Subfloors and the issues surrounding them
A subfloor is what is underneath your present floor covering. Subfloors can become a nightmare if you do not follow the correct procedures because whatever goes on top of the subfloor will be affected by it.
Damp, damaged membranes etc can allow moisture to rise upwards, moisture will always go to the driest part. Our fitters will check the floor for moisture and the surrounding area for humidity to ensure that there will be no problems once the wood floor is laid. The moisture content of the floor screed should be checked along with the relative humidity.
If the following procedures are followed then you will be providing the right environment for a beautiful natural floor that should last a lifetime and you will not get “cupping” or warping problems which only occur where there is excessive moisture. Cupping is where the edges of the boards curl up.
Types of Subfloor
There are 5 basic types of sub floors upon which we fix hard wood flooring
- Concrete screeds, power floated floors
- Joists
- Ground floor joists with open air below which are found in old houses that have air bricks and probably earth underneath
- Old floor boards
- Chipboard or plywood structure
- Underfloor Heating Screed
Concrete: Concrete screeded floors can vary in condition and levels. If it is flat and smooth with a moisture content of 4% or less then we can glue the boards directly to the floor using the Bona R 850 this is always the best way rather than using an underlay and floating the boards.
If your subfloor is not flat and smooth you can use self leveling compounds but be aware that they can lift if you do not have the right one and it is not applied correctly.
If you have your own builder or fitter please make sure they are experienced in fitting floors and the consequences of not following the correct procedures for concrete screeds.
To be extra cautious you should always put a Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) like the Bona R580 on any concrete screed, concrete takes 10 years to completely dry out and if the membrane underneath cracks for any reason such as subsidence which can happen in long dry spells of weather then moisture can work through the screed and affect the floor. Also by using a DPM you will be protecting the floor even if the screed has not fully dried out on the bottom.
Joists: If you are fixing floor boards directly to joist you can either use secret nails or screws. These are applied using a purpose made nailing gun or screw fixer which is set at a predetermined angle so that the groove of the next board can be fitted up without the screw or nail showing.
The joists must be in good condition and free of any wood worm, damp decay, dry rot or any other fungal type disease that can affect their integrity.
Older homes in the Victorian and Edwardian era had joists over open ground with air bricks if the circulation is blocked then it can lead to serious damp problems. If you have enough height then a plywood base using 8’ x 4’ marine plywood can be screwed to the joists and the floor boards glued directly to the plywood. This will cut out drafts and prevent the damp air affecting the boards. If you do not have the height due to the levels in the house then you must always use an engineered board and ensure that all the ventilation openings and air bricks are clear
Old Floor Boards: Generally old floor boards will be pine or cheap softwood. If these boards are sound, free of dry rot and fungus, then a new engineered hardwood floor can either be secret nailed, screwed or glued directly on to these boards.
If the boards are loose then it would be best to screw them firmly into the joist. If necessary an acoustic and thermal underlay can be placed between the two layers of wood when nailing or screwing down, this will reduce noise levels including creaking and helps to reduce the transmission of cold air from below.
If you are unsure then our fitters would be happy to make a site visit to ascertain the best way of fixing your floor
Chipboard or Plywood Floors: Chipboard and ply wood sub bases are the ideal surfaces to fit a hardwood floor. You will be able to choose any of our wooden floors and on plywood they can be nailed, screwed or glued, but on chipboard due to it being particles of waste wood, glue nails and screws would not hold properly over time so it is always best to glue the floor boards down.
Underfloor Heating: This is a specialist area and should be treated with care. There are many different systems but for wooden floors we always think that a hot water system is the best. Electric mats are OK but not as effective. Whatever system you have the manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed. If it is a screeded system then always glue the boards direct to the screed this ensure not heat loss You can find out more in our underfloor heating section.
About the Author:
This articles was written by Martyn Ryder Managing Director of The Solid Wood Flooring company. We manufacture all our own flooring to our own design and also to specifications given by top Architects and Designers. We supply top quality wood flooring at very competitive prices.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Sub Floors for Wood Flooring and the Issues surrounding them
|
|
Skimboard New 37″ 100-150lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $22.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 37″ 100-150lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $24.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 37″ 100-150lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $20.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 37″ 100-150lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $16.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 41″ 130-190 Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $19.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 41″ 130-190 Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $19.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 41″ 130-190 Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $29.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 41″ 130-190 Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $26.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 41″ 130-190 Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $28.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 41″ 130-190 Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $19.99 |
|
|
Acoustic Guitar Case 000, Kona, Tolex 5-Ply Wood, New $67.77 |
|
|
Pearl Pearl W-5 Drum Set 9-Ply Wood Shell, Great Cond. $95.00 |
|
|
Palio TC-1 (Ti + Carbon) Table Tennis Wood, 10 Ply, $14.99 |
|
|
Antique Wood Snare Drum 1 Ply 3″ x 12″ $69.00 |
|
|
USED Shopsmith 8″ Ply Wood Blade w/Arbor $3.99 |
|
|
WOODEN SET SQUARE – IMP & METRIC – REAL WOOD NOT PLY -B $10.10 |
|
|
High quality Model Balsa Wood 25 Sheets ply 9×2 1/16 $4.25 |
|
|
Skimboard Blank New 41″ 140-190 lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood $12.99 |
|
|
0.8mm Plywood 28 shaped pieces, birch ply wood $4.48 |
|
|
Palio 7 PLY ALL WOOD Ping Pong table Tennis Blade USA $19.50 |
|
|
Riot Gear USA 7 Ply Wood Blank, 7.5 x 31, Super Concave $25.59 |
|
|
Wood Stars Six Inch Set Of Eight Unfinished Oak Ply .25 $5.00 |
|
|
New Bingo Ply Wood Grain Slide Shutter Cards Free Ship $17.85 |
|
|
So-Lo Wood Handle Chamois Mop 4 Ply $39.99 |
|
|
20 Cards / Bingo Ply Wood Grain Slide Shutter Card $29.99 |
|
|
4-1/4 ply SPRUCE christmas tree wood cutout 25pc lot s $8.99 |
|
|
Woodworker’s Guide to Wood: Softwoods * Hardwoods * Ply $1.48 |
|
|
8″ inch ANY FONT Wood Wooden Oak Ply Letter Unfinished $3.00 |
|
|
High quality Model Balsa Wood 500 Sheets ply 12×2 1/16 $100.00 |
|
|
Skimboard New 30″ Under 90lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $14.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 30″ Under 90lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $15.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 30″ Under 90lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $14.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 30″ Under 90lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $20.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 30″ Under 90lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $20.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 30″ Under 90lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $14.99 |
|
|
Percussion Plus 4 Ply Wood Floor Tom 16″HS #7 $50.00 |
|
|
Skimboard Blank New 30″ Under 90lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood $9.99 |
|
|
RD 357 NYC GRAFFITI PAINTING ON BIG 54 ” PLY-WOOD $357.00 |
|
|
DARICE MINIATURE WOOD 3D LONG CHAIR 5MM PLY WD 3 5/8X1 $1.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 35″ 70-130lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $16.99 |
|
|
Skimboard Blank New 35″ 70 – 130 lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood $10.99 |
|
|
Skimboard Blank New 37″ 100-150 lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood $12.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 35″ 70-130lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $20.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 35″ 70-130lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $16.99 |
|
|
Kona Tolex Banjo Hardshell Case 5-Ply Wood, Plush Lined $59.77 |
|
|
Skimboard New 35″ 70-130lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $24.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 35″ 70-130lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $22.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 35″ 70-130lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $16.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 37″ 100-150lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $16.99 |
|
|
Skimboard New 37″ 100-150lb Rider, 3 Ply Wood w/Wax $16.99 |
|
|
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless-Steel 8-Inch Nonstick Omelet Pan $79.95 New from Le Creuset, this 8-in., 3-ply Stainless Steel Omelette Pan with nonstick interior features convenient precision pour rims, ergonomic handles for comfort and capacities marked on the inside for easy measuring. This high performance cookware features and aluminum core to effectively disperse heat while cooking. Can even be used on induction cooking surfaces…. |
|
|
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless-Steel 9-1/2-Inch Nonstick Fry Pan $90.00 New from Le Creuset, this 9.5-in., 3-ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan with nonstick interior features convenient precision pour rims, ergonomic handles for comfort and capacities marked on the inside for easy measuring. This high performance cookware features and aluminum core to effectively disperse heat while cooking. Can even be used on induction cooking surfaces…. |
|
|
CIA Masters Collection 7-Ply Copper Clad Stainless Steel 10 Piece Cookware Set $499.95 The Masters Collection 10-Piece Cookware set will start you off on a world of culinary exploration. The 7-layer clad construction with copper core creates the perfect cooking surface that is exceptionally responsive, easy to clean and a joy to use. This 10-piece set includes an 8-inch saute, 10-inch saute, 1-quart saucier with cover, 3-quart saucier with cover, 3-quart sautoir with cover (cover al… |
|
|
Hark! (Hammer Dulcimer) $34.99 Full length audio cd…. |
|
|
True Grit [VHS] $0.90 John Wayne hams it up as a one-eyed, broken-down marshal in this 1969 adaptation of Charles Portis’s bestselling novel. Kim Darby plays the formal-speaking adolescent who goes to Wayne for help tracking down her father’s killer, and singer Glen Campbell straps on his guns to join the quest. Directed by old lion Henry Hathaway (Rawhide), this is largely a showcase for Wayne (who finally won an Osca… |
|
|
Wet Mop, 4 Ply, 15/16×60 Wood Handle, 24 oz,Natural Cotton (GJO54201) Category: Wet Mops $21.59 Item #: GJO54201. Cotton Wet Mop is ideal for light or heavy jobs. Durable handle will not rust. Complete mop boxed individually. Absorbent four-ply cotton yarn. Absorbent, natural cotton yarn mops for damp mopping and scrubbing efficiency. Lightweight 15/16″ x 60″ natural wood handle. Refillable. Customers also search for: 15/16″x60″ Wood Handle;24 oz;Natural Cotton;Genuine Joe,Mops,Sponges… |
|
|
`CPR Board – Wood Used for CPR * 16 W x 24 L * 9 Ply birch Plywood *… |
|
|
Dura Seal Durafinish Liquid Floor Wax – Coffee Brown – Gallon $29.99 DURA SEALTM Dura Finish Liquid Floor Wax is a rich, durable, liquid wax blend that adds a satin luster to natural and previously sealed or stained wood floors. May be used as a finish coat or as a maintenance product to restore color and shine to worn wax finishes. Available in Neutral and Coffee Brown. May also be used over unglazed tile. Coverage |
|
|
Wood Tessellation Jig Saw Puzzle 3-Ply Sanded Plywood $14.95 Made of 3-Ply Sanded Plywood 10 puzzle pieces 7 7/8 in. X 9 7/8 in…. |
|
|
SunBriteTV SB-DC231 23-Inch Fitted Outdoor Dust Cover $55.00 This custom-fit outdoor dust cover keeps the TV free of accumulating dirt and dust. The attached velcro straps secure the cover in place…. |
