Frequently Asked Questions
154 questions answered.
- What basic maintenance does a timber floor need?
- Is wood dust from floor sanding dangerous?
- What are the dust exposure limits for floor sanding in Australia?
- What is silica dust and why is it dangerous during floor work?
- What type of dust filter should be used for floor sanding?
- Should compressed air be used to clean up after floor sanding?
- What noise limits apply to floor sanding work?
- What is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome from sanding equipment?
- What safety documentation must floor sanders have on site?
- How do I fix a scratch on my timber floor?
- Can I fix a colour mistake when repairing a timber floor scratch?
- What should I expect from a timber floor colour repair?
- What do expansion covers do for hybrid flooring?
- What type of trim should I use between rooms with hybrid flooring?
- Are heritage timber floors making a comeback?
- How does climate change affect heritage timber floors?
- What are the key steps to restoring a heritage timber floor?
- Should I repair or replace heritage parquetry blocks?
- What should I consider for parquetry floors in humid climates?
- How do you replace a single damaged floorboard?
- How do you fit a replacement floorboard into an existing floor?
- How are blind-nailed floorboards replaced?
- What reinforcement is needed when replacing a floorboard?
- What should I do when I have a problem with my timber floor?
- What types of floor inspections are available for problems?
- What is cupping in timber floors?
- What is peaking in timber floors and how is it different from cupping?
- What causes tenting in timber floors?
- What causes buckling in timber floors?
- What is crowning in timber floors?
- How much vertical movement is acceptable at timber floor joints?
- What is the acceptable gap size for solid timber strip flooring?
- How should I inspect my timber floor for quality?
- Are some boards allowed to fall outside grade limits?
- What is cupping in engineered timber floors?
- What is telegraphing in engineered timber floors?
- What is lamella delamination in engineered floors?
- What is acceptable lipping in engineered timber floors?
- Why does my floating floor make creaking noises?
- What is swelled edges in laminate flooring?
- Why does my floor look different from the sample I chose?
- What do the timber flooring grade categories mean?
- Does Select Grade timber mean it has no features at all?
- What types of noise does acoustic underlay control in apartments?
- What is the NCC acoustic requirement for floors between apartments?
- How does timber flooring compare acoustically to carpet and bare concrete?
- Does concrete slab thickness affect floor acoustics?
- What is flanking noise in timber flooring installations?
- Do thin laminates or thick hardwoods perform better over acoustic underlay?
- What is the difference between solid timber, engineered, and laminate flooring?
- What are the different types of vinyl-based flooring products?
- Do vinyl floors expand and contract like timber?
- Is water-resistant laminate the same as waterproof?
- What is veneered SPC flooring?
- Why does timber flooring expand and contract with the seasons?
- Can timber flooring be installed over underfloor heating?
- Which Australian climates are most suitable for underfloor heating with timber?
- What happens to timber floors in cold weather?
- Why do gaps appear in my timber floor during summer?
- Why is leaving a house unoccupied in summer bad for timber floors?
- How does humid weather affect timber floors?
- How does dry weather affect timber floors?
- What happens to timber floors in wet weather?
- How much does an 80mm hardwood board shrink or swell with moisture changes?
- Why do floors gap more in some Australian locations than others?
- Why has timber flooring always experienced seasonal movement?
- What happens if expansion allowance is not provided for timber flooring?
- What has ATFA done to address peaking in hardwood floors?
- Why does my glued timber floor sound hollow when I walk on it?
- What causes squeaking in timber floors?
- Can stiletto heels damage my timber floor?
- Can I apply chemical cleaners to a newly coated timber floor?
- Which floor coatings are most vulnerable to cleaning chemicals?
- Are pH neutral floor cleaners always safe for timber floors?
- What maintenance instructions should a floor sander provide?
- What is a floor polish or rejuvenation service?
- Is there a safety hazard when working on old parquetry floors?
- How do you replace a damaged floorboard without face nails?
- What is a floating floor and how does it work?
- What items must NOT rest on a floated timber floor?
- Why are control joints needed in floating floors?
- Does non-compliance with manufacturer instructions void floating floor warranties?
- What width ranges are available for engineered timber flooring?
- What is wire brushing on engineered timber floors?
- How does engineered flooring handle moisture differently from solid timber?
- What is the hierarchy of controls for managing floor sanding hazards?
- Why must floor sanders be clean-shaven for respirator use?
- What equipment safety standards apply to floor sanding machinery?
- How should I manage my expectations about a solid timber floor?
- Do limited hollow-sounding spots under timber floors need repair?
- Can floor cleaners affect the ability to recoat my floor later?
- How does a solid timber floor differ from a floating floor in terms of movement?
- What resources does ATFA provide for flooring professionals?
- What tolerance guides does ATFA publish for flooring?
- Can timber floors be installed in wet areas?
- What problems can occur with lyctus borers in hardwood floors?
- How does air conditioning affect timber floors?
- Can prefinished engineered floors be recoated?
- What is tattooing on timber floors?
- What are the Australian Consumer Laws relevant to floor disputes?
- How should floors be protected during building construction?
- What happens to timber floors after flood or water inundation?
- What causes checking or surface splits in timber flooring?
- How do evaporative coolers help protect timber floors?
- What happens when high-density hardwood floors get sustained moisture exposure?
- Is seasonal movement in timber flooring visible day to day?
- What information should flooring contractors provide to homeowners?
- What are the common contractor errors in timber flooring?
- How does the imported timber moisture content affect floor performance?
- What environmental certifications are available for timber flooring?
- Do timber floors store carbon?
- What regulations apply to chemical products used in floor sanding?
- What should I do about termites in my timber floor?
- What natural properties make cork suitable for flooring?
- How do I protect my timber floor from furniture damage?
- What causes peaking specifically in engineered timber floors?
- What licensing conditions apply to timber flooring contractors in Australia and New Zealand?
- How do heating systems affect timber floors?
- How does energy efficiency relate to timber flooring choices?
- What flooring types does the ATFA guide to timber applications cover?
- What topics do ATFA webinars cover?
- What is the best approach to dealing with flooring disputes?
- How do ATFA inspections work?
- What is the difference between SPC and WPC vinyl flooring?
- What is hybrid flooring?
- What compliance issues exist with hybrid flooring products containing silica?
- What is the significance of asbestos and magnesite in older floor substrates?
- What commercial floor trim options are available for high-traffic spaces?
- What is the role of stair nosing in commercial applications?
- What is the best cleaner for timber floor coatings?
- How quickly can vinyl flooring respond to temperature changes compared to timber?
- What is a Karcher BR40/10C and how is it used in floor maintenance?
- Can a buffing machine be used on timber floors?
- What impact does the 10dB acoustic reduction rule have on flooring choices?
- What is the minimum 3dB change threshold for acoustic perception?
- What happens if I sand a cupped floor before the moisture has equalised?
- What are the best coating types for heritage floor restoration?
- How should drainage be improved for coastal heritage floors?
- What is the difference between a full written inspection and a verbal onsite meeting for floor problems?
- Can I install a floating floor in a kitchen?
- What causes end-peaking in engineered floating floors?
- Should sealant be used where floating floors meet walls?
- How does occupancy affect timber floor moisture content?
- What timber moisture content is normal for Brisbane flooring?
- What is the Perth timber moisture content risk during summer?
- What is the difference between a T-moulding and a reducer trim?
- What tools are needed for a floor rejuvenation service?
- Can floor rejuvenation services extend beyond timber to other surfaces?
- Can you sand Blackbutt floors?
- Can you sand Cypress floors?
- Can you sand Tasmanian Oak floors?
- Can you sand Spotted Gum floors?
- What lighter-toned Australian timber species are available for flooring?
- How do I handle colour variation in a single-species timber floor?