If you want your wooden floor to last for many decades while preserving its unique qualities, it's important to pay special attention to its installation. A well-executed installation is essential for the longevity and durability of your floor.
Here are the guidelines you need to follow.
Before we delve into the technical aspects, let's talk about some visual considerations. The installation process directly influences the final appearance of your wooden floor.
A proven rule for installing individual planks is to lay them parallel to the incoming light, which means perpendicular to the window. If you have windows on multiple sides, prioritize the one that receives afternoon or evening light as you probably spend more time in that area. This lighting direction brings out the beautiful grain pattern of the wood.
However, the arrangement of planks can also be influenced by the designer's or architect's vision, considering staircases, walls, or bar cladding. In narrow spaces like hallways, it's recommended to lay the planks lengthwise.
Wood is a natural and distinctive material, so each plank will have its unique grain pattern, amount of sap, and range of colour shades. While customization during production can somewhat unify these characteristics, each plank remains special. If you have a rustic wooden floor, the differences between individual planks will be more pronounced.
You may discover planks that catch your eye, and you'd like to see more of them. On the other hand, there might be planks you prefer to place on the room's edges, subtly complementing the overall design. If possible, take the opportunity to review and select the planks in advance, with the guidance of a flooring specialist.
To get a better idea of the result, it's ideal to arrange the planks "temporarily" in the room, although this may not always be feasible.
When it comes to installing wooden flooring, several important technical factors must be taken into account. Ignoring them can lead to issues such as cracks, warping, gaps, or unwanted squeaks in your floor.
Modern wooden floors are typically installed on solid cement or anhydrite, fully glued to the surface. However, even a double-layered cross-section of OSB boards can work well, and in some cases, the planks can be glued directly onto an existing tiled floor. It is crucial to ensure that the subfloor is level and stable. Generally, a deviation of up to 2 mm per meter is acceptable.
In the area where your floor will be installed, it's important to maintain specific climatic conditions. The temperature should be between 18-25 °C, and the relative humidity should range from 40-60%. This applies not only during the installation process but also afterward. Minor and temporary deviations within this range are generally not a cause for concern.
It's essential to allow your new flooring planks to acclimate to the environment before installation. Ideally, the planks should be placed in the installation area at least 48 hours in advance, allowing them to adjust to the temperature and humidity. This precaution helps prevent floor deformations during and shortly after installation
When it comes to newly oiled wooden floors, one of the main challenges is construction dust that arises during interior finishing works. This fine dust, which comes from bricks, cement, or paint, easily adheres to the surface of the freshly oiled wood, causing irreparable damage. Therefore, it's advisable to schedule the installation for the final stages of interior completion and take care to thoroughly cover.
There are many important things to keep in mind during and after the installation process. We want to make sure you have all the information you need, so we discuss everything in detail on our Wood Floor Care page.
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to REACH OUT TO US. We're here to help!
