Flooring Fitting Guide by Jordan’s Woodflooring
Please find below information on fitting your floor. If you have a question that’s not covered here please contact us.
Storage Prior to Fitting
Always ensure that all wet work is complete and dry before delivery. Always try to store the wood in the area where the flooring will be installed as this will allow for perfect acclimatisation. Do not store in a damp environment, next to radiators, in any drafts or direct sunlight as these situations will affect acclimatising. The room in which the floor is to be laid must have settled to ambient conditions of temperature and humidity. Always store the packs flat and leave in their original packaging until ready to lay. Never lean against a wall as this will cause the wood to bow. Allow at least 7 days for solid floors, 48 hours for engineered & laminate floors.
Fitting of Wood
Solid wood can be laid upon existing floor boards, if in good condition and level, or laid directly on to ply-board. Solid wood floors must be nailed entirely to the sub floor. Always allow an expansion gap of approximately 10mm around the perimeter of the room. Secretly nail the flooring to the sub floor using the correct tools. (Secret nailers can be hired from most tool hire companies). Always follow manufacturers instructions when fitting your floor.
Why Do I Need Damp Proofing?
When installing a wood floor, solid or engineered, on a concrete base the use of a damp proof membrane is always recommended. No matter how dry your floor feels it will always contain damp, which can be drawn to the wood if not treated causing cupping, lifting and general damage to the floor. For engineered flooring use a plastic membrane sheet exceeding 0.2mm. For solid floors a liquid dpm should be used.
Underfloor Heating
Solid woods are not recommended for underfloor heating as the extra heat produced can result in instability sometimes causing gaps in between boards, cracking and lifting. Some manufacturers will recommend that any solid wood less than 100mm wide will be suitable for underfloor heating as long as all manufacture instructions are followed. Only water piped heating is recommended. Acclimatise the wood flooring with the heating on, for at least two weeks. Ensure that when fitting that the flooring is fully secured to the sub floor either by gluing or secret nailing. We recommend the use of engineered flooring as these products are more suitable.
Engineered & Laminate
Engineered flooring is installed as a floating floor, glued or clicked together, laid over a suitable underlay. The flooring should be acclimatised for a minimum of 48 hours. Carefully check all boards prior to installation, never use a damaged board. Always work from several packs at the same time to ensure a balanced mix. The sub floor should be dry, clean, flat and free of any cracks. A plastic Vapour Barrier (dpm) should be used when installing over concrete floors. An expansion gap of approximately 10mm should be allowed around the perimeter of the room. Always follow manufacturers instructions when fitting your floor (enclosed in wood packaging).
Fitting on Concrete
Allow at least 7 days for the wood to acclimatise before installing. Ensure that the Moisture content of the sub floor does not exceed 2.5%. Always use a recommended paint on damp proof membrane prior to installation. The flooring must be entirely adhered to the sub floor using a recommended adhesive. Allow an expansion gap of at least 10mm around the perimeter of the room. Always follow manufacturers instructions when fitting your floor.
Expansion Gaps
It is very important to leave an expansion gap around the flooring when installing it, this allows for the natural expansion and shrinkage that will occur as the wood gets warmer and colder.