solid wood flooring

[johnvthe2nd]

My kitchen fitter has had 2 goes at laying an oak floor (on concrete - tongue and groove, quite thick planks), and each time it has been a disaster .. it cracks and creaks as if it has been laid on gravel. I think the first time he didn't put underlay down, but he did put some stuff down between it and the concrete the second time, but it is just as bad. What has he done wrong / not done? It is supposed to feel solid, isn't it?

[KrazyIvan]

Cheap thin underlay on an uneven floor, at a guess. That and or the wood has gone from a very damp environment (outside) to a very dry environment (inside your house) and is shifting, either expanding or more likely contracting and twisting slightly.

Did you see him lay it?

[johnvthe2nd]

sort of saw him, but didn't pay much attention .. what should I be looking for? Is it supposed to feel rock solid?
thanks

[Daz68]

You don't use underlay on solid oak flooring. Is he using glue or secret nailing? How long was the flooring left before laying?

[russ_a]

Get him to glue it down, it will never move again!

[Edmundo2]

I've just bought Wickes solid oak flooring. Seemingly clips together via thin metal clips that fit into grooves cut in underside of each piece in order to pull to sections together - the tongue into the groove. Anyone any experience of this fastening when laying onto existing floorboards? Haven't purchased underlay as I figured if I have high or low spots in the existing floor then underlay will only follow that anyway? Short of going for a self levelling scree, ( cost/time/pain ), I'm hoping this floating optio will be ok?

Any advice welcome.Ta.

[mart77]

it 100% needs some sort of underlay

[bimsb6]

mart77 said:

it 100% needs some sort of underlay

+1 the concrete needs to be seperate from the wood or it will warp all over the place.

[Chris77]

We have solid oak but laid on floor boards. We put building paper under to stop moisture and used the nail fixing system. was easy and no problems.

The advice we received from the supplier was open all packs and store in the room it is to be fitted in for a week or so. Also that moisture is the biggest threat to solid flooring.

[russ_a]

We have glued two walnut floors to concrete and they haven't moved / warped. One has been down 8 years.