After the Installation
Protecting the flooring
If construction work is going to be conducted in the room or other surfaces are going to be finalized after the installation, the flooring must first be cleaned by vacuum-cleaning the debris from installation and then protected by using a moisture-permeable material (e.g. cardboard). When using corrugated cardboard, the smooth surface must be placed against the parquet! When furnishing a room, cardboard is not always sufficient for protecting the parquet. When moving heavy pieces of furniture, the parquet must be protected, for example, with a smooth carpet. Before moving a piece of furniture, ensure that the material does not colour or stain the floor. If the parquet has been installed with underfloor heating and the floor has been protected with a piece of cardboard for example, the surface temperature of the floor must not exceed 18°C. Sticky tape used for attaching the cardboard etc. MUST NOT be attached to the wood floor, because it might damage the surface when removed. NOTE! Due to dark yellowing, the floor should not be covered for longer than few days, max. of 1 week.
Ideal conditions for a parquet floor
In order to ensure that the newly installed parquet will remain in good condition, the relative humidity of the room must be kept between 35–60% (RH) and the temperature between +18–24°C. After installation, the temperature and relative humidity of the room must be measured with suitable and sufficiently accurate meters. During the heating period, humidity must be regulated by using e.g. a humidifier and in the summertime by ensuring adequate ventilation. If the relative humidity of the room falls below the acceptable limit, small cracks can appear in the floor due to the natural characteristics of wood. Also, if the air is extremely dry some floorboards may become concave (or convex, if the air is too humid). If the humidity falls below 30% (RH), it must be increased by using e.g. humidifiers. If conditions optimal for parquet cannot be maintained and humidity is either too high or too low, creaking or permanent deformation may appear. We recommend monitoring the temperature and relative humidity of the room by using a digital combination meter in all seasons.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the sun changes and deepens the natural tone of the wood. Thus uneven exposure of the floor to light may leave marks on the floor. This is why we recommend changing the position of furniture and carpets regularly in order to ensure that the floor is evenly exposed to daylight. Also mechanical dents are possible, if for example an uneven base of a piece of furniture is on the same position on the parquet for an extended period of time.