BU644 Solid timber strip flooring on a concrete slab (2019)

Solid timber strip flooring is a popular flooring for both domestic and commercial buildings. Traditionally, timber was installed over suspended timber subfloor framing but is now commonly specified as an overlay flooring over a concrete slab.

Poorly installed timber strip flooring can result in problems such as cupping, buckling and popping of boards. Common causes of problems include: 

• the moisture content of the concrete slab being too high or insufficient moisture vapour barrier protection when the timber flooring is installed, resulting in moisture uptake and swelling of the timber
• the moisture content of the flooring timber not matching the moisture content of the internal space at the time of installation, resulting in expansion or contraction of the boards.

This bulletin replaces Bulletin 506 Laying solid timber strip flooring on concrete slabs.