The modern approach to installing wood floors - 8th July 2008
Installing a real wood floor need not be as time consuming and expensive as some people think. Peter Lazar, managing director Source Wood Floors, explains the benefits of under utilised, solvent -free elastic wood floor bonding techniques.
The 'old school' approach to installing a real wood floor is to construct a timber sub frame for the floor to sit on.
While there will be circumstances under which this is still the best approach, there are many more instances where a new wood floor can be bonded (glued) directly to the existing timber or concrete sub floor - thereby dramatically reducing installation time and cost.
While this time/cost saving is the most apparent and immediate benefit of the 'full stick down' method, there are other longer-term, even more important, benefits.
For example, modern elastic adhesives allow wood to 'move' as it expands and contracts according to the amount of moisture in the atmosphere -while at the same time ensuring an optimum, durable bond between the timber and sub floor. This ability to 'move' with the floor is in stark contrast to inflexible rigid adhesives or the secret nailed approach.
A reduction in noise levels - both in the room itself and for those working underneath (in the case of an office block) - is another important benefit. Hardwood floors generate sound with every step - that's an inescapable fact - but elastic adhesive dramatically reduces both sound radiation and footfall sound.
A bonded floor is also more comfortable to walk on because the elastic adhesive has a cushioning effect - it's a solid yet flexible method of installation. And because it's solvent-free, it's an environmentally acceptable solution - especially important in, for example, educational establishments.
The fact that the fully bonded system can also be used for other substrates, including stone flooring, is another major plus point. This gives the potential to mix substrates for aesthetic or practical reasons. For example, a wood floor can be enhanced with decorative stone borders, or a wooden floor in a bar, cafe or restaurant can be combined with stone or tile at bar/counter areas where hygiene and dealing with spillage are the overriding priorities.
An elastic adhesive can also be used to level slight variations in floor levels at the same time as bonding the floor to the sub floor.
And in situations where a wood floor is required over a large open area, often the case in commercial or retail premises, full stick down is definitely the recommended approach. Floating a floor over a large area is not advised - it's far better to secure the floor to the sub floor.
Finally, the system is perfect for use in combination with underfloor heating, particularly a wet system of pipes embedded in concrete screed. The adhesive ensures an even transfer of heat through to the floor - there are no hot spots, no air voids beneath the floor, and no condensation traps. Instead, heat is directly transferred to where it's required to deliver maximum benefit and efficiency.
A new online source for quality wood flooring - 8th July 2008
The launch of Source Wood Floors heralds the arrival of a new heavyweight contender in the online wood flooring marketplace.
Source Wood Floors (www.sourcewoodfloors.co.uk) is purely an online business - the company has no showroom for either trade or retail customers. Instead, it has a high quality website crammed with useful information and good product photography, backed by a free samples service - and an easy to use online shopping facility.
Samples are despatched same day to enable the customer to appraise the product at their convenience and in the comfort of their own home or office.
Peter Lazar, managing director of Source Wood Floors, has expertise and experience in the online wood flooring market. As a consultant to Vanilla Wood Flooring, he was involved with the company from launch in 2005 until late 2007.
He says: “We're confident there's room for another serious player in the top end online market. We're not offering budget price products - there are plenty of people already competing for that business.
“Our range comprises high quality solid wood, engineered and solidengineered wood flooring products. Our philosophy is to offer the very best quality products we can source, at the most competitive prices - backed by the highest standards of customer service.”
Source Wood Floors is also a distributor for Osmo and Sika, and offers a nationwide next day delivery service for a comprehensive range of oils and adhesives.
The Source Wood Floors website is far more than an online shop - it is a mine of information for wood flooring professionals, the DIY enthusiast and general public.
Peter Lazar explains: “We don't have the costs of running a showroom but have invested heavily in our website. We're happy to provide comprehensive information about all aspects of a wood flooring project - our team of technical advisors is on hand to provide advice free of charge.
“We believe that providing high quality information and advice alongside superb products and competitive pricing will prove to be a winning combination.”
Source Wood Floors is also keen to establish long-term partnerships with other wood flooring professionals, and the website includes dedicated sections for architects, designers, builders, fitters and self-builders - containing information that will be of specific interest to these groups. The company also has a system whereby repeat trade customers are rewarded with special discounts - full details are available on the website.
Peter Lazar concludes: “To celebrate the launch of our new online shop, we currently have some superb deals on engineered, solid, and solidengineered wood flooring from just £17.95 m2. These are high quality products - as good as anything available - supplied at very competitive prices.”
For further information or samples contact Source Wood Floors on 08456 021781 or visit: www.sourcewoodfloors.co.uk
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