What is secret nailing?

This is the system of fastening the timber floorboards. Flooring staples or nails are driven in at a 45 degree angle through the tongue of each board to the substrate. The groove of each subsequent board covers the staple or nail, meaning there will be no visible nail marks on the surface of the timber floor.

Can I install my timber floors myself?

Generally with the right tools and some handy man ability, it is possible to install most timber flooring systems. We can provide industry standard recommendations for installing/ sanding & polishing, however we do recommend a professional be used to avoid potential mistakes. With installation, remember you only get one shot!

What type of timber flooring should I choose?

Remember that each application is different and it is important to choose the best suited timber floor on an individual basis. Start with looking over our website, especially “tips on how to choose a timber floor”, then either give our sales consultants a call or drop in to the Sydney showroom for further assistance.

Are solid timber floors structural?

All 19mm solid flooring is structural meaning they can be laid at no more than 450mm centres over batons, bearers and joists and of course over an existing structural floor e.g. plywood particle board or old timber flooring.

Are floating floors made of solid wood?

The Northern Rivers Timber range of floating floors consists of boards made primarily of hardwood. The top veneer is the timber specified, the remaining layers are of hardwood which is cross laminated at 90 degrees creating a very stable form of flooring, less prone to movement and cupping sometimes associated with solid hardwood.

Can I lay a new timber floor over my existing wooden floorboards?

Certainly. Almost all of our timber flooring products would suit this kind of installation.

Can I just stick the floorboards directly to my concrete?

In most cases we recommend not. However, if a qualified and competent installer is used, it is possible. It is important to note that the concrete slab must be very level, and appropriate adhesives such Bostik Ultraset must be used.

What if my concrete is not level?

Leveling of concrete is possible using a 19mm baton system, where the governing height is obtained and each baton is packed from underneath to match heights. The batons are then secured to the concrete using traditional fixing techniques.

Should I use battens or plywood under my timber floor boards?

Battens will always be cheaper, and as stated above can be leveled easily, however this system sometimes creates a hollow effect. Plywood is much better underfoot giving a more solid feel.

How are either the battens or plywood fixed to my concrete?

Either system are fastened to the concrete slab by pre drilling into concrete and hammering steel concrete anchors such as Macsim's Splitz to lock into place. Other systems can be used however for long term performance this system is recommended.

Does the size of the board affect the look of my floors and how does it?

It really is a personal choice; generally larger boards are used in larger areas creating a sense of space.

If I put a polyurethane coat on my timber floor will it mark easily if I drop something on it?

Oil modified polyurethane coatings are very durable and hard wearing, more so than the traditional Tung Oils. They will withstand a degree of abuse but care should still be taken to avoid major damage by objects being dropped.

I have a dog and three kids? How durable will my timber floor be? 

The timber itself should withstand general everyday wear and tear. It will come down to coating system used. The stronger the coating, the less prone to damage the timber flooring will be. Oil modified poly or water based poly recommended for new floors.

How will moisture affect my timber floor?

It is imperative that your environment be tested prior to installing any timber floors. Moisture is the main cause of floors failing or performing badly. If a moisture problem exists it must be rectified prior to installation of a new timber floor. How this is done will depend on each individual job and your requirements.

How often will I need to sand and re-polish my floors?

Providing regular maintenance is performed e.g., vacuuming, periodical "dry" mopping, the placement of door mats etc to avoid things like sand and dirt being walked over the floor, the coating system should last 5-10 years with little or no need for a full recoat. Just remember as long as you look after your floor, it will look after you.

Are solid wood floors noisier than floating floors?

To a certain degree, as the floating system are cushioned by an underlay. It will also depend on what type of flooring system, e.g. timber onto bearers/joists or batons will almost always be a noisier floor than timber onto plywood (if a concrete substrate is present).

Can I pick the gloss level on my floorboards?

Of course, most coating systems are available with 3 gloss levels or more, ranging from low sheen to high gloss. It depends on the brand. Our Sydney showroom has several different finishes on display.

What does the guarantee on floating floors cover?

The guarantee covers all manufacturing processes in that the product under normal site conditions is guaranteed not to de-laminate or move excessively. The coatings are guaranteed to last under normal wear and tear conditions for 25years providing the recommended precautions are employed.

How do I wash my wood floors?

As per the coating manufacturer's recommendations. If mopping, a dry mop technique must be employed. This is where the mop is dipped in the solution and all excess liquid is drained off prior to contact with timber. The reason being, timber is a hydroscopic material and moisture that "pools" on the floor and left for a period of time will be soaked up by the timber and may cause problems like expansion and "cupping".

How often should I treat my decking?

This will depend on a number of factors, how exposed a deck is to the elements e.g., rain, direct sunlight, standing water. What type of coating used e.g. decking oil, Sikkens, or Integrain etc, some have better properties than others, amount of foot traffic etc. Basically, it is recommended that when a coating starts to look tired and worn it should be recoated to avoid costly re-sands. See our decking page for more information.

Should I use oil or other coatings on my decking?

This will depend on the look you want to achieve. Decking oils penetrate into the timber protecting from within. Generally they are flat, low sheen finishes. Sikkens or similar brands which have a "high" build effect where the coating sits on the timber, can achieve higher gloss levels. These coatings generally have better abrasion resistance to oil and require less maintenance.

Of course they are a floating system where no fixings are necessary.

What size board should I use in my decking?

Any size timber is suitable for decking, 65, 85, 140mm it will mainly depend on your budget "wider boards are more expensive" and also the look you want to achieve. Larger areas may suit larger boards, but the narrower boards are generally the most stable.

Is character or feature grade good enough to use for decking?

Generally it is recommended that standard grade or higher be used in decks where high bare foot traffic exists. The nature of character grade is to have quite a lot of open gum veins, knots etc.

What sort of timber is Northern Rivers Creams?

Northern Rivers Creams is a stunning collection of native Australian hardwoods carefully chosen for their hues of creams, honeys, pale browns and golden yellows.

What sort of timber is Northern Rivers Reds?

Northern Rivers Reds is a mix of various native hardwoods in reds, pinks and burgundies, providing a deep and distinctive appearance with an abundance of character and charm.

What sort of timber is Mixed Australian Hardwoods?

Mixed Australian hardwoods are known for their strength and durability, with species ranging from Blackbutt, Blue Gum, Tallowwood, Red Ironbark, Spotted Gum and many more. One of the most sort after decking in Australia which offers a truly unique deck that will last forever.

What is Janka hardness?

The Janka hardness test measures the hardness of wood. Technically, it involves measuring the force required to embed a 11.28 millimeter (0.444 inch) steel ball into wood to half its diameter. This method was chosen so that the result would leave an indention 100 square millimeters in size.
It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. It is also a good indicator of how hard a species is to saw or nail.
Basically, the higher the Janka, the harder the wood.

Will stilettos dent my floor?

Unfortunately, it is quite possible. Likewise with particularly pointy furniture legs. If this is a major consideration, you should be looking at timbers higher on the Janka scale.

What does density of timber mean with regard to flooring or decking?

As applied to timber, density is the mass of wood substance and moisture enclosed within a piece expressed in kilograms per cubic meter. As this mass will vary dependent on the amount of moisture in the piece, density is often expressed in a number of ways: Green Density is the density of the timber unseasoned. This will vary considerably due to the initial moisture content. Dry Density is the density of timber dried to a moisture content of 12%. Basic Density is the oven dry mass over green volume.