Darwin Timber Floor Installation: Types of Floor Installation

Darwin timber floor installation may sound easy, but there really is more to it than that. At Australian Construction, we take the time to explain to our clients what two methods are used in Darwin timber floor installation.

As contractors, we want to make sure that we provide options and that our clients know the pros and cons of each.

Today, you will learn about the two types of an installation called direct stick and floating. And not only that, but we will also show you the pros and cons of each. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to make an informed decision on how you want your timber flooring to be installed.

If not, you can always give us a call so we can give you advice on your specific situation.

Method 1: Direct Stick

The first and most common method in installing timber flooring is called a direct stick. As the term implies, it requires adhesion.

The most common method used is glue. It could be wood glue or concrete glue. Industrial projects use epoxy.

In this process, each wood board or floor panel is directly glued to the surface of the floor. The floor can be made of concrete or also a lower-quality wood. Most old-style homes use a timber substrate, especially on the second floor. For modern facilities, it is not unusual to have concrete slabs as the flooring in the other storeys.  

On some occasions, the wood will also be nailed. The nails keep the wood in place as the glue dries. The nails will also prevent the wood from cupping. The exception, however, is if the wood is an engineered one. Engineered timber flooring does not cup and move like hardwood.  

Method 2: Floating

The second method is called floating. In this process, there is no need to glue the wood boards to the substrate. Instead, they are joined by locks and joints like mortise and tenon. Others call it the tongue-and-groove system.

Floating the flooring is usually done if the wood you use is pre-fabricated. Most of these are engineered woods. You can use any kind of substrate, and the most common examples are wood, concrete, plastic, and foam underlay.  

The foam is used as a barrier against moisture. Without the foam, the wood is likely to creak. The wood will also damage each other because of friction.

Pros of Direct Stick

Now, let us take a look at the pros of using the direct stick method.

• They look great – they are flat and smooth; the wood is also firm
• No noise – since the wood is sitting directly on top of the substrate, there is no creaking
• Has real financial value – the wood itself is going to add to the resale value of your home
• Resistant to water – the wood has no space or gap between itself and the substrate, so water will not have any place to go

As you can see, there are many benefits to using the direct stick method, but it does not come without cons.

Cons of Direct Stick

Now, here are the cons of the direct stick, which you also have to consider in your decision.

• It is difficult to install hardwood this way; as a result, you need experts and highly trained workers, which means you have to spend more money.
• This type of wood installation requires a detailed substrate preparation, like surface prepping. It can also cost you more.
• Once the timber flooring plank is installed, you cannot remove it. Each panel that has to be replaced must be destroyed.

As you can see, the cons of the direct stick method are leaning towards the cost. Use this method only if you have the budget.

Pros of Floating

Here are the pros of the floating installation method.

• Easy to install – the floating method uses wood that is already manufactured. Although there are specialists who can do this manually on hardwood, it is rare.
• Affordable – since the wood is already engineered, the installation does not need a special skill. What this entails is that you can DIY it. If you need a contractor, the contractor is not going to charge as much as the direct stick method.
• Easily repair – if one plank has to be replaced, the wood simply has to be removed from its joints. Since the floating method does not need gluing, it can easily be removed and replaced with a brand new one.

If budget is a critical factor, you have to seriously consider this method. The wood you buy from the supplier is already ready for installation. There is also no staining or sanding required.

Cons of Floating

Here are the cons of the floating method.

First off, most engineered woods cannot be polished. You can only apply floor wax, but they cannot be sanded and polished because the hardwood is merely a veneer. Beneath the hardwood is either softwood or plywood. Sanding and polishing the plank is going to destroy the timber flooring.

Second, the wood’s beauty does not last. The finish will easily fade. Due to this, you will end up replacing old panels. The problem is that if you do this, the panels will look different.  

Summary: Darwin Timber Floor Installation 

Timber flooring is magnificent, provided that the wood was installed properly. We at Australian Construction can guarantee this. We have been in the business for 20 years, and we have a team of experts who are licensed and fully capable of installing all types of timber wood flooring.

Apart from floor installation, you will be glad to know that we also offer other construction services. We are also floor preparation contractors. We have the expertise to prepare the floor substrate even before we lay the wood.

Give us a call now to find out more about our contractor services. We will take a look at your facility and your blueprint. From there, we can measure the area of the project, give you a price quote, and then we can begin work as soon as possible.