Golden Rules of Hardwood Flooring Installation

Successful hardwood flooring installation begins even before you open the box. By following simple rules your hardwood flooring can be installed properly avoiding all the pitfalls that await both the professional and DIY installer.

1. Before you begin your hardwood flooring installation project make sure the room where you plan to install your hardwood floor is in a liveable condition.
   This requires an ambient room temperature of 18 degrees centigrade with a humidity of 45% - 60%



2. In general, commercial hardwood flooring is kiln dried to 8% - 10% moisture content rising to 10% -12% at the point of delivery. Check the moisture content of your hardwood flooring, this applies equally to natural and engineered boards alike.



3. Unpack your boards in the room where they will eventually be fitted and allow them to acclimatise for at least 3 to 5 days. If you are installing wide planked hardwood flooring longer periods are sometimes necessary.



4. The moisture content of the sub-floor is also a concern. This must not be above 14%.



5. When installing solid hardwood flooring on concrete the moisture level of the concrete must not exceed 3% for the full depth of the screed. Damp sub-flooring, concrete or otherwise is the main cause of cupping.
   
   When manufacturing hardwood flooring the boards may be grooved on the underside to minimise cupping. Even so do not even contemplate a hardwood flooring installation on a damp sub-floor.