Interesting facts
32 articles (3 pages)
Solid wood flooring
What is the reason for open joints?
One of the most common reasons for open joints with solid wood floors is the room humidity indoors which is often too low (thus making the material dry out). It is very important here to stay within the recommended humidity ranges. During the heating period a humidity level of at least 50-65 % at temperatures between 20 and 22°C is considered ideal. If, during the heating period, the indoor humidity should fall drastically below these values, a humidifier should be used.
What is the reason for open joints?
One of the most common reasons for open joints with solid wood floors is the room humidity indoors which is often too low (thus making the material dry out). It is very important here to stay within the recommended humidity ranges. During the heating period a humidity level of at least 50-65 % at temperatures between 20 and 22°C is considered ideal. If, during the heating period, the indoor humidity should fall drastically below these values, a humidifier should be used.
Solid wood flooring
What is the reason for the warping of a floating floor?
Usually, when the floor is warping this is a sign that the flooring planks abut upon the wall somewhere or it could also be that one of the expansion gaps have become too small (heating pipe, door jamb/ architrave, flooring profiles etc.). Please check the expansion spaces all around the room to make sure the flooring has room to move in all directions. Even minimal contact in one area can lead to a warping of the floor in another.
What is the reason for the warping of a floating floor?
Usually, when the floor is warping this is a sign that the flooring planks abut upon the wall somewhere or it could also be that one of the expansion gaps have become too small (heating pipe, door jamb/ architrave, flooring profiles etc.). Please check the expansion spaces all around the room to make sure the flooring has room to move in all directions. Even minimal contact in one area can lead to a warping of the floor in another.
Solid wood flooring
What is the reason for dull or cloudy looking solid wood planks?
This problem is often caused by using a wrong cleaning product. Some cleansers leave a film that will build-up and over time can act like a foil on top of the flooring planks which in turn makes the whole floor look cloudy and dull. Please avoid all film-building cleansers and polishes as well as waxes. Preferably you should use the Parador Concentrated Cleanser or the recommended specialised cleaning and treatment products for oil-impregnated surfaces.
What is the reason for dull or cloudy looking solid wood planks?
This problem is often caused by using a wrong cleaning product. Some cleansers leave a film that will build-up and over time can act like a foil on top of the flooring planks which in turn makes the whole floor look cloudy and dull. Please avoid all film-building cleansers and polishes as well as waxes. Preferably you should use the Parador Concentrated Cleanser or the recommended specialised cleaning and treatment products for oil-impregnated surfaces.
Solid wood flooring
Is it possible to glue the tongue-and-groove connection together on the longitudinal side too?
Technically, gluing together the tongue-and-groove connection on the longitudinal side is wrong. This would lead to the formation of blocks, i.e. after a certain number of glued-together planks this would lead to a very large) tear gap along the longitudinal side of the planks. Within a flooring area the tears usually appear after every 8-10 rows of planks.
Is it possible to glue the tongue-and-groove connection together on the longitudinal side too?
Technically, gluing together the tongue-and-groove connection on the longitudinal side is wrong. This would lead to the formation of blocks, i.e. after a certain number of glued-together planks this would lead to a very large) tear gap along the longitudinal side of the planks. Within a flooring area the tears usually appear after every 8-10 rows of planks.
Solid wood flooring
Are warpage, bulging, cracks, visible joints, knocked-out knots and small open spots okay?
OK. And even proof of a solid and completely natural product.
Are warpage, bulging, cracks, visible joints, knocked-out knots and small open spots okay?
OK. And even proof of a solid and completely natural product.
Solid wood flooring
How can I install a flooring plank that is heavily warped?
Usually with a warped plank, you would cut it in two pieces of equal length and use these as starting pieces at the end or beginning of row. This will diminish the warping considerably.
How can I install a flooring plank that is heavily warped?
Usually with a warped plank, you would cut it in two pieces of equal length and use these as starting pieces at the end or beginning of row. This will diminish the warping considerably.
Solid wood flooring
Which sub-structure is the best for installation with screws?
Screwing is best on OSB or particleboard flooring, the major advantages being that the flooring bears on over its entire length and the screws can be put in anywhere.
Which sub-structure is the best for installation with screws?
Screwing is best on OSB or particleboard flooring, the major advantages being that the flooring bears on over its entire length and the screws can be put in anywhere.
Solid wood flooring
What is the minimum thickness of the OSB or particleboard flooring, that is required?
The boards need to be at least 22 mm thick.
What is the minimum thickness of the OSB or particleboard flooring, that is required?
The boards need to be at least 22 mm thick.
Solid wood flooring
What is the maximum moisture content of the sub-structure (e.g. sleepers)?
The moisture of the sub-structure must not be higher than the wood moisture content of the flooring planks (10% +/- 2%) that are installed on it.
What is the maximum moisture content of the sub-structure (e.g. sleepers)?
The moisture of the sub-structure must not be higher than the wood moisture content of the flooring planks (10% +/- 2%) that are installed on it.
Solid wood flooring
Is it possible to install solid wood flooring on an old hardwood floor?
Yes - to do so, just screw any loose planks to the sub-structure to help silencing potential squeaks. The new floorboards should be installed in transverse direction to the old boards.
Is it possible to install solid wood flooring on an old hardwood floor?
Yes - to do so, just screw any loose planks to the sub-structure to help silencing potential squeaks. The new floorboards should be installed in transverse direction to the old boards.
Solid wood flooring
Why is it better to use screws for the installation than nails?
If any adjustments become necessary during the installation or planks have to be removed, this is only possible without damages and problems when the flooring has been installed with screws.
Why is it better to use screws for the installation than nails?
If any adjustments become necessary during the installation or planks have to be removed, this is only possible without damages and problems when the flooring has been installed with screws.
Solid wood flooring
Why is a factory-finished surface better than one that is finished onsite by the customer?
Because it is more even, free of any dust particles and has a betterbond with the wood also the surface is easier to clean and maintain.
Why is a factory-finished surface better than one that is finished onsite by the customer?
Because it is more even, free of any dust particles and has a betterbond with the wood also the surface is easier to clean and maintain.
Solid wood flooring
Are the three different styles (Select, Natur, Living) that are offered comparable to the styles for engineered wood flooring?
No - the styles for solid wood flooring tend to be more natural and lively.
Are the three different styles (Select, Natur, Living) that are offered comparable to the styles for engineered wood flooring?
No - the styles for solid wood flooring tend to be more natural and lively.
Solid wood flooring
Why is it important that planks from several different packages are mixed during installation?
To achieve a well-balanced and harmonious overall appearance.
Why is it important that planks from several different packages are mixed during installation?
To achieve a well-balanced and harmonious overall appearance.
Solid wood flooring
What is the life span of the solid wood planks?
Unlimited - as you can see in old castles and manor-houses.
What is the life span of the solid wood planks?
Unlimited - as you can see in old castles and manor-houses.
Solid wood flooring
What are the most common maintenance mistakes?
Humidity is too low
Cleaning/ wiping with too much water (i.e. not damp!)
Missing walk-off zones (carpet runners, doormats in front of entrances and patio/ porch doors)
Infrequent use of treatment products
Missing felt glides under chairs and tables
What are the most common maintenance mistakes?
Humidity is too low
Cleaning/ wiping with too much water (i.e. not damp!)
Missing walk-off zones (carpet runners, doormats in front of entrances and patio/ porch doors)
Infrequent use of treatment products
Missing felt glides under chairs and tables
Solid wood flooring
What are the most important things to remember with main entrance areas, patios/ porches and side entrances??
Usage of generously sized doormats to catch dirt and moisture.
What are the most important things to remember with main entrance areas, patios/ porches and side entrances??
Usage of generously sized doormats to catch dirt and moisture.
Solid wood flooring
Are colour changes something that has to be anticipated with a newly installed solid wood floor?
Like all natural materials solid wood planks too do react to UV-light. Most wood types will get darker and after a while will develop a beautiful natural patina that is only going to get more beautiful over time. Please keep this natural reaction in mind when using carpets and carpet runners on your solid wood flooring.
Are colour changes something that has to be anticipated with a newly installed solid wood floor?
Like all natural materials solid wood planks too do react to UV-light. Most wood types will get darker and after a while will develop a beautiful natural patina that is only going to get more beautiful over time. Please keep this natural reaction in mind when using carpets and carpet runners on your solid wood flooring.