The following information may help you in
deciding which floor to choose.
There are 3 main types of flooring available:
1. Laminate
2. Semi solid
3. Solid
Timber
1. Laminate Flooring
Comprises of a very hard wear resistant melamine impregnated
paper surface layer on top of a strong wood fibre base.
Its advantages are:
• Extremely hard wearing
• Maintenance free
• Easy to fit
• Up to 20 years warranty
• Wide range of realistic timber finishes
• Dimensionally stable
• Affordable
2. Semi Solid
Comprises of a prefinished actual timber surface layer on
top of a dimensionally stable tongue and grooved plywood base.
Its advantages are:
• Actual timber finish
• Can be sanded up to 3 times depending on the thickness
of timber, giving a life expectancy to the floor of up to
50 years.
• Available in a wide range of timbers in either narrow
strip or wide plank
• Floor is floated therefore floor height is rarely
a problem.
• Dimensionally stable
• Easy to fit
3.Solid timber flooring
N.B It is important to consider these facts before choosing
a solid timber floor.
Solid timber floors are traditionally nailed
on to floor batten, which can be 2” * 1” timber
or ¾” plywood strips. This, however, raises the
level of the floor by both the thickness of the batten and
floor. This is usually between 1½” to 2”.
This can cause problems with a step leading in to the room
and with heights of doors etc.
Solid floors of up to 18mm can alternatively
be stuck to the sub floor using a very strong adhesive. The
drawback with this method is that because of the strength
of the adhesive the floorboards will not be able to be removed
without damaging the sub floor.
All manufacturers will not recommend that
solid timber floors be floated. This is because the expansions
and contractions of the timber in certain conditions of humidity
will cause the board to distort. There are exceptions to this
but it is important that you are advised properly before continuing.
It is strongly recommended that any solid timber floor be
laid by a professional floor fitter.
