informazioni tecniche

Technical
Information


INDISPENSABLE CONDITIONS FOR LAYING THE FLOOR: Measure humidity of base and start installation at values that do no exceed 2 - 2.5% (in weight) and 18-19% (according to electrical measurement by KPM Acqua Boy). Ambient temperature NOT below 15°C. Air humidity in the room NOT above 65%. Activation of heating (in winter) at least ten days before installation. Keep temperature fairly warm during and after installation. In case of specular bases, remove wax carefully from base and treat it with a product that will improve adhesion.

GLUING: For a job finished in a workmanlike manner, use the following precautions: The humidity of the base must be scrupulously ascertained, because the dimension of the tablets and/or strips entails expansion coefficients (in the case of anomalous humidity) higher than those of a normal laminate parquet. Regarding the glue, it is advisable to use the "double component" type, instead of normal vinyl glue. It is indispensable to use the double-component glue in situations of installation on specular surfaces (marble, "scagliola", ceramic, etc.). These normal technical precautions, which are more than sufficient to guarantee an impeccable result, can be combined with "professional" precautions, which advise and orient the customer toward types of wood having characteristics of stability which ensure greater tranquillity in cases where the diligence of the installers, along with unforeseen events, are not always completely controllable.

FINISHING THE PARQUET AFTER GLUING: After the parquet has settled definitively, several subsequent operations must be carried out for finishing. The settling times vary according to the ambient conditions, and the laying methods and glues used. RUBBING: sanders with abrasive paper are used for this operation which is carried out in three consecutive phases. The first phase involves sanding with rough sandpaper, the second with medium-grain sand paper and the final phase with very fine-grain sandpaper. Now you are ready to treat the parquet with filler before going on to the next steps. SEALING: this operation involves closing the pores and it is advisable to do it on all types of parquets because it completes the finish and facilitates maintenance work later. The primers used reinforce the parquet fibres and protect them from contact with water and other liquids. After sealing is completed, it is necessary to apply a surface finish of either wax or varnish. VARNISHING: this is the most frequent type of finish. Use a paint brush or roller to apply the varnish. It is advisable to always use high-quality materials and tools that are suitable for the purpose. Usually three coats of varnish are applied and after each coat you must wait for the varnish to harden. Among the various types of varnish, polyurethane offers the greatest resistance to abrasion, but today water-soluble or ecological varnishes are being used ever more frequently. Ecological varnishes do not have traditional solvents, do not leave odours in the environment and are better for the health of the craftsmen using it. At present, due to the demands of bio-architecture, oil and/or wax-base finishes are used. They give the wood a more natural, opaque appearance.

MAINTENANCE AND CONSERVATION: The maintenance of a wooden floor treated with three coats of transparent varnish is very simple. In fact, to clean it all you have to do is lightly wipe the entire surface with a slightly damp cloth. This operation can be alternated with the passage of a normal floor polisher without the need for any polishing product. In wooden floors that which deteriorates or suffers from wear throughout time is the transparent varnish film. In the areas of more intense treading traffic, the floor begins to show signs of wear after 6-8 years. At this point the parquet specialist must intervene. If the varnish is still in an acceptable state, he will simply treat with sandpaper the entire floor to remove the patina of the worn surface and apply one or two new coats of varnish. In cases of severe wear and tear, it is necessary to rub once again the entire parquet adequately and then apply all the coats of varnish required. This operation is also used to transform a waxed parquet into a parquet with transparent varnish. The second rubbing involves the removal of a minimum thickness of 0.2 - 0.3 mm of wood. The parquet can therefore undergo many of these operations in time without losing any of its features. A wooden floor is indestructible and will last in time, while it decorates the house for many generations.

INSTALLATION LAYOUTS
REGULAR CAISSON	REGULAR DIAGONAL CAISSON	MAIN DECK OR LONGITUDINAL	DIAGONAL MAIN DECK
MIX	DIAGONAL MIX	HERRINGBONE	DIAGONAL HERRINGBONE
SQUARES	DIAGONAL SQUARES	BAND + RIBBON WITH DIAGONAL CAISSON	BAND + RIBBON WITH FRENCH HERRINGBONE