All the information you need
to install your strip or overlay floor.
Sub-Floors
Sub-Floors should be dry and level,
no more than + or -3mm over 3.0 metre in any direction.
Moisture content of the concrete should be no more
than 5%. New concrete normally takes around 1 month
per 25mm to dry or 1mm per day.
Site Conditions
All building work including wet
trades should be finished; there should be no visible
or measured signs of moisture or condensation. The
building should be heated (including normal ventilation)
to its operating temperature for at least 1 month
prior to the floor being fitted.
On Delivery
All solid Hardwood/Softwood flooring
should be removed from any packaging and left to
acclimatise (sit) in the room for around 14 days
prior to fitting. The humidity should be between
40 - 50 %.
Installation
20mm strip floors can be
nailed onto battens or joists, existing timber
floors, plywood or chipboard sub-floor. Joist
or batten centres should be around 300mm spacing,
flooring can be secretly nailed through the
tongue onto the sub-floor. A 12mm expansion
gap should be left around the perimeter of
the floor; either a skirting or beading to
finish the floor can cover this. Occasionally
you may need to leave an expansion gap across
the width of the floor at regular intervals
depending on how wide the expanse is. Solid
overlay floors should be PVA glued on the
back of the boards and then pinned through
the tongue every 300mm onto an existing timber
floor (Always running in the opposite direction)
or onto plywood or chipboard sub-floors.
Sanding & Sealing
The first sanding is normally
done with a large floor sander using progressively
finer grits for a smooth finish; The floor
can then be finished with lacquer or oil,
depending on your choice. With the lacquer
1 coat of primer is normally applied first
and then 2 coats of the actual lacquer.
Trouble Shooting
Flooring should never be
left outside in the elements, it is hydroscopic
and will absorb moisture and therefore shrinks
when fitted. Before laying it is important
to recognise any services, especially electrical,
water and heating systems. If a nail during
fitting goes through a water pipe it will
be absorbed by the floor and expand causing
rafting.
Further Help
Please contact our sales
team at Forest Row for further advice or to
discuss your requirments to complete the job.
