Frequently asked questions

This is based on an average job of about 100m2

1 week to install moisture barrier and install timber flooring.

During this time other trades may come in and out to work as long as they are not making a mess or hold up certain areas so we cant lay the timber floor.

The only time no one can be in the house during this time is for the moisture barrier which is on the first day.

1 week to let the floor acclimatise.

During this time the floor is acclimatising to you homes environment but anyone may walk over the floor as it still needs to be sanded and coated.

1 week to sand and coat the timber floor.

During this time no one is allowed in the home so as not to contaminate the timber floor.

3 days to dry for foot traffic.

No one is to walk on the floor for this time to allow it to harden up. The floor will need one week to fully harden up for heavy furniture.

Wet mopping or steam cleaners can add a lot of moisture to timber floor so are therefore not recommended to be used.

The Enjo cleaning product is a very natural and hygienic way to clean a timber floor as no chemicals are need, just water. Different fibres can be used to remove the dust or properly clean the dirt off the floor.

If you would like to contact a consultant for them to come out and show you how it works and purchase one please contact the person below.

Star : 0424 545 575

A lot of people say that this is needed. To truly acclimatise timber, the packs need to be opened and it needs to be stripped stacked which means a packer is to be placed between every piece of timber so that the timber can have a constant air flow. This never will happen because of the time that this would take.

So the alternative is that we make sure that the timber is at the correct moisture content when it is sent out and then re checked when we go to install the timber floor. We then let the floor sit for 7 to 10 days with all the boards out on the floor to allow for acclimatisation. This will allow any small amount of movement to occur before the sanding and coating.

There are two main types of coatings

Polyurethane Solvent Coating with the Polycure Product

This is a solvent based coating and here are the benefits and disadvantages:

ADVANTAGES:

• Very hard wearing
• Great for a high gloss finish

DISADVANTAGES:

• Will turn slightly golden in the sunlight which is more noticeable on lighter colour floors
• You do notice more imperfections such as scratches and nail holes

2 Pac Water Based Finish with the Loba Product

This is a water based based coating and here are the benefits and disadvantages:

ADVANTAGES

• Gives a very natural look to the floor
• Nearly stops the golden look that the solvent base product produces
• Less scratches are visible and other imperfections

DISADVANTAGES

• Not as hard wearing as the solvent based
• Not great for a gloss finish
• If certain chemicals are spilt on it, it will eat the coating

CLIMATE

The biggest issue that timber floors in Perth have is the heat.

Timber floors always need to be kept in a constant environment so as not to move to much which means extremes of temperature will affect the timber floor.

Through the summer time is where the most problems can occur, people go away on holidays and leave the house locked up and therefore the house inside becomes extremely hot and the timber loses too much moisture, which results in cupping and gapping.

So having blinds down, reverse cycle air conditioning on may be needed to keep the house cool.

Natural features such as gum vein, birds eye and pin holes are natural characteristics of timber flooring, making each floor unique. It is important to understand that no two floors are the same, even if they are from the same species, the same age and the same area, there will still be variation in colour, tone and marking.

Windows that expose the timber floor to direct sunlight should be covered to prevent timber movement. Allow for ventilation throughout the home and your timber floor can be greatly affected by an air conditioner. Please ask if you would like to know more.

The building site must be at lockup stage and the timber floor should be installed after the tiler and electrician but before the final coat of painting and the carpet installation.

The timber is laid up tight with very few gaps if any. Timber however is a natural product and can therefore gain or lose moisture according to the environment. The visual affects of this are that in winter the boards will lay up tight and in summer the boards may shrink leaving very small gaps between the boards. Other factors may contribute to movement in you timber floor such as air conditioners, timber species and the width of the boards.

The power source needs to be no greater than 15 metres from the furthest point of flooring as power drain from long leads can damage equipment. The concrete slab needs to be clear of any large objects and needs to be scraped and cleaned.