Wood Floors

Wood and wood-look floors are always in demand with its warm, natural tones. 

For those looking for an alternative to hardwood floors, there are several flooring options to consider. 

Each of these flooring types has its unique set of characteristics, including differences arising from its manufacture and raw materials to installation and maintenance. 

In this article, the common issues and concerns surrounding flooring in general, and these specific to laminates, bamboo, luxury vinyl tiles, SPC click vinyl and cushion vinyl are explored. 

Industry experts, Jan Hofmeyer, sales director at Top Carpets and Floors, and John Drury of Alco Exotic Green Building Products, give their top tips. 

Wood Floors

Apex luxury vinyl sheeting. Credit: Belgotex

Common issues for flooring 

  • Poor or incorrect sub-floor preparation and unacceptable moisture levels are the major causes of floor failure.
  • Vinyl flooring materials have “drape” and will conform to the surface to which they are applied. If the floor is not level and smooth, any irregularity will telegraph through the face of the material.
  • Always check that the batch numbers and colour code are the same across the entire order of flooring products. 
  • Many types of flooring are affected by direct sunlight. Invest in curtains and blinds to limit the risk of damage to the floor. 
  • Both hard and resilient flooring can scratch over time. Use felt protectors under heavy pieces of furniture, and never slide or roll furniture and appliances across the floor to prevent damage.  
  • Spiked heels or shoes in need of repair can severely damage flooring. 
  • When long-term maintenance of the floor is not done, or not done according to best practice.  

Top tips for flooring 

  • Floor preparation is key. Most flooring types require a dry and level surface. Use the best quality products for the entire build-up system. 
  • It is essential to install an effective moisture barrier and to maintain the correct moisture and humidity percentages for the best results for most flooring types. 
  • When cleaning, mop up surface moisture promptly, vacuum rather than mop and avoid excessive amounts of water. If mopping, a micro fibre mop is recommended. Do not use spaghetti mops, as this will always over wet the floor. 
  • Walk-off rugs help reduce scratching and scuffing of flooring. 
  • In areas of excessive traffic and wear, make use of runners or area rugs. 
  • Keep attic stock of flooring products. Colours and patterns can change over time, making future repairs difficult. 
Wood floors

Designer Collection Legacy Dawn NEO laminate flooring. Credit: Top Floors and Carpets

Specific flooring issues 

As mentioned, each type of flooring has its own characteristics.  

This quick reference guide details the common issues specific to each material, and top tips for the best results. 

Flooring  Common issues  Top tips 
Laminate flooring 

This flooring has been in use since 1984. It is constructed by bonding together, under very high pressure, a high-density fibre board, which is sandwiched between a melamine backing, a high-quality photographic paper and another melamine top layer. Depending on the classification, it can perform in domestic or commercial spaces.  

 

  • Although usually a wood-look, laminate flooring cannot be refinished. 
  • The product is not waterproof. Damp clean only and avoid excessive amounts of water. 
  • It can be noisy underfoot. In areas of excessive traffic and wear, make use of runners or area rugs.  
  • Do not use rubber-based mats, as the rubber may leach into the laminate. 

 

  • The better the quality of the HDF board, the less swelling will occur when in contact with water or moisture. 
  • The weight (in grams/m²) of the overlay affects the abrasion class (AC) of the product. The heavier the overlay, the more resistant the product is to abrasion. 
  • Any defects should be reported immediately for inspection and/or replacement before installation. Most suppliers will not accept responsibility for flooring installed with visible defects. 
  • It is essential to install an effective moisture barrier and to maintain the correct moisture and humidity percentages for the best results. Combilay is the recommended underlay to be used with laminates. 
  • Acclimatisation for laminate floors is at least 48 hours prior to installation.  

 

Bamboo flooring 

Bamboo is not wood, it is a grass native to China that is cut down into strips or strands, dried and machined into flooring planks. This decorative flooring is extremely durable, with a higher density than most hardwood timbers. 

  • This is a natural product and colour variations across an installation can be expected. Be sure to purchase from the same batch or colour code. 
  • Refinishing of bamboo flooring is possible, but as with other wood products, it should not be sanded down beyond the wear layer of the product. 
  • Installed as a “floating floor” over a moisture barrier, the flooring should not be used as a structural element to cover an uneven floor, as it will not perform or last as well as when installed on a dry, level surface. 
  • Strand-woven bamboo and the finishing are extremely hard, with little to no need to refinish the flooring over time, particularly in residential applications.  
  • Bamboo that has been pre-finished in a controlled factory environment will often deliver better results than products that have been finished on site. 
  • Proper maintenance of bamboo flooring will extend the product’s lifespan. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for correct care of the floor. 

 

Luxury vinyl tiles  

Luxury vinyl tile and plank flooring (LVT and LVP) are among the most popular flooring products in the market. Most of these products are generally composed of a vinyl base with a patterned wear layer laminated to it. They are very realistic looking, with an embossed or textured surface that look like, wood, stone or ceramic. 

 

  • Vinyl flooring is very sensitive to moisture. If flooring is installed on a slab with no proven vapour retarder or moisture barrier, there will be flooring failures.  
  • The differential tensions between the layers of LVTs can cause the product to curl, shrink, live or cup. Use a flooring product from a manufacturer with a good reputation and use the best quality products for the entire build-up system. 
  • Vinyl flooring is sensitive to heat and cold and will expand and contract. The environment in which the flooring is installed must be constantly controlled. This also applies to SPC click vinyl and cushion vinyl flooring.  

 

  • Acclimatisation is critical. The flooring must be stored in the installation area at least two days before beginning.  
  • A comprehensive installation system is vital for LVT flooring, which requires a hard, clean and level surface that should not vary by more than 3mm per 3m.
  • Check on the manufacturer specifications that the vinyl adhesive is approved for the application for which it is being used. 
  • Ensure that the tile boxes have the same colour code. 

 

SPC click vinyl 

Solid polymer core or stone plastic composite (SPC) refers to the class of rigid vinyl flooring products with a solid polymer core. SPC is an extruded core made primarily of calcium carbonate, with a smaller percentage of PVC. It features a backing layer at the bottom, the SPC core, a printed stone- or hardwood-look vinyl layer, topped with a wear layer. 

 

  • SPC can be water damaged. While it has a waterproof core that won’t ripple, swell or peel, this is only from the top. The product will cup if significant moisture is found underneath.  
  • Not well suited to direct sunlight, or excessive temperatures. Curtains, blinds and natural ventilation are recommended to minimise exposure.  
  • The substrate must be smooth, level, clean and dry. Any type of flexing can and will compromise the flooring. 
  • The thicker the wear layer, the better the protection from wear and tear. Similarly, the thicker the flooring, the higher its moisture tolerance. 
  • When installing the moisture barrier, include going slightly up the walls to prevent water ingress at the edge of the plank. 
  • Do not install over carpet tiles or any other type of carpet. Installation on a wooden subfloor is also not recommended. If installing over ceramic tiles, fill all grout lines to a flat surface to prevent these telegraphing.
  • SPC vinyl floors should be stored on site unopened and at room temperature for 48 hours prior to installation. 
  • SPC must be installed on top of a 200micron DPC plastic to protect the product from damp rising through the subfloor. 

 

Cushion vinyl 

Also known as luxury vinyl sheeting (LVS), cushion vinyl consists of six layers. A base layer covered in fibreglass keeps the sheet flat and dimensionally stable. Underneath the protective topcoat is a wear layer that protects the pattern layer of the product and in-between these is the cushion layer. This is the feature that adds bounce and texture and dampens noise. 

 

  • A common myth is that this product wears and tears easily. If the correct product is specified, correctly installed and well maintained, it is in fact a durable, long-lasting and affordable floor covering.
  • The concrete must be tested for moisture and must not exceed a moisture content of 3% before, during or after installation, as per adhesive manufacturers’ requirements.
  • The use of rubber-backed mats or other rubber objects may permanently stain the floor. This is well-known as plasticiser migration and must be avoided with any type of vinyl flooring. 
  • Heat-producing appliances such as refrigerators or hot air emitting devices, cigarettes and matches can scorch, burn or discolour the floor. 

 

  • Solid substrates in contact with the ground must incorporate a damp-proof membrane, and the concrete sub-floor must be completely cured. 
  • Pre-cut the material to fit the room 24 hours prior to installation and leave it rolled face out, flat on the floor at a room temperature of +18oC. 
  • For best visual results when pattern matching, try cutting in the joints for tile and wood designs, and ensure that each piece is cut from the same mother roll. 
  • In case of plank and tile designs, it is recommended that every sheet should be installed in the same direction. For most all-over designs, it is recommended that every other sheet is rotated through 180°. 

 

Finding resilience in flooring 

Wood floors

Designer Collection Innovations by Nature click vinyl SPC board. Credit: Top Carpets and Floors

The most prevalent issue for flooring products is that of moisture and substrate preparation, both of which are major factors in flooring failures.  

Attending to what goes underneath the floor covering, will reduce the risk significantly. 

Selecting flooring is largely driven by the site.  

Installing the right type of flooring can avoid many problems. 

Likewise, proper care for the floor once installed will also make a big difference in how satisfied the client is with it, as well as how well it holds up over the long term.  

 

Everything you need to know about wood look floors: selection, why they fail, common issues for different flooring types and industry top tips. 

 

Full acknowledgement and thanks go to Top Carpets and Floors and Alco Exotic for the information in this article.  

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