Important
Basics
Store boards undercover at all times
Raise off the ground on boarders
Keep flat
Joisted/Timber
Engineered
(I-beam) Floors
18mm board can be used
< 450mm joist centre
22mm board can be used
< 600mm joist centre
• Domestic loadings only
Expansion
Always leave an expansion gap at the perimeter edges. A gap of 2mm per
metre run of floor should be left at all perimeter walls and abutments
Never leave less than a 10mm gap and ensure gaps do not fill with site
spoil. Fill expansion gap with a flexible gap filler if possible
WeatherDek2 protected floors tend to move less than unprotected boards
however always remember the 10mm gap. On large runs of floor an interim
expansion gap may be necessary.
Laying
In a weather tight working environment it is advisable to bring boards
into the area to be fixed to condition for a minimum of 24 hours. This
avoids much of the movement after boards are fixed
Always lay Puhos tongued and grooved boards brick work fashion and at right angles to the joists or beams
Ensure noggins support
any short end joints, which fall between spans
Perimeter edges should also be supported by noggins – this is an
NHBC requirement. When engineered beams are used, fix supports with Z
clips to avoid floor creaks
Always ensure joists or beams are braced and secure prior to fixing the deck
Always keep as much bracing in place as possible when laying the floor deck
Put a bead of PVA D3 adhesive onto the joist or beam flange prior to laying
Glue all board edges using a liberal amount of D3 PVA adhesive
Fix Puhos flooring using four nails or screws to every joist or I beam flange, one fixing 30mm from each edge and two equidistant between. Annular ring nails with large heads should be used 2.5 times the board thickness if fixing to timber joists
If I-beams are used then choose a nail length which does not exceed the thickness of the board and flange. We strongly recommend the use of WeatherDek nails if fixing to I beams. This will help ensure a creak free floor and avoid injury due to penetration of the fixing
The use
of nail guns should be avoided whenever possible as this is often one
of the prime causes of floor creaks after occupation. If nail guns are
used then ensure the following:
- Always use four fixings per joist or flange.
- Use the correct length fixings
- Ensure the pressure does not force nails deeply into the board.
- Take time to ensure fixings do not miss the target.
- Always glue the boards to joists or beams
Screwing boards down to I-beams is also permissible. We recommend Ulti-Mate high performance woodscrews 4 x 50mm. These are compatible with Pozidriv and Phillips drivers and are available from Travis Perkins and Keyline outlets nationwide. We recommend four fixings at each board short end and three on interim beams
Keep boards clean during the construction period and avoid wetting. Internally, the use of Puhos Protectafloor with peel off kraft paper surface protection is strongly recommended. This will give a pristine floor at the end of the job.
