Finding the Prefect Type of Flooring

Why a Homeowner Should Never Install Their Own Timber Flooring

Today's homeowners often try to manage as many DIY jobs around the house as they can, using online videos as a guide and renting whatever tools they may need. This can be a good money-saving solution in many cases, but there are certain jobs that should always be left to the pros, no matter the videos you follow or tools at your disposal; installing timber floors is one such job. Note why this is and why you should always hire a professional installer for this job.

Expansion joints

Have you ever wondered why concrete surfaces such as walkways and driveways will have small trenches in between sections? These are called expansion joints, and they allow for concrete to absorb moisture and then swell and expand. Wood floors need these same types of expansion joints, or open areas between some slats and sections. Even when sealed, wood will absorb some moisture and humidity from the atmosphere and then swell and expand slightly; without expansion joints, the wood slats will then push up against each other and be prone to cracking and other damage. A professional installer will know how many expansion joints to include, and they will know how to allow for these small gaps without interfering with the overall look of the floor.

Prepping the subfloor

Some timber flooring materials are made to float over the subfloor, rather than being glued or nailed into place. However, this doesn't mean that the subfloor doesn't need prep work; any surface for timber flooring should be even and level and also thoroughly dry. If the subfloor is not prepped properly, a floating floor can slide around or have buckles and dips. The timber can also absorb moisture from the subfloor, causing it to expand and then shrink and eventually crack, or to hold mould and mildew on the underside.

Acclimating the wood

Real timber needs to acclimate to your space, meaning slats should sit in the room for several days, if not longer, before they're actually installed on the floor. This will allow the wood to adjust to the relative humidity levels of the room, and they will slightly expand and shrink accordingly. If you don't allow the wood to acclimate this way, it will expand or shrink once the slats are installed, and this can cause cupping and bowing or allow for cracks and other damage to develop. An installer will know for how long those slats should sit and how to store them properly in the room before they are used for flooring.


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