Tile - Floor installation advice for the professional

General: Plexwood is composed of end grain wood and wood with the grain, the processing differs from other groove and slip tongue tile flooring

Acclimatization: Allow Plexwood to acclimatize under the conditions in which it will be used

Products: Plexwood is a combined product composed of end grain wood and wood with the grain, therefore not all glues, fillers and finishers that are regularly used for wood are also suitable for this type of wood structure, run a test if necessary

Sub-floor: Inspect the sub-floor following the checklist below, delay work if necessary

Intermediate floor: In some cases Tile can be installed as a floating floor, possibly in combination with an intermediate layer of sound proofing material, and if necessary an intermediate floor can be installed, for instance a sub-floor of at least a high density particle board, in any case, ensure a proper attachment to the sub-floor

Expansion joint: An expansion joint is necessary

Laying pattern: Determine the pattern to be laid, taking the incidence of light into account

Fixation: If desired, for example adhesive film (follow the processing advice of the product)

Processing: Cover floor with protective foil, then, to begin, saw a number of Tiles in random lengths or halves, and start a band in flying bond, set out a chalk line, and install tiles alongside this line using the tongue and groove system or the provided slip tongues

Oil/wax: Lightly sand the floor if necessary. Make the floor dirt and dust free, apply the oil in the length of the Plexwood using a stainless steel taping knife, work in straight bands with a sharp edge, rub each edge immediately with a white pad, scrub off excess oil (pay particular attention to the bevelled edges), if necessary oil and rub the floor again, after the drying period the wax is applied in narrow bands, which are rubbed in wider until the floor has an even gloss, allow rubbing pads to dry in ventilated area

Varnish: Lightly sand the floor if necessary. Make the floor and expansion joint dirt and dust free, apply a thick layer with a mohair roller, work in wet-on-wet overlapping bands of ± 60" wide, in the length direction of the Plexwood, divide in the width and roll out overlapping in the length, keep a sharp edge on the band, use a brush along the walls, after drying period do intermediate sanding with 80-grit and spread a thin varnish layer, when this is dry finish varnish off with a roller and brush

Checklist inspection sub-floor according to DIN 18365, sub-floor check for parquet floors

Levelness: Measured according to NEN 2741 with a levelling beam of 2 meters, the maximum deviation allowed is 0.4 % of the levelling beam

Cracks: Assess visually

Moisture content: Measured according to the carbide method
In sand cement covering floor/concrete floor ≤ 2.0 % (regular), ≤ 1.8 % (with floor heating)
With anhydrite flooring ≤ 0.5 % (regular), ≤ 0.3 % (with floor heating)

Firmness: Assess using an RIRI apparatus or steel wire brush

Roughness: Assess visually

Expansion: Assess visually

Pollution: The floor must be clean, dust and oil free, assess visually

Vertical deviation: Measure in comparison with adjacent building components

Temperature sub-floor: Must be between 59.0 - 82.4 ºF, measure using electronic infrared temperature sensor (for example Gann IR-40)

Temperature environment: Must be ≥ 59.0 ºF, ideally between 64.4 - 68 ºF, measure using electronic infrared temperature sensor (for example Gann RF-T)

Relative atmospheric humidity: Must be between 50 - 65 %, measure using electronic hygrometer (for example Gann RF-T)

Floor heating: surface temperature of the sub-floor can be 82.4 ºF at most (supplementary heating), ask for the heating protocol, preferably installed according to the spiral casing principle

Pipework: The heating pipes must be a minimum of 1.18" below the top of the sub-floor