MAINTAINING YOUR TIMBER FLOOR

 

To keep your new floor looking and performing its best, please adhere to the following guidelines for use and maintenance.

 

Curing periods

This information applies to customers for whom we have supplied floor finishes. If you have used an alternative floor finisher, please refer to them for specific information relating to finishes used.

Following the application of finishing products, your floor should be touch dry within a day or so. However, it will take a few days or weeks (depending on the finish) before your flooring has completely cured. During this time your floor should be used with extra care since it will be more vulnerable to scuffing and marking. It is recommended that traffic and movement of furniture is limited during this time, and the flooring should not be cleaned before it has cured. For products we typically use, curing periods are as follows: Woca (3 days), Blanchon (8-10 days), Osmo (2 weeks) and Morrells (21-28 days). Please contact us if you require further advice or information on curing.

 

 

Keeping your floor in good shape

Wood is hygroscopic, which means it will take up and lose moisture depending on the combination of humidity and temperature levels in the environment in which it is installed. Whilst some movement is inevitable with the changing of seasons, certain conditions should be maintained to ensure that your timber floor does not exhibit excessive movement. Extreme conditions could result in shrinking, cupping, crowning, cracking etc and must be avoided.

To manage movement in your timber flooring, ambient conditions should be maintained at between 15°C to 27°C and relative humidity in the room or area should be maintained at between 40% and 65%.

Do not run heating systems too hot. Room thermostats should be set to 21°C or lower.  If you have underfloor heating, the running temperature should be set and controlled so that the subfloor surface does not exceed 27°C. You may need to talk to your underfloor heating supplier or heating engineer to ensure this. If in doubt, the maximum recommended ambient temperature of 21°C should be reduced to ensure that the subfloor surface temperature does not exceed 27°C.

Large areas of glazing can magnify the sun’s rays, resulting in higher than desirable temperatures for your flooring and possible hot spots. Consideration should be given to managing any glazed areas that could be an issue (e.g. using appropriate window dressings).

 

 

Cleaning your floor

Allow your flooring finish to cure before first cleaning it (see also Curing periods above). Timber flooring should be kept free of dirt and grit which could result in scratching. Use soft brushes/vacuum attachments to remove any debris. Avoid generic cleaners since they might not be appropriate for your flooring and may affect the finish. Flooring should be cleaned in accordance with instructions for your specific floor finish.

Never soak floors or use excessive levels of moisture, since this may be absorbed by the wood. If you use a mop, ensure it is specifically designed for use with wooden floors (other mops are likely to retain and release too much moisture). Any residual moisture on your flooring should be wiped away afterwards. Do not steam clean your flooring. Do not leave damp materials on wooden floors. Any spillages should be cleaned up immediately.

 

 

Considerations when covering and protecting your floor

If, once your flooring has been installed, other works are ongoing, you may wish to cover it temporarily. You will need to ensure that any protective material used is suitable for timber flooring and for the finish on your floor. Please note that prolonged covering is not recommended and if there is a heat source under the floor e.g. underfloor heating or hot water/heating pipes, these should be switched off whilst your flooring is protected, since heating in combination with flooring protection could result in hot spots and temperatures exceeding the maximum recommended to keep your flooring optimal.

Avoid sharp edges, including high heeled shoes, coming into contact with your flooring. Use protective pads underneath furniture to avoid scratching. Do not drag furniture (or any other heavy objects) across the surface of your floor.

We would advise customers not to use floor coverings such as carpets or rugs where there is a heat source under the flooring, since any covering may act as an insulator and allow the flooring to become overheated. For customers who do not have underfloor heating and choose to use floor coverings, it should be noted that the use of such coverings may affect the colour of the floor over time. Consideration should be given to varying the position of any coverings used to minimise changes in the appearance and tones of the flooring.

 

We would like your flooring to look beautiful for many years to come.  Please contact us if you require any further information on caring for your floor.

Maintaining Your Timber Floor

To keep your new floor looking and performing its best, please adhere to the following guidelines for use and maintenance.

Curing periods

This information applies to customers for whom we have supplied floor finishes. If you have used an alternative floor finisher, please refer to them for specific information relating to finishes used.

Following the application of finishing products, your floor should be touch dry within a day or so. However, it will take a few days or weeks (depending on the finish) before your flooring has completely cured. During this time your floor should be used with extra care since it will be more vulnerable to scuffing and marking. It is recommended that traffic and movement of furniture is limited during this time, and the flooring should not be cleaned before it has cured. For products we typically use, curing periods are as follows: Woca (3 days), Blanchon (8-10 days), Osmo (2 weeks) and Morrells (21-28 days). Please contact us if you require further advice or information on curing.

Keeping your floor in good shape

Wood is hygroscopic, which means it will take up and lose moisture depending on the combination of humidity and temperature levels in the environment in which it is installed. Whilst some movement is inevitable with the changing of seasons, certain conditions should be maintained to ensure that your timber floor does not exhibit excessive movement. Extreme conditions could result in shrinking, cupping, crowning, cracking etc and must be avoided.

To manage movement in your timber flooring, ambient conditions should be maintained at between 15°C to 27°C and relative humidity in the room or area should be maintained at between 40% and 65%.

Do not run heating systems too hot. Room thermostats should be set to 21°C or lower.  If you have underfloor heating, the running temperature should be set and controlled so that the subfloor surface does not exceed 27°C. You may need to talk to your underfloor heating supplier or heating engineer to ensure this. If in doubt, the maximum recommended ambient temperature of 21°C should be reduced to ensure that the subfloor surface temperature does not exceed 27°C.

Large areas of glazing can magnify the sun’s rays, resulting in higher than desirable temperatures for your flooring and possible hot spots. Consideration should be given to managing any glazed areas that could be an issue (e.g. using appropriate window dressings).

Cleaning your floor

Allow your flooring finish to cure before first cleaning it (see also Curing periods above). Timber flooring should be kept free of dirt and grit which could result in scratching. Use soft brushes/vacuum attachments to remove any debris. Avoid generic cleaners since they might not be appropriate for your flooring and may affect the finish. Flooring should be cleaned in accordance with instructions for your specific floor finish.

Never soak floors or use excessive levels of moisture, since this may be absorbed by the wood. If you use a mop, ensure it is specifically designed for use with wooden floors (other mops are likely to retain and release too much moisture). Any residual moisture on your flooring should be wiped away afterwards. Do not steam clean your flooring. Do not leave damp materials on wooden floors. Any spillages should be cleaned up immediately.

Considerations when covering and protecting your floor

If, once your flooring has been installed, other works are ongoing, you may wish to cover it temporarily. You will need to ensure that any protective material used is suitable for timber flooring and for the finish on your floor. Please note that prolonged covering is not recommended and if there is a heat source under the floor e.g. underfloor heating or hot water/heating pipes, these should be switched off whilst your flooring is protected, since heating in combination with flooring protection could result in hot spots and temperatures exceeding the maximum recommended to keep your flooring optimal.

Avoid sharp edges, including high heeled shoes, coming into contact with your flooring. Use protective pads underneath furniture to avoid scratching. Do not drag furniture (or any other heavy objects) across the surface of your floor.

We would advise customers not to use floor coverings such as carpets or rugs where there is a heat source under the flooring, since any covering may act as an insulator and allow the flooring to become overheated. For customers who do not have underfloor heating and choose to use floor coverings, it should be noted that the use of such coverings may affect the colour of the floor over time. Consideration should be given to varying the position of any coverings used to minimise changes in the appearance and tones of the flooring.

We would like your flooring to look beautiful for many years to come.  Please contact us if you require any further information on caring for your floor.