Big River

Frequently asked questions

Q Can Big River timber floorboards be installed over an existing floor

A Yes they can, however there are a number of different possibilities available with this type of flooring. The most common installation method is called a ‘floating floor’. This method enables the timber floor to rest directly over a suitable subfloor, no nails or glue required. The subfloor may be concrete, tiles, cork or any other flat and even surface. This type of installation is extremely stable and has the added benefit of not requiring modification to existing doorways or having to step down with rooms that contain different floor coverings. Big River floors can also be installed by the traditional bearer & joist method, thus creating Australia’s most versatile timber floor

Q How long does it take to install Big River timber flooring?

A This question cannot be easily answered, as every application will be different. For example, an average installation of approx. 75 square metres would take two installers around 2-3 days to complete. This will be dependent on the amount of cutting required and the type of sealer used.

Q Can I resand the floor?

A As the top veneer on Big River floors is around 3.0mm, the surface can easily be resanded a number of times. More specifically, a domestic application should average between 5-10* years wear before refinishing is required. For commercial applications, 2-3* years should be possible before refinishing. *This will be dependent on the type of sealer used and the general ‘wear & tear’ the floor is exposed to.

Q What type of finish should I use?

A There are many sealers on the market all with various benefits and drawbacks. Big River recommend the following types of finishes. For a long lasting hard wear finish, a solvent based polyurethane sealer will be the best choice. This comes with either a ‘gloss’ or ‘satin’ finish. Another recommendation is a water-based polyurethane sealer specifically manufactured for Big River floors, available in ‘gloss’, ‘semi-gloss’ and ‘satin’ finishes. Drying times are extremely fast, allowing for next day use and the surface may be touched-up without the need to totally resand the floor.


Q How do temperature and humidity changes effect the floor?

A With Big River timber flooring, the stability factor is increased with its 5-ply total hardwood construction. In constructing an engineered product from the same material, expansion and contraction effects will be minimised, as the veneers placed at right angles will respond to these effects at similar rates. The effect in trying to expand longitudinally (length) will be counteracted with the tangential (width) movements, and vice-versa. These benefits make it ideal for any climate, including the use of slab floor heating.

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