How It Works
Moisture Protection:
A heavy-duty polyethylene moisture barrier (0.2mm / 200 micron) is laid over the concrete slab with lapped, sealed joints to prevent moisture penetration.
Substrate Installation:
Structural-grade plywood sheets (typically 12mm to 15mm thick) are staggered in a brick pattern over the moisture barrier and anchored to the concrete using masonry anchors or adhesive.
Flooring Installation:
Timber boards are laid over the plywood substrate using a combination of elastomeric adhesive and secret-nailing or top-nailing:
Secret-Nailing (Standard Boards): Boards are glued and secret-nailed at a 45° angle through the tongue directly into the plywood deck for a clean, fastener-free surface.
Top-Nailing (Wide Boards): Wide boards (typically over 130mm) are glued and face-nailed into the plywood base for maximum board stability.
Key Advantages
Continuous Support:
Eliminates hollow spots by offering a full, unbroken solid timber foundation across the entire floor.
Low Build Height:
Adds less overall height profile (approx. 25mm–35mm total build height) compared to traditional joists or batten frameworks.
Flexible Layout Options:
Allows timber boards to be laid in any direction or orientation regardless of subfloor framing constraints.
Enhanced Acoustic & Thermal Insulation:
Provides solid underfoot feel with effective impact noise absorption and reduced hollow resonance.
Note: Plywood sheets must be installed with expansion joints left between panels and around the perimeter to accommodate natural moisture movement.
