Will I be happy with a timber floor?
Will I get gaps in my floor?
Will my floor all be the same colour?
What finish do I choose?
What do I need for transportation and onsite storage?


Will I be happy with a timber floor?
Experience has shown that where dissatisfaction with a tongue and groove timber floor occurs, simple precautions and sensible care have usually been ignored at some stage during the delivery, on-site storage, installation or general care of a floor, or that customers are unaware of the consequences of their choices and decisions. Read through this leaflet then use the check list at the back to tick off items as you progress.

Will I get gaps in my floor?
It is most important to understand that tongue and groove timber floors are not synthetic or man made, but are a completely natural material which is sawn, seasoned and machined to a suitable profile. Natural timber is hygroscopic, that is it continually takes up and gives off moisture to keep in balance with its surroundings.

This results in a process of natural shrinkage and expansion. Depending on the timber species chosen, visible shrinkage and/or expansion may take a day, a week or even months, resulting in the gaps between floor boards opening and closing depending upon the weather, the season and local influences.

To reduce the degree of shrinkage and expansion, today’s timber flooring is generally seasoned or kiln dried to an average moisture content of between 10% and 15%. This is considered to be a good starting point for the majority of installations, but as you will read later, many other local factors influence the atmospheric moisture content around and in your home and therefore affect your floor.

Will my floor be all the same colour?
Colour is purely a personal and aesthetic choice. The general colour will be determined by the timber species. However, even within one species there will be natural variations. Some species exhibit only small variations while others vary greatly. Remember timber is a natural product and no matter how big a sample you have seen, your floor WILL BE DIFFERENT from the sample and completely unique.

What finish do I choose?
Tung-oil
Traditional tung-oil finishes produce a subdued or semi-gloss appearance. Tung-oil is a drying oil which is extracted from the seeds of a tree. When applied, it is absorbed slightly into the surface of the timber and allows the natural seasonal shrinkage and expansion to occur without highlighting the gaps between boards. Although this finish may show marks more easily than hard surface finishes, most marks are generally easily removed with a little methylated spirits on a damp cloth. Provided tung-oil finishes have not been waxed, areas which receive most traffic can be recoated to restore their appearance, and these will generally blend quickly with the Surrounding original finish.

Polyurethane
Modern polyurethane finishes (one or two can plastics) provide a smooth, hard and very glossy surface. However, because these finishes flow into the tongue and groove joint between boards and glue the boards together, when natural shrinkage occurs, boards tend to clump together causing unsightly gaps between some boards at irregular spacings or splitting within some boards. To reduce this effect, great care must be taken to ensure that before coating, the flooring timber has reached the correct moisture content for the location and that the location remains within a narrow moisture content range.

When restoration of an area such as around doorways or a hallway is required, generally the entire floor area will require sanding to remove the original polyurethane coating before a new coat can be applied. High gloss surfaces also reflect more glare from windows, particularly where glass areas extend to the floor and the high reflection qualities will nearly always highlight dust, even just after cleaning.

If you wish to use a polyurethane finish, it is strongly recommended that you obtain a copy of the State Forests of NSW leaflet titled ‘Polyurethane Finishes on Timber Floors’ available from State Forests, TDA or your flooring supplier/installer.

Liming
Liming is a type of bleaching process carried out before a finish is applied to the floor. Liming generally gives a floor a lighter, slightly milky appearance. Consult your chosen coatings manufacturer for advice.

Stains
Many timber stains are available to modify the natural colour of your chosen timber. Remember however, that it may be difficult or impossible to restore the natural colour if you change your mind.

What do I need for Transportation and Storage Onsite?
It is most important to ensure a suitable on-site storage location is available before delivery is arranged as incorrect storage will damage the timber and/or delay laying.

All flooring timbers should be protected from the elements during loading, transportation and unloading. The optimum storage location would be under cover, protected from the elements and direct sun and where the atmospheric moisture content is similar to the level expected in your house.

In all locations the timber pack should be stored at least 200mm off the ground/concrete, with even supports to maintain straight boards and to allow good ventilation to all pack faces. A moisture barrier between the ground/concrete floor and the underside of the timber is essential.

Do not store timber in plastic wrapping exposed to direct sun as this limits air circulation and exposes the timber to extremely high temperatures which causes sweating.

Do not store timber on a fresh concrete floor or in a recently cement rendered room as the timber will absorb moisture from the drying concrete.

The above information was produced by:



Timber Development Association (NSW) Ltd
13-29 Nichols St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Ph: (02) 9360 3088 Fax: (02) 9360 3464 T D A
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the
NSW Forest Products Association Ltd.,
in the preparation of this information.
Publication TDA5967.996