FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please select from the following frequently asked questions:
What is the life expectancy
of a Signature solid wood floor?
Signature solid wood flooring is highly
durable and treated correctly can last more than a lifetime. After
many years of use a solid wood floor can be sanded and refinished,
bringing its appearance back to new and will go on providing beauty & pleasure
for generations. The aesthetic appeal and long life of solid wood
floor means a Signature floor is a sound investment in the value
of any property.
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Why is Signature flooring pre-finished?
Supplying Signature solid wood flooring pre-finished makes the installation
process faster meaning
with less inconvenience, and also avoiding sanding dust in your home
which would otherwise occur with on-site finishing. Pre-finishing
in an atmospherically controlled environment ensures that every Signature
floor is finished to the highest standard.
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What maintenance does
Signature
sold wood flooring require?
Wood is clean and exceptionally hypoallergenic.
Unlike carpets wood does not harbor dust mites which can give
rise to asthma and allergies, thus providing a healthier option than
other
floor coverings. Maintenance of a Signature floor could not be
simpler. Sweeping or vacuuming are the norm, with occasional cleaning
with
one of our recommended cleaning products. Our oiled Oak must be
given a
coat of oil periodically to refresh the oiled surface.
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Is solid
wood flooring noisy to walk on?
Wood flooring is generally not noisy,
especially when fixed with adhesive to the sub-floor.
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How can
I be
sure my concrete
sub-floor is dry enough to install wood flooring?
There are
many tests that can provide an indication as to the moisture level
of
the sub-floor,
but the Standard test is the equilibrium relative humidity
test taken using a humidity box and hygrometer. This will confirm
the relative
humidity of air in equilibrium with the concrete or screed.
A test
result of 75% s a must and 70% preferable. The sub-floor
construction must also protect the floor from ground moisture.
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Can
signature
solid wood flooring be laid over old floor boards, ply etc?
So
long as
the timber base is dry, load bearing, and flat then the flooring
may be
laid over the existing timber base. When secret-nail fixing
to chipboard or floorboards it is advisable to first install a
thin ply
base.
The moisture content of timber based sub-floors must be 12%
or lower and
a vapor barrier building paper laid before the flooring
is secret-nail fixed to the base.
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Is wood flooring suitable for bathrooms?
We
recommend against use in wet areas such as bathrooms and shower
rooms, although
it is suitable for kitchens.
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Can I use solid wood flooring over under-floor heating?
Solid wood flooring is not generally recommended for use with under-floor
heating, as heat
tends to dry wood and cause shrinkage.
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Can signature wood flooring be
laid direct to joist?
18mm solid wood flooring can be laid to joists
at 400mm centers. However Floorwise strongly recommend first laying
a load-bearing timber based sheet material such as plywood first. This
will greatly improve the performance of the floor and avoid problems.
When installing wood flooring on the ground floor above a ventilated
cavity, a moisture barrier must be used to protect the flooring.
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I
have
a concrete floor but don’t wish to raise floor levels; what
would you recommend?
Recent advances in adhesive technology have enabled solid
wood flooring to be installed direct to concrete and screeds. Floorwise
recommend the fully bonded method using F540, or 539 adhesives, which
are water free adhesives suitable for most types of wood flooring.
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Could
I fit Signature direct to clay, terrazzo or a similar base?
Some
floor coverings such as Terrazzo, clay tiles, and stone may themselves
not
be affected by moisture, but can be sufficiently permeable to allow
moisture to pass through the floor covering and subsequently affect
wood flooring
laid over them. These floor coverings must be damp proofed before
wood flooring can be laid onto them. Ensure the floor covering is well
fixed
to the sub-floor.
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What characteristics should I expect
in a Rustic Grade?
Rustic
grade is specially selected to include a wide range of
natural
characteristics, colour variations, knots and grain configuration.
Most species will include some light contracting sapwood to provide
some natural
colour variation and add interest to the appearance of the
floor.
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How do I join together areas with different
floor coverings?
Areas
with different
floor covering can be joined by use of a variety of purpose
made trims and real wood moldings such as the Floorwise reducer or
T-section.
See:
Floorwise Wood & Laminate Flooring Accessories brochure for
further details.
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Does the flooring need an expansion
gap?
All wood flooring needs
to be allowed room for normal seasonal movement. An 18mm
expansion gaps should be provided wherever the floor meets obstructions
such as walls,
structural supports, architrave, hearth etc, to accommodate
movement.
Expansion gaps can be hidden by skirting or Floorwise Scotia.
Large areas often need extra expansion. See: Floorwise
Wood & Laminate
Flooring Accessories brochure for further details.
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How much should I allow form waste
when ordering?
In order to allow for
on-site selection and cutting, an allowance of 5-10% should be made
for waste when ordering, depending on the floor layout, types of cuttings
required and the expectation of the end user. Ensure the client understands
what lengths to expect in the final floor. If shorter pieces are not
acceptable, a higher waste must be allowed for.
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Can solid wood flooring
be used in new build situation?
Yes, but special care must
be taken to ensure that sufficient constructional moisture is eliminated
and
atmospheric humidity is at a suitable level. In certain situations
special screeds can be used which provide a suitable humidity sooner
than conventional screeds, whilst in other cases a surface DPM can
be installed once the floor reaches suitable moisture level.
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Can
Signature wood flooring be used in commercial property?
Signature
solid wood
flooring is frequently used in commercial property. Care should
be taken to choose the more durable species for high traffic areas
(e.g.
Maple, Kempas, and Ash & Oak) and good quality internal and
external entrance matting will extend the life of the floor.
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See: Guidelines for installation for further details.
