Consumer Information
The following consumer information is available for download from the Australian Timber Flooring Association. Click on the below sections to read more.
Flooring problems
The Steps to Take if You Have a Problem with Your Timber Floor. Firstly, remember timber floors are natural, timber does move, so expect some expansion and shrinkage effects throughout the year.
Owner Expectations for Completed Timber Floors
This information sheet outlines reasonable owner expectations for an onsite sanded and finished timber floor. This includes solid T&G flooring, parquetry and other flooring types that have been sanded and finished onsite or recoated.
Owner Expectations for Engineered, Laminate and Bamboo Floors
This information sheet outlines reasonable owner expectations for engineered, laminate and bamboo floors. An acceptable finished floor will differ to that of solid timber flooring due to differences in product characteristics associated with manufacturing and installation processes.
COATING CHOICES
Timber Floor Coatings are your choice, so take care when choosing the coating that suits your needs!
FLOOR COLOUR AND GRADE
There are many timber species used in timber floors which provide us with a rich array of colours and grain patterns. In some species the natural colours will be fairly consistent while in others there can be blend of colours and tones.
Installation over Acoustic Underlays
Timber floors are often installed in high rise and unit developments where it is necessary to reduce to acceptable levels the noise transmission through to the dwelling below. Due to this timber and other similar hard flooring products are often laid on an acoustic underlay.
The purpose of this information sheet is to outline the requirements and what must be considered when installing a timber floor where the noise transmission must be reduced (or attenuated).
It should also be noted that there are many other factors that relate to the actual noise transmitted including what the floor space is used for, whether soft soled foot ware is encouraged and whether rugs and runners are used in higher foot traffic areas.
Each of these can have a profound effect on the actual noise transferred and the amenity of those living beneath the floor.
Wood and Vinyl based flooring
There are many different products available in the market that have the appearance of timber, however most are not ‘real’ timber, but provide the appearance of a timber floorboard. This in many ways is a testimony of the value we all acknowledge in ‘real’ timber flooring to complement the décor in our homes. Techniques in the production of flooring board products is now so advanced that many can not tell the difference between a solid timber floorboard and one that is not. This may be seen as a positive providing an exacting appearance and some enhancements in performance aspects, but it can also provide confusion with owners not actually knowing what they have, and also confusion for those installing or repairing floors. The purpose of this information sheet is to provide a better understanding of the composition of each product type and to explain the main differences that exist between wood based flooring products and vinyl based flooring products.