Each entry is quoted from its source and linked to it. The full set is in the standards reference.
Acclimatisation before fitting
The Contract Flooring Association's guide states that the room should be at its in-service temperature 48 hours before installation so that the flooring can be kept in the room and reach room temperature before it is laid.
| conditioning before installation | 48 h |
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“They also advise that this temperature should be attained 48 hours prior to the installation, so that floorings can be kept in the room and brought to room temperature (acclimatised) before installation.”
Source: CFA Guide to Contract Flooring - Contract Flooring AssociationBS 8203 — relative humidity limit for a subfloor
UK practice following BS 8203 treats a subfloor as dry enough for resilient floor coverings when hygrometer readings do not exceed 75% relative humidity (65% RH for solid timber coverings), measured with a hygrometer sealed to the surface so that it reaches equilibrium with the base.
| RH limit, resilient floor coverings | 75 % RH |
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| RH limit, solid timber floor coverings | 65 % RH |
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“The base can be considered dry enough to install most floorcoverings if a series of tests produce readings not exceeding 75% R.H. (65% R.H. for solid timber floorcoverings).”
Source: F. Ball and Co. Ltd - Digital Hygrometer, Technical Data SheetThe hygrometer method for subfloor moisture
In UK practice a hygrometer is sealed to the subfloor inside an insulated box with butyl tape and left until the air under the box reaches equilibrium; at least 4 hours before the first reading on a 50 mm screed with the DPM under the screed, and 72 hours where the DPM lies below the base slab.
| minimum time before first reading, 50 mm screed with DPM between base and screed | 4 hours |
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| minimum time before first reading, DPM below the base slab | 72 hours |
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“For 50mm thick screeds, where the damp proof membrane is placed between the base and the screed, a period of at least 4 hours should be allowed before the first reading is taken. For thicker constructions i.e. where the damp proof membrane is placed below the base slab, a period of 72 hours should be allowed to elapse before the first reading.”
Source: Digital Hygrometer - Technical Data Sheet, F. Ball and Co. LtdBS 8204 — surface regularity classes SR1 to SR3
BS 8204 defines three surface regularity classes for screeds and concrete bases, SR1, SR2 and SR3, measured as the maximum deviation below a 2 m straightedge placed directly on the surface.
| SR1 (max deviation under 2 m straightedge) | 3 mm |
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| SR2 (max deviation under 2 m straightedge) | 5 mm |
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| SR3 (max deviation under 2 m straightedge) | 10 mm |
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| straightedge length | 2 m |
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“Surface regularity classes are given in BS 8204 as SR1, SR2 and SR3 relating to 3mm, 5mm and 10mm respectively.”
Source: Surface regularity - straightedge method | The Concrete SocietyThe expansion gap
The EPLF, the European association of laminate flooring producers, recommends an edge gap of 8 mm to 12 mm on all sides of a floating floor, so that the covering can expand and contract without lifting.
| recommended edge gap on all sides | 8 to 12 mm |
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“To accommodate such changes, a edge spacing should be observed on all sides. A free space of 8 mm to 12 mm is recommended.”
Source: EPLF Technical Bulletin — Installation of Laminate Floor Coverings (06/2022), 6.4 Edge gapsRoom conditions at the time of fitting
The MMFA, the European association for multilayer modular floor coverings, requires the flooring to acclimatise for at least 48 hours in the same conditions as the installation area, stored flat and cross-stacked in unopened boxes at roughly 15-25 degrees Celsius and 35 to 65 per cent relative humidity.
| acclimatisation before installation | at least 48 h |
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| storage and acclimatisation temperature | 15-25 °C |
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| storage and acclimatisation relative humidity | 35-65 % |
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“Leave the floor covering to acclimatise in the same environmental conditions as the installation area for a period of at least 48 hours prior to installation. Always store the boards flat and cross-stacked, in their original unopened boxes and at approx. 15-25 °C and between 35 % and maximum 65 % relative humidity.”
Source: Prior to installation — MMFA (Multilayer Modular Flooring Association)CFA guidance — the subfloor is the installer’s first responsibility
The CFA Guide to Contract Flooring requires the base to be a clean, sound, level surface that is strong enough to carry the preparation materials and the floor finish, mechanically prepared and dust free, and dry enough to give a hygrometer reading of no more than 75% relative humidity.
| maximum hygrometer reading before laying a floor finish | 75 % RH |
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“Before the application of the floor finish a solid (cementitious or similar) base must be sufficiently dry to show a hygrometer reading not greater than 75% Relative Humidity when tested in accordance with the British Standard Code of Practice.”
Source: CFA Guide to Contract Flooring - Contract Flooring AssociationBS 8201 — installing timber and wood-based flooring
BS 8201:2011 is the UK code of practice for installing flooring of wood and wood-based panels; it gives recommendations on the material, environmental and installation factors that determine how the finished wood floor performs.
“BS 8201 gives recommendations and guidance on the material, environment and installation variables that combined have a fundamental effect on the performance and serviceability of finished wood flooring.”
Source: BS 8201:2011 - Code of practice for installation of flooring of wood and wood-based panels
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