JULY 2010 - Timber Floating Floors - FAQ's
Engineered timber floating floors are fast gaining popularity as a flooring alternative. But not all products are created equal. Here are a few things to consider when looking to purchase a timber floating floor.
Will my floor look the same as the sample in the store?
The short answer is NO.
Timber is a natural product. Look out at the trees around you, no two are exactly the same. This diversity means that your floor is like a snowflake, everyone is different. We can always guarantee that the species you choose will be the one that is installed, however differences in grain, colour and features such as knots, veins and insect trails will always set your floor apart as being unique. When selecting a species for your floor, be aware of this fact and ask to see as many samples of your slection as is possible to give you the greatest insight into the overall effect.
I have heard about checking, what is it and how do I prevent it?
Checking is the appearance of very fine cracks in the surface of timber products. This happens when the timber is subjected to periods of low humidity and looses moisture into the atmosphere to compensate. This causes the cell structures of the timber to shrink and pull away from each other, the end result being checking. Most engineered timber floating floors are "pre-finished", typically with a system of acrylic primers, sealers and top coat surface layers to give the ultimate in finishes. If the timber below shrinks and cracks, this typically fractures these pre-finished layers, making the checking more apparent, particularly when a light source falls across your field of view. Some species of timber are more prone to checking than others, but be aware that if the environment is extreme enough, nearly ALL timber species will eventually exhibit signs of checking. You can do the following to minimise the chances of checking occuring:
Maintain good "healthy" relative humidity in your house. This should be between 45% - 60%
This can be acheived by using humidifiers if the air is too dry.
Discuss at the point of purchase the differences in timber species tendencies to show checking, for instance some species are not permitted to be installed over heated slabs for this reason.
If in doubt, contact us here at Floating Floors to discuss any queries you may have.
Please be aware that checking is NOT a manufacturing fault and warranties do not provide coverage for this.
Will my timber floor change colour?
YES. As your timber floor matures during the first 3 - 6 months after installation it will change colour. This is called oxidisation and is a chemical reaction that occurs naturally in timber when it is exposed to UV light. Dark and Reddish toned timbers will typically become darker and more even in colour, whilst lighter timbers can take on a more yellowish or honey tone. For this reason it is recommended that rugs and furniture not be permanently placed on new timber floors during this time to allow this process to occur evenly.
Timber floors exposed to UV light after the initial oxidisation process has occured can then fade. This occurs to nearly all products when sunlight hits them over an extended period of time. This will obviously occur near windows and doors etc, and we recommend that you draw your curtains or blinds during times of peak UV exposure to minimise this occuring.
Can my floor be refinished if it starts to show signs of wear and tear?
You will notice over time that your floor will start to look a little dull, particularly in areas of high traffic and usage. The coatings on our Floating Floor's Timber Collection allow for refinishing should the need arise. Normally this entails sanding the surface of the product lightly, to etch the surface, then applying a new layer of surface coating. This is a job for a proffesional timber floor refinisher and their advice should be sought when considering this course of action.
Most importantly, have a copy of our Timber Collection Care and Maintenance guide handy and only use recommended products to maintain the factory finish. A copy of this is available for you to download in the Services section of this website.
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