If you’re considering laying a wooden floor, there are a number of things you should consider before you venture into the project. Clearly, it’s important to establish that a wood floor is suited to your lifestyle. In most instances, a wooden floor is perfect for all lifestyles, but it is nonetheless worthwhile double-checking with your entire household that they are in agreement that moving over to wood flooring is a good idea.
Once you are sure that wood flooring is your preferred option, there are a number of things you need to consider before you launch your project.
Deciding in particular what type of flooring will best suit the room in which you’re planning to install wood flooring is one of the key considerations. Wood flooring comes in solid and engineered options. Solid wood flooring, as the name suggests is made up of planks of wood cut from one single piece of wood. Engineered wood flooring is an amalgamation of different types of wood topped by solid wood. Engineered wood flooring should not be confused with laminate flooring which is a completely different product all together. Generally speaking, engineered wood flooring can cope better with higher humidity levels than solid wood.
Here are some of the more important considerations which will help in your decision-making process:
The moisture content of your subfloor. It is extremely important that your subfloor is as dry as possible before considering installing a wood floor. There is no point investing in wood flooring which will subsequently be laid over a damp environment. This will lead to dampness seeping into your new wood floor, which will cause damage.
The general condition of your subfloor. Ascertaining the condition of your subfloor is a really important consideration when planning the laying of a wood floor. You need to make sure your new floor has a stable base on which it will be laid. There are several options which will resolve unstable sub floors, such as introducing a layer of plywood or applying a sub floor screed.
The moisture content of your walls and the general humidity levels in your room. Wood flooring is a natural product and as such it changes as the environment around it changes. If you are planning on laying wood flooring in a room which has just been plastered, the floor will take in the moisture which comes from the walls as they dry out. This action will cause the wood to expand exaggeratedly which could cause long term damage.
