Thinking Of Installing Timber Floors? Here Are A Few Things You Should Consider!
Are you thinking of buying and installing timber floors in your home? Before you do, there are a few important things you should consider. From floor maintenance to whether your household includes pets and children, we’ve got every one of those tricky timber floor issues covered. Read on to find out more!
Issues with timber floors
Before you decide on timber flooring, consider some of the more common potential problems that may arise. There are a number of problems that may present themselves over a period of time, and it’s important to consider what might happen to your floors in the years ahead. If you’re not prepared to deal with the timber floor issues, they can end up costing you even more than the original installation – not to mention the inconvenience!
- Gapping – Caused by variations in air moisture and temperature, solid wood floors will contract and expand with the changing of the seasons. Wider planks of wood will suffer more pronounced the swelling and shrinking. If you prefer the looks of wider planks, be aware of this issue, particularly if you live in a humid region.
- Dents – If you don’t choose your wood wisely, you could end up with something that looks very different from what you saw in the catalogue. Cheaper, cabin-grade wood can have lots of character but is also much softer and susceptible to damage. If you’re going to be disappointed by this, consider shelling out for a more expensive type of wood with a higher rating for hardness.
- Smears and smudges – If your floor has a high gloss finish, it will show smudging and smearing easily. Keeping a floor like this requires a lot of polishing and upkeep. Think carefully about how much work you’re willing to do to maintain your floor.
- Poor floor care and maintenance – Wet mopping or steam cleaning a wooden floor can be a recipe for disaster – causing the timber to swell. Be aware of the dos and don’ts when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your timber.
If in doubt, ask the experts
Speak to an expert and get specialised advice on whether timber flooring is right for you. You should definitely go in with the following important questions to help make your decision easier.
- What type of wood is right for me, my home, and my family?
- What type of finish is best?
- How do I maintain a wood floor, or keep it from being scratched?
- How long after I order my floors will they be installed?
- Is there anything I can do to prevent my wood floors from fading over time?
Types of timber floors available
There are many types of wood flooring available today. From different tree species to different styles of flooring, finishes, wood grades and colours, there are so many choices that it can be come a little confusing. It all depends on your personal preferences and the room in which you want to install your timber flooring.
Solid timber
The first option is to use solid lengths of wood connected by interlocking tongues and grooves. You have choices of different types and species of wood, as well as different finishes.
Floating floors
These floors are generally comprised of several layers of material, with a wood veneer being the top layer and a foam insulation blanket being the bottom. Easy to install, they can be laid directly over a concrete slab. There’s no sanding, oiling or lacquering involved.
Parquetry
Parquetry is a beautiful mosaic of wooden blocks laid on top of a solid, flat base like concrete or a plywood substrate. Parquetry can be bought in panels or preassembled tiles, or it can be laid individually using different contrasting species.
Hardwood
Nearly all new Australian flooring timber is hardwood, as it better withstands Australia’s tough conditions. Solid hardwood is 100% hardwood, while engineered hardwood uses a plywood or high density fibreboard with a layer of solid hardwood on top. There’s a rating system in place that rates different wood species in terms of hardness – the higher the number, the harder the wood.
Grades and colours
Grade refers to the level of features visible in the wood. There are three levels or grades common to most companies: select or classic, which is the sleekest type of wood; standard or natural, which is natural looking and has the standard amount of visual characteristics in the wood; and rustic, or Australiana, which has the highest level of knots, whirls and veins.
Colours typically available include blonde wood, such as Alpine Ash, Tasmanian Oak, and Blackbutt; browns like Brushbox; and reds like Jarrah.
What type of timber floor is best for my situation?
If you do decide to go with timber flooring in your home, the next big decision is what type of timber floor will suit your situation best. As mentioned above, there is so much choice available that this decision can be nearly as hard to make as whether you even wanted timber flooring in the first place. Your personal preferences in terms of aesthetics may not fit your situation. Never fear, we’ve cut it down for you simply.
Where is the room located in your house?
Is the room below ground level, on ground level, or above ground level? Standard solid hardwood floors cannot be installed below ground – you’ll have to go with a thin profile solid or engineered hardwood.
What is the room used for?
If the room is exposed to moisture, you’ll be much better off installing an engineered hardwood floor rather than a solid one. A room exposed to a high level of moisture, like a bathroom, will have the biggest challenges when it comes to timber floor issues and probably shouldn’t have a hardwood floor at all.
What will foot traffic be like?
The higher the foot traffic, the harder the wood you’ll need. Hard wood is less likely to show wear when it’s properly cared for. Speak to us at Action Property Inspections to get ideas about wood species that would work well in this instance.
Do you have children or pets?
If yes, you’ll need to choose a durable type of wood that doesn’t show wear as easily. You’ll also have to protect the wood against pet claws or children’s toys using varnishes or other methods.
Is there a door leading outside in the room?
Dirt and other substances can make their way more easily into the room if you have a door to the outside; these can damage the wood. You’ll have to make sure that you use rugs and doormats to lessen the chances of dirt damaging your floor.
How much sunlight does the room usually get?
One of the common timber floor issues can be discolouration. If the room has a number of windows, you need to consider using types of wood that aren’t sensitive to light. Too much exposure to sunlight can cause discolouration in certain types of wood. Alternatively, you could look into getting a UV coat on the floor or regularly rotating your furniture and rugs to ensure that all parts of the floor are regularly exposed to sunlight.
How much wood will I need?
This is the easy part – you just need to measure the dimensions of the room, and then multiply width by length to get the total in square metres. You should ensure that you get 10% more than you need to cover any potential damages and to allow for waste during the cutting in process.
Should I install my floors myself?
Timber floor issues can become complicated, so it’s recommended that you leave it to the professionals if you have any questions or concerns. Not only will you save yourself a lot of money in the long run – you’ll save yourself a lot of stress, worry and effort!