FAQs
We've put together some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our flooring, installation and aftercare. Contact us for anything else not covered below.
Flooring Surfaces
What's the best hard flooring?
There is a wide range of hard flooring surfaces available, but the best hard flooring is one that's suited to your individual needs:
Wood flooring has unparalleled beauty, whether you're looking at prefinished timbers or staining to match your unique style. Wood floors create a timeless look that can add value to your home.
Laminate flooring is a cost-effective and durable wood look. Quality laminate floors have increased fade, scratch and water resistance compared to many other flooring types.
Cork flooring and CorkWood is the best choice of flooring if you are looking for warm, comfortable and quiet floor in your home. Unlike traditional cork, selected ranges in our Cork and CorkWood flooring have a waterproof surface so that these floors can be installed in any room in your home, including kitchens and bathrooms.
Hybrid flooring is made with a vinyl surface and is an ideal hard floor to create a plank or tile look in wet areas, as the product is entirely waterproof.
Leather flooring is made with a 100% recycled leather surface. Leather flooring surfaces offer a unique look if you want to make a statement in your home or study.
What's the difference between solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring?
Solid wood is just that – from top to bottom and end to end, each plank is one continuous piece of wood cut with a tongue-and-groove joint. Most Rimu and Matai floors in New Zealand are solids. Solid wood flooring tends to be more expensive because the entire plank is made from precious timber. Solid timber floors also have limitations on areas of where they can be installed in your home.
By contrast, engineered wood flooring has a resandable layer of wood bonded to a strengthened core, increasing the product's stability while reducing its cost. Not only can we offer prefinished engineered hardwood flooring, but thanks to the toughened core layers, engineered floorings are less prone to warping, cupping and expansion than solid timbers, allowing a beautiful wood floor to be installed into more areas of your home.
What is a wear layer?
The wear layer is the amount of resandable timber on a wooden floor. A thicker wear layer means you'll have more opportunities to resand and refinish your floor; a 6mm wear layer, for instance, will let you resand approximately 4-5 times, depending on how much you take off each time.
What's the difference between laminate and wood flooring?
Laminate flooring is a synthetic product made by fusing a photographic layer onto a coreboard, and typically designed and laid to look like a wood floor. It's a cost-effective alternative made to replicate a natural wood floor, with the advantage of increased durability and fade resistance.
What is a floating floor system?
A floating floor is any floor that is not adhered or nailed down to the subfloor. This method of installation allows the flooring to expand and contract freely without putting undue stress on the product, ultimately preventing any gapping, warping or splitting of your floor. Also, our floating systems at Floorboards allow individual boards to be replaced if damage occurs down the line.
Should I expect some colour and shade variation with wood and cork flooring?
Yes - all natural products will exhibit some colour and shade variation. No two trees are exactly alike, meaning every floor will be unique.
Installation
What happens if my existing sub floor is uneven?
Floating floors can be laid over existing vinyl, tiles, concrete, chipboard and ply - anything that is flat and dry. Our underlays can accommodate some sub-floor imperfection, but the golden rule is the better the subfloor, the better the finish. If you have any concerns about your subfloor, we can recommend a specialist to advise you on the best course of action before installation.
Do the skirting boards need to be removed?
With Floorboards' unique installation process we can install most floating floors within homes without removing any skirtings, kitchen toe-kicks or end panels. We encourage our clients to have as much work as possible completed prior to flooring installation to minimise risk of damage to the floor by other tradespeople.
Our installers trim the bottom of the fitted skirting boards and fit the new floor snugly underneath, which we find creates a much neater finish between the skirting boards and the floor. However, there are some exceptions to this rule: some types of kitchen toe-kick cannot be undercut, and all glue-down flooring must be installed prior to kitchen units and skirting boards. Depending on the flooring type and range that you choose, our Floorboards team will advise the best installation method.
Can I install the floor myself?
Although some of our traditional flooring such as glued-down hardwoods requires more specialised installation, we also provide a range of user-friendly pre-finished flooring options for the Kiwi DIYer.
With your flooring product purchase, we offer expert advice to assist you with your DIY installation and can run you through the basic techniques required to install your floor correctly. If you have any queries about DIY, please feel free to give us a call or drop into our showroom for more information.
Can the floor be installed over under-floor heating?
Yes, most of floating systems are designed with under-floor heating in mind, although for traditional glued systems, it's best to double-check with us depending on your specific situation. You may even find that our flooring provides such good insulation that you no longer need to use your underfloor heating.
Aftercare
What is the best way to clean and maintain my hard surface flooring?
With each install we provide a comprehensive cleaning kit to ensure you have all the right products to maintain the look of your new floor. Our care kit, along with other cleaning and care products, can be purchased from our showroom.
Can I use other cleaners?
No. Off-the-shelf products may damage your flooring, so always check with your flooring manufacturer before investing in a new cleaning product. If you are in doubt of which cleaner to use for you floor, contact us for advice.
Can I use a steam mop?
No. Do NOT use a steam mops on our hard flooring (or any other hard-surface flooring) as this will deteriorate the integrity of the floor. If you are in doubt of which cleaner to use for you floor, contact us for advice.
Do you have another question about our flooring? Call us on 07 959 1861
Floorboards Showroom
Level 1, 79 Church Rd, Hamilton
Phone 07 959 1861
Phone 021 977 548
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