Points You Shouldn't Underrate When Installing Timber Flooring
Posted on: 26 November 2019
Did you know that your home's flooring can break or make its ambience? You may not have thought about it, but you can't ignore it. Your family members and visitors will not enjoy staying indoors if you have poor-quality flooring in your home. Having expensive furniture and appliances won't mean anything or add any value if the flooring is dilapidated. Timber flooring is among the flooring options that create a great impression of your personality to your guests. Timber flooring comes in different species, styles, colours and cuts, and you choose them based on the safety, comfort and beauty aspects you have in mind. Installing timber flooring isn't wearisome if you bear in mind the following:
Know the Timber Floor to Choose
Timber flooring comes in different options and not every option suits your home and needs. If you choose hardwood flooring, then know the surface finishes, plank sizes, wood species and grain patterns that come with it. Perfect fitting is critical whether you are installing engineered hardwood or solid hardwood. Engineered timber flooring is the best if you intend to float the floor or install underfloor heating. The thickness and type of the timber flooring you install depends on your subfloor. The timber flooring should be 18mm thick or more if joists are involved. Is your living space or hallway too busy? If yes, then choose durable wood like Oak. Delicate wood such as Walnut is suitable in quieter rooms.
Give the Flooring Time to Adapt
Once the hardwood flooring is delivered to your home, allow it some time to adapt. Hardwood is natural, and it contracts and expands depending on the humidity or heat you expose it to. You minimise wood damage once you allow the hardwood flooring to adapt to your home. You shouldn't install timber flooring immediately when it's delivered. Avoid installing timber flooring if you can see wet plaster on the wall or if the floor is damp. Engineered timber flooring takes about 72 hours to adapt to the new environment while wood flooring takes seven days to do so.
Keep the Subfloor Ready for the Task
You shouldn't install timber flooring before you have prepared the subfloor. Serious flooring damage occurs when the installation is done on an unprepared subfloor. So, what is a prepared subfloor? The subfloor is prepared is it's dry, clean, level and flat. Most contractors use a spirit level when levelling the subfloor. They also use a moisture meter to assess the moisture content the subfloor contains. Get rid of any adhesives or chemicals on the subfloor when installing timber flooring to ensure dirt and dust don't stick on it.
Also, go through the fitting instructions to avoid improper installation. Let professional contractors install timber flooring since they know the glue and equipment to use, especially on groove and tongue flooring. Your room's size and shape and the grain pattern indicate the correct direction when installing timber flooring.
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