Timber floors are durable and age beautifully, however there will come a time when you’ll want to refresh them. Sanding, polishing and even staining your flooring is a great way to breathe new life into a room.
Installing solid timber flooring in your Melbourne home can be a complex process, especially if you are unaware of the steps involved. It is a considerable expense and requires careful planning and execution.
Whether you’re looking to move into your dream home or just elevate your current living space, the natural beauty and durability of solid timber flooring will surely transform your Melbourne home into a timeless and classic space.
Unlike carpets and tiles, timber flooring is highly versatile – with a little creativity, there’s a lot you can accomplish with it. You can choose from a vast variety of solid timber flooring options, such as the type of wood, colour and layout so it fits perfectly in your home.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for a successful solid timber flooring installation.
However, we always recommend engaging professionals for this job – this will guarantee your solid timber flooring is installed correctly.
Selecting the Right Solid Timber Flooring for Melbourne Weather
For Melbourne’s unpredictable and often extreme weather, you should select timber that can withstand the frequent changes in the moisture content. This is crucial in ensuring your solid timber flooring is long-lasting and durable all year round.
Here are our top 3 recommendations for solid timbers that are ideal as flooring options in Melbourne:
- Australian Hardwood is known for its resistance to environmental factors, it can withstand both cool and warm temperatures without experiencing any changes to its structure. Blackbutt, Spotted Gum, and Ironbark are considered the most appropriate Australian hardwood species for Melbourne homes.
- Once sealed, Tasmanian Oak demonstrates great strength and durability against external impacts. It is one of the most popular timber options for Melbourne homes as it can easily adapt to varying indoor conditions.
- For an eco-friendly and cost-effective option, we recommend Bamboo as a reliable flooring option for Melbourne homes. Strand-woven bamboo is a highly suitable option, its fibres are compressed and stuck together using high-power glue, making it more resistant to humidity and temperature fluctuations.
Pro Tip: you must properly treat and seal timber to enhance its durability and resistance to everyday wear and tear, and to protect it against changes in moisture levels and temperature.
Consult with the timber flooring experts at ITB Floors to find timber that meets all your requirements. Enquire now to get customised advice for your project.
How to prepare for a durable and long-lasting timber flooring installation
The preparation stage is just as important as the installation, therefore, it requires rigorous inspection for a seamless and timely installation.
Two of the most crucial steps in this phase include:
Acclimating the Timber
In this step, timber is placed in the room where it will be installed (for up to 7 days) so it can get accustomed to the usual temperature and humidity levels. This helps prevent any structural changes (contraction or expansion) within the wood in the future, in response to fluctuating moisture content. As a result, your floors will remain pristine despite the seasonal changes.
Preparing the Subfloor
Moisture, unevenness and/or any other damage on the subfloor can cause problems in the later stages. Any faults in the subfloor must be corrected before the timber is laid. The most ideal conditions for timber installation include a smooth, dry and clean surface that is free from any contaminants.
Solid timber flooring brings out the elegance and warm aesthetics of any home it is installed in, and it’s a popular choice for flooring among homeowners in Melbourne. A thorough preparation will set you up for success, so you can keep your timber floors looking good for a long time.
What to remember while installing your new solid timber floors
Getting this stage right is the key to unlocking timber flooring that not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also demonstrates strength and resistance against all types of wear and tear over the years.
Timber flooring, especially in common areas of the house, is subject to frequent wear and tear due to high foot traffic and heavy furniture. If there are gaps in the installation, your timber flooring will become run down and need replacing sooner than usual.
Here’s how you can preserve your timber flooring:
Leave room for Expansion Gaps
Despite our best efforts, it’s only natural for the wood to expand and contract in response to the level of humidity. However, to some extent, these changes are harmless.
Experts recommend leaving some gaps along the boundary of the timber flooring.
This will ensure the flooring will not scrunch into walls and other fixed objects in the room during expansion phases, keeping everything looking neat.
Solid Timber Flooring Installation Experts in Melbourne
Timber floors are becoming the preferred choice of flooring across Melbourne homes because of their ability to resist dust, mould and other particles closely associated with many health hazards. Installing solid timber floors has proven to lower the risk of these conditions, commonly experienced by the residents of Melbourne.
Our team is well-versed in all things timber and helps you revamp your flooring – without any hassles. For solid timber flooring installation in Melbourne, contact us today.
