Installation Methods for Engineered Oak Plank and Herringbone Floors

Nailing Down

Engineered Oak Plank floors can be secret-nailed to an existing timber subfloor, including:

• Solid wood flooring
• Plywood
• OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
• Particleboard
• Most vinyl tile or non-cushioned resilient floors that have been installed on a wood subfloor and are securely adhered

Gluing Down

Engineered Oak Plank and Herringbone floors can be glued directly to:

• Concrete
• Ceramic tiles
• Terrazzo
• Metal
• Slate
• Marble
• OSB
• Plywood

Ensure the existing surface is rough or porous. Pre-sand any slick or sealed surfaces, especially gypsum and anhydrite screeds, to remove the soft surface laitance.

Special Considerations for Gluing to Concrete

• We recommend using a Surface Primer to ensure a strong bond between the subfloor and adhesive.

Special Considerations for Gypsum or Anhydrite Screeds

• Additional preparation is required, including the removal of the soft surface laitance and refinishing with a primer and levelling compound.

Floating

A floating floor can be installed over:

• Concrete
• Anhydrite
• Existing wood floor
• Chipboard
• Ceramic tiles
• Terrazzo
• Metal
• PVC
• Linoleum
• Slate
• Marble
• Particleboard
• OSB
• Plywood

(Note: Floating floors cannot be installed over carpet.)

The type of underlay needed depends on the subfloor condition. However, for most installations, we recommend using an underlay with a built-in damp-proof membrane.

Additional Notes

• Plank Floors: Suitable for floating, secret-nailing, or gluing down.
• Herringbone Floors: Typically glued down but can be floated under the right circumstances.

Always refer to the manufacturer's fitting guides for the appropriate installation method.

Frequently Asked Questions about Oak Engineered Floors

How do I clean this floor?
To clean your oiled or lacquered floor, always follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures. Alternatively, you can use a well-wrung mop with water only. We do not recommend using a steam mop or any other cleaning solutions on our floors.

Does my floor need to acclimatise before installing?
Yes, we recommend letting your floor acclimatise for 3 to 4 days before installation. This should be done in the same room where it will be installed, and the flooring should remain in its sealed packaging to prevent warping due to temperature changes. Avoid storing the flooring outdoors, in outbuildings, or in areas with damp or condensation issues.

How much wastage do I need?
We generally recommend accounting for 10% wastage for plank floors, and 15% for herringbone. However, factors such as room shape and laying style can impact this, so always consult with your installer first.

What condition should the subfloor be in?
The subfloor beneath your oak engineered floor must be in good structural condition, free from damp rot, fungal or insect infestation, and contaminating residues. It should be flat, with uneven areas not exceeding 3mm over a 2m area. The surface should be vacuumed and completely free of debris before installation. Ensure hot pipes are well insulated to prevent localised hotspots, which can cause the wood to warp or shrink.

What is colour variation and how should I lay the planks with colour variation?
Colour variation refers to the natural differences in colour that occur in real wood. To achieve a balanced look, blend planks from several packs across the entire room.

What type of joints does this flooring have?
This flooring features tongue and groove joints.

What expansion gaps are needed?
Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. When fitting a wood floor, leave expansion gaps wherever the boards meet a wall, structural support, stairs, breakfast bar, fireplace, or central heating pipe. Gaps must also be considered at doorways to allow for differing expansion between rooms. Use spacers at regular intervals when fitting and remove them before installing skirting boards, beading, or trims. Allow a 2mm gap for every metre span of the floor, with a minimum of 10-15mm gap regardless. For areas over 5m in width, extra provisions should be made for expansion.

How can this flooring be installed?
Oak engineered plank flooring can be installed by floating, secret-nailing, or gluing down. For floors with underfloor heating, we recommend a glue-down installation for better heat transfer. Herringbone floors are typically glued down but can be floated under the right conditions. Always refer to the manufacturer's fitting instructions for best results.

Can I have underfloor heating with this flooring?
Yes, this flooring is suitable for underfloor heating. Please refer to the manufacturer's installation guide for the appropriate installation method.

What does 'pack includes cut lengths' mean?
This means that at least one plank within your pack will be cut in half. This is intentional to help spread the joints out across your floor, preventing weakening. The other planks will be of the same length.

Can I use this flooring in my bathroom?
We generally do not recommend using engineered flooring in bathrooms or wet rooms. For waterproof options, consider products specifically designed for high-moisture environments, such as Click LVT.

All Brooks Floors deliveries are made either from Brooks main warehouse or our store in Coleford, Gloucestershire. We only keep stock of our most popular lines, so please allow up to 5 working days for standard delivery. All flooring deliveries are curb-side, meaning you will need to carry the goods into your property. If this is likely to be a problem, please inform us at the time of your order to discuss alternative delivery options.

Delivery Details

• Availability: If no one is available to accept your delivery at the provided address, a re-delivery charge will apply when you reschedule.
• Delivery Vehicles: Deliveries can be made in various commercial vehicles, including up to 18-tonne lorries. It is assumed that the property is easily accessible to these vehicle types.
• Access Restrictions: Flooring cannot be delivered to properties with stepped access, flats above the ground floor (regardless of lift access), or left in communal areas. For flats, orders will be left at the ground floor external doorstep. For residential properties with stepped access, flooring will be left at the bottom of the steps. Drivers may need assistance with unloading larger items. If access is likely to be a problem, please inform us at the time of order to discuss alternative delivery options.
• Doorstep Delivery: Doorstep delivery is available for lighter parcels. Depending on the courier, you will receive delivery time updates. Please leave your mobile number when checking out.

If you wish to cancel your order before it has been dispatched, please contact us with your order number and the details of the item(s) you wish to cancel.

Damaged or Missing Goods

In the rare event that you receive damaged goods or there are missing items, please contact us directly as soon as possible so we can resolve the issue swiftly. Follow these steps if you receive faulty products:

1. Send photos of the damaged products along with your order details within 48 hours of receiving the goods.

Leftover Packs

We offer a full refund for unused and unopened packs of flooring within 30 days of delivery. Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds after 30 days.

Please note the following conditions for returns:

• All goods must be stored correctly (at ambient temperature, away from moisture) and will be moisture-read on return to Brooks. If the moisture reading is outside the 7-11% WME range, a refund will not be issued.
• All goods must be in their original packaging with only clear tape used to reseal packs.
• A £25 collection charge applies to all returns.
• On receipt at Brooks, returns will be inspected, and any damaged goods will be deducted from the return value.
• A restocking fee of 20% of the return value applies to all returns. Unfortunately, this fee is beyond our control and is part of our supplier's policy. We will always inform you of this fee prior to your return and will confirm any deductions before arranging collection.