So you have purchased your wooden flooring, but before installation please read on :

Acclimatisation
The solid wooden flooring has been specially kiln-dried to 8-10% relative moisture (10-12% on delivery) which is the ideal level for European countries. Therefore please stock it horizontally in the packaging for a minimum of 48 hours before installation, in the room it is be fitted in. Make sure the room climate is about 18 degrees and between 45-55% relative humidity.

Under floor heating
This is not a suitable method for heating with wooden flooring as by nature the floor will move when rapid temperature changes occur.

Prior to installation of your wooden flooring make sure:

Ÿ         All paintwork is dry and complete

Ÿ         All plaster is completely dry

Ÿ         Floor and or wall tiles have been in place for at least 3 weeks

Ÿ         Windows are in place

Ÿ         Re-check humidity levels in the room installation is to take place.

 

Open several packs at once so you can mix them, when laying take some time to consider the texture and colour of the wood laying next to each other for the best effect.

The sub floor is important your wooden flooring needs to be installed differently on different sub-floors. If you have a concrete sub floor it needs to be clean, dry and have no residue on it. The concrete must have no more than 2.5% humidity, it also must be firm and level. If it is not, use a levelling compound and allow to dry.

If the sub floor on which you are laying wooden flooring is a softwood with tongue and groove joints - then the new flooring must be laid at right angles to the existing floor. Nail down all loose boards make sure uneven boards are sanded and solid. The base floor must be a minimum of 18mm to allow a nail down installation.

As before any old paint or adhesive must be removed from the wooden flooring sub floor especially important if the glue down method is to be used.

This is an information guide for tips before you install your wooden flooring - please note it is for information only and you should always use a professional installer if you are not able to undertake installation.