WOOD FLOOR CHARACTERISTICS AND INSTALLATION METHODS

Introduction About the Wood

Wood is called a dynamic medium, like all available Organic materials wood also has character and quirks, responds to its environment & changes over time. Based on this “Personality” wood must be treated with some amount of care.

For Wood Flooring professionals, having good knowledge is good on individual species Wood, because of proper Wood Flooring finishing.

For Consumers its good to be knowledgeable about the Wood Flooring maintaining for long time, Durable, and for economical maintain.

Characteristics of Wood

As a Flooring Material, wood is a superior to Carpet and Vinyl. The most Interesting characteristics of Wood Flooring are Natural warmth and its appearance. A beautiful wood flooring will make complete Interior Decoration. You have to be more considered when selecting a Wood material are like, grain and color, mechanical properties such as dimensional stability, durability and simple in finishing. And availability and cost.

Hardness and Durability of Wood Flooring material

Probably most important strength property for wood used in Wood Flooring application of its side hardness also called a Janka hardness. Side hardness represents the resistance of wood to wear and marring and denting. It can be measured by the load required to embed a 0.444-inch steel ball to half of its diameter. Janka hardness can be tests on both radial and tangential.

Installation and Nailing of Wood Flooring

Now you have chosen the kind of floor which you need, there are four hardwood floor installation methods from that to choose.

Nail Down: This method can be used for thin wood flooring; it can be used fasten from wood to sub floor.

Nail down method Wood flooring

Staple Down: Stapled down method is one of easy method of used in wood flooring, in this method using staple instead of using nails.

Staple Down Method Wood Flooring

Glue Down: This method mostly used by wood flooring technicians, in this method wood adhered by strong adhesive to the subfloor.

Glue Down Method Wood Flooring

Floating Method: In this Installation method floating floors are not attached to subfloor, technicians simply float above it, either using adhesive to the wood for simply fix together. sometimes a pad is placed between the wood floor and subfloor for the reason to reduce noise and protecting from the moisture. This method is mostly used for installation and it can be Install to any kind floors.

Floating Method Wood Flooring

Sanding

Floor sanding is that the method of removing the highest surfaces of a wood floor by sanding with abrasive materials.

Sanding Process in Wood Flooring

Floor Materials can be sanded by many ways, together with timber, cork, particleboard, and typically parquet. Some floors are ordered and designed for sanding. many aged floors are sanded once the previous coverings are removed and appropriate wood is found hidden at a lower place. Floor sanding sometimes involves 3 stages: Preparation, sanding, and coating with a protecting sealer

Finishing

There are many formulations are undergoing continues change as their manufactures move to comply with evolving environmental regulations.

Finishing Process Wood Flooring

1. Some woods, especially imports, contains oils and chemical compounds that may adversely react with certain types of finishing to inhibit drying, dramatically change the color of the wood, or both. Some species of wood can be weep natural oils for an extended period of time might chances of have problems later, so its recommended that those kind floors should sealed or coated soon after final sanding out.
2. A water-based urethane tends to leave wood in light color. Non Ambering urethanes are recommended for the finishing white, stenciled or pastel floors. Water based finishing tend to adhere well to most woods, including exotics, whereas some solvent based finishes have adhesion.
3. For floors that are want to be stained to alter the natural color of the wood, professionals should be know that some species do not accept stain as readily.
4. Using a grain filler sometime use for large pores wood, like oak and walnut, if need smooth finishing.