Nailing Down

Existing Timber Subfloor:
The subfloor should be structurally safe and free from any damp rot, fungal or insect infestation. The subfloor must be clean, free of chips and shavings, dry and level in accordance with British standards as set out in BS 8201-1987. +/- 3 mm over 3m. The subfloor thickness must be in accordance with current building regulation requirements (currently 18mm) and able to retain a 50mm cleat when fired into it at 45º. The subfloor must have moisture content no more than 11% WME and not below 7% WME. Always use the Woodpecker Moistop barrier paper (Page 161) over the subfloor with the black face down and overlap the joints by a minimum of 200mm. It may be necessary to tape the joints. When nailing, only the header joints should be glued The cleats should be no more than every 300mm.

Joists and battens:
The joists or battens should be structurally safe and free from any damp rot, fungal or insect infestation. The joists or battens must be clean, free of chips and shavings, dry and level in accordance with British standards as set out in BS 8201-1987. +/- 3 mm over 3m. The joists or battens must be of an appropriate width to retain 50mm cleats when fired into them at 45º. The joists must be spaced according to current building regulations. The subfloor must have moisture content no more than 11% WME and not below 7% WME. Always use the Woodpecker Moistop barrier paper (Page 161) over the subfloor with the black face down and overlap the joints by a minimum of 200mm. It may be necessary to tape the joints. When nailing only the header joints should be glued The boards should be nailed over every joist. It is possible to have header joints which are not over a joist as long as the boards either side are fully spanning the joists or battens.

Sticking Down

Cementitious subfloor:
The subfloor should be clean, dry and free from any contaminating residues. The subfloor must have a relative humidity of 75 or less. If the subfloor has a lightly dusty surface always use the Woodpecker 11P Surface Primer Sealer or the Woodpecker 21P Deep Sealer to bind the surface before applying the adhesive. If it is necessary to level the floor first apply Mira XP sealer and then always use Woodpecker Mira XP fibre reinforced self levelling compound. (Never use latex self levelling compounds. They do not have the tensile strength to resist the movement of the timber.) If there is any doubt as to the moisture levels in the subfloor always use the Woodpecker R410 Liquid damp Proof membrane which will seal the moisture below the surface of the floor and prevent the floor from expanding and distorting.

Timber subfloor:
This must be free of dust and any contamination. This must have moisture readings of between 7% and 11% WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent) and the timber flooring should be left to acclimatise until it has reached a similar reading so as to prevent undue expansion or contraction. You should always use the Woodpecker MS Parquet adhesive which has been specially formulated to hold the timber after a short open time but will stay permanently flexible to allow for the expansion and contraction of the timber between seasons. This should be applied using a 4-5mm notched trowel and spread evenly onto the subfloor. It is essential that there is a full bond and that each board should be fully adhered to ensure maximum stability.

Solid Tac Self Adhesive Underlay:
The subfloor should be clean, dry and free from any contaminating residues. Always use a polythene damp proof membrane 1000 gauge or Woodpecker Moistop paper below the Solid Tac underlay to ensure no subfloor moisture will affect the boards. Roll out Solid Tac at 90º to the direction of the boards with the removable protective membrane facing upwards. Do not overlap. When you start installing the floor fold back the protective membrane to expose the glued surface approx 50mm. Cover the exposed area with a spare piece of polythene while you position your first row of boards. Glue the end joints and when dry hold the boards in position allowing for the correct expansion gap around the perimeter firmly pull the covering piece of polythene out from under the boards and press down firmly to ensure that the boards are stuck to the upper face of the underlay. Once the first row has been firmly fixed repeat the process but remember to only pull back the protective membrane half the width of the boards you are fixing to allow the positioning of the next row without sticking them to the underlay before you are ready.

General conditions

When installing a Woodpecker Solid Wood or Real Wood floor the atmospheric humidity in the room should be between 40 relative humidity (RH) and 65 RH and temperatures should be between 16º C and 25º C. The subfloor should have a relative humidity of 75 or less at all times. It is necessary to leave expansion gaps at all the perimeters of the room, in doorways and around fireplaces etc. When installing in adjacent rooms it is recommended that threshold strips are used to allow for expansion and contraction in between these areas. Always make sure that the expansion gaps are even to avoid ‘pinch spots. These guidelines are only to assist in understanding the installation process. The responsibility for each installation lies with the installer and no responsibility for incorrect installation can be accepted by Kenton Floors. If in any doubt be sure you have consulted either the manufacturers specific recommendations or refer to British Standard 8201-1987