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by timber_floors

What Is Solid Wood Flooring?

Solid wood flooring is a type of flooring that you install or have installed in your home.  This means that you are usually putting down hardwood flooring such as oak in your home.  It is more costly to put down wood flooring than wall to wall carpeting at first, although after a period of time, the cost of the carpeting is more than that of the floors as carpeting needs to be replaced every few years. 

Cleaning wood flooring is much easier than cleaning carpeting as well.  Unlike carpeting which tends to hold onto stains and often needs to be professionally cleaned, solid wood flooring can be cleaned on your own and will usually last for the lifetime of the house with proper care. Even if you do have some damage over the course of the years with wood flooring, it can be sanded and re-stained so that it looks like new when you so choose.  For this reason, wood flooring is the sound choice when it comes to the type of flooring that you should choose for your home.  On top of that, solid wood flooring will not harbor bacteria or dirt like carpeting, making it cleaner than carpeting and easier to maintain. 

You have many choices when it comes to wood flooring for your home.  Solid wood flooring is made from hardwoods that will hold up over a long period of time. Just as your house structure holds up for the lifetime of the house, so will oak floors.  When you are looking for wood flooring for your home, one of the best woods to choose when seeking solid wood flooring is oak.  This is a hardwood that will withstand the test of time and will usually last for the lifetime of the house. 

Installing solid wood flooring is not usually considered a do it yourself project any more than installing tile or carpeting, although those who have good carpentry skills and the tools needed can usually accomplish this project.  Because solid wood flooring is not cheap, you want to make sure that it is installed correctly by those who know what they are doing in the field and are better off to at least get help from someone who has the tools and has installed this type of flooring before.  A carpenter can usually install wood flooring in a home with no problem at all and usually has all the tools needed to not only install the floor, but make sure that the underlay is in good condition as well as the trim and the shoe that goes on the bottom of the floor. 

If you are looking for a way to make sure that you update your home so that it looks more attractive as well as will have flooring that will last a longer period of time, then you should look for wood flooring for your home.  You can go online and take a look at the options that are available when it comes to solid wood flooring for your home and then take your pick as to which is the right one for you. 

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by UIC Digital Collections

Versatile Wood Flooring With Click Technology For Easy Installation

Wood flooring is becoming increasingly popular amongst homeowners due to its versatility, low maintenance and high quality appearance. Unfortunately, installation can be reasonably difficult; this often puts people off opting for wooden flooring.

For individuals that are new to DIY, this can be particularly daunting, especially if they choose to purchase their new flooring from an online retailer. However, there are specialists that have a solution to this problem, click wood flooring. This innovative product is simply clicked into place with no need for nails or glue.

The click wood flooring that they supply is incredibly easy to install yet it offers the same look and feel as standard wooden flooring. They even provide solid wood click flooring, so customers do not have to compromise on quality.

What’s more, as they are primarily based online they are able to keep costs low, meaning that customers do not have to pay over the odds for their wood flooring. Prices start from just £26.79 m², almost half of the usual retail price.

Wood flooring can add a touch of luxury to any home; it can add a traditional look to new-build homes and enhance the appearance of older properties. Their click wood flooring is available in both lacquered and oiled varieties, and in rustic forest or brown oak.

In addition to click wood flooring these specialists also offer a range of flooring to suit many different styles and budgets including engineered wood flooring, laminate flooring, karndean and solid wood flooring.

If you are looking for a stylish new floor that is relatively hassle free to fit, even if you are a DIY novice, take a look at the wood flooring available from online suppliers, or give them a call to discuss the products that will suit your home best.

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Tags: Click, Easy, Flooring., Installation, Technology, Versatile, Wood
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by ASurroca

Wood Flooring – Everything You Need To Know

The elegant look of a hardwood floor can add warmth and character to any room in a home. The natural characteristics of wood add depth and a visual appearance that many other types of floors try to duplicate. With the demand for hardwood flooring growing manufacturer’s are enhancing their ranges to meet this demand, with better quality finishes and superior construction techniques.

Hardwood floors come in a wide variety of wood species, colours and widths. Besides the classic hardwoods (like red oak, white oak, maple and ash) many manufacturers now offer exotic hardwood species from all over the World. Exotic hardwoods give homeowners the chance to better express their own personal decorating tastes with a more unique looking floor. With so many different types of hardwood flooring now available it is sometime hard to choice which is best suited to you.

Different Types of Wood Flooring

Solid wooden floors are one solid piece of wood that have tongue and groove sides and come in either pre-finished or unfinished styles. Solid wood floors are sensitive to moisture and it is not recommended to install these floors below ground level, or directly over a concrete slab. These floors are for nail-down installations only. You can refinish, or recoat solid wood floors several times, which adds to their appeal and to their long life. There are solid floors that are over 100 years old and are still in good condition.

All solid wood floors will react to the presence of moisture. In the winter heating months, moisture leaves the wood causing the floor to contract which leaves unsightly gaps between each plank. In the summer months when the humidity is higher the wood will expand and the gaps will disappear. If there is too much moisture it may cause the wood planks to cup, or buckle. This is why it is important when installing a solid strip floor to leave the proper expansion area around the perimeter and to acclimatize the wood prior to installation.

Engineered wood floors – These floors are constructed from several wood plies that are glued together. The centre core is generally a softer wood material and is used to make the tongue and groove. A hardwood finish layer is glued on top of the centre core and another softer wood ply is attached underneath the core. This top ply is also called the finish layer and can be constructed of almost any wood specie.

Wood always wants to expand in a certain direction. In the presence of moisture solid wood planks will always expand across the width of the planks, rather than down the length of the boards. To avoid this problem, manufacturers of engineered planks place each ply in the opposite direction of each other. This is called cross-ply construction. Once the wood layers are glued together the plies will counteract each other which will stop the plank from growing or shrinking with changes in the humidity. Engineered wood floors are designed for the floating installation and can be glued together or some now come with a click system.

Veneer wood floors are very similar to laminate floors. The only difference is that with a veneer flooring to top wear layer is a thin piece or real hardwood instead of a photographic image as in laminates. Veneer flooring is usually around 8mm in thickness with the top hardwood layer being around 0.7mm. Advantages of a veneer floors are that they are fast and easy to install and you have a real hardwood floor.

Factory Pre-finished Wood Flooring

Most factory finished hardwood floors have several coats of finish applied to the wood’s surface. As example, many wood floor companies are applying 6-10 coats of a ultra-violet (UV) cured urethane. This would be extremely difficult for someone to duplicate on a job site finish, not to mention how many days it would take. This is one of the reasons why many flooring mechanics, flooring retailers, and builders are pushing pre-finished hardwood floors. Instead of taking several days to install and finish a new hardwood floor a pre-finished hardwood floor is generally done in one day.

The most common finishes are:

UV-cured – Factory finishes that are cured with Ultra Violet lights versus heat.

Polyurethane – A clear, tough and durable finish that is applied as a wear layer.

Acrylic-urethane – A slightly different chemical make up than Polyurethane with the same benefits.

Aluminium Oxide – Added to the urethane finish for increased abrasion resistance of the wear layer, which is becoming extremely popular on the better grade wood floors.

Acrylic Impregnated – Acrylic monomers are injected into the cell structure of the wood to give increased hardness and then finished with a wear layer over the wood.

Unfinished Wood Flooring

If you want a custom stained hardwood floor, or a wood floor to match existing trim than a unfinished hardwood floor is your answer. Unfinished means you start with a bare hardwood floor and than the floor is sanded, stained, and finished in the home. This can be quite a mess and the process does take several days, but your floor will have a finish to you requirements.

Installation Options

Nail Down – Secret nails are used with a wood flooring nailer and mallet to attach the flooring to the sub floor. Solid Strip floors or Plank floors can only be installed on wooden sub-floors or on batons.

Glue Down – Engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. This is when you spread the recommended glue all over the sub floor and lay the flooring into the glue.

Floating – This is when a thin underlay is placed between the wood flooring and the sub floor. A recommended wood glue is then applied in the tongue and groove of each plank to hold the planks together. Engineered

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by timber_floors

A Solid Wood Floor or Laminate Flooring: A New Insight

Laminate flooring is fantastic if you are looking for a wood effect floor on a budget. The best value for money laminate flooring is Krono collection, The Krono collection comes in a range of oak colours and 4 different effects. It comes as an easy click lock installation system so even if you don’t have a degree in construction to be able to fit it. You can also buy quickstep laminate flooring. The quickstep laminate flooring system was designed for a closer fit between the panels. Finally there is aqua step laminate floors this flooring system is waterproof so no more nasty raised planks due to large spillages. The aqua step laminate flooring is especially handy for bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms. Laminate flooring is very easy to clean and maintain. It only needs a sweep and a mop every so often and if you really want to make your laminate floor shine you could even give it a polish. Laminate does have a downside and that is that it doesn’t last as long as a solid wood floor. Remember that when you are choosing your laminate you should find one appropriate for the area. For example if you are laying your laminate in the hallway then you should pick a laminate that is suitable for high traffic areas.

Real wood flooring is the kind of flooring that will transform your room. It will add style to your room scheme and will create warmth in the room. Of course solid wood flooring is more expensive than laminate but you can see the quality of the solid wood flooring compared to laminate. Solid wood flooring is available in hundreds of different colours and styles. You can get real wood floors from pretty much any tree you like. These colours range from the darkest aged oak to the lightest pine. These colours can be adjusted and changed to suit your style with different finishes. These finishes include oiled, no-oiled, lacquered, brushed and even smoked. The choice of finish can make your floor look completely different so be sure to choose wisely. Solid wood floors require some maintenance. It should be cleaned regularly as per the manufacturer’s instructions and should be cleaned with a specialist solid wood floor cleaner. A solid wood floor should also be re-finished every few years or so too. If you do not maintain your solid wood flooring then it will not last to its full lifespan. By ensuring that it is well looked after will mean it won’t need replacing and therefore a more cost effective choice.

So now you have a better knowledge of solid wood flooring and laminate wood flooring hopefully your choice will be a little bit easier. Remember that investing in a quality solid wood floor can sometimes be cheaper if it lasts a lifetime.

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Tags: Floor, Flooring., Insight, Laminate, Solid, Wood
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by timber_floors

The difference between solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring

On first inspection there isn’t any great aesthetic difference between solid wood and engineered wood flooring. However before you rush out and opt for the cheapest wood floor there are a few pros and cons to weigh up for both engineered and solid wood floors.

Construction

Solid wood flooring is milled from the tree to give a solid wood plank which has an uninterrupted wood grain and is solely constructed of one solid section of wood. They are mostly constructed with a tongue and groove format.

Engineered wood floors consist of a top layer of natural hardwood which is stuck to a cross layered section of natural soft or hard wood known as ply wood. The cross layering of the ply enables the plank to be more stable due to the glue used so that when the wood expands width ways the different angles reduce the amount of expansion.

Durability

Solid wood flooring is more durable than engineered as it gains its strength from being one solid piece of wood and can be re-sanded and refinished with different waxes, stains or oils more times then engineered. Though the life of any floor does depend on how well it is looked after with recommended care products.

Engineered wood flooring is still very durable and can only be re-sanded five times as the top hardwood layer cannot withstand more.

Really good maintenance is key to durability as when the right cleaning products are used a wood floor can last a very long time.

Stability

Solid wood floor isn’t considered as stable as engineered due to its seasonal movements, meaning that they are susceptible to expansion and contraction with humidity changes in the home. A small perimeter gap accommodates this movement. Solid wood floor is not generally recommended if underfloor heating is already installed as the heat can cup and warp the boards. It is also not advisable to lay solid wood flooring on concrete, unless a full moisture test has been carried out and it is sealed, as the levels of moisture can also affect the boards.

Engineered wood flooring is more stable and more multi functional then solid wood as it is suitable for laying on underfloor heating, concrete and is compatible with most types of underlay making it a good option for those living in second floor and basement flats.

Installation

Solid wood floor can be stuck down or secret nailed and it is not recommended that they are floated over underlay as the joints are glued down and wouldn’t allow the boards to move with seasonal humidity and moisture.

Engineered wood flooring can be stuck down, nailed and floated. It is versatile but does still require a perimeter gap just to be on the safe side with slight board movements.

Tags: between, difference, Engineered, Flooring., Solid, Wood
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by timber_floors

Solid Wood Flooring in the Home

A solid wood floor can add warm tones and a stunning finish to any room. Constructed with pieces of solid wood they have tongue and groove sides so they can be easily connected together. Each piece has a different grain which combines to form a unique look whenever it is used. There is a huge variety of solid wood floors available with many types of wood species, colours and widths available at hardwood flooring suppliers.

The most popular option is oak wood flooring. Europe and America are both the main consumer and producer of this type of hardwood flooring. Oak is available in various types including red, white and European oak, each with their own hardness, grain and colour characteristics.

A cherry wood floor is another popular choice due to its striking grain markings and solid composition. Like other wood floors it is highly resistant to damage. Over time cherry wood flooring darkens from a pale pink colour to warm dark red tone

Exotic hardwoods can give a room a unique look are now readily available at major hardwood flooring suppliers. They can be found for sale alongside other classic real wood flooring such as maple, oak and ash. Real wood flooring can be purchased in pre-finished or unfinished styles. When laying unfinished wood flooring the product can be recoated many times to increase its life and make it last considerably longer than other flooring options.

When laying solid wood floors, begin with a flat, dry and solid sub floor such as concrete, wood or cork. Carpet is not suitable as a sub base and must be removed. Any deviations in level should be rectified with suitable floor filler. A plastic barrier to stop moisture is recommended for floors that are being installed on concrete or in damp areas. Harwood flooring should also be allowed time to acclimatise before it is set down by leaving it the room for several days. For a bathroom wood floor contact you local flooring supplier for suitable product support.

If you are using a wood floor sub base the solid wood floor should be installed at right angles to the original floorboards to aid strength and stability. An expansion area around the perimeter of the room is also recommended to allow for contractions and expansions throughout the winter and summer months. This expansion gap can be covered with skirting boards or a cover strip.

Solid wood floors are tough and hard wearing and by taking care of them their life can be prolonged. Keep gravel, dirt and grit at bay by using a doormat outside and inside the front door. Regular sweeping and vacuuming will take care of any dirt that does settle on the floor and will reduce scratches and everyday wear and tear. Avoid wearing stiletto heels on solid wood floors and if possible only wear indoor shoes or slippers on its surface.

Nothing comes close to the finish that can be achieved with a solid wood floor. By installing solid wood flooring the value of a home often increases and it can give a home the edge over similar property on the market. Solid wood floors are stain resistant and do not trap dust so are especially good for allergy sufferers. There is a wide range of tones, styles and prices on the market so whether you are looking for a cheap wood floor or the ultimate in hardwood flooring, you are sure to find the right match for your room.

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Are Childrens Wood Beds The Best Choice?

Shopping for childrens wood beds shouldn’t be taken lightly, a personal touch should be considered when making your final decision. A bed is the most personal furniture in the house, but more special in your child’s bedroom. Childrens wood beds can last much longer than metal beds, and are very easy to maintain, wood furnishings leave a room with a comfortable and calming homey feeling. In addition, children wood beds are fashionable, and sturdy, and inviting to look at.

There is no shortage of variety in childrens wood beds to choose from, some people may ask, why buy a childrens wooden furniture? When comparing wood beds to metal beds, wooden beds are made from natural material, also wooden beds have a calming and warm feeling, unlike the cold feel that emanates from beds constructed of metal.

There are some people who are concerned about buying wooden beds for the reason they feel furniture made from wood production are destroying the natural environment. To answer this concern, the fact is that most beds for children and wooden furniture are constructed with pine wood. Pine is a common wood readily harvested from local sustained forests, and have no ill effect on the environment.

Childrens wood beds give any bedroom a sense of class, especially if the wood is varnished. It doesn’t matter if the childrens wood bed is a twin bed, a single bed or a wooden bunk bed, your children will love it. Bunk beds are hugely popular with kids, children love to play on and around bunk beds, and it becomes a joy to sleep in them. Additionally space can be saved with a childrens wood bunk beds as compared to having two single or twin beds in a room, and also give more room for your children to play.

Childrens are unique furniture, and are normally strong and nice to look at. As the years pass, beds for children are long lasting and may out live metal beds that can rust if not maintained. Not many things look as nice as a varnished piece of wooden furniture, and beds for children can give an alluring feel to a room.

Manufacturers of childrens beds have various designs, they offer accessories like built in drawers into bed frame or into the headboard. Many wood beds designs are creative, as an example is the wooden loft bed, space under the bed can be utilized as a storage space, making more space than a bunk bed.

myspace.com/coldwarkids The second single from robbers & cowards

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by orayzio

Know Your Way Around Engineered Wood Flooring

Often confused with laminate, vinyl, or veneer flooring, engineered wood flooring is currently one of the most popular solutions for consumers seeking wood flooring in their home. In contrast to laminate and vinyl, engineered wood flooring actually comprises of two or more layers of real wood, with the top layer being the visible material, and the bottom layer providing the stability and support. Engineered wood flooring has grown enormously in popularity due to being typically cheaper to purchase and install than solid wood flooring, whilst maintaining an almost identical quality and feel.

One consideration to make when considering purchasing engineered wood flooring is that it is not suitable for installation in bathrooms or utility areas due to the heavy amount of moisture that the flooring would be subject to. It is however, easy to install using either a click, or a tongue in groove system, and nowadays is available in many different high-quality styles and grades.

Before you purchase your engineered wood flooring solution, there are a number of useful things to consider. First of all, a very important consideration to make is the grade that the flooring is given by its manufacturers. The grade refers to the quality of the wood throughout its layers. For example, a board awarded the grade of AB will typically have a top layer of top quality wood (A grade), which is visible to the user, and a slightly lesser quality layer (B grade) which will provide stability to the plank and not be visible to the consumer. Generally speaking, grade A – the highest grade – should be defect-free, or as close to it as possible, and any splits or small knots in the wood should be plugged or repaired with synthetic filler. As you progress through the grades of engineered wood flooring (the lowest being D), the quality will reduce somewhat, and the number of natural knots, splits and colour variations will increase. A ‘D grade’ board will most likely not have had any repairs or sanding done to it, as is considered as more suitable for back surfaces that are not visible.

Also important to consider when purchasing engineered wood flooring is the board size and the type of finish applied to the wood. Board sizes can vary significantly, and can make a big difference for some who is looking for a ‘chunkier’ aesthetic, or on the other extreme, for someone seeking a finer, more tailored look to their flooring. Be sure to take into account the board size and the quantity of boards in a pack when you come to choosing a type, since this will affect the overall price of the project. It is easily to think a certain board is better value per-pack without realising that it is considerably narrower and that each pack contains fewer boards, which would then necessitate more packs to cover your area.

Equally, when choosing a finish for your engineered wood flooring, make sure to choose carefully so that you are not disappointed by the result, and you achieve the look you are going for. Popular finishes include ‘Clear UV Lacquered’, ‘Handscraped’, and ‘Stained’, and are fairly self-explanatory in their respective qualities. A handscraped board will offer more of a rustic, natural quality, while a clear UV lacquer will provide a more modern, light feel. Choosing a finish goes hand-in-hand with choosing a décor style for your flooring, and both options should complement the other. As well as differing types of wood offering differing colour tones and grains, also bear in mind that different types of wood may be considered stronger or possess different qualities than others. Some of the most popular types of wood used in engineered wood flooring include oak, bamboo, walnut, ash and beech.

Tags: Around, Engineered, Flooring., Know, Wood
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by mharrsch

How To Fit Solid Wood Flooring

How to fit Solid Wood flooring

It is important to start any flooring installation by firstly planning out the room and deciding where to start. Many rooms offer what at first appear to be very complicated situations to overcome. Don’t worry too much about these, all situations have a solution which are covered in this section, alternatively further information can be found in the handy hints and tips section.

Planning:-

When first presented with a room or area which is to be fitted with Solid wood flooring some key factors will help you to decide where to start your installation. Door ways, shape of room and locations of main window are all factors to take into consideration as well as the subfloor (existing floor which is to be covered with Solid wood floor) here are some rules and suggestions:-

Rules –

When laying Solid wood flooring on top of existing floor boards always lay the planks at 90 degrees to the floor boards

It is important not to end up with a piece of flooring at the end of a row which is less than 5cm in length or to have the last row less than 5cm in width. To avoid this measure the room’s width and length and divide the results by the dimensions of the flooring being installed. It may then be necessary to start the first row with a half plank or even to cut the width down to accommodate the area

An expansion joint will need to be inserted into any floor area which is larger than 8m in length or in width, in effect creating two floor areas

Acclimatise the boards in the room they are to be laid in for a minimum of 48 hours. The room should have a relative humidity of between 45% – 65% and a temperature of between 18C – 20C

Suggestions –

It is generally accepted that the best visual effect when installing Solid wood flooring is to lay the boards in the direction of the light source; so towards the main window (not forgetting rule 1 above)

It is also suggested that the floor should run along the longest wall of the room giving the best overall effect. (again take note of rule 1 above)

When laying a floor across a door way it is best practise to start at this point and work back into the room

Installation guide:-

Once your planning stage is complete it is time to prepare the room starting with the subfloor. It is vital that the subfloor is in optimal condition to allow the new floor to perform as expected and help to maintain its longevity

Subfloor preparation –

The main factors to consider are the smoothness, dryness and overall levelness of the floor. If the subfloor is uneven then the new floor will not last long as the pressure on the joints will cause the boards to separate

For concrete floors make sure that they are dry (it takes approx. 1 day per 1mm of wet concrete to be considered dry enough for a Solid wood floor to be installed). The relative humidity of the floor is also vital it should not exceed 85%

For wooden subfloors, ensure there is no movement in the floor. Any loose floor boards should be nailed or screwed securely in place. WBP (water and boil proof) ply can be used over existing floorboards to provide a suitable subfloor surface

All floors must be smooth and level

Finally all debris must be cleaned and the surface of the subfloor must be free from dust and other contaminants

Installation Techniques:-

There are three main ways to install a Solid Wood floor,

Secret nailing

Gluing directly to the subfloor

Installing the Solid wood onto a self adhesive underlay

All of these methods are perfectly acceptable methods of installation for a domestic application, each method has its benefits and draw backs. It is often the subfloor which will help to determine which installation is best suitable.

Installing the floor planks – Secret nailing –

Secret nailing a wooden floor is a method usually chosen when the existing subfloor is wood or when installing directly to joists. Solid wood flooring should have a minimum thickness of 21mm if it is to be fitted directly to joists.

It is possible to use the secret nail technique when the subfloor is concrete or screed. A damp proof membrane (DPM) needs to be placed over the concrete followed by an 18 – 24mm WBP plywood sheet.

Start the first row by loose laying the boards parallel to the wall allowing a 15mm expansion gap. Begin by resting the fitting wedges up against the wall to give you a 15mm gap. This is vital as the Solid boards will expand and contract after installation and if this gap is not present the floor will lift and buckle in the room. The wedges are removed after installation is complete and the gap is covered with either skirting or beading

At the end of the first row you will undoubtedly need to cut a board to length. A good way to measure the length of the board required is to rotate the loose board by 180 degree (facing upwards) so that the tongue is facing the tongue of the previous row. Rest the board next to the first row then mark and cut the boards to size.

(NB. When cutting Solid flooring ensure that a new blade is used)

Once you are happy with the alignment, ‘face nail’ the boards into the subfloor at intervals of 250-300mm or onto every joist. Face nailing is nailing through the top of the planks into the subfloor, counter sink the nails and fill in the dimples with wood filler.

Depending on the tools used and the width of the flooring installed, it may be necessary to face nail two or three rows before secret nailing can begin.

Continue laying rows of planks down ensuring that you keep the 15mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. Stagger the boards so that the end joint of each row is further than 150mm apart (brick bond)

Keeping the nails at a distance of 250 – 300mm, secret nail the planks into the subfloor. Secret nailing is a method where planks are secured through the tongue of the boards at a 45 degree angle and counter sunk to allow the groove of the next board to fit tightly. Mechanical nail guns are the best way to achieve professional results and make installation a lot easier.

The final row can be measured and marked to size using the following technique; firstly place the board to be marked directly on top of the last row laid. Place another plank on top of the loose plank but this time have the top plank pushed up against 15mm wedges against the wall to give you the correct measurement allowing for expansion. (be careful not to move the board to be marked) now draw a line along the edge of the top plank marking the board underneath.

The last few rows will also have to be face nailed as there will not be enough room for secret nailing.

Installing the floor planks – Direct gluing –

Direct gluing is a suitable method of installation when fixing on top of a concrete or screed subfloor. One benefit is that the overall height of the new floor is kep to a minimum as there is no need to install an 18mm WBP plywood base. It is also suitable over existing wood floors which are suitably flat and firm.

The subfloor must be flat, firm and level; if necessary a levelling compound may be used. It is important to remember that all subfloors must be dry.

A liquid damp proof membrane must be laid first and allowed to dry.

Using a suitable wood flooring adhesive apply an even coat to the subfloor. A notched trowel held at between 450 and 900 is the best method for this.

Start the first row by laying the boards parallel to the wall allowing a 15mm expansion gap. Begin by resting the fitting wedges up against the wall to give you a 15mm gap. This is vital as the Solid boards will expand and contract after installation and if this gap is not present the floor will lift and buckle in the room. The wedges are removed after installation is complete and the gap is covered with either skirting or beading

At the end of the first row you will undoubtedly need to cut a board to length. A good way to measure the length of the board required is to rotate the loose board by 180 degree (facing upwards) so that the tongue is facing the tongue of the previous row. Rest the board next to the first row then mark and cut the boards to size.

(NB. When cutting Solid flooring ensure that a new blade is used)

After two rows have been successfully installed weigh them down while the glue sets. Any glue which has seeped through to the surface should be removed immediately.

Continue laying rows of planks down ensuring that you keep the 15mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. Stagger the boards so that the end joint of each row is further than 150mm apart (brick bond)

Tension straps may be used to hold rows tightly together whilst the glue sets.

The final row can be measured and marked to size using the following technique; firstly place the board to be marked directly on top of the last row laid. Place another plank on top of the loose plank but this time have the top plank pushed up against 15mm wedges against the wall to give you the correct measurement allowing for expansion. (be careful not to move the board to be marked) now draw a line along the edge of the top plank marking the board underneath.

Installing the floor planks – Self adhesive underlay –

Solid flooring can also be laid as a floating floor using a self adhesive underlay. The boards are adhered directly to the underlay which holds the floor together. This method can be used for all subfloor types (following the rules set out above that subfloors be flat, firm and dry) the benefits of the self adhesive underlay is that the room can be used immediately with no drying time required for glue to set.

Lay the underlay at 90 degrees to the direction of the boards ensuring that there are no gaps between sheets but equally important is that the underlay does not overlap. When using the underlay over concrete, first lay a DPM with the edges overlapped by 20cm.

Peel back the foil from the underlay by the width of 2 ½ planks and fold over.

Using the supplied spare foil, lay this over the exposed adhesive surface of the underlay with enough surplus foil facing the wall to fold back over the top of the underlay

Place the fitting wedges up against the wall to give you a 15mm gap. This is vital as the Solid boards will expand and contract after installation and if this gap is not present the floor will lift and buckle in the room. The wedges are removed after installation is complete and the gap is covered with either skirting or beading

Position the first row along the wall and wedges allowing for the expansion gap and ensure that this is perfectly straight. (if the first row is not perfectly straight the entire floor will be ruined) At the end of the first row you will undoubtedly need to cut a board to length. A good way to measure the length of the board required is to rotate the loose board by 180 degree (facing upwards) so that the tongue is facing the tongue of the previous row. Rest the board next to the first row then mark and cut the boards to size

(NB. When cutting Solid flooring ensure that a new blade is used)

Now lay a second row, this will help to stabilise the two rows whilst the foil is removed as well as help to provide a straight line

Once you are satisfied the rows are straight and tightly fitted, peel back the loose foil sheet which will expose the adhesive underlay to the solid wood flooring thus holding the boars in place.

The loose foil may now be discarded. The remaining attached foil will be your work area where new rows will be rested on until you are happy that they are tightly fitted.

Continue to fit the rows down and peel away the foil to fix the boards into place.

The final row can be measured and marked to size using the following technique; firstly place the board to be marked directly on top of the last row laid. Place another plank on top of the loose plank but this time have the top plank pushed up against 15mm wedges against the wall to give you the correct measurement allowing for expansion. (be careful not to move the board to be marked) now draw a line along the edge of the top plank marking the board underneath.

Obstacles –

There are various obstacles you will come across when installing any flooring. The trick is to identify these at the beginning and plan when to tackle them. You do not want to end up at an obstacle where you may need to remove some flooring you have already installed to enable you to deal with the situation.

Door frames are inevitable as almost all rooms will have these. It is necessary to remove a section of architrave and door jam to allow the Solid to be fitted under them, thus hiding the expansion gap away from sight. To do this you will need to place a piece of underlay and an upturned board against the door frame. Using a long saw pressed against the Solid floor begin to cut into the door frame. Make your cut until you reach the wall behind the door frame. Do not worry about cutting into the skirting as the beading will cover this. Remove as much of the door frame as possible so as to allow the right expansion room for the Engineered.

Measure and mark the Solid to fit and then install. When faced with a room where there are doors on both sides of a room and the Solid is installed across the door way it may be necessary to use glue to fit a board at one of these doors. As it is impossible to install the board at 30 degrees and still slide it under the architrave you will need to remove some of the locking joint on the previous row.

Remove the lip along the tongue of the long edge using a sharp chisel. Apply glue to this edge. Slide the board to be fitted under the door architrave and then pull it back into place along the previous row.

Radiator pipe covers can either protrude through the floor or from the wall. If they are floor mounted then the Solid will need to be cut around the pipes with an expansion gap. Measure and mark the position of the pipes on the Solid board and cut the holes out using a 32mm spade drill bit. This should allow for the 15mm pipe and an expansion gap. Then remove the excess Solid to allow the board to be placed against the pipes. The area of Solid removed should represent a keyhole shape. Keep the off cuts of the Solid as these can be glued back into place once the plank is installed.

Tags: Flooring., Solid, Wood
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by j l t

Things To Consider When Buying Beautiful Oak Wood Flooring

If you are allergic to other types of flooring and you want to have some enhancement to your house in regards to flooring, then Oak wooden flooring is considered to be the one of best options. These wooden floorings are very beautiful, durable, and affordable. Their installation is easy and they are easy to maintain with only minimal care needed. Oak flooringis available for use in all rooms, except for the bathroom, as this type of floor is not suitable for areas that have a lot of water and moisture.

These floors are solid and durable, so you don’t have to worry about damage being caused if you drop something. Oak wooden flooring comes in natural colours and there are even some varieties of laminate that have created a similar look.

Here are a few facts that will help you to buy Oak Wooden Flooring:

Decide on the amount that you would be willing to spend. There are laminates that look like flooring, but they are not real wooden floors, so check carefully before buying. There are several colours, species and grain variations in the wood used for flooring. The most popular is red oak natural and this look can really ignite a room. There are many varieties when it comes to colour choice, so consider if you are looking for something dark, or something light. This choice will also depend on the amount of light that you currently have within your house throughout the day. If you have a dark home with minimal sunlight, choosing a light floor tone can make the room look lighter. Darker shades are usually appropriate for formal interiors, while lighter colours look great within casual and contemporary interiors.

Decide upon the rooms that need new flooring, or if you are looking to replace the entire floor of the house. Be careful in areas that gather a lot of traffic, dirt and water. Many people avoid using wood in wet areas of the home, due to the damage that water can have. The installation of a wooden floor is quite easy and when people are laying the boards themselves, many prefer to buy pre finished wooden floorings. This option will save you time and money too. The majority of flooring types should come with a warranty and it is a good idea to choose one that does. There should be adequate protection from direct sunlight, as wood can fade in colour if placed in this constant situation. There are different price ranges and ultimately, the price will depend upon the grade of wood that you choose. Buying engineered wood is also a good option, as it is stronger and will last indefinitely.

Oak Wooden Flooring has 14mm and 20mm of thickness and is available in narrow or wide planks. They are also available in a matt or satin finished and your choice will depend entirely upon your budget.

Tags: Beautiful, Buying, consider, Flooring., Things, Wood
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