Maintaining your floor timber

Choosing floor timber sn't just about finding your favourite wood grain. Understand the different factors involved in choosing and caring for your precious natural floor.

Floor timber width

The wider your floorboard, the more likely it is to move around or 'cup' (curve upwards). If you have a particularly moist site, or if the floorboards will be exposed to direct sun or airconditioning that will dry them out, it is best to choose narrower boards to prevent cupping.

What if my floorboards cup anyway?

Cupping occurs because the top of the boards becomes drier than the bottom. If they cup soon after laying, wait 12–18 months, as they normally straighten back into place. If the warping persists, you can then sand them down, but premature sanding can result in the boards curving downwards instead.

Timber floor grades

Australian wood from Boral has three grades – rough to very fine. Natural Grade is rugged and retains natural markings and faults. Most popular is the Australiana Grade, which accentuates natural features and creates a rich finish. The smoothest grade is Select, suitable for refined tastes.

Choosing the right timber colour

Timber comes in a rich variety of colours that depends not only on the wood you choose, but also the climate in which it was grown. Your floor will change colour when exposed to natural light, so areas with harsh sunlight may need to be protected with rugs.

My floorboards are shifting!

The moisture content of all wood responds to its local atmosphere, so in low humidity the timber expels moisture and shrinks. This causes gaps to appear in your boards. To reverse this process, protect your boards like protecting yourself from the sun – cover them and polish occasionally.

Boards that go creak

Once again, creaking is fairly usual for most timber floors. It often occurs after extreme changes in weather or if the boards haven't been walked on for a while. If you experience constant creaking in one particular spot, get a professional to address the problem for you.

Contact a floor timber specialist in your area today to discover how to maintain floorboards: