Is it necessary to treat Upofloor-flooring immediately after installation?
You can use Upofloor wood flooring as soon as it is installed. Pre-finished, either lacquered or oiled, boards require no treatment at the time of installation.
What kinds of materials can be used under the wood flooring?
As an underlay you can use cellular plastic, cork granulate felt, corrugated cardboard or other homogenous materials, e.g. felt manufactured from recycled cloth. We recommend Tuplex; it serves also as an impact sound insulator layer and moisture barrier.
Is it possible to install Upofloor wood flooring together with underfloor heating?
Due to a special manufacturing technique Upofloor parquet is suitable to be installed on a floor with underfloor heating.
Before installing you should decide whether you want to install your hardwood floor as a floating floor or glued to the subfloor. Both techniques are good, but when glued to the subfloor Upofloor hardwood floors transmit heat to the interior air the best. Some species of wood, such as Beech and Maple are more sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Therefore these woods are not recommended as the first choice for installation over floor heating.
Which of the wood species is the hardest?
Of the wood species used for Upofloor, Merbau is the hardest. Hardness of various timber species is defined by a Brinell hardness value test. As a rule the higher the rating of the lamina, the more durable the floor.
Read more on Brinell hardness.
What about UV radiation?
UV radiation from the sun causes hardwood floors to slightly change in colour over time. As a rule, darker wood species acquire deeper and darker tones and light wood species' natural tones patinate over time. Oiled products, especially white oiled, may acquire a yellowish shade when kept away from sunlight; for example a rug may leave a yellowish area on the floor. The area disappears when the rug is removed.
Read more on UV-radiation.
How wide should the expansion allowance be?
When installing a hardwood floor into an average size room, remember to leave a gap of about 10 mm between the wall and the board, around pipes or column penetrations, etc. Cover the gap with a skirting or cover strip. In larger floors, the gap should be 1,5 mm per metre crosswise.
How to maintain an oiled Upofloor hardwood floor?
Read maintenance guide.
How to maintain a lacquered Upofloor hardwood floor?
Read maintenance guide.
Oil or lacquered?
Upofloor hardwood flooring finishes are varnish and natural oil treatment.
Varnish brings out the natural and colourful character of the wood. The boards are prefinished at the factory with six coatings of acrylic polyurethane finish which is UV cured for added strength and durability.
Oil emphasises grain patterns and adds depth to the wood's natural colour. The finish is a combination of colourless and pure vegetable oils and waxes made entirely of natural materials.