To create that perfect finish, solid wood flooring needs a little breathing space
JOB OF THE WEEK wood flooring
Solid wood flooring must be acclimatised in the area where it is to be installed so it can adjust its moisture content to that of its surroundings. The boards should be separated to allow for air circulation.
Engineered boards are the easiest to deal with. They can be laid as a floating floor (not attached to the sub-floor).
These boards are more stable than their solid counterparts and are best suited for use with a concrete sub-floor and under-floor heating sytems.
This type of board can be “secret nailed” to a wooden sub-floor. Solid wood flooring can also be “secret nailed” or glued directly to the sub-floor.
Never fix solid boards using the floating floor method. And never apply adhesive to the tongue and groove on a solid wood floor.
Solid wood flooring expands due to the absorption of air moisture, and shrinks when it loses moisture.
The moisture content of wood flooring is at its highest in summer so leave a gap around the edge of 15mm or 3mm per line arm across the grain, to allow for expansion.
Moisture content in the air is at its lowest in winter, so “air” your rooms before fitting the boards to avoid shrinkage.