ENGINEERED TIMBER FLOORS HAVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS

1. SAVING TIMBER & THE ENVIRONMENT
2. BETTER SURFACE COATINGS-LAST MUCH LONGER
3. BETTER LOOKING COATINGS
4. EASY TO INSTALL D.I.Y.
5. LOOK LIKE SOLID TIMBER FLOORING
6. CAN BE GLUED-DOWN OR CAN BE FLOATED
7. MUCH BETTER STABILITY
8. WILL NOT WARP-TWIST-CUP
9. SMALL DAMAGED SECTIONS CAN BE EASILY REPLACED OR REPAIRED
10. YOU CAN WALK ON THE FLOOR AFTER INSTALLATION
11. ENGINEERED TIMBER FLOORS DO NOT HARBOR DUST MITES OR MOLDS, CREATING A BETTER AIR QUALITY FOR ALL INHABITANTS. BETTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AS NO TOXIC CHEMICALS ARE USED FOR COATING

Question:  Can you Install Engineered Timber Flooring direct onto Concreate Floors?

Answer:  Yes- subject to the following conditions. – moisture content of less than 4%, to check the humidity moisture hygrometer is used, if this is not available then you can do the following check yourself. Place a clear plastic sheet firmly over the floor, you can check an area of 1 square meter, tape the ends well and create a firm seal, leave this for two days, if moisture has formed underneath the plastic then the floor is too moist and a suitable moisture barrier is required. The recommended moisture barrier is a minimum of 200micron builders plastic, this is placed on the floor, allowing for the ends to go up the wall, which can be later trimmed, the overlap must be at least 300mm and be well taped, ensuring no moisture will escape onto the floor area.

Most slabs fall within this range, as all slabs requires a 200micron damp plastic is placed  before the concrete slab is poured, therefore after about three months your new slab would have had time to dry out, where you do need to be carefull is if you have had alterations, and have a join in the slabs, this join is not sealed and will have to have a waterproof membrane similar to bathrooms applied as the slabs will move due to climatic changes in weather.

Question:  What condition must the sub floor be, before Installation?

Answer:  You can lay good quality engineered timber flooring on most surfaces, as long as they are clean, level and dry; the following are good examples: Such as old concrete, old timber floorboards, old tiles, as long as they are structurally fixed and not loose.

Question:  Are the sub-floors required to be level before installation?

Answer:  Most timber floors can be laid on floors that are not perfect, you can get away with a sub floor that has a hollow or high spot of no greater than 3mm over a Three square meter radius, example, if you place a straight edge on the sub floor, and there are slight variations, such as hollows, then you should be able to get away with it, as underlay will take up most of the fill, but if you have a situation where the floor is level and say a nail or stone is sticking out the floor by 3mm, then this has to be removed, the variation must be spread over an area of at least two square meters. There are good leveling compounds that are cement based available at most hardware outlets, these are mixed with water and spread over the low points and are self leveling, meaning that they find a straight level and fill that area, its worth going to the small expense of using a leveling compound on a poor sub floor to bring it up to standard.

Question:  What about underfloor Heating is this allowable with Engineered Timber Floors?

Answer: Yes, under floor heating will not affect the qualities of these brands

Question:  Are Timber Floors suitable to Install in a Kitchen area?

Answer:  Yes, remember to place a rug in front of the sink be careful when replacing the appliances, such as dishwasher, that they fit, as most floors are 15/18mm higher with the under felt, after installation

Question:  How Important is the wear layer on an Engineered Timber Floor

Answer:  We firmly believe that a timber floor with a 1.2mm timber top is quite adequate and will never ever wear through in 25 years even in commercial circumstances, you do not walk on the timber, you actually walk on the coating of the floors,

Question:  Can you repair /replace a section of Engineered Timber Flooring?

Answer:                   Yes, it can be repaired by either removing the damaged floorboards and replaced with new, or in some cases with minor scratches, these can be touched up with a special marker pen.

Question:  What happens in the following situation, I have half tiled areas and the other half, carpets, I want my floors to look all even & level, what do I do?

Answer:  You have a couple of options? You can remove all the tiles, clean & prep the floor so that the entire floor is now level, this could be quite a big job, as well as being costly & don’t forget you will have dust everywhere, forever!! If it were me & you had enough roof clearance, I would go over the tiles, remove the carpets and build up where the carpets were, I would suggest a 7mm-9mm Ply-wood , glue this down with a flexible adhesive and pin down to the sub-floor, you then have an even floor to work with, if tiles are drummy, then I would suggest you have no choice , but to remove them

Question:  Will my timber floor scratch or dent?

Answer: Timber is only as strong as the species itself. The JANKA test (determines how hard a surface is) it refers to Oak as approximately 1360 hardness with very high durability, this makes for a durable floor, however, as with all species of timber floors, it can be indented or scratched. It is our subjective view that a real timber floor ages with beauty in time, no matter how many scars it bears. You also need to understand that you walk on the coating , not the timber, todays coatings which have been applied in a factory are extremely hard & durable and should last at least 25 years

Question:  Is it necessary to acclimatize timber floors?

Answer: Yes, but do not open boxes, with good quality ENGINEERED ply-backed timber floors such as TIMBERWALK  the floor is far more stable due to the ply backing which is less likely to move, if the timber has been shipped in from another area, we suggest that two days will be sufficient, by leaving the sealed boxes on the site, it is not necessary to open the boxes.

Question:   Will the timber floors  change color, or damage, when exposed to light & sunlight?

Answer: Yes Timber oxides from the sunlight as it matures, this occurs naturally & should be of no concern as the variation is slight, never expose your timber floors to prolonged period of sunlight as this can cause fading, cupping, warping & twisting, to extreme climatic conditions, window protection, shades, tinting or blinds are required. It is very important to understand that all timber oxides as it ages once exposed to the elements such as air/light, so be very careful when selecting your new floors, if you view a sample board in a shop, the board may be two/five years old, so this would have had a lot of time to oxides and get darker, when you get your new floor , you will be shocked, if fact you may even believe that it is the wrong timber, therefore make sure that you ask your supplier for a current swatch of what you are getting to make sure it is the color you want.

Question: If I Float my Floor, do I need to use Underlay?

Answer: Yes, Underlay is very important & is used to take out the unevenness in the sub floor; there are always slight highs & lows  in a sub floor. It will also reduce the drumming sound or noise effect made by foot traffic, it must also be present to validate the manufactures warranty, if the direct glue-down method was applied, then it would not be necessary to use an underlayment, as the polyurethane adhesive is a pliable drying glue and will take up most areas of unevenness.

Question:Why do some species of timber vary so much, can I choose all the same looking boards?

Answer                    Timber is a natural product made by nature, variations occur differently in different species of timber, this is why timber is so beautiful, because each piece is an individual, and the overall effect tells the story of why timber is today becoming so popular. The floors are made up from how the tree has been cut; to sort colors would be a difficult task, however. There are a few species of timber that do not have as extreme color changes, such as Spotted Gum ,

Question:  Is Expansion an Important aspect to beware of when Installing Timber Flooring?

MORE EXPANTION IS BETTER THAN LESS, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE, ALWAYS ALLOW MORE

Answer: Timber like all materials expands and contracts, however Engineered Timber, constructed on a cross-ply base, do not absorb as much moisture as a solid timber floor would, therefore is more stable in its movement, it is required that at least 10mm expansion joint is left on the perimeter of the floor, which is covered either with a Scotia or skirting (wall trim), for greater areas we suggest you use a 20mm Scotia as well. Timber also expands more in the width, rather than the length, this is why solid timber sometimes leaves evidence of grooves where they have been joined, these appear as if they have slightly cupped if you look down the length of the floor. For larger floors of over 8 meters we recommend 1.4mm per meter gap, example 8x 1.4 = 13.6 or house with timber floors would fetch a higher price timber floors are a true investment, which will be enjoyed for many generations 14mm. Refer to instructions. Or you can also look at the option of wider skirtings 20mm

Question:  How do I maintain & clean my timber floors

Answer: The recommended method of maintaining & cleaning your timber floors, irrespective if they are traditional solid, bamboo, laminate or Engineered Timber Floors, use only the “Mist Spray Method” in combination of a Micro Fiber Mop and a recommended cleaner, don’t use vinegar, the cleaner must be PH Neutral, too much cleaner can make your floors slippery and patchy

Question :  Is it cost effective to select a timber floor over less costly material?

Answer: Yes!  A survey taken in the USA, and we quote the following:              

According to the ‘NATIONAL WOOD FLOORING ASSOCIATION (NWFA) ‘ and ‘residential REAL ESTATE AGENTS’, say that:            Homes, with real timber floors hold their value better, they sell faster and they fetch higher prices, 58% of real estate agents said that a Timber Floors-Kitchen& bathrooms is what client remember most when buying a Home.

Question: What do I need to do with my floors once installed?

Answer: firstly, keep them clean and free of dust, protect furniture feet with good quality felt pads or silicone rubber cups especially chairs, do not drag furniture, wipe up spills as soon as possible, in humid areas you need to maintain a relative humidity, again this applies to all timber floors Solid Timber, Bamboo & laminate floors are more vulnerable to climatic changes as they do not have a ply-wood substructure(this makes the floor more stable as the cross-plywood expands and contracts more evenly) remember Physically everything Expands & Contracts, Timber is more prone to expansion, as it also absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, especially in wet humid times, such as extended periods of wet weather, dry times, the opposite will happen abd your floors will shrink, this is a natural process, you can help and must help your floors, maintaining a RELATIVE HUMIDITY IS MOST IMPORTANT  HARMONY RECOMMENDS A HUMIDITY LEVEL OF BETWEEN 40-65%, in extreme areas, close to the Beach, or in areas that are very damp, you may even need to use a Humidifier running your air-conditioner during extreme times will also help, you can also purchase a humidifier meter, these are inexpensive, but important. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT TIMBER IS A NATURAL PRODUCT AND CONTINUES TO LIVE EVEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN CUT DOWN -FROM A TREE TO FURNITURE OR FLOORING IT NEEDS MAINTENANCE, JUST LIKE YOUR CAR , IT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED.

Question: Why are timber floors Healthy?

Answer: The Environmental Protection agency, has said that “Indoor Air Quality is one of the top health threats in the world today.” Timber floors installed in a home help contribute to a cleaner healthy living environment; timber floors

Question:  Why is a plywood-engineered floor better than Solid Timber floors.

Answer:  Plywood is proven to be, more stable, stronger & structurally better than solid timber Plywood is used in the manufacture of Aircraft, Marine and in the building industry.

Question: What is the difference in wear layers on an Engineered Timber Floor

Answer: In terms of quality not differences, as mentioned you walk on the coatings, but there is a difference in the overall look of a veneer floor (Thinner Floor)  to say a 2/3mm Sawn Timber Top, but if your budget can only stretch to a veneer then you are still getting a real timber floor that nobody will know the difference, the main difference is , is that you can have a few re-sands from a thicker top, but frankly, you need to ask yourself , will you need to re-sand in twenty five years, I don’t think so & you would still get a light sand from a 1.2mm as your floor will not be trashed with big gouges, all it will need is a freshen-up,, there are many companies that sell a 0.6mm & these look amazing, personally we prefer 1.2, that has enough timber on the top, even suitable for restaurants.

Question:  How long will my timber floor last?

Answer: Well, Pine is one of the softest of timbers, you will find many old farm houses around the world that are more than 100 years old with pine floors which have withstood the test of time, you can rest assured that it will take several lifetimes to wear through an engineered timber floor with a 2mm, 3mm or 4mm top wear surface.

As timber ages it develops its own identity and uniqueness, this is why we love true timber floors.

The most important thing that you can do for your floor is to regularly dust and clean the floor, never expose any timber floor to excessive water, as timber will swell, when cleaning use the “Mist Spray Method” and you will

Have a floor that will last many, many years.

There are timber floor polishes available, which are not waxed, based two coats applied will add to protecting your floor

Remember: Wipe spills promptly, before they seep into the floor

Dry dust mop and vacuum (ensure that your vacuum has a setting that will not scratch your floors,

Use only approved hardwood cleaners

Put protective felt under all the legs of furniture

Maintain a relative humidity of between 35-60 percent; this is the most comfortable for humans as well.

Place mats at all entry points of the house, remember timber floors are an investment, and you have a responsibly, you have to maintain them if you want them to last, like most things in life.

NEVER STEAM MOP A TIMBER FLOOR. Or clean with hot water

Question: What is a laminate floor and is this timber?

Answer: No, a laminate is not a timber floor, a laminate floor is a product which is made to look like timber, a foil paper image is laminated to a reconstructed timber (MDF), the product is a lot cheaper than a genuine timber engineered floor, the laminate top is in most cases very strong and resistant to burns, but its very difficult to replicate “real wood”, most laminates have a click system of fitting and do not use glue as a fixing agent, this can cause problems as moisture will expand the joints after time, engineered floors that are laid the floating method use a D3 water resistant adhesive, which creates a water resistant top floor barrier protecting your floor from damage after a spill Laminate are a cheap alternative, with today’s options, with a little more money you can get a real timber floor.

Real Timber Floors are floors for a lifetime.

Question:  Can I re-sand my timber floor?

Yes most engineered timber floors can be sanded, how many times depends really on the timber top thickness, but the facts are that the only time a timber floor needs re-sanding is when it has been abused and not properly looked after, or in 99% of the time, when a renovation is taking place and you discover that there is quality timber under the old carpet, this of course has to be sanded because of all the old nails that have been driven in to hold the carpet, we suggest you call in a professional

Question:  What is engineered timber?

Answer:  Wood/Timber  flooring is made up as a sandwich of alternating wood layers, commonly known as ply wood, which is designed to provide stability and strength, it’s basically a solid-wood top “wear layer” that is permanently bonded to ply-wood, therefore allowing it to be installed directly over most sub floors such as concrete and timber. An engineered plywood floor has approximately one sixth the seasonal movement of a solid timber floor, of the same species and size.

Engineered timber makes good use of the timber resources by applying the best grade of timber on the surface layer. Engineered floors in most cases are a more expensive product than solid timber, that is before laying, wood for wood, due to the manufacturing process, however the benefits are far greater than that of a solid timber floor, as the floor does not absorb excess moisture and then contracts when the moisture in the air is lost due to climatic conditions, all timber solid or engineered reacts to climatic changes, the benefit of the engineered is that it is more stable during these changes in the atmosphere. Engineered timber floors can be laid as a floating floor, a solid cannot/or should not be laid as a floating floor, because it will move too much creating problem

Question:  What about man cutting down all the trees, will we run out?

Answer: Timber comes from a natural resource, which is sustainable: the days have gone when timber was cut down with little thought for the long term consequences on Nature’s Forest’s.

Today Timber is cut from forests that are carefully managed, to ensure continued resources for future generations.

A fact from the USA Forest Services Figures show that:  “Almost twice as much timber is added each year through new growth as it is harvested, additionally there is more timber standing today than there was 50 years ago.”

Using timber floors actually improves the environment, because we are encouraged to grow more trees, these trees pump out more oxygen for a better and healthier lifestyle.

Question:  What does pre-finished mean?

Answer:  Pre-finished Engineered Timber Flooring is a floor that has been made using natural timber to reconstruct the floor. Pre-finished floors are made in a factory production line, and mostly are coated with superior Ultra Violet quick drying lacquers, good quality floors will have seven or more coats of lacquer applied, most companies are today using the latest technology in coatings by applying “aluminum Oxide with Ceramic” as a final coating to give additional wear protection to the floor, the aluminum and ceramic, make the floor much stronger and wear less under normal traffic, that’s why quality floor companies can offer from 15 to 25 years wear surface guarantees. See Pamphlet for more info. A pre-finished floor is also “ready to lay” and ready to walk on, making it a much quicker option in today’s sophisticated market Wood species relative hardness table –JANKA TEST

Below are numerous timbers used in flooring, the ratings are rated using the Janka Test, this test is an international test that is recognized world wide. The test measures the force needed to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in a piece of timber. The higher the number the harder the wood. This is used as a guide for the performance of the timber top. The overall construction of the floor is as important, particularly the center core as a ply core is far better constructed for better overall performance of the floor if compared with a soft timber core, which is used as filler