FAQ's

Frequently asked questions: 

#1: Is a PE film always necessary?

There is often uncertainty as to whether a PE film actually has to be used always and everywhere. The PE film serves as protection against rising or trailing moisture from the substrate. Without PE film, the moisture can rise, causing the floor to bulge/stipple. In addition, the PE film creates a slippery floor surface. Engineered and pre-finished floors react to changes in room humidity with "swelling or shrinkage". If this movement of the floor is prevented, gaps may form. A PE foil is always required for floating installation.

#2: Always comply with the installation size and expansion joints?

The installer must decide on the necessity of expansion joints on site. However, it is important that experts follow the manufacturer's instructions in the event of damage. 

Our information on installation size refers to floating installation. They are indicative in order to provide orientation for the user. With parquet and SPA Rigidboards, full-surface bonding means that expansion joints are not required, unless they are structural expansion joints. These must be incorporated into the top layer. 

#3: Gluing prefabricated floors useful and allowed?

Gluing prefabricated floors brings a slight improvement in walking comfort. However, prefabricated floors are basically not designed to be glued.

The bonding of tilo vinyl short planks (1.2 m), prefinished cork floors and linoleum is possible and permitted 

  • at a subfloor moisture content of 1.8 % CM (this can be determined by the floor layer),
  • the use of tilo Elastic adhesive and 
  • a maximum installation size of 6 x 6 meters.

The gluing of long planks (SOLIDANO, ELITO, GRANDO - 2.2 m) and the gluing of veneer floors (PORTO, UNO, EFFECTO) is not allowed.

#4: Why do joints occur and how can they be avoided?

Gaps often occur when the humidity or temperature of the air changes beyond the permitted level. Wood reacts to humidity, vinyl to temperature. In principle, this means making sure that humidity and temperature are kept stable.

Tips to avoid gaps

  • During the heating period, make sure that the recommended minimum room humidity is maintained! This can be found in the installation instructions..
  • Before installation, make sure that a PE foil is used (see also tilo FAQ #2) and that the subfloor is dry before installation!
  • The floor must be unrestrictedly free of movement, i.e. it must not be fixed at the edge (not even partially). No heavy pieces of furniture or other fixings may be used!
  • Check the joints before laying the floor to make sure that there is no damage here (this can be caused, for example, by transport damage or improper laying).
  • Air-condition the material for at least 48 h before laying it.

#5: Can wooden floors be installed on underfloor heating systems?

In principle, all tilo flooring products are approved for installation on underfloor heating.

However, the heating system should be temperature-controlled so that it can be ensured that the maximum permissible surface temperature specified in the installation instructions is not exceeded on the free surface of the floor area.

  

#6: How much waste should be taken into account when laying a floor?

This depends on the type of installation and the room situation. If a continuous installation is carried out, i.e. the second installation row is started with the remaining piece of the first row, there is hardly any or only a minimal amount of waste to be taken into account.

  

#7: Which tilo floor for allergies?

Since allergies can be triggered by different substances, which are usually also considered harmless to health, we recommend testing a sample piece to see if allergic reactions occur on contact with the desired product.

#8: Should old coverings be removed before installation?

For both technical and hygienic reasons, it is imperative to remove carpets.

The extent to which PVC coverings need to be removed depends on the respective situation and the product at hand. Your trusted specialist dealer can advise you in detail on this.

#9: Do tilo products contain formaldehyde?

We confirm that tilo natural floors do not pose any health risks. The formaldehyde content in the finished product is below the legally prescribed limit of 0.1 ppm. No solvents, heavy metals, tin, MDI, TDI, halogens or other harmful substances are used in production.

  

#10: Can I install wooden floors in damp rooms?

In principle, wooden floors are only suitable for installation in dry rooms. 
With tilo's unique colour worlds, you also have the option of installing your favourite decor in damp rooms as a waterproof SPA Rigidboard or PRO+ adhesive sheet. For more information, see our /DESIGN floors, SPA & PRO+ collections.

  

#11: How often can wooden floors be sanded?

With a wear layer thickness of approx. 3.5 mm and an average layer loss per sanding of approx. 0.5-0.7 mm, the surface can be sanded 3 times.
 

Glossary

What do technical terms such as: Brinell hardness, ambient noise, exposure to moisture, thermal conductivity and thermal insulation resistance mean? 

Acoustic behaviour

Here we first need to distinguish between ambience and footfall sound: ambience noise is in the same room, whereas footfall sound is heard in rooms which are below or adjacent. A full-surface bonding of parquet floors significantly improves the ambience noise value compared to a floating installation.

  

Brinell hardness

The hardness level of a wood type is an important indication of the wear and indentation resistance you can expect from it.

Brinell hardness comparison

Wood hardness can be determined with the Brinell test. Here a 10 mm-diameter steel sphere is pressed with a defined force against the wooden surface for a given period of time. The sphere is then drawn back after the load time has passed. Brinell hardness can be calculated from the surface of the indentation and the compression force. The higher the measurement of Brinell hardness, the harder the wood is. However, indicated hardness levels must always be understood as average values, since the actual values vary a little depending on the growing area of the tree and the cut type (all woods are harder when cut along the grain rather than across the grain).

  

Colour changes by light exposure

Chemical reactions in the wood substance triggered by daylight cause changes in colour. This natural alteration happens in the first period especially and testifies to the authenticity of the natural product.

  

Exposure to moisture

When exposed to moisture, wood reacts by swelling and shrinking. An installation on PE film does not provide absolute sealing from below. A dry ground is therefore always required. In any event, standing moisture should be avoided, also from above.

  

Glueless floating installation

In case of floors exposed to high stresses, floor heating, installation in larger rooms and long-term installation, we recommend additional gluing of the upper edge inside the groove-shaped slot. Length-side gluing is also possible.

Always lay a PE film which is at least 0.2 mm thick, vapour-sealing and rot-proof under tilo floors. This film is used to protect against moisture and especially creates a slidable level to ensure that the floor can float freely.

  

Renovation options

Parquet floors can be renovated after heavy use, even after decades. Surface sanding, new sealing and oils or waxes restore your floor to mint condition.

  

Riftware

Sawn timber is also differentiated according to the position of the growth rings.

Riftware (rift cut/ radial cut) means that there are predominantly standing growth rings, i.e. the growth rings appear on the broadside of a board as fine parallel stripes. Wood which has been cut this way retains its dimensions better than woods with lying growth rings. In practice, you can find not only standing or lying growth rings, but also diagonal ones, which are called semi-rift.

  

Full-surface bonding with glues

tilo floors can also be glued firmly to the ground. For this, use tilo adhesive systems. Before starting the installation work, it must be checked that the subfloor is suitable for flooring (DIN 18356 “Parquet work”) and that the prescribed requirements are met.

Reference for glues: use the products from the tilo glue range. In any event, please observe the processing specifications on the packaging or the respective manufacturer information. If you have any construction suggestions or any questions, please contact the tilo service team.

  

Living environment

Floor coverings made of wood, wood-based materials, cork or linoleum are ideal for your well-being and for structural physics. A healthy indoor climate helps to preserve the value of the floor and at the same time is important for people’s general well-being. The relative humidity should be between 40 and 60%. You can prevent the air from being too dry by using humidifiers and setting up indoor plants. Hygrometers and thermometers help to control it.

  

Thermal conductivity

Wooden floors are perceived as warm underfoot due to their very low thermal conductivity.

  

Thermal insulation resistance

Thermal insulation resistance indicates the insulation value of a material. The basis is the thermal conductivity parameter with which the thickness is considered. In case of floor heating, thermal insulation resistance for all layers above the heating level may not be higher than 0.15 m2 K/W, otherwise thermal heat cannot be emitted sufficiently into the room. However, it is negligible if it exceeds the limit by a minimum.