The installation of timber flooring using cement board underlay system is the most expensive method. The significant advantage for cement board is water resistance (no plastic sheet underlay required) and termite resistance (some of the supplier will provide warranty). This installation method will provide you the solid feeling when you step on the installed wood flooring.
Cement board underlay installation method is suitable for both prefinished timber flooring like engineered timber flooring and bamboo flooring as well as unfinished solid wood flooring. This installation method request both glue and nail (the nail that use for prefinished and unfinished is different)
Site Pre-installation:
Subfloors must be clean and free of dirt, curing compounds, sealers, drywall mud, paint, wax, grease, urethane, or other materials that may affect the integrity of the flooring material or adhesives used to install the wood flooring.
Test moisture content for concrete slab using moisture meter. The moisture content of the concrete slab should not exceed 6 percent. If it exceeds these limits, DO NOT installs the timber flooring.
Prior to installation it is necessary to ensure the subfloor conforms to level tolerance between 2mm to 3mm at 2000mm length.
Floor Board Installation:
Installation of timber flooring should not occur until other construction activities, particularly wet trades, are complete. The building/house should be roofed and enclosed with the temperature and humidity as close as possible to the expected in-service conditions.
Cement board underlay is water resistance; therefore no plastic sheet underlay is required. Cement board underlay should be structural grade, a 9mm thick. Fasten the cement board underlay on top of the sub floor c/w glue using concrete nail and allowed an expansion gap of 8mm-12mm at all walls.
Prefinished Timber Flooring
Prefinished timber floor board laid on top of the cement underlay cover with adhesive and air-nail 45 degree direction fasten in the tongue and groove between two floors. Expansion gaps of minimum 8mm to 12mm should be provided at all walls.
Unfinished Timber Flooring
Unfinished timber floor board like solid wood flooring lain on top of the cement underlay cover with adhesive and PRIMATECH nail 45 degree direction fasten on the tongue and groove between two floors. Expansion gaps of 8mm to 12mm should be provided at all walls.
Flooring Protection upon Completion:
Always protect the surface of the installed timber flooring during construction by laying a quality rosin paper or other paper that will allow the floor to breathe like corrugated paper, taping it to the baseboards. Never use plastic or polyethylene sheeting to cover the floor since they will trap moisture that will damage the flooring.
