3 Steps to Follow When Using Timber Flooring Upstairs

3 Steps to Follow When Using Timber Flooring Upstairs

Timber flooring can offer an elegant and timeless appearance for any room in the house. That said, you do need to take some extra steps if you’re going to be using it in an upstairs room of your house. Given the weight and hardness of timber, several problems can occur that would not have represented much of a bother on the ground floor.

Here are just 3 steps you need to follow to protect against such problems.

  1. Use Sound-Deadening Materials

One of the most common problems that occurs after fitting hardwood flooring upstairs is a lot of noise downstairs. Timber won’t insulate against sound, and the noise from each footfall will be transmitted downwards. One of the best things you can do to prevent this is install sound insulating materials within the floor cavity before you lay down your hardwood floorboards. This will partially improve the issue, and you can go further by laying down rugs along high-traffic areas. It probably goes without saying, but it’s also a very good idea to remove your shoes before going upstairs!

  1. Use Lighter Boards

One of the reasons people tend to use laminate wood flooring upstairs is that laminate is a lot lighter than genuine timber. The issue here is that timber floors tend to be quite heavy, and floors above the ground floor are not generally recommended to carry very much weight.  Of course, you shouldn’t feel forced to opt for the artificial alternative – instead, just look for a lighter wood. It’s best to start by looking at softwoods, which usually boast looser grains. Pine is a good example. Just make sure you steer away from the denser, heavier hardwoods, like teak.

  1. Skip the DIY

Some homeowners who are comfortable with a bit of DIY assume that they can install their timber flooring without calling a professional. However, this is not a job that you should do yourself if you’re dealing with flooring on an upper floor of your home. A professional will be able to inspect the underfloor to ensure that it can take the stress of hardwood planks, and they will be unlikely to disrupt any underlying parts of your plumbing or electrical systems.

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