Common Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Timber Over Tiles

1. Neglecting subfloor preparation

One of the biggest mistakes with timber flooring installation over any surface, including tiles, is skipping a thorough subfloor inspection and preparation. For installing over tiles, uneven tiles, cracks, or loose areas create a weak foundation that can compromise the stability of your new timber flooring. Without proper levelling, or repairing the subfloor, you run the risk of creaks, gaps, and eventual flooring failure.

Why it matters:

A poorly prepared subfloor can lead to uneven flooring, visible imperfections, and long-term durability issues. 

Havwoods can support you in finding an experienced and reliable timber flooring installer who understands the importance of subfloor inspection and preparation. We’ve spent decades building a trusted national network of skilled flooring installers who are familiar with our products.

2. Ignoring uneven surfaces

Timber floors require a flat and stable surface to perform as intended. Trying to install a timber floor on an uneven base without professional correction leads to instability, increased noise underfoot, and reduced lifespan of your new timber flooring.

Common mistake:

Relying on DIY solutions like self-levelling compounds without the expertise to apply them correctly. 

A experienced timber flooring installation professional has the tools and knowledge to level surfaces accurately, providing the perfect foundation to ensure the longevity of your new timber flooring.

3. Skipping expansion gaps

Timber naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. Failing to leave an adequate expansion gap between the walls and flooring can cause the floor to buckle, warp, or develop cracks over time.

What goes wrong:

Many DIY enthusiasts underestimate how much timber moves, resulting in damage, sometimes within weeks of installation. Engaging an experienced timber flooring installer ensures appropriate and precise expansion gaps, so your flooring can adapt to environmental changes while maintaining its structural integrity, lifespan and beauty.

Havwoods HW12336 Allevard PurePlank Timber Flooring | The Crescent, NSW

4. Choosing the wrong underlayment

Underlayment is a crucial component when installing timber over tiles. It acts as a moisture barrier, absorbs sound, and provides stability. Skipping this step or using an incompatible underlayment can lead to moisture damage or a noisy floor.

DIY pitfall:

Inexperienced installers often use unsuitable materials, leading to costly repairs down the line. An inexperienced installer might choose a basic foam underlayment intended for laminate flooring rather than a high-quality moisture-resistant underlayment designed for timber. This mistake can result in moisture seeping from the tiled subfloor into the timber planks, causing swelling, warping, and even mold growth. Correcting this issue later could involve removing and replacing the entire floor, significantly increasing costs compared to doing it right the first time. 

Havwoods can recommend and supply underlay that is suitable for use with your selected timber flooring and for your project requirements.

5. Overlooking floor transitions

Uneven transitions between rooms or flooring types are a commonly overlooked issue when timber flooring is installed over tiles. Without proper planning, you can end up with awkward height differences that create tripping hazards and detract from the overall look.

Where it goes wrong:

Attempting to DIY, or inexperienced installers often fail to recognise the need to consider height variations between material and room transitions, or use generic solutions that don’t match the flooring aesthetically or functionally. An experienced and professional timber flooring installer will use custom transition strips and expert techniques to create seamless, safe transitions that also aesthetically enhance your space.

Flooring transition between different materials | Havwoods Notte Chevron Timber Flooring

6. Attempting DIY installation

Timber flooring installation is a precise process that requires professional expertise to ensure the performance and longevity of your new floor. Many people underestimate the complexity of the task, resulting in unintentionally poorly aligned boards, uneven finishes, and long-term issues.

Reasons DIY most often fails:

• Lack of experience and knowledge.
• Lack of specialised tools.
• Misaligned boards that create gaps or an unprofessional appearance.
• Incorrect or missing expansion gaps
• Avoidable mistakes, including those mentioned in this article, that lead to higher repair costs.

Make Installing Timber Flooring Over Tiles Easy With Havwoods

Installing timber flooring over tiles is not a project to be taken lightly. Avoid these common mistakes by selecting Havwoods for your new timber flooring.

Find your perfect timber flooring from over 300 expertly crafted products. Be guided by expert advice from our team of experienced consultants, and let us connect you with trusted and experienced timber flooring installers near you - ensuring installing your new floor over tiles goes smoothly.

Explore our stunning range of timber flooring and order a up to 5 free samples online, or visit a Havwoods showroom to see our entire range in person and speak with our experts.

Let us help you achieve a flawless finish installation that lasts for years to come.