What to expect from your timber floor?

What to expect with a timber floor?
The properties of a real timber floor.

Timber floors are all unique. No floor is exactly the same as another because each grain pattern will be different. Floors in the same species do share basic colouring and overall appearance but are also very different in some key areas. The methods used to sand and finish the floor can affect these differences markedly: in some cases emphasising the unique appeal of the individual floor. Experienced floor sanders can emphasise the lighter or darker characters of the floors by using correct finish choices and by not over sanding the surface.

Timber is dynamic. It is a living product, still reacting to the climate. It has its own beauty and charm. There is nothing synthetic about timber. It is natural and retains natural characteristics.

Unlike vinyl planking, timber responds to the environment. In the first 12 months of the floors life the floor will likely move to some degree as it expands and contracts. This is normal. Depending on the time of year that the floor was installed and the choices in heating and cooling selected, there may be some tensioning in the surface or some shrinkage. This is common and settles down in time. A common myth about timber flooring states that when timber is acclimatised it doesn't move afterwards. This simply isn't true. It falls in the tooth fairy category. It is often minimal but it is directly linked to environmental conditions.

Acclimatisation minimises the movement initially by letting the timber adjust to the localised climate of the house prior to installation. Adjustments in humidity and temperature thereafter will still affect the timber. Some of the movement may hardly be noticed but if the climatic changes are sufficient there will be visible changes to the appearance of the flooring. Evaporative air conditioners for example may be run without sufficient ventilation causing a continuous spike in humidity. A timber floor will potentially take on moisture. Expansion is the result. Usually these air conditioners are not run all year round and we have seen many floors move a little in summer only to flatten as the moisture content of the air inside the home returns to normal when the heat is over. It is because this effect isn't understood that sometimes people will panic, thinking that there is something wrong with the floor. Natural timber flooring is different to laminates or vinyl planking. It moves a little and this is normal and natural.

A long hot summer often brings some timber movement. Refrigerative air conditioners reduce the humidity level: they dry the air. This causes the timber floor to lose some moisture. Depending on the cut of the timber and species this can cause a variety of small changes in the floor.

Can movement be minimised? Can it be eliminated? It can be minimised but not eliminated. Appropriate slab preparation, addressing acclimatisation prior to installation and using the correct volumes & tools in the adhesive system can all reduce movement. Acclimatisation is not guess work. It requires site measurement. It is worth getting it right.

Once you know that the appearance of timber is affected by the climatic conditions you begin to understand that you have a charming natural floor. Certainly it expands and contracts a little but this is normal. Relax and enjoy your floor. It will be around for many decades beyond its synthetic rivals. As you walk over the floor you will notice interesting grain patterns. In fact the more you live on a timber floor the more interesting qualities you are likely to see. They truly are beautiful floors with many enduring qualities.