough, mineral-coated dark blue
surface facing up.
•
When installing laminates and engineered wood flooring, planks should be installed
perpendicular (90 degrees) to the VersaShield MBX seam pattern.
•
Roll out VersaShield MBX positioned 1/8" from wall.
•
•
Cut individual lengths of VersaShield MBX to approximately 25 linear feet. End joints
must be randomly staggered.
Ensure the seams of the VersaShield MBX are offset from the seams of the laminate
and engineered wood flooring.
•
•
VersaShield MBX cuts easily with scissors or utility knife.
Floating (non-adhered) floor covering is installed according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
•
Roll out additional VersaShield MBX rolls, tightly butting the side edges to one
another.
•
VersaShield MBX is not recommended for use with mechanically fastened floor
coverings.
•
Do not overlap seams and ensure no gaps.
•
•
The seam should be centered over the midpoint of the 4" wide VersaShield doublesided tape.
There are many variations of each type of floor covering. Always check with the
flooring adhesive manufacturer for approved product use, application instructions,
and best practices.
•
The top facing release paper can now be removed from the VersaShield doublesided tape at the desired start point, without altering the position of the VersaShield
MBX above it.
•
•
Step 5: Cleaning and Maintenance
•
Upon completion of the finished flooring installation, Shaw requires a minimum of 5
days (120 hours) prior to conducting initial cleaning or maintenance.
Adhere the first 3 feet of the VersaShield MBX to the top of the exposed VersaShield
double-sided tape using a hand roller.
•
Failure to follow this requirement may result in improper drying and interruption of the
normal curing process of the adhesive.
After achieving good adhesion, proceed to remove the remaining release paper and
continue to hand-roll the remainder of the seam.
•
After waiting the prescribed time period, accepted cleaning and maintenance
procedures may begin.
Specifications are subject to nominal manufacturing variances.
Material supply and/or manufacturing processes may necessitate changes without notice.
shawhardsurface.com
1.877.502.7429
©2014 Shaw, a Berkshire Hathaway Company