Timber iQ August - September 2017 // Issue: 33 | Page 30

FEATURES
Rubber casters on furniture can prevent damage to the floor.
from furniture. “Felt pads or rubber casters work well and
ensure that floors are not dented,” says Bupo.
Another common error that may lead to timber
deteriorating is the use of incorrect products for cleaning
timber floors. “Whatever the finish, never use wet mop and
do not clean hardwood floors with water. This can dull the
finish and permanently damage your floor,” adds Bupo. He
advises that only proper wood floor cleaners must be used
on wooden floors and in the correct manner.
REGULATIONS ON TIMBER
FLOOR INSTALLATIONS
Timber floor installations must comply with Part J of SANS
10400, which is the application of the National Building
Regulations that is specific to all floors.
For timber floors regulation requires the floor structure
to be shown in detail on plans and drawings and be drawn
according to SANS 10082.
A third important regulation in timber floor installation
is the requirement for adequate under-floor ventilation,
especially under floorboards. ‘The building regulations
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state that the underside of the boards should be at least
550mm above the surface of the ground below, and there
should be at least 450mm between the joists and the
ground. The most important thing to remember is that
every joist must be properly aligned and absolutely level.
If they aren’t level the final surface of the timber floor
won’t be level,’ notes SANS.
Timber floors have many benefits including
environmental, décor and design. As beneficial as timber
floors are, it is crucial that they are installed and
maintained correctly to ensure that they last for a long
time. Therefore, it is important to be well informed about
timber floors prior to installation.
“Ask your supplier questions to understand where and
how the flooring is manufactured so you can decide what
will work best,” adds Kozinsky.
Bupo also suggests that it is better to get a flooring
specialist to install the timber floors rather than a general
contractor. Regardless of who installs the timber floors,
they must be done correctly and in line with
all regulations.