Flooring instructions
What is solid Wood Flooring?
Solid wood flooring is exactly what it says in the title, one solid piece of wood from the top and the bottom. Our main speciality is solid oak flooring.
Handling
Hardwood is a living substance which reacts to changes in the humidity. Wood gains and looses moisture before and after installation, as surrounding conditions fluctuate. Indeed, wood expands in the summer when humidity level is high and contracts in the winter when the humidity level is much lower.
Over the course of time following installation, the hardwood floor will expand and contract many times during different seasons of the year. If the flooring is installed during the late spring, summer or early autumn then you may notice a very slight contraction in the boards. You may also notice it hapening late autumn and winter season when the outside temperatures drop and you turn the heating on to maintain a warm and dry environment in the living area.
If the boards are laid during the winter months then they will need to be left for a longer period of time in order to acclimatise to the environment where they are going to be installed. To minimise the expansion or contraction of your hardwood floor, it is recommended that the building should be well ventilated and the humidity level should be maintained at 45% all year round. Before you begin, plastering and cement work must be completely dry.
It is strongly recommended that the wood is to be left to acclimitise at the house temperature for a period of at least 72hours at the ideal relative humidity level which is 45%.
Test concrete slabs for moisture
Rubber mat method (useful only on light coloured concrete) - Lay a flat, non - corrugated rubber mat on the slab. Place a weight on top to prevent moisture from escaping and leaving the mat to for 24hours; if the covered area shows dark, wet marks, too much moisture is present.
Polyethylene film method - Tape a 12" (30cm) square of clear polyethylene film to the slab with plastic moisture resistant tape, sealing all four edges. If no condensation collects under the film after 24hours the slab is dry eough for floor installation.
Make tests in several areas of each room. When the test indicates excess moisturem wait for the slab to dry naturally or accelerate drying with heat or ventilation, then test again before installing floors.
Solid Wood Flooring
Each style of wood flooring has their own specific uses and it is down to the lifestyle and specific needs of the customer. Solid wood flooring can be laid in many different places. The flooring can be laid on the ground level and above,but not recommended below ground level, for example a celler. Solid wood should be in a moisture controlled environment.
What is a 'floating floor'?
You should always put underlay down first before laying your solid wood flooring. You then need to glue the tongue and insert it into the groove. This is how you get a floating floor. We do not recommend glueing or nailing your new oak flooring to the permenant floor i.e concrete/joists, the natural floor wouldn't be able to freely move when fixed.
Should your floating floor be installed under kitchen appliances?
If you are planning your flooring to be put down in the kitchen, you should install the floor under the kitchen appliances. However, you have to be very careful when sliding the appliances over your new floor. We suggest that you cover your new floor with something such as a spare rug to protect the flooring when you are installing or moving your appliances.
Q: Are there methods that make it possible for all stains to be removed from solid oak flooring or is it sometimes impossible for stains to be removed?
Most stains don't fall deeper than when sanding the floor, the stain won't come out. However if you do have a servere water stain, you may not be able to remove it.
Do solid oak floors increase home value?
Yes. Solid oak floors are recognised as the highest quality of flooring available and would definately increase the value of you home.
I am installing an underfloor system involving water piping set in concrete that would be my sub-floor. Can your products be used with this type of under floor heating system?
The installation of this is okay for you to do, just make sure that the tubes are not touching the wood when you lay it. You would have to use a underlay which would provide a vapour barrier between the concrete and the floor. We at Heritage Doors & Floors supply a under floor heating underlay which may help you.
Can solid oak flooring be installed over linoleum and be used on stairs?
Hardwood flooring can be installed on the stairs, however it can be slippery. You can install our floating hardwood flooring over linoleum if the linoleum remains sound and tightly glued to the original sub floor.
My concrete flooring has a few low spots in it and i was wondering what to use to solve this problem?
Most building material suppliers have a concrete levelling product. We suggest levelling any areas that are more than 3mm in variation. Make sure you use the underlay with a DPM before installing over concrete.
Do you have to install your solid oak flooring under existing cabinets?
You should really install your solid oak flooring under the cabinets. You could however cut around the cabinets if removing the cabinets would cause undue complications. You should keep in mind that if you were ever to change the furniture in the room, you could have a problem where you have cut round it if the size of your new furniture isn't the same.
How do you keep the planks in a floating solid oak floor from seperating during installation?
You should really apply glue to the first three rows and allow them to dry. Make sure the planks are good and tight. Use a rubber mallet and a block of wood to put in the first three rows. You should also use a clamp so the flooring is tightly and correctly put together.
Underlay Instructions
Why do i need underlay?
The primary function of underlay is to take up any unevenness in the floor. Underlay also needs to be present for any warrenty to be valid in the event of any problem.
Can i use the carpet underlay already laid?
We don't advise that you use your old carpet underlay. The reason being that carpet underlay isn't suitable for wooden flooring. The correct underlay to be used must comply with the company with warrenties.
Whats DPM?
DMP stands for Damp Proof Membrane. This is also known as a moisture barrier and can be supplied on its own or built in to an underlay. It is required to be laid if a concrete sub floor is present. Many manufacturers require this to be used for the warrenty to stand.
Why do i need DPM?
DPM is required to be laid if a concrete sub floor is present. Many Manufacturers require this to be used for the warranty to stand.
If you need any more information or advice, please don't hesitate to ask. Click here to contact us, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!
Solid Oak Flooring : Floors : Oak Floors : Solid Oak Flooring
: Long Length Oak Floor : Timber Floors : Solid Ash Flooring : Solid Cherry Flooring :
Maple Flooring : Walnut Flooring : Solid Oak Frames : Flooring Underlay :
Solid Oak Tables : Osmo Oil And Waxes : Solid Internal Doors :
Solid Oak Flooring : Oak Floors : Oak Floor : Oak Timber Flooring :
Timber Floor : Planked Oak Flooring : Prime Solid Oak Flooring : Rustic Solid Oak Flooring :
Wide Oak Planks : Oak Flooring : Quality Oak Floors : Solid Oak Product :
Flooring Accessories : Solid Architrave : Solid Ash Architrave : Ash Floors :
Solid Ash Skirting : Cherry Flooring : Solid Cherry Architrave :
Cherry Floors : Solid Cherry Skirting : Cardinal External Solid Oak Door : Elka Flooring :
Elka Accessories : Engineered Flooring : Elka Underlays : Engineered Architrave :
Engineered Doors : Engineered Floors : Engineered Skirting : Tudor External Doors :
Floors : Solid Oak Frames : Grange Internal Doors : Laminate Flooring :
Maple Flooring : Oak Flooring : Tavern Grade Oak Flooring :
Interior Grange Braced Doors : Solid Oak Planks : Oak Boards : Interior Oak Frames :
Oak Furniture : Osmo : Q And A Underlay : Saicos Finnish : Skirting :
Solid Oak Boards : Heritage Collection : Underlays : Walnut Flooring : Walnut Architrave :
Solid Walnut Floors