WOOD FLOORING• is any product manufactured from timber that is designed for

use as flooring, either structural or aesthetic. Wood is a

common choice as a flooring material due to its environmental

profile, durability, and restorability.

• Types

• 1.1 Solid

• 1.1.1 Hardwood flooring Solid hardwood floors are

made of planks milled from a single piece of timber.

• 1.1.2 Solid wood manufacturing Solid wood flooring is

milled from a single piece of timber that is kiln or air

dried before sawing.

PROPERTIES Of Timber Flooring

• Gives good reverberation and has better acoustic properties.

• Timber floors have natural beauty and character, providing a warm, stylish andcomfortable atmosphere.

• A natural, renewable and sustainable material, timber is carbon positive,meaning that carbon is stored for the life of the timber.

• Timber also has very high insulation properties, and quite low energy levels arerequired for its production.

• Different in the feel and the sound of timber flooring when walked on.

• Board Width

-Tongue and groove flooring is supplied in varying board widths, depending on the

species. --Wider boards are more susceptible to natural shrinkage or expansion, which

may result in cupping across the width of the board or slightly larger gaps between boards.

-Generally, these conditions occur during dry weather, or can be due to the use of heaters

and air conditioners, but usually disappear with time.

Tongue and groove flooring is usually 19mm thick, allowing the boards to be laid directly on

bearers, joists or battens, and to be strong enough to manage foot traffic immediately.

• Top Nail or Secret Nail

Some timber flooring is available in a choice of top nail or secret nail profiles.

-Top nail boards are installed with nails through the top surface of the board,

- and secret nail boards are installed with nails through the tongue, resulting in a cleaner finish. Secret nailing is not recommended for boards over 85mm wide.

• Feel

• Depending on the type of boards used and the sub-floor supporting system, there can be

a difference in the feel and the sound of timber flooring when walked on.

• Generally, tongue and groove flooring laid over joists or battens will have more 'spring',

which also means there may be some vertical movement at the edges of the boards

when walked upon. This can result in one board moving slightly against the edge of the

next board, causing squeaks. Squeaks are often more common during drier weather due

to loosening at the joints.

• Floors that are laid over a plywood or similar sub-floor will have a firmer feel. Flooring

that is glued directly to concrete will also feel firmer.

• Suspended Timber Ground Floors consist of the finished timber floorboards being attached to floor joists, which are suspended above the subfloor of the foundation.

• floor joists are raised above the subfloor on small supporting walls called tassel walls (or sleeper walls).

• A wall plate is then attached to the top of the tassel walls, on which the floor joists rests.

A damp proof course separates the wall plates from the tassel walls, preventing decay from any rising moisture.

• gap in the block work of the tassel walls, ensures adequate air circulation.

.

Note the stepped DPC, installed

above the vent to prevent

moisture penetration.

• To ensure that the floor is thermally

insulated, either rigid or blanket

insulation is placed between the floor

joists.

• The quilted insulation is supported by

netting stapled to the joists, while the

rigid insulation can be supported on

battens between the joists.

Vents are installed in the externalwall to ensure that adequateventilation is given to the timbers,ensuring the circulation of fresh air,keeping the timbers dry andpreventing decay

• Wooden floors may be laid on concrete

or they may be suspended above the

ground. Traditionally wooden floors were

suspended, but today there are many

timber products that are manufactured so

that they can be laid onto a smooth level

screeded concrete surface or even simply

glued to the dry screed.

ENGINEERED WOOD

• Engineered wood flooring is composed of two or more layers of wood in the form of a plank.

• The top layer (lamella) is the wood that is visible when the flooring is installed and is adhered to the core.

• The increased stability of engineered wood is achieved by running each layer at a 90° angle to the layer above.

• This stability makes it a universal product that can be installed over all types of subfloors above, below or on grade.

Engineered wood is the most common type of wood flooring used globally.

Advantages of Hardwood Floor:

• Hardwood flooring gives a rich look to your home interior.

• Hardwood floor improves it grace over a period of time due to ageing.

• Hardwood flooring is known to last for a lifetime. It has long shelf life.

• Hardwood floors are healthiest floors possible given its organic origin and non-electromagnetic nature tend to attract less dust. Hence they do not attract allergens, or molds that cause allergies which tend to travel with dust. It is recommended to use by doctors all over the world.

• They are hard and are less prone to damage when compared to engineered and laminated floors in the event any heavy object falls on the same.

• The laying of hardwood is easy and since the planks are reasonably thick it can manage slight indifference in floor height compared to the less thick laminates.

• It’s very comfortable for small babies to play on it.

Disadvantages of Hardwood Floor:

• The hardwood floors require regular polishing every 3-4 years to maintain its finish especially if it is high traffic area. The cost of polishing and labor tends to be INR 50 for normal polish to 140 per sq/ft for Polyurethane coating.

• They also require regular maintenance to prevent termite attack if your house is located in an area which is prone for termite attack.

• Hardwood flooring will be damaged in the event of any water seepage and hence stagnant pools of water should not be allowed. While regular moping with wet cloth is permitted but makes sure water is not dripping from the mop.

• Hardwood flooring is advised against for usage in Indian kitchen and bathroom. Hardwood floor’s finish is susceptible to scratching from heavy traffic, high heeled foot .

Floor finishesThe two most popular modern finishes for wood flooring are oil-modified urethane and water-based

polyurethane. Within both categories there are many variations and other names used to describe the

finish. Both have very different refinishing and maintenance regimes.

• Natural shellacs, lacquers, and varnishes were used in the past, as were waxes, often blended with oils.

• Oil - Oiled floors have existed for several thousand years and is the most common floor finish used globally.

Oil finished floors are made from naturally derived drying oils, and are not to be confused with petroleum

based oils. Pre-finished oil floors can be UV cured. Most vegetable based oils are 100% natural and contain

no VOCs.

• Brushed and oiled - Steel brushes are used in the direction of the grain which opens up the surface of the wood and

removes splinters. The wood is then oiled.

• Polyurethane - Polyurethane floor finishes were first introduced around 1942. Several types of polyurethane

finishes that exist, but the two most common are oil-modified polyurethane and water-based

polyurethane. A note to mention is water-base urethane is harder than OMU poly's and are much safer for

the user.

Buffing

• Generally Hardwood Floors need to be buffed every 3-5 years.

• The process usually takes about 1 day. Buffing refers to the process of using a stand up floor buffer.

• The floor is abasied with 180 grit screen on the buffer. This allows for the new coat of finish to mechanically adhere to the floor. This process works with great results as long as the floor hasn't had any waxes or synthetic cleaners.

Floor sanding

• Sanding provides a method for smoothing an installed floor, compensating for unevenness of the subfloor.

• Additionally, sanding is used to renew the appearance of older floors. Sanding using successively finer grades of sandpaper is required to ensure even stain penetration when stains are used, as well as to eliminate visible scratches from coarser sandpaper grades used initially.

• Prior to modern polyurethanes, oils and waxes were used in addition to stains to provide finishes.

• Beeswax and linseed oil, for example, are both natural crosslinking polymers are hardened over time.

Maintenance

• Proper use of vacuuming, sweeping, and damp mopping is usually all that is required to maintain the cleanliness and appearance of a wood floor.

• Oil soaps should not be used to clean the floors.

• The best suggestion is to use the manufacturer's recommended cleaning products

• Excessive grit and foot traffic may affect appearance.

• A properly finished and maintained wood floor does not accumulate hidden soil or odorous compounds.

• A lighter timber colour may help make a room appear lighter and bigger. Dark

floors tend to show dirt more than light floors.

• The higher grade will be more consistent and clear in appearance, and usually

suits a sleek and modern environment.

• A lower timber grade is likely to exhibit more natural characteristics such as gum

vein, knots, colour variation and insect markings, resulting in a more rustic, old

world charm

• Timbers with higher hardness levels are more durable,

showing less wear and tear. Consider the durability you

require from your timber floor, especially if you expect heavy

traffic, in particular by high heel or stiletto shoes.

Successful Installation against waterproofing

Requires proper knowledge of:

• the expected moisture content of wood flooring in a particular area after acclimation;

• the moisture content of flooring at the time of installation;

• and the expected "in use" changes. Moisture is a large part of the reason for how wood behaves, both during the machining process and after installation. Installers would do well to understand moisture's effect on wood in some detail.

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