Installing timber flooring? Don’t make these mistakes!

 

You’ve decided to install timber flooring? That’s great! But, do you know how to properly get it installed? Have any idea about the maintenance part? What are the dos and don’ts?

This blog post covers everything you want to know about the installation of timber flooring. Here are the five most common timber flooring mistakes to avoid.

1.      Opting for the wrong timber

When choosing the right type of hardwood, choose something that will fit the rest of your home. For instance, if you’re installing a timber floor in a high-traffic area, pick a harder wood like Europeanoak timber flooring. If you have pets or kids in the house, light-coloured hardwood might be the right solution. On the other hand, dark timber is great if your space has a lot of natural light coming through.

2.      Not preparing the subfloor

Your subfloor’s condition has a deep impact on the timber floor installation. When the subfloor is not properly prepared, it can lead to some serious issues like loose boards and creaking noises. After a while, you may need to replace the floorboards. So, don’t rush the process and work on your subfloor before installing new timber flooring.

3.      Not considering the moisture level

Moisture or humidity has a direct impact on timber flooring. Dry conditions can contract the wood planks and wet conditions may expand them. Also, the season of installation is an important consideration to make. For example, timber floors installed during dry winter season may contract, expand or crack during summers. In a nutshell, check the moisture level before installing hardwood flooring. It shouldn’t exceed 6%.

4.      Installing timber on newly-laid concrete

If you have a newly-laid concrete subfloor for installing a timber floor, chances are, it may have not dried out yet. In such scenarios, the moisture from concrete is absorbed by the wood, resulting in expansion, warping and cupping. This is a typical mistake that many people tend to make when fitting a hardwood floor over a concrete subfloor. The solution is to be patient. Wait until the concrete dries out.

5.      Having gaps in the floor

Last but not the least, timber floors often move with their environment. When the floorboards are installed incorrectly, they may shift and expand over time. They could end up over a wet subfloor. During drier seasons, these boards may retract and reveal gaps that become larger and irregular, creating an aesthetic issue you don’t want in your space.

Summing up

Now that you know whatthe most common timber flooring mistakes are, it’s time to watch out for these pitfalls and complement your space with the best Merbau timber flooring. Keep in mind that laying timber floors takes much work. Thus, if you feel overwhelmed by the installation task, don’t hesitate to get a professional’s help.