Wooden Floor Guide
Why have wooden flooring?
No other type of flooring has the same warmth, beauty and value of wood - It will enhance the decor of any room, gaining character over the years. It is a known fact that homes with wooden floors sell better than those without. Additionally, wood does not build up allergens or dust, having up to 10 times less than a carpeted home.
Installing Wooden Flooring
All solid wood flooring can react to the presence of moisture. In the dry winter heating months, moisture can leave the flooring causing it to contract. This can mean gaps between the flooring boards. In the humid summer months, the wood will expand and could buckle. Almost all problems are due to improper installation or subfloor preparation. Please refer to your fitting instructions and prepare your subfloor accordingly. Alternatively, you may wish to contact your local branch for assistance.
Maintaining Wooden Flooring
A solid wooden floor is extremely durable, and should last a very long time. Like your home, over time the colour will fade but you can re-sand and re-stain your flooring several times over its life. Here are some pointers on caring for your flooring:
- Use a doormat to catch dirt - don't walk it into your floor
- In high traffic areas, consider using a rug
- Sweep or vacuum at least once a week
- Lightly mop a lacquered floor with a damp mop - wood is naturally porous and not compatible with excess water
- Use floor protector pads on chair legs, table legs and/or castor cups
- NEVER wax a lacquered (varnished) floor, NEVER lacquer (varnish) a waxed floor and DON'T use furniture polish on any wooden floor
- Generally, your lacquered floor may show signs of wear after about 10 years (in a domestic setting). This is when you may wish to sand, re-stain and re-varnish your floor. Waxed floors will require more upkeep, these require to be scoured every 6 months with fine grade wire before re-waxing. Oiled floors to be 'oiled' when required.
- If properly installed and maintained, your solid wood flooring should last a lifetime.
Please ensure that your subfloor is in good condition and that all nails etc have been removed prior to fitting your new solid or laminate wood flooring.
For laminate floors, most have fitting instructions included in the packs.
Why Have Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring enhances the appearance of any room, is hardwearing and easy to clean. It is a known fact that homes with wooden floors sell better than those without. Additionally, wood does not build up allergens or dust, having up to 10 times less than a carpeted home.
Installing Laminate Flooring
All laminate wood flooring comes with a set of installation instructions. As with solid wood flooring, laminates can react to the presence of moisture too. In the dry winter heating months, moisture can leave the flooring causing it to contract. This can mean gaps between the flooring boards. In the humid summer months, the wood will expand and could buckle. Almost all problems are due to improper installation or subfloor preparation. Please refer to your fitting instructions and prepare your subfloor accordingly. Alternatively, you may wish to contact your local branch for assistance.
Maintaining Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring comes with maintenance instructions. Here are some pointers on caring for your flooring:
- Use a doormat to catch dirt - don't walk it into your floor
- In high traffic areas, consider using a rug
- Sweep or vacuum at least once a week
- Lightly mop a lacquered floor with a damp mop - wood is naturally porous and not compatible with excess water
- Use floor protector pads on chair legs, table legs and/or castor cups
