My house has a concrete floor. Can I cover it with timber? Yes. There are five common systems you can choose from tongue & groove boards on battens; direct fix; plank on ply; floating floor; block parquetry or laminate flooring.
Can you explain the different methods? Tongue & groove boards on battens: As the name implies, battens are laid at 450mm centres and the tongue & groove boards are laid on top and fastened by nailing. Finished height above concrete about 70mm.
Direct fix: Advances in adhesive technology now make it possible to fasten timber directly to concrete using polyurethane adhesives. There are some limits on the size of the boards that can be used. Finished height above concrete about 10mm.
Plank on ply: A layer of plywood is glued and fastened to the floor and then timber planks are glued and fastened to the plywood. Finished height above concrete about 20mm.
Floating floor: A thin veneer of timber is bonded to a plywood substrate, which is tongued and grooved. The panel is then laid over a synthetic membrane and locked in place by a beading around the perimeter of the room. Floating floors are generally prefinished and quick to install. Finished height above concrete about 14mm.
Block or parquet flooring: The direct fix of small blocks in set patterns, sanded and polished. Finished height above concrete 14-19mm.
I am building a new house. Which system should I choose? Each system has its own benefits, which would apply to your individual requirements.
I have an old house, which I am renovating. Which system should I choose? Each system has its own benefite, which would apply to your individual requirements.
I have old jarrah floorboards under my carpet. Can I rejuvenate them? Yes. Contact a recommended floor polisher.
I’m on a budget, what are my options? Floating floors are cost efficient options and a good handyman would be capable of installing the floor. Ensure that the product is being sold by a reputable company and remember cheapest is not always the best.
What are the advantages of a timber floor? Timber is: comfortable to stand on. Easy to clean and maintain. Suitable for asthmatics and allergy sufferers. Thermally efficient, warm in winter, cool in summer. Reduces energy cost because of excellent insulation properties. Available in a great range of species and capable of satisfying the most stringent design criteria. Environmentally the best choice of building materials. A renewable, recyclable material. Many timber floors today come from sustainable forests or recycled timbers. Perhaps the most important benefit being real value timber floors add to any home.
What are the different coatings available, which is the most durable? A great majority of floor polishes today are polyurethane. They are very durable and have been proven protection for many years. Polyurethane is available in single pot or 2-pot solvent-based mixes. There is also a water-based polyurethane, which is more user-friendly. There are still some very good oils available. These finishes give timber a much more natural look but generally require a little maintenance.
What type of maintenance is required? In most cases very little. Clean with a damp mop after sweeping. Should a disaster occur such as someone taking to the floor with a brick causing scratches and dents – then depending on the severity, the floor can be spot repaired by sanding and polishing, or the entire floor can be re-sanded and polished. Some floating floors can be re-sanded and polished several times.
What is the life expectancy of the different systems? In normal residential applications all systems should last the lifetime of the dwelling.
