Timber floors have become so prevalent today thanks to their outstanding features. They not only add value and style to your home but also add that natural feel to your house. The market today offers a wide range of timber flooring that varies depending on the type of wood used, so it shouldn't be challenging to find the best material that suits your requirements.
Regardless of the timber flooring materials you choose, it is essential to ensure that the installation is done correctly. So, whether you decide to DIY or hire an installation expert, there are certain mistakes you should avoid to enjoy the benefits of timber flooring.
Failing to wait for the concrete to dry
Before the installation of timber floors, it is crucial to prepare a subfloor that will hold the new flooring in place. A well-prepared subfloor also prevents issues like loud creaking noises and loose boards. Since concrete is used to make the subfloor, you need to ensure that it dries thoroughly before installing the timber floor. This way, you will be sure that the wood will not absorb the subfloor moisture and cause cupping, bending, expanding, or warping. Therefore, it's not advisable to rush the process – the less moisture your subfloor has, the better.
Also, consider your climatic conditions before installing the timber floor. If your area experiences hot, humid summers or cold, dry winters, be sure to check the moisture levels before installation. This is a problem you won't experience if your area is more temperate.
Not securing the wooded planks appropriately
Each wooden plank you use to create the floor must be secured tightly during the installation process. This will ensure the flooring lasts longer, and you will avoid dealing with issues like creaking and loose boards. Often rushing the installation process causes this problem, so take your time or ensure the installation pro secures the boards properly.
Forgetting to leave some expansion space
Wood planks will expand when they are exposed to any form of moisture, and since the flooring will be exposed to moisture at some point, it's wise to leave sufficient expansion space on the walls and plank edges. This way, if someone spills water, milk or any other form of liquid, and the planks absorb some before you wipe it way, they will have space to expand without restrictions. However, this doesn't mean that you should leave a large noticeable gap – one or two centimetres is enough for perfect timber floors.
Share22 October 2019
Our cafe has a funky and bright colour scheme. It's hard to find the right flooring option as we have a lot of foot traffic and bright colours can look dull when we have had a busy period. It also tends to fade when we have to use heavy strength cleaning chemicals on heavier messes. Recently we have started exploring some non-traditional flooring options such as flooring based on recycled plastics and rubber based plastics with poured patterns. It looks really good. This blog talks about some of the flooring options that are available for high traffic areas, including some of the newer and non-traditional materials you can use.
