The Advantages Of Wood Flooring

The beauty of your home will come when you use wood floors for your flooring. No surprise why more and more people are using wood flooring. Fact is, the difference is continually there between wood-made flooring and the conventional flooring types. Undoubtedly, there is a reason why folks now desire floors made out from wood. The main reasons are excellent technology and affordability.

The expertise behind wooden made floors has progressed over the years that individuals can now afford it without having to disburse large sums of cash as it happens in other type of flooring. Departed are the years when installing wood floor requires an enormous cost. The materials were also immensely costly in comparison to the tile or carpet varieties. Till now, installing solid hardwood floors is quite expensive. However, the good news is that now people have various options to install wood based floors that are well engineered and affordable.

Before you go ahead with your plans to install a wood based floor, you have to know about its different types, which are solid woods, engineered and laminate woods. When you learn about the difference of these types of floorings then it will be clear to you that how much cost you need to use to complete the process.

The Strong Wooden Flooring Types-This is definitely probably the most pricey and luxurious variety. To start with, you want to purchase the solid wood of desired amount with appropriate thickness (primarily 3/8 or 3/4inch). Then you have to hire a flooring professional who can effectively covert these sold form of woods into proper floors. It is definitely quite expensive, but the durability factor is high as well. Floors made out of solid wood last for several years with minimum maintenance work. There is no doubt that it looks classy and stylish as well.

Engineered or Laminate Flooring- If the strong wood is natural and unrefined that needs to be converted into plank or strips, the engineered or laminate varieties are man-made. These can be found in the form of plank and strip, created from wood-cutting lamination. Now the technology has improved tremendously and you can get the hardiness and durability of solid woods with the laminate or engineered units. The price is much lower and you can get diverse styles that can make your floor look amazing. If you look at a solid wood floor and a laminated wood floor, it is quite difficult to ascertain the difference. That is the reason why, the popularity of the engineered or laminated wood flooring have increased considerably in the recent years.

You can get these types of flooring in diverse forms and colors. You can easily customize the look of your floors exactly the way you want.

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Posted by admin on April 2nd, 2011 :: Filed under Sold Wood Floors
Tags :: Advantages, Flooring, Wood

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The Solid Oak Wood Flooring – Attractive, Striking and Durable

Hardwood flooring is anything that is not new to the people as this type of flooring has been in use for centuries. Wood floors are available in wide ranges and all of them have their own beauty and characteristics. Each type is unique in its qualities and features and solid oak wood flooring is also one of the types of hardwood floors. Oak wood floors are considered as popular flooring options because when it comes to buy the flooring that is eye-catching as well as durable then many people go for the solid oak wood flooring. This flooring can surely make just the excellent choice as it is quite hard plus it also works well in the high traffic areas. However, let us tell you some important things that you need to know before you buy the oak wood floor.

Why to consider an engineered hardwood floor?

One may still have the striking hardwood warmth and beauty with the engineered flooring. The process of manufacturing that type of floor is that the manufacturers bond a number of layers of wood under high pressure.

The engineered flooring would offer you the warmth; appeal and charm of hardwood as it consists of several plies of wood bonded in a sequence to get the strong piece of floor.

There are lots of benefits that you can enjoy after installing the engineered oak flooring in your home. So let us discuss a few of them.

One of the main advantages for a man who buys the oak wood flooring is that it offers the consumers an affordable price and this makes it an ideal option for a person who is concerned about the price issue.

Straightforward installation is another merit of the oak wood flooring. You can find the planks in a number of sizes, which are interlocking and are very helpful in installing the floor.

When you prefer the high quality oak wood flooring that is of high quality then you may avail the benefit of solid and appealing look.

Another feature of the oak wood floor is that it offers stability and also shows resistance in different temperatures and humidity.

Besides lots of benefits the engineered solid oak wood flooring also has a few drawbacks as well. It can be easily spoiled by scratches that can harm its finishing, as such floorboards are plywood they do not have the real stability coupled with the hardiness of oak wood flooring.

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Posted by admin on March 24th, 2011 :: Filed under Solid Oak Wood Flooring
Tags :: Attractive, Durable, Flooring, Solid, Striking, Wood

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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.

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Posted by admin on March 20th, 2011 :: Filed under Children’s Beds
Tags :: beds, best, children's, Choice, Wood

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Laminate Wood Flooring And Its Benefits

When it comes to finding a way to increase the value of your home there are many topics that can be addressed though the most popular is found with laminate wood flooring. Laminate wood flooring reviews displays to owners that the installation of laminate wood flooring has the opportunity to increase the selling value of a home.

In addition, the laminate wood flooring reviews reveal that new home buyers are attracted to the appearance of laminate wood flooring increasing your chances of making a sale close to your asking price. If a home seller takes the advice of laminate wood flooring reviews they open up the possibility of not only making a sale with their home but the opportunity to increase the value of their home with only a small remodeling investment.

Laminate wood flooring represents a low cost flooring option to home sellers that is easy to install. In addition to the low expense that is found with laminate wood flooring representing a material expense savings you can save more by installing the product on your own or still save when you have another person complete the quick and easy installation.

There are many different styles of laminate wood flooring and one that is growing in popularity can be found with wide plank floors. In the perspective of the buyer, the addition of new wide plank floors creates a clean and modeled appearance for them to imagine themselves in their new residence. In addition the wide plank floors provide a simple cleaning option and the reduced number of groves provides fewer areas for dirt and dust to collect.   Wide plank floors are a low maintenance product which is highly attractive to new home owners.

Home owners benefit from the installation of wide plank floors when consumers have the ability to take advantage of the perspectives that were previously identified. When looking at the competition you will face in the housing market the advantages of wide plank wood flooring help to set your house a step above the rest. Also with wide plank wood flooring you have an even easier installation process with the need for fewer pieces in the assembly of your floor.  At first the difference in size with wide plank wood flooring may not seem like a lot but after installing for a while you will see the benefit of wide plank wood flooring.

FlooringDepot: Install kaindl laminate wood flooring, using lock joining system. www.flooringdepot.co.za
Video Rating: 3 / 5

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Posted by admin on February 24th, 2011 :: Filed under Laminate Wood Flooring
Tags :: Benefits, Flooring, Laminate, Wood

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Cleaning Laminate Wood Floors: Steps for Getting the Best Results

Laminate wood floors are multi-layered flooring technique which contains wood, resin and often glue and are fused together in a lamination process to produce a good looking and effective flooring at a low cost. It is so advantageous because it is durable and easy to install flooring technique.

Maintenance:

Maintaining laminate wood flooring is a tedious process. It often includes keeping it clean, free from dust, dirt, sand particles and moisture. It is better to shine laminate floor by using dry cleaning and not mopping at first. And even you decide to wet mop the floor by water and floor cleaners, it would be better not to keep the water up for a long period of time. And dry it quickly.

Available Floor Cleaners:

Many of us are under the impression that no chemical is possibly good for cleaning laminate wood floors. The reality is, however, quite different. First of all, spraying is always a better process than mopping when it comes to cleaning laminate wood floors. But the real question is what to spray? The safe answer would be use a floor cleaner or floor restorer recommended by your floor manufacturing company.

A commercial grade floor restorer, though very negatively viewed by the common people, can help you in various ways. These include making the floor look new, making older floors look new again, making cheap laminate floors look expensive. But picking up the right cleaner is crucial.

It is so because if you use some cleaner that is not compatible with your flooring, it will definitely lead to a bad end. It may harm your flooring in different ways. It may even lead to warping and visual damage that is not possible to repair, forcing you to cover that place (or not, if it is say, in the middle) with furniture.

Typical Steps:

One can follow different steps that would lead to a clean, new and good looking laminate floor. The steps may be as follows:

Cleaning laminate wood floors dryly with a broom and a dustpan. This will help to shine laminate floor as the uneven (no laminate floor is fully even) surface of the flooring can be a place for dust dumping.
Prepare the solution for use. Fill it into a spray bottle (if it does not come in one) and be ready to use.

Lightly spray the solution on the area on the floor where you wish to clean. Take out your dry microfiber mop and clean the sprayed area accordingly.
Repeat the process until your floor is clean.
Learning how to clean laminate floor can be a little hard. However, learning the right technique may be of little hardship if it gives a fresh and good looking laminate wood floor in return.

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Posted by admin on February 6th, 2011 :: Filed under Laminate Wood Flooring
Tags :: best, Cleaning, Floors, Getting, Laminate, Results, Steps, Wood

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Why Engineered Wood Flooring is Best

Wooden floors have been a common preference for many homeowners and interior designers over the years because it presents a warm, beautiful, and sophisticated look to any house that laminate and vinyl are unable to match. Nevertheless, wood flooring is now getting to be much more widely used for the reason that engineered wood flooring has created the choice both more effective and a lot less expensive so that it is an excellent option for every household. Entirely eco-friendly and with several finishes and colours available, engineered wood flooring is one of the top purchases that you could make for your home.

In brief, engineered wood flooring is flooring that are developed by layering solid wood and MDF together and then gluing and pushing the layers to produce a stable fit. Each of the layers is very carefully placed to make sure that a cross grain construction is produced which lends to its durability and good tolerance to water and dampness. This also helps prevent the wood flooring from warping over a period of time, which can be one of the major issues which home owners encounter with real wood floors. In fact, given the distinct characteristics of engineered wood flooring there’s been an influx in creative designs such as edging and radiator roses.

In addition there are a wide selection of widths and thickness to select from, though more often than not 3 and 5 ply flooring is bought with regards to engineered wood flooring. As stated before, its ability to deal with moisture which makes it the most appropriate flooring for many rooms where commonly you wouldn’t consider wood flooring to be a possibility such as cellars, and bath rooms. Mainly because as opposed to its solid wood counterpart, engineered wood is able to bear up to high volumes of traffic in addition to any differences (irrespective of exactly how dramatic) in temperature and moisture.

Engineered wood flooring is usually more favourable as a flooring option in many cases because it comes in pre-finished and finished styles, enabling the individual to easily install the floor in one step and it is instantly functional. In addition, since engineered wood floors are normally only about three-eighths to five-eighths of an inch thick, it makes it possible for them to be fitted on top of already present floor surfaces which makes installation a truly straightforward procedure. Therefore, rather than worrying about finishing, sanding, or removing the existing floor before an area is ready for use, engineered wood flooring could be installed in only one day.

As soon as it is the time to actually install engineered wood flooring into a house there is the selection between lengthier panels for installs that are ‘floating’ in style, or simply opt for the effortless tongue and groove boards, which can make it more realistic to think about installing the flooring without the need of any specialist assistance.

Lastly, there is a demand to take a close look at the veneer of the wood flooring that is being thought about considering that the thickness of the layers will denote how eye-catching the end product comes out to be.

The alternate options to engineered wood flooring are laminate and real wood. Each of which have their pros and cons.

Laminate floors appear to be similar in looks to real wood floors but are normally more cost effective and in some ways being more robust, and with distinctive finishes and beveling options available this kind of flooring can certainly still provide a real wood look at a portion of the cost . Because the laminate is not affixed to the sub floor, leveling is vital to ensuring a top quality finish. If the sub floor is bumpy the laminate floors may have a bouncy feel to it. Because some laminates simply click together without the need of adhesive it is quick to fit. Solid wood floors, as the name suggests, are a type of wood flooring that is solid wood all the way through. With its natural beauty as its principal focus, its drawback is that it might be susceptible to scrapes and dents though this isn’t essentially a serious problem in the long term due to the fact that real wood floors can be sanded down on many occasions.

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Posted by admin on February 6th, 2011 :: Filed under Engineered Wood Flooring
Tags :: best, Engineered, Flooring, Wood

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Wood Fireplaces and Stoves

Traditional wood fireplaces and stoves have been used for centuries. Traditional fireplaces are very inefficient in heating a room, as they primarily use radiant energy to provide warmth.  Traditional fireplaces and stoves use the air from the room to provide oxygen for combustion. Wood fireplaces are available in a wide variety of styles and building materials.  Wood burning stoves also are available in a multitude of styles colors and features, based on your heating needs.  Wood burning appliances  require a class A chimney.  The chimney may be built of masonry or of double lined steel.  There are options to consider for both wood burning fireplaces and wood burning stoves.

Wood Fireplace Options

Traditional fireplaces, constructed of firebrick and mortar, are designed to burn logs.  The styles and sizes of fireplaces are as varied as the architects who have designed them.  Traditional fireplaces are usually built onsite utilizing brick masons, cinder blocks, fire brick and ceramic flues.  The chimney of the fireplace needs to extend above the highest point of the roof to avoid downdrafts. The size and weight of a traditional fireplace requires a substantial and stable foundation.  Usually traditional fireplaces are built during new construction.

Fireplace inserts have gained in popularity, as they are much cheaper and lighter than traditional fireplaces.  Fireplace inserts are built in factories and shipped pre-assembled to the home, resulting in less labor costs for installation.  Wood fireplace inserts also are designed to be installed next to wood materials, with close clearances, allowing wood framing to be used in chimney construction. Many metal fireplace inserts have air ducts and fans to increase the amount of heat transferred from the fire.

Both fireplace inserts and traditional fireplaces require the installation of flame proof  hearth on the floor.  The hearth is required to prevent logs that may roll out of the fireplace from setting the floor on fire.

Wood Stove Options

Traditional wood burning stoves are made of cast iron.  Antique stoves are not air tight, preventing accurate regulation of the fire. Because the flame is hard to regulate, more heat is lost in the flue gases, reducing the stove’s overall heating efficiency.  The thick cast iron used in construction of older stoves allows an extremely long useful life.  Stoves built in the early 1800’s are still in use with little restorative work.  An ornate antique stove from the Victorian era could be a main architectural feature of a house.

Airtight stoves became popular during the 1970’s because of their greater efficiency.  One load of wood could be set to burn all night. The advantage of the airtight stove is in the long burning time and greater fuel efficiency.  Less heat is lost up the chimney.  Also, modern airtight stoves have catalytic converter options that help reduce the amount of creosote and other unburned gases going up the flu.

Both types of wood stoves need to be placed on fireproof surfaces.  Because of the radiant heat emitted, adequate clearance of the stove from flammable walls, floor materials and fabrics needs to be maintained.

Both wood burning fireplaces and stoves provide an impressive architectural feature for a room.  A well built fireplace or stove could be an added source of heat for your house.

Variety of Fireplaces

Fireplaces have been a traditional architectural feature of a house.  Fireplaces originally provided heat for cooking as well as keeping the house warm. Fireplaces kept the same basic design for thousands of years.  In the 16th century, the idea of raising the wood on a grate improved the heating effectiveness of the fireplace.  Ben Franklin implemented the next improvement in fireplace design.  The Franklin stove, built out of cast iron, captured more heat from burning wood.  Count Rumford modified the fireplace by creating a tall, shallow box, resulting in greater radiant efficiency.  Now, fireplaces are available with advanced options and features to meet any design or lifestyle need. The following five fireplaces are the most popular:

Wood Burning Fireplaces

Wood burning fireplaces are either masonry or factory built inserts.  Masonry fireplaces are labor intensive, and are built on site out of fire bricks, cinder block, clay chimney liners and brick or stone, depending on the surround. Masonry fireplaces usually include a hearth, mantel, grate, firebox, and damper.

Fireplace inserts are manufactured off-site and are easier to install.  Fireplace inserts use a double walled steel chimney that is light and easy to install.

Gas Burning Fireplaces

Gas burning fireplaces come in a huge variety of styles to meet any decorating requirement.  There are three major types of gas burning fireplaces: Direct vent, vent free, and inserts.  Gas burning fireplaces may be double sided, or any unique shape to make a design statement for a room. Direct vent gas fireplaces use outside air for combustion.  Since gas fireplaces have electronic ignition, some have remote controls or thermostats to create a comfortable room temperature.

Vent free fireplaces  provide greater options for placing fireplaces in rooms that may not have access to an outside wall or for a chimney.  Vent free fireplaces are extremely efficient, as no heat is lost through flu gas.  However, the room supplies the oxygen needed for combustion.  Some building codes require fresh air sources for vent free fireplaces.

Direct vent fireplaces use outside air for combustion.  This type of fireplace has the option of venting through a wall to the outside instead of a chimney, reducing labor for installation.  Advanced Do-it-yourselfers may be able to successfully install a direct vent fireplace, with the help of a plumber for the gas connection.

Pellet Fireplaces

Pellet fireplace inserts have become more popular as a source of heat for a room and because of the improved efficiency of a pellet fire over a traditional log fire.  Pellet fireplace inserts are available for new installations and retrofits into older masonry fireplaces.  Pellet fireplaces offer the advantage of a controlled burn through pellets supplied through a hopper to the firebox.  Some models are thermostatically controlled with electronic ignition.

Electric Fireplaces

For convenience and ease of installation, electric fireplaces offer new alternatives.  The new electric fireplaces have a more realistic appearing fire than in earlier models.  Most electric fireplaces have built in electric heaters to help provide warmth to a room.

Gel Fireplaces

A vent free gel fireplace provides the option of a real fire with the portability of an electric fireplace.  Gel fireplaces are starting to increase in popularity with buyers who want a real fire, but want the ease and mobility of an electric fireplace.

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Posted by admin on February 5th, 2011 :: Filed under Fireplaces
Tags :: Fireplaces, Stoves, Wood

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Laying Reclaimed Wood Flooring In Your Home

Having reclaimed wood flooring adds something special to your home, bringing authenticity to an older home renovation, or instant ambience with a rich patina for new construction. There are also a number of advantages to having a wood floor, beyond the conservation aspects of using reclaimed boards when laying the floor. For those who are seeking authentic reclaimed wood flooring, there are some really great products on the market today.

About reclaimed wood flooring

Reclaimed floors are simply floors made with repurposed wood. When an older home is being restored or refurbished, wood floors that are in keeping with the historicity of the structure are generally seen as more desirable than a modern floor which may take away from the character of the home. If you have an older home, you may also want to do any reno-work to the home in such a way that your work is in keeping with the character and period of the home. In this instance, the use of reclaimed wood is a good option to achieve an authentic finish.

The benefits of a wood floor

Wood floors are a good option if you require something which is durable and which adds to the appeal of your home. A wood floor can be easier to keep clean than carpets, as it is finished with a durable coating which protects the wood from stains and spills that would typically ruin carpet flooring. When choosing wood there are different types of wood, with hardwood being the most beautiful and wear-resistant. The downside of this is that it is more expensive, while pine flooring although slightly less hard is often less expensive. Ultimately, when choosing a type of reclaimed wood for your home, the type of wood already in your home may influence what type of wood you choose. The one surprising trend is the emergence of engineered reclaimed flooring.This involves a process where a thick layer of actual reclaimed wood flooring is bonded to multi-ply wood sheet.This greatly reduces the cost of the reclaimed wood flooring, and also results in a greater yield of the antique flooring.

Where to find materials for reclaimed flooring

There are a number of sources for reclaimed floor materials. If you are going to arrange to have the floors laid, but find the materials yourself, then you may want to look for materials being sold from schools, churches and other larger, old buildings that are undergoing refurbishment. The advantage of finding materials from larger buildings is that there may be more longer lengths of wood which can be cut to fit. However, it may be nearly impossible to find a company willing to mill the flooring for you as all reclaimed wood has to be hand inspected to remove metal from it.the old nails etc will cause major damage to the milling equipment.Alternatively, you may find it simpler to speak with a company that specializes in reclaimed wood flooring. You may also find that if you discuss the option of using recycled materials that are in keeping with your home, the company laying the floor may also be able to source the materials for your home improvement project.

With a bit of planning, it is possible to find the materials you need to ensure you have an attractive and authentic wooden floor. The sourcing of materials to achieve the look you desire is often much simpler than you may imagine. Finding a professional who is familiar with laying reclaimed wood flooring may also help you when it comes to acquiring the materials to carry out home renovations and improvements.

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Posted by admin on February 1st, 2011 :: Filed under Sold Wood Floors
Tags :: Flooring, Home, Laying, Reclaimed, Wood

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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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Posted by admin on January 17th, 2011 :: Filed under Solid Wood Flooring
Tags :: Flooring, Home, Solid, Wood

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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.

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Posted by admin on January 14th, 2011 :: Filed under Solid Wood Flooring
Tags :: Flooring, Solid, Wood

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