Timber floors remain popular. People appreciate a floor that can last for decades, and that looks attractive and organic, rather than sterile and artificial. Timber provides all this, along with the ability to be re-sanded to look like new.
Good timber flooring takes some skill to install. If it is pre-cut, as some engineered timber boards are, then the installation is considerably easier – the near-identical timber slats will lock into place. A decent home DIY person can install such a floor without too much difficulty. But some timber flooring is not conveniently pre-cut, so it is best installed by professionals.
Either way, there are some things to look out for.
- Gaps – The floor needs slight gaps between boards. This is to accommodate the inevitable expansion and shrinkage that occurs with moisture and heat. Without some gaps to accommodate the expansion the floor will buckle and become uneven.
- Acclimatising – The wood for the floor should be left in the room for a week or more before installation. This allows it to settle in, and have a moisture content that is suitable for the environment. If we install straight away the timber might expand or contract, causing the floor to buckle. But if the timber expands or contracts before installation there will be far fewer issues after installation.
- Staggering slats – The joints in the timber should be staggered, which means having the joint at different places on the floor, not all in one straight line.
- Skirting Boards – This is the board around the edge of the floor, where the floor meets the wall. Ideally, this provides a small space underneath the board where the floor can expand. The skirting board will be different if the floor is carpeted, having some clearance to accommodate the height of the carpet. On a timber floor, the skirting board should be just touching the floor’s timber.
- Doorway Joints – If two adjacent rooms both have timber floors then the rooms will have no real joint in the doorway. But if the next room is tiled or carpeted then the doorway will need an edging strip where the two different floors meet. The different edging strips can accommodate the height difference between two different floors.
Timber floors are extremely durable. They last for decades. And any superficial damage, such as scratches, can be removed with sanding and polishing. Our team in Aarons Floor Sanding can provide reliable floor sanding and polishing service Sydney wide so just give us a all at 02 9635 5495.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. No individual should take, or refrain from taking, any action solely based on the material contained in this article. While we aim to offer accurate and timely information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on the date of receipt or in the future. If you require more information or seek relevant legal advice specific to your circumstances, please contact our office.