Timber Floor Laying in Newcastle
Getting the Subfloor Right First
How a timber floor performs in five years is decided before the first board goes down. Subfloor moisture, level and the fixing method chosen to suit them matter more than the boards themselves. At Freedom Flooring, timber floor laying in Newcastle starts with testing the substrate, whether that's an existing timber floor or a concrete slab, then choosing between plywood overlay, battens or direct glue based on what we find. Boards are acclimatised on site before installation and set out so the run works with the room's light and length. Once they're down, floor coatings determine both the look and how the floor wears. Call 0404 606 142 for a free measure.
How We Lay a Floor
The method changes with the substrate, but the checks we run before starting don't.
Concrete slabs are moisture tested before anything is fixed to them. Laying over a slab that's still releasing moisture is the most common cause of cupping, adhesive failure and boards lifting months later.
Plywood overlay, battens and direct glue each suit different situations. Plywood adds height and evens out an uneven slab, battens let services run underneath, and direct glue gives the lowest profile and the firmest feel underfoot.
Boards are delivered early and left to acclimatise to the room's conditions. Timber moves with humidity, and installing it straight off the truck locks in a moisture content the room will then change.
Expansion gaps are set at the perimeter and covered by skirting or scotia. Without room to move seasonally, a fixed floor pushes against the walls and peaks at the joins.
FAQs
- Yes, using direct glue, a plywood overlay or battens, provided the slab passes a moisture test first. The method chosen affects finished floor height, so it's worth settling before doors and skirtings are set.
- Timber needs time in the room it will live in so its moisture content settles to the conditions there. The period varies with species, board type and how different the site conditions are from where the timber was stored.
- Solid boards are one piece of timber throughout and are usually fixed to battens or plywood, giving a thicker wear layer for future sanding. Engineered boards have a timber veneer over a stable core, which suits direct glue over concrete and reduces seasonal movement.