Your WoodWorks stockist can organise or recommend a professional installer.
Alternatively do it yourself wood flooring is fun and easy for any competent home handyman. Read our DIY Installation Guide carefully and follow the simple step by step instructions.
Download Wood Flooring Installation Guide
If the room is square the boards should be laid in the direction of incoming light. In rectangular rooms it is better to lay the boards lengthwise in the room, or on an old wooden subfloor at right angles to the existing boards.
Measure the width of the room so as to establish how many boards are necessary. If it is necessary to saw off a large part of the last board along the wall then saw the first and last boards equally. A board that is narrower than 5cm is very difficult to get into place.
The method of installation will depend on your individual preference and building requirements. Both methods are acceptable.
For glue down, apply a suitable adhesive for engineered flooring, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then place board in position. Be careful not to apply adhesive to the tongues and groove profiles.
For floating, simple click the tongue into the groove.
Wood is a living material that will move, expand and shrink with the different humidity levels in the air. It is vital to always leave an expansion gap between the floor and the walls, which can later be hidden with skirting boards or matching beading. Never trap the floor’s natural movement e.g. by installing kitchen cabinets on top of floor. Instead install up to the kickboard. The expansion gap must always be at least 8-10mm at each wall, pillar, threshold, etc. around the room.
Timber can be installed on dry concrete, plywood, particleboard or hardboard, Thinline and Masonite overlayments. The subfloor surface must be completely level, dry, clean and firmly fixed.
The subfloor must be level to 3mm over 3 metres, with no abrupt deviations greater than 1mm over 240mm. If necessary use self-levelling compound to correct any unacceptable levels. Porous floors should be primed or sealed. Remove all dust and dirt before installation.
A proper moisture test must always be performed to determine that the moisture content does not exceed 70% RH (relative humidity) before installation can take place.
In the case of a new concrete subfloor wait 6-8 weeks before starting installation. As a precaution apply an epoxy moisture barrier or 0.2mm polyethylene moisture barrier over the concrete. Overlap seams by 30cm and seal with waterproof tape. Extend polyethylene up all the walls and secure with skirtings.
Old, uneven tongue and groove wood floors must be overlaid with Plywood, Thinline or Masonite sheet. Particle board and plywood must be sanded flush and clean.
It is recommended that floating floors are installed over Silvertread 3mm foam underlay to obtain a more even surface and significantly reduce noise. Regupol acoustic rubber underlay is recommended for glue down installations. For more information click here…
Underfloor heating works well together with wood flooring provided it is on a thermostat with a maximum setting of 27°C and switched off for 48 hours before and after the installation of your wood flooring. Gradually bring underfloor heating up to 27°C over a period of several days after installation, and never allow the floor temperature to exceed 30°C.
Note that Beech, Kempas and Maple are more susceptible to shrinkage than other species therefore are not recommended for use with underfloor heating.
Download Bamboo Flooring Installation Guide
The best looking wood floor installations are achieved by proper floor preparation, precise measuring and cutting, and careful installation. Bamboo flooring can be cut in the same manner as other pre-finished wood flooring.
Our Bamboo Installation Guide contains full instructions and lots of useful tips to avoid potential problems. A dry, level and stable substrate is the fundamental starting-point. Expansion gaps of at least 10mm are essential at each pillar, threshold and wall around the perimeter of the room to allow for the natural movement of bamboo and wood floors.
For best results we recommend that you use a professional wood flooring contractor with previous bamboo flooring experience.
Bamboo is compatible with underfloor heating provided that the system provides an even heat over the whole area of the floor and is thermostatically controlled. Gradually bring underfloor heating up to 27°C over a period of several days after installation, and never allow the floor temperature to exceed 30°C.