Did you know timber flooring is better for you than almost any other type of flooring covering out there?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency indoor air quality is one the biggest health threats people face on a daily basis.

Installing a timber floor in your home will drastically improve the quality of the air you and your family breath everyday.

Timber flooring is healthier in your home because the hard surface does not trap dust and doesn’t provide an environment for mold and mites to flourish.

The Environmental Protection Agency also found that toxins like pesticides used in gardens and to clean your home can accumulate on surfaces within your home, most easily in carpeting. This kind of thing is not only unhealthy for you but very dangerous for your children and pets.

Too high a concentration of these toxins can cause sickness and also leads to allergies in adults. When you use natural wood flooring in your home you are also eliminating off-gassing. This is the release of toxins by synthetic materials that can be very dangerous to all in your home. Off-gassing has been known to make people and pets chronically sick.

Timber flooring is also a good environmental choice. Wood is a naturally renewable resource and part of the cycle of life. Overall timber floors are the best choice for your home, your family, and even the planet.

They also add to the value of your home more than just about any other type of floor covering. You can’t go wrong with natural timber flooring for you and yours. Another long-term trend which is a pro for the timber flooring camp is the fact of added value to your home.

Homes renovated with elegant timber flooring have consistently taken on substantial value and this trend is a long term pattern over decades, no mere fad.

What are floating timber floors?

This is a builder’s term for floors laid over the existing solid floor. So the timber floor ‘floats’ on an underlay, without being nailed to the original structural flooring.

One advantage of this style is that any movement in your floor is less likely to cause gaps in between the boards. The floating style also allows for the use of ‘faux’ timber boards, which is an affordable option still offering the ambience and color of timber flooring.

With pre-conceptions and misconceptions aside, you are now in a better position to decide between timber and any other type of flooring.

A Floating Timber Floor can be installed, fitted or laid over tiles, concrete, timber floor boards, plywood, particle board and cork. However they are usually installed upon an underlay, which provides good noise insulation. This makes them ideal for use in multi-storey apartment buildings and homes.

Because floating floors aren’t nailed down like conventional floorboards, any movement in the boards is spread across the entire floor, which makes gaps less likely to appear.

Floating floors don’t even have to be real timber. Laminated ‘faux’ timber finishes are widely available and are commonly referred to as laminate flooring. If you go for the cheaper faux look, make sure you’re happy with how closely (or otherwise) it resembles the real thing.

Typically, ‘real’ timber floating floors consist of a thin layer of softwood or hardwood bonded to a high-density fibre board substrate. They’re often pre-coated to enhance their wear ability (polyurethane is common), but it’s possible to coat after installation.

Real timber flooring, unlike laminate flooring, can be sanded back and refurbished if necessary.

Floating floors vary in cost according to the thickness and species of the feature timber layer. Prices start from around $50/m2 up to $120/m2 (which may or may not include underlay, which would cost around $8–$15/m2).

Laminated ‘timber-look’ products are priced from around $30/m2.

Choosing a floating floor gives you the option of DIY installation, a significant advantage if you’re looking to save money.

To install a floating floor:

Ensure the floor it will cover is level enough. Some products have variation limits, so it’s important to check your floor suits the product.

• Remove any pre-existing soft floor covering.
• Some products require an acclimatization period in the room where they’ll be installed (a day or two is common).
• If the floor to be covered is concrete, lay plastic lining to moisture-proof it.
• Lay underlay and allow it to settle. Measure, cut the boards to size and install.

Generally, installation during extreme weather conditions isn’t recommended and some products recommend installation by a professional. Typical professional installation costs are around $50–$65/m2, which includes underlay.