Preparing For Your Oak Flooring
28th Sep 2012 @ 16:46
Before you can begin to install your oak flooring, it's important that a few precautionary steps are taken to ensure that there are no problems in the future.
One of the most important things to do when installing oak flooring is the check the suitability of the sub floor. An unsuitable sub-floor will only lead to problems in the future after your oak floor has been laid.
The sub-floor should always be completely level. An uneven sub-floor will result in your floor not being stable, causing all sorts of problems to your boards. As well as being level, the sub-floor should also be clean and clear from dirt and dust. A dirty sub-floor could cause problems when fitting your flooring, particular when glueing the boards down.
The moisture content of your sub-floor should always be checked, to ensure it is as dry as possible. An oak floor that is laid over the top of a damp environment will only lead to serious problems in the future. Solid oak flooring which is exposed to this moisture can suffer damage such as cupping and warping. Whilst Engineered oak flooring is traditionally less susceptible to moisture changes, it is still recommended that your sub-floor is as dry as possible. The moisture level of your sub-floor can be measured using a moisture metre.
Further to testing to humidity levels of the sub-floor, it is also important to check the general humidity levels of the room itself. If the flooring is to be laid inside a room that is susceptible to changes in humidity, such as a kitchen or bathroom, this could cause problems if you are planning to install a solid oak floor. An engineered oak board however is much less susceptible to these changes and therefore more suited to these areas.
If you would like any further information on how to prepare for your oak flooring, then please give us a call on 01538 304584.
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