Galleria Heritage European Colonial Oak 150mm Oiled Solid Flooring is 150mm wide, has a total thickness of 20mm and comes in random lengths of between 400-2000mm, with around 20% of the boards being 2000mm long. Although this is a solid wood flooring all the way through it still has a wear layer above the tongue and groove, sanding cannot surpass this point. On this floor that wear layers is 8.0mm which if need can be sanded and re-finished up to 10 times, but under a normal maintenance program and in a domestic environment the floor should not need to be sanded for around 20 years.

The floor is constructed like a traditional hardwood floor out of one piece to timber. Each of the planks has bevelled edges (V Grooves) on all four sides resulting in very distinctive groove between the planks, adding more depth and dimension along with giving an individual definition to each plank. The rustic grade of this hardwood is a very vibrant colourful floor full of character and excitement. The floor can display heavy grain markings, figuring, mineral streaks, colour variations, sapwood and frequent knots of varying sizes. Knot holes, checks splits and other imperfections are allowed, filled and finished. The floor is prefinished with natural oil which adds a deep warm natural feel to the floor. This seemingly transparent surface enhances the natural grain and structure of the wood, allowing its natural beauty to show whilst still offering a deep protection.

Galleria Heritage European Colonial Oak 150mm Oiled Solid Flooring Installation Guide

All solid wood flooring can react to the presence of moisture. In the winter when the home has the central heating on, moisture can leave the wood, while in the summer months when the humidity is higher, the wood will absorb moisture, this is all a natural process.

Nearly all problems related to solid wood flooring are due to improper installation and exposure to excessive moisture in the concrete sub floor or hummidity. If there is too much moisture it will cause the wood planks to cup, or buckle. This is why it is important when installing that you follow the correct recommended installation methods.

On concrete sub-floors we always recommend to install a surface DPM (damp proof membrane) such as Mapeiproof ESM prior to installation, this applies to both new and old floors. 

Also note that new concrete slabs require a minimum of 60 days drying time before covering them with a wood floor, please always test the moisture of a new concrete sub-floor in several random places to ensure it is suitable to be laid on.

Prior to installation a solid wood flooring must be acclimatised to reach its equilibrium. The product should be left in the room it is going to be laid in at normal room temperature for 10-14 days prior to installation.

Solid Wood Floors can be installed several ways:

Fully Glued Down

Floated on Fast Fit Peel and Stick Underlay (Only up to 150mm widths)

Nail/ Screw Down Installations

Fully Glued Down Installations

All Concrete sub-floors must be dry, smooth, level and free of structural defects. If the concrete sub floor is uneven we recommend using a self levelling compound to level the subfloor out. The concrete must also be free of paint, oil, existing adhesives, wax, grease, dirt and curing compounds. These may be removed chemically or mechanically, but do not use solvent-based strippers under any circumstances. The use of residual solvents can prohibit the satisfactory bond of flooring adhesives. It is important to ensure a proper bond between the adhesives and concrete and wood panels.

You can nail down a solid wood floor over a concrete subfloor with the use of battens. A damp proof membrane sheet must first be laid over the concrete subfloor before the battens are laid out at centres of 450mm. The battens must be a minimum of 40mm in depth to avoid them bowing. The solid wood floor can then be nailed down as described above If you have a wooden subfloor you will need to lay a 1/2" plywood base over this before installation, this will then give you a smooth and level surface for you to install you wood flooring onto.

Another important consideration in using glue-down installation is your choice of adhesives as some are only suitable for floors up to a small width. To avoid warranty issues and the possibility of future problems we recommend Mapei Ultrabond P990 1K which you trowel out to fully bond to the subfloor. Alternatively you can use Mapei Ultrabond P990 1K Sausage adhesive which is applied with an applicator gun to run beads of adhesive on the subfloor at 150mm intervals, this is easier for DIY

Floating On An Adhesive Backed Underlay

You can also install a solid hardwood flooring over a concrete subfloor by floating it on an adhesive backed underlay such as Fast Fit Peel & Stick Underlay, this has adhesive on one side which the solid wood floor is laid onto. Before you lay down the underlay you will need to first lay a 1000 gauge sheet of damp proof membrane

Nailed Down Installations

Nailed down installation is the traditional way to install solid wood floors and can be done either directly onto wooden subfloor or on a concrete subfloor with the use of battens.

Solid wood floors can be nailed into existing wooden subfloors such as floorboards or plywood but not into chipboard floors as these are not strong enough to hold the nails. The floorboards must be in good condition and level if not it is advisable to lay 1/2" plywood down first. For added soundproofing it is also advisable to use a poly-foam underlay such barrier underlay

When you nail down a solid wood floor you use a Porta-Nailer to drive a nail at a 30 degree angle through the tongue and into the subfloor. Porta-Nailers can be hired from any good hire shop.

A new alternative to this is the new Elka Tongue Tite Screws these have been specially designed for use with tongue & groove wood flooring. Each pack covers 10m2 and comes with a special drill bit that fits any standard electric drill or screwdriver.

Installing onto Battens

You can nail down a solid wood floor over a concrete subfloor with the use of battens. A damp proof membrane sheet must first be laid over the concrete subfloor before the battens are laid out at centres of 450mm. The battens must be a minimum of 40mm in depth to avoid them bowing. The solid wood floor can then be nailed down as described above.

This is a brief guide on installation solid wood flooring always refer to the manufactures installation guides in the packs of the flooring. Or visit our Flooring Manufactures Installations Guides

If you require any further advice on installation then please call our technical department on 0845 263 6586, e-mail us on info@ukflooringdirect.co.uk or click the Live Help Button at the top of the page.

Galleria Heritage European Colonial Oak 150mm Oiled Solid Flooring Maintenance

 In order to ensure lasting satisfaction from your new oil finished floor, it is important to correctly care for the floor from the off, starting immediately after installation. With the right care, the oiled floor will become increasingly easy to clean and more hard wearing over time. This is because the recommended soap used to clean the floor, actually coats it with an invisible film, providing additional protection and thus making the floor more resistant to dirt. The floor can also be re-oiled as part of a regular maintenance program thus ensuring a lifetime of use and enjoyment.

After-Installation Care

All oiled floors are recommended to be thoroughly cleaned with “Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Natural Soap Cleaner” right after installation and as a regular cleaning regime.  As a result of this the surface will then be more hardwearing and be easier to clean and maintain in the future.

Normal cleaning to remove surface debris is accomplished using a broom and vacuum cleaner. In order to achieve the best cleaning possible use, “Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Natural Soap Cleaner” a highly concentrated soap for cleaning and maintenance of oiled wooden surfaces, suitable for flooring, furniture, kitchen surfaces, and all indoor wood.

 Instruction for use:

1. Shake thoroughly prior to use.

2. Always use two buckets: one – for the soap solution, the other – water for rinsing.

3. Mix approx. 250ml of the soap with 10L of warm water and apply a thin layer onto the flooring; particularly soiled areas should be cleaned with a brush or cloth first.

4. Rinse the cloth or mop in the second bucket and wipe the floor dry.

5. Water in the other bucket should be changed regularly so as to prevent spreading the already removed dirt back onto the floor.

6. Do not wipe the floor with pure water as the protective soya and coconut oils will be removed!

7. With each subsequent use of the soap, the floor will become less susceptible to soiling.

Coverage approx. 50-80 m2/l, Dependent on wood type.

Cleaning Extremely Dirty Floors

If the floor has been neglected and/or becomes very dirty, it should be cleaned using “Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Intensive Cleaner,” developed for deep penetration of the woods fibre, helping to lift the grain and encourage absorption of a new application of “Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Refresher.” 

Instructions for use 

1. Shake thoroughly prior to use.

2. Always use two buckets: one – for the soap solution, the other – water for rinsing.

3. Mix approx. 250ml of the soap with 10L of warm water and apply a thin layer onto the flooring; particularly soiled areas should be cleaned with a brush or cloth first.

4. Rinse the cloth or mop in the second bucket and wipe the floor dry.

5. Water in the other bucket should be changed regularly so as to prevent spreading the already removed dirt back onto the floor.

6. Do not wipe the floor with pure water as the protective soya and coconut oils will be removed!

7. With each subsequent use of the soap, the floor will become less susceptible to soiling.

Coverage approx. 50-80 m2/l, Dependent on wood type.

Maintenance Oil Application

“Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Refresher,” for use on all oiled wooden surfaces. 

Used once or twice a year, depending on the level of dirt, to restore and protect, if the floor has become dull and tired looking. It will help in everyday care and reinforces the floors resistance to dirt, and help to give it a new lease of life.

Instruction for use:

1. First clean the soiled surface with “Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Intensive Cleaner,” and leave to dry thoroughly for 4 to 8 hrs.

2. Apply a thin layer of “Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Refresher,” with a diffuser or a cloth and then rub manually or mechanically into the wood with a polishing machine until a smooth, silky-matt surface is revealed.

3. Make sure you leave no excess oil on the surface.

4. Within approx. 4 hrs. The floor may be walked on, though the full hardening time is 24 hrs. During which time the floor must not be cleaned with water and should be used sparingly and with care.

5. For future after care and routine cleaning  maintenance “Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Natural Soap Cleaner,” is then recommended.

6. Easy Clean Oiled Flooring Refresher is ready-to-use without diluting

Coverage approx. 50-60 m2/l, Dependent on the wood type.

All the products related to maintaining this flooring will be available to purchase at very competitive prices after you have selected your flooring and added to the basket.

If this does not answer all of your questions or you wish for some further advise please do not hesitate to contact us.