Sub Floors
Sub-floors are a wood floor’s foundation. If a sub-floor is in any way compromised, it can seriously affect both the look and structural integrity of the wide-plank wood floor above. It is therefore essential to ensure that the sub-floor has been properly prepared prior to beginning installation of the wide-plank wood floor. As you would expect, Element7 ensures that sub-floors are correctly prepared.
Sub-floors must be inspected and tested to make sure that they are within acceptable tolerances. Both the flatness and levels of the sub-floor must be measured. In addition, screed sub-floors must be tested with a BS 8203 hygrometer for equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) to make sure that they are within the required moisture tolerances. Sub-floor sheeting such as plywood and chipboard must be properly staggered. The installation team must also ensure that the rooms and building environment in which floors are to be installed are at the correct temperature and relative humidity (RH) levels. Incorrect or poor measurement of any of the above will have an adverse effect on the quality of an installation.
If the wood floor is being installed above an underfloor-heating system, the system must be correctly cycled prior to installation.