Installation
Our selection of exquisite wood species come in various grades, dimensions and installation options and offers the right flooring for every living space and interior design. So that the joys of your new flooring will last for many years to come, there are a few points to observe.
General Information
It does not always have to be an old building. Osmo solid wood flooring with the right tools and accessories can be installed in basically any subfloor. It does not matter if it is the renovation of an older building without screed, the renovation of a house with screed or completing of newly built home. However, the installation of solid wood flooring should be avoided in conservatories and sunrooms. The exception is conservatories in which a comfortable climate is maintained throughout the year. Also, in wet rooms, there are some points to keep in mind.
Not all solid wood floorings are alike. Before buying, you should check which flooring best suits your needs. Apart from the wood species and its technical specifications as well as your visual requirements, the surface treatment plays an important role. At Osmo, you have the choice between a premium Osmo Hartwachs-Öl surface or untreated floorboards, which can be treated on site.
FULL SURFACE GLUING
A method that is gaining even greater popularity. Advantages are low footfall, low build-up height, less gaps and better heat conductivity.
Elastic adhesive allows the glued wood to expand and contract. Ideal in buildings with pre-existing screed.
FLOATING INSTALLATION
A good method for problem areas and unpredictable subfloors. Advantages are the low footfall and the low build-up height.
SCREW INSTALLATION ON EXISTING WOODEN FLOORS
New flooring can easily be installed on top of existing wooden floors. The new flooring must be installed in the opposite direction to the old flooring. For all solid wood flooring from 20 mm thickness.
SCREW INSTALLATION ON OSB & CHIPBOARD
Ideal for half-timbered houses. The boards are mounted quickly and easily directly onto the base plate. For all solid wood flooring.
SCREW INSTALLATION ON JOIST SYSTEMS
The traditional method perfected by adjustable feet. These level out differences in height, reduce footfall and allow room for cables and pipes under flooring. For all solid wood flooring from 20 mm thickness.
Indoor climate
The right indoor climate for the material wood and your own well-being is between 50% and 65% relative humidity, at a room temperature of around 20 °C. Wood is a hygroscopic material, i.e. it can absorb and release moisture. On the one side, this can have a climate-regulating effect, but on the other side, it can also have the disadvantage that the material expands when it absorbs moisture, i.e. when the humidity is too high, or contracts when it releases moisture or the climate is too warm and dry.
Particularly during the heating period, when the room humidity is often far too low, the natural shrinkage of the material can lead to gaps. A wood-burning stove can further intensify this effect. To counteract the formation of large gaps, room humidifiers should be installed if necessary.
On the other hand, if it is too humid, insufficient wall clearance or a lack of expansion joints can lead to warping.
Changes in colour due to sunlight
Daylight triggers chemical reactions in the wood that cause a change in colour. The change in colour only occurs on the surface of the wood. Most woods darken over time, light-coloured woods tend to turn more yellowish.
The overall appearance of the floor becomes more even and balanced due to the colour change. Slight colour differences are thus automatically evened out over time.
INSTALLATION OF OSMO SOLID WOOD FLOORING ON UNDERFLOOR HEATING
We recommend the following types of wood for installation on a warm water underfloor heating system: Oak and Pine, depending on the type of wood, up to a covering width of 160 mm. There are various factors that determine whether a type of wood is suitable for installation on underfloor heating.
As a general rule, lighter wood species that tend to expand and contract or too large dimensions are not suitable for installation on underfloor heating. The use of floorboards with a thickness of 15 mm and 20 mm is permitted. In addition, the overall build-up (wood/adhesive) should not exceed a thermal resistance of 0.15 m2 K/W.
Osmo approval for full-surface bonding of solid wood flooring on underfloor heating only applies to hydronic underfloor heating systems where the heating coils are located underneath the screed. Electric heating systems are not permissible.
Installation of Osmo solid wood flooring in wet rooms
For installation in wet rooms, we recommend the following wood species: Oak, depending on the grade up to a covering width of 160 mm.
In general, however, the following applies: wood species that intend to expand and contract are not suitable for installation in damp rooms. Only full-surface bonding with a suitable adhesive is approved as an installation method.
