Transport, Storage and Acclimatization

• Cartons containing Aspire Oak boards should only be carried and stored in a horizontal position.
• Before installation, it is recommended that the adhesive and package boards be kept in a dry, well-ventilated area at the job site for at least 48 hours so that the flooring acclimatises properly.
• Make sure you remove floorboards from their packaging just before the installation begins.
• During storage and installation, the temperature and humidity of the work area should be maintained at the levels expected when the building is fully occupied. The best conditions for laying timber boards fall within a temperature range of 18°C-28°C and a relative humidity range of 35%-65%. To reach these requirements, you can use air conditioning or heating systems for the required amount of time before work starts.
• Aspire Oak floors are made using natural materials, and shade variation is an attractive and inherent characteristic. To get the best possible look, shuffle the panels before installation.

Site Inspection

Before installation, perform a visual inspection of the boards in bright daylight and check for visible signs of damage. Also, ensure that the subfloor and site conditions meet the provided specifications.

Laying

• Since Aspire Oak floors are completely natural products, each plank is likely to have its pattern and shade. Before installation, arrange the planks in different ways to get the best possible blend of colours.
• In efforts o make the flooring look attractive, it is recommendable that the planks be laid in the direction of light entering the room.
• For timber subfloor, we recommend putting Aspire wooden floors across the existing floorboard for added support.

Expansion Gaps

• Since 15mm Aspire Oak boards are designed to be installed as “floating floors”, they need not be attached to the subfloor.
• In making efforts to allow movement of the floor, the skirting boards cannot be pressed down. An expansion gap of at least 10mm should be provided between the flooring and fixed objects such as walls.
• Additional development gaps may be required if the floor area is larger than 100 m² or has dimensions greater than 10m in either direction. Transitional areas between two rooms and asymmetrical floors may also require additional expansion gaps.

Subfloor Preparation For Floating Floors

• Engineered oak floorboards can be installed in almost all commercial and residential areas except saunas, bathrooms, and other persistently wet rooms. It can be fitted on most hard surfaces such as wood flooring, resilient floor coverings and ceramic tile. However, carpets and other soft subfloors must be removed.
• The subfloor must be flat and dry, and should not have variations exceeding 3mm in 2m. All types of wooden, concrete and ceramic surfaces must be completely dry. Concrete slabs should be tested to make sure that the amount of moisture falls within acceptable limits, preferably by Australian Standards.
• Always use a PE moisture barrier film with a thickness of at least 0.2mm, before installing the flooring. On the basement and ground floors, use at least two layers for improved moisture protection.

Subfloor Preparation For Glue-down floors

• Engineered oak floorboards can also be glued down to the subfloor. The key to a successful installation is the formation of a strong bond between the Aspire flooring and the subfloor. For one to achieve this bond, the surface has to be prepared properly. It must be clean and devoid of grease, wax, oil, dirt, latex compounds, curing compounds, dust, paint, or any other contaminant. The presence of any foreign material could weaken the bond.
• The method used to prepare properly a subfloor depends entirely on the nature of the surface. Avoid taking shortcuts while preparing the subfloor as it could lead to future problems. Always follow the instructions of the glue manufacturer regarding consumption, drying time, glue comb, etc. Such information may be found on the container or the manufacturer’s website.

Installing Aspire Floors over Heated Subfloors

The working conditions of a heated subfloor depend on the nature of the subfloor and the heating system used. All norms and rules concerning installation must be followed strictly during the construction phase to avoid problems with durability and functioning.

The heated subfloor has to be dried by following the documented protocol and turning the heat on/off. After that, the “heating phase” begins. For concrete subfloors, the heating period begins not before 21 days of the complete curing of the substrate. This phase starts with a running temperature of 25°C during three days. The subfloor should be cured for at least 60-90 days.

The temperature should be increased every day till the maximum manufacturer-recommended temperature is reached. This value should be kept for a minimum of 72 hours and sustained for 5-7 days without turning the system off. The temperature is then decreased each day gradually till it reaches 18°C on the surface.

The temperature of the surface should not go above 18°C during installation, and for floating floors, this value should be maintained for at least three days after the installation is finished. The subfloor surface temperature should then be increased slowly to a maximum of 28°C.

Keep in mind that mats or rugs placed on the floor could accumulate heat and cause the floor surface temperature to go over the maximum recommended surface temperature.

Radiant-Heated Subfloors

For engineered oak floorboards, the temperature of the subfloor surface must not be more than 28°C. For more information, refer the instructions provided by the subfloor heating system contractor/manufacturer, or contact the supplier.

Keep in mind that mats or rugs placed on the floor could accumulate heat and cause the floor surface temperature to go over the maximum recommended surface temperature.