Explore our frequently asked questions for resourceful information
Will the flooring always look the same?
Please remember that images of product displayed on electronic devices may vary from the actual product, thus it is essential that you view these in person before final selection.
What is a Floating floor?
It is a floorboard / panel that is not fixed to the subfloor in any way. The flooring is either glued or locked together but not down to the subfloor. The flooring is laid on a 2mm minimum underlay.
What is a Direct Stick floor?
It is a timber floorboard / panel that is fixed to the subfloor. The flooring is adhered to the subfloor and then glued or nailed together. The flooring is not laid on an underlay and therefore the choice of adhesive is important to the feel of the finished floor.
How long does it take to install?
Installation timeframes depend on the number of installers, complexity of design and area to be covered. Our team of efficient installers can install up to 200m2 daily per job, meaning an average job may be finished in one day.
What holds a floating floor down?
Any floating floor will sit flat as long as the subfloor is flat and in solid condition. Skirting, beading and trims adjoin other floor coverings, to both cover expansion gaps and hold down the perimeter of floating floors.
Can the flooring be sanded and recoated?
Depending on the individual product, TimberTop® can be sanded. As TimberTop® are floating systems and laid on flat, hard surfaces, the sanding process is dependent on the depth of the scratches, but you should only need to remove a very minimal top layer (please refer to a specialist). Please see Warranty Information prior to undertaking any work.
Why would I use floating timber instead of traditional solid timber floor?
Floating floors were born due to the complexity and inadequacies of traditional flooring, in particular, in relation to installing over a concrete slab – which is approximately what 90% of new dwellings are built on.
Firstly, solid timber flooring has to be acclimatised on site for up to 4 weeks. This in itself is sometimes just not possible. The flooring is nailed to floor joists or battens very early in construction; it is walked and worked on for the entire fit out period. It can also be exposed to weather in some applications. When it is time to coat the floor, the sander has to cut back sometimes up to 2-3mm just to get the floor flat and clean enough to apply a coat. This takes life off the floor before the consumer even walks on it for the first time.
Does the floor scratch?
Yes. Although our floor coverings have wear ratings, they are not scratch proof, and for that matter, neither is traditional solid timber flooring. All are classed as a hard floor covering but will dent if something is dropped on it, and scratch if a stone is caught in a shoe or if a chair is dragged across it. You need to take care of your floor for it to last. If a client does not want a floor that scratches, then engineered timber or laminate flooring is not for them.
Tip: Use floor mats at entrances to a home and place protective felt under furniture to avoid scratches caused by movement.
I have heard that floating floors can lift and buckle. Why?
Similarly to direct stick floors, excessive moisture and water is the enemy of floating floor. These floors must never be laid in wet areas such as bathrooms, ensuites, toilets and laundries. Kitchens are fine as there is only the occasional spillage.
If someone has a horror story about their floating floor lifting, it is usually because the floor was either not installed correctly, or it was laid in an area not recommended.
My child has asthma, is this flooring option good for them?
One of the great benefits of Laminate, TimberTop®, Engineered Parquetry, Engineered Bamboo, and DeZignCore, is that these floors do not harbour dust mites or other nasties, and are hypoallergenic.