Online Instructions

For us, real natural wood floors are works of art that can be walked on. This is true not just because they come from nature and are unique, but also because they are staged within living spaces. The latter is the responsibility of professionals with a feel for aesthetics and the material wood.

Our floors are only as good as your installation. This requires expertise, experience, and the right eye. Our installation instructions provide a quick overview of the factors that are decisive for the ideal installation of mafi natural wood floors.

We will address such topics as substrate preparation, types of installation, and the re-oiling process. Our goal is to make your work easier and enable the optimal installation of your floors.

“In the end it is you, the professionals, who have a significant influence on our customers‘ satisfaction. Thank you for your hard work. We hope you find these instructions useful.”

mafi natural wood floors can be installed without any problems on standard substrates approved for laying planks/end grain wood elements:

• Cement screed (CT), Calcium sulphate screed (CA), Magnesite screed (MA), Mastic asphalt screed (AS)

• Dry screed (Fermacell)

• Plywood, chipboard or OSB boards

• Subfloor constructions, joists, etc.

Depending on the subfloor, mafi natural wood floors can be installed floated, nail- & glued, nailed/screwed, partially glued, fully glued. Planks < 14 mm (9/16 in) thick and Domino floors must be firmly glued to the subfloor. Caution: The information from the respective adhesive manufacturer must be observed with regard to any primers or moisture barriers, their specific application, and other preventive measures.

SURFACE TEMPERATURE

The screed must be heated before starting any laying work (even in summer); records of this heating must be kept. This also applies to renovations in old buildings when installing on old screeds onto which other types of flooring have already been laid. Before installing, a heating record must be requested by the installer to guarantee proper installation. The screed has to have a surface temperature of approx. 1 5–18°C (59–64°F) to begin installation. Compliance with adhesive must be guaranteed.

After completion of the flooring installation, this temperature must remain constant for three to four days (depending on the hardening time of the adhesive). Only commercially available adhesives and primers designated by the manufacturer as “suitable for underfloor heating” are to be used on screed installed on site in accordance with standards.

To check the surface temperature, it is advisable to place a heating seal, Fidbox or similar device in an exposed spot in order to be able to document the values. This not only serves to provide information to the end customer, but also provides evidence in the event of any complaints. When heating up for the first time and when heating up at the beginning of each period, only heat up gradually.

Due to the hygroscopic properties of the natural product wood and the climatic conditions during the heating season, gaps (of several mm) in the front and longitudinal area cannot be ruled out. As an option, H-joints may be used, especially for widths > 240 mm (> 9 in), to reduce the risk of gaps. They are generally evenly distributed, but do not represent a quality defect. The gaps should close when the room climate is normal.

THERMAL RESISTANCE GUIDE VALUES FOR MAFI NATURAL WOOD FLOORS

SOFTWOOD: 0,08–0,21 m^² K/W
HARDWOOD: 0,07–0,19 m^² K/W

Please note:
In order to be able to heat a room, the thermal resistance should not be greater than 0.17 m²K/W. Please also consider any insulating underlay (e.g., PU cork mat 2 mm = 0.04 m²K/W). Greater thermal resistance does not mean that heat will be lost. It just takes longer to get through the wood, but then stays there longer.

• STORING

• OPENING

• MIXING

Store the individual packages of planks in a spot protected from moisture and at a temperature of 15–25°C (59–77°F) and only open the packages directly before installation. As a natural product, the color and texture of the wood may vary due to the tree‘s original location. In order to obtain a balanced look to the surface that matches your expectations, it will be absolutely necessary to mix planks from several packages to prevent patchiness.

Complaints for areas that have already been laid will be excluded from complaints in this respect. Also check the planks for any defects and file a complaint before installing them. Complaints about obvious defects in planks that have already been installed are not covered by the warranty.

ALIGNING THE INSTALLATION SURFACE
For uneven walls, fit the first plank along the long edge and cut to fit. The expansion gap of approx. 10 mm / 7/16 in must also be maintained here, unless a smaller gap is required due to wall caulking or your choice of skirting boards.

FLOATING INSTALLATION
With this quick installation technique that‘s also good for a healthier living, the floorboards are only glued in the tongue and groove. The glue is evenly applied to the upper side of the groove along the length and front using a glue gun or glue bottle.

Underlay mats: As an insulating underlay, we recommend a natural subfloor cork (2 or 4 mm) or other suitable underlay mats. If a particular improvement in acoustic sound is to be achieved, we recommend our PU mat. This is also characterized by a low thermal resistance (0.04 m²K/W) and is therefore also suitable for laying on top of underfloor heating.

NAILED AND SCREWED INSTALLATION
NWFA (or from your national installer guild) recommended nails, screws, gun nails and similar appropriate fasteners are good to be used as well.

INSTALLATION ON A RAISED FLOOR
The planks should be at least 19 mm (3/4 in) thick. The distance between the joists should not exceed 40 cm (18 in). If using planks shorter than 1.5 m (5 ft), we also recommend using an additional supporting structure.

FULL AND PARTIAL GLUING

Glued installation is particularly recommended in the following areas of application:

• in commercial areas
• with heated screeds (to obtain the lowest possible thermal resistance)
• in difficult installations (such as connections to tiles, tiled stoves, etc.)
• in wet rooms (bathrooms, spa areas, etc.)

Adhesives and coatings:

For full-surface glue down, we recommend suitable flooring adhesives according to EN 14293, ideally with EC1, ASTM Low emitting, or similar, for the use on the entire surface. Test to avoid harmful emissions. Please speak with your adhesive manufacturer about this and ask for recommendations on appropriate application of the adhesive. In the case of difficult substrates such as old screed or insufficient tensile adhesive strength, it is advisable to apply a primer before gluing and consult the adhesive manufacturer. A suitable product would be a primer and similar products matched to the chosen adhesive. Follow the drying time according to the manufacturer‘s instructions.

With two applications, some of these products are also suitable for use as a capillary moisture barrier (up to 5% residual moisture). The subfloor must be free of any dust before the adhesive is applied. The adhesive is applied to the subfloor using a suitable notched trowel.

Depending on the adhesive, we recommend the following trowels (TKB standard):

• mafi planks: B5 / B11 / B13
• mafi thin planks: B3 and higher
• mafi Domino: B11 and higher

The planks must be evenly bonded with the adhesive bed. It is therefore important to ensure a uniform application of adhesive and a clean work must be fulfilled. Adhesive stains and residues should be removed immediately using our cleaning cloths (RT 5960). Joints in the substructure must also be addressed when installing the planks. These should be sealed with a permanently elastic, color matching compound.

No further gluing of the tongue and groove is necessary as this may cause block cracks. An exception is an optional H-joint for plank widths > 240mm (9.5 in). Expansion joints in the screed can also be bridged with a decoupling fleece in the adhesive bed. Alternatively, expansion joints can also be closed securely with approval of the adhesive manufacturer.

The domino elements must be stored in the room where they are to be installed for at least two days in order to acclimatize. If the 20 x 40 cm (approx. 8x16 in) elements are slightly curved, the net on the underside of the floor can be cut into several parts. The individual elements (20 x 40cm) should be mixed from several packages and laid in a “wild pattern” in order to achieve a good mixing of the elements and avoid patchiness.

Once installed, no complaints on the individual elements will be accepted. The room should be plotted before installation to ensure a straight installation of the elements. Then several courses are laid simultaneously and fixed in place.

The adhesive is applied evenly to the substrate using a notched trowel (size B11). ÖNORM B 7218 and EN13892 apply. The individual pieces of wood must sit firmly in the adhesive and be pressed down well.

Areas larger than 5 x 5 meters (16 x 16 ft) require an expansion gap of 10 mm (3/8 in). The inside of the wood joint needs to be coated with the appropriate primer and then a 13 mm round cord can be inserted. The joints are then filled with permanently elastic filling material (Primer or joint compound in the appropriate color). Caution: Expansion joints must be accounted for during installation and then fixed afterwards. Aternatively, you can work with a cork strip.

Sanding Domino floors: After the adhesive has hardened completely, Domino floors can be sanded. We recommend sanding diagonally with a coarser grit and then in the direction of light incidence with a finer grit. Sand it a total of 3 times. Any cracks or gaps can then be filled with sanding dust and joint compound. After the compound has hardened, sand the surface with a fine grit to achieve an even surface effect.

We recommend using an orbital sander on the edges of the room.

mafi natural wood floors have already been treated with oil in the factory. To ensure a perfect surface, the floor must be treated again after installing. Only fully treated floors are to be delivered to end customers. Depending on the surface, the follow-up treatment is carried out with mafi wood floor oil or mafi balsam oil (amounts [m²/ltr] (1 m² =10 ft²) and on the absorbency of the wood):

POST-TREATMENT WITH MAFI WOOD FLOOR OIL

CAUTION! MAY SELF-IGNITE! Soak wipes and pads in water and dispose of appropriately.

If the entire floor has been glued in place, we recommend re-oiling the surface no earlier than 6 hours after installation. Always observe the instructions of the adhesive manufacturer. mafi wood floor oil should be applied in small quantities in small areas of the floor. The oil should be distributed immediately using a single-disc polishing machine and white polishing fleece to massage it into the wood.

Yield of 1 liter mafi wood floor oil: approx. 60 - 90 m² (650-950 sq. ft.) depending on the absorbency of the wood. Vulcano floors may require more. Raw floors may require twice as much.

The machine and the white pad should be placed directly on the oil and then switched on. This will help avoid any oil splashes. It is always advisable to only work in small areas and always work in the direction of the planks. Remaining oil residues (splashes, excess oil) must be wiped up immediately with a cloth or polished in with the polishing fleece.

EDGES AND DRYING
Edges should be treated by hand and allowed to dry for 24 hours, covered if necessary. Remaining oil residues (splashes, excess oil) must be wiped up immediately with a cloth or polished in with the polishing fleece. Edge areas and hard-to-reach corners should be re-oiled by hand. After rubbing in the oil with the white polishing fleece, the entire surface should be dry-polished with sheep‘s wool pads. No oil residue should remain on the surface. Unpolished oil will become sticky. After oiling, you should be able to walk gently on the floor after 24 hours. The final hardening of the oil takes about 10 - 14 days, depending on the room temperature, humidity, and ventilation. During this time, the floor must not be treated with water or other cleaning agents as these may cause stains. If the floor has to be used more heavily after the first 24 hours, we recommend covering the floor with a breathable mat. Before the mat is laid out, check whether the floor is dry. If the oil becomes viscous during the processing time and optimal polishing is no longer possible, the surface must be polished immediately with a fresh white pad.

Caution: White wood floor oil should be applied quickly and over small areas in order to avoid visible transition lines. Working in the direction of the planks will result in an even surface appearance. If there is strong sunlight or if it is warm, the floor should be shaded and the underfloor heating lowered. Otherwise, the high surface temperature may cause the oil not to harden evenly, resulting in cloudiness or stains. Provide adequate ventilation to the rooms where you are working. The recommended floor, room and product temperature during processing is 18–25°C (64–77°F). Color changes can occur as a result of re-oiling. Edge areas and difficult corners in particular can be oiled by hand or with an orbital sander. We offer matching hand pads including a hand pad holder.

POST-TREATMENT OF DOMINO
After the final sanding, Domino floors must be treated with mafi wood floor oil or mafi professional oil. Do a small test area first (for either natural or white oil). The samples manufactured by mafi in the factory may have color variations. Vacuum the floor before oiling. Apply the oil evenly using a short-haired roller or trowel. With white oil, pay particular attention to giving it an even pigmentation. Work quickly in small areas. Avoid oil residues as these can lead to immediate staining.

Due to the highly absorbent end-grain wood, we recommend two applications. However, the second application should take place only after 24 hours. A single oiling with mafi oil will require approx. 2–2.5 liters for every 25 m² (270 sq ft). After each application of oil, the floor is polished with a single-disc machine and a green pad. Finally, dry polish the surface with a sheep‘s wool pad. After oiling, you should be able to walk gently on the floor after 24 hours. The floor should not come into contact with liquids for 2 weeks so that the oil can fully penetrate the wood pores and harden.

Caring for Domino: Clean and care for mafi Domino floors only with mafi wood floor soap. Caution: if the humidity is too high or if treatment with the mafi wood floor soap is too wet, the floor can expand. You would then need to recheck the wall clearances and joints. Rework immediately if necessary.

Each floor is unique! Differences in color and structure are just part and parcel of wood‘s nature. Samples may vary in color due to different batches of material, the effect of light or maintenance.

LYED FLOORS
After the lye has been applied, the color shading of the individual planks will change due to the different resin content of the wood. The planks will have clear color differences, especially shortly after the lyeing process. Through UV radiation and care with the mafi wooden floor soap, the entire surface appearance will become more even after approx. 6 months.

VULCANO FLOORS
The noble, dark coloring of the Vulcano floors is achieved through a special heat treatment (high-temperature wood drying process) without any chemicals, just heat and water. This reduces swelling and shrinkage behavior as well as internal stresses. It also increases resistance to fungi and pests as well as the dimensional stability. Since the floor remains completely natural as a result of the heat treatment, it is also necessary to shade it wherever there is strong UV radiation in order to keep it from bleaching.

GLUE
Only PVAc (white glue) is used for gluing at mafi. White glue is made from water, carbon, lime and acetic acid without any solvents that can cause allergies. There are no known health hazards from white glue. No systems containing added formaldehyde are used at mafi. Therefore, our floors meet the E1 classification according to ONORM EN 14342, are “MAS certified green” and certified as “declare Red List Free”.

INFORMATION ON SURFACES
mafi surface = pre-finished in the manufactory
Installation surface = professionally re-oiled surface after on-site installation

Samples normally have a factory finish.

INSTALLERS
The installer must inspect the goods for color and visible defects before installation. Once installed, no complaints on the individual elements will be accepted.

SURFACE TEMPERATURE
In the winter months, before cleaning the floorboards, we recommend lowering the surface temperature. With a room temperature of 21° C (70° F), the surface temperature of the floor should not exceed 29° C (85° F) at any point. Permanently elevated temperatures can lead to increased cracking. With carpets or furnishings on the wooden floor, gaps must be expected due to the higher surface temperature. Detailed information can be found in our care instructions.

ROOM CLIMATE 
The room climate is a decisive factor for both your health and your natural wood floor. The ideal conditions are reached at a temperature of 21° C (70° F) and a relative air humidity of 40–60%.

All mafi floors are tested and certified as follows: E1 Cfl-s1

EMISSIONS CLASS
E1: Formaldehyde equilibrium concentration below 0.1 ppm. COMBUSTION
Flammability classes:
ÖNORM EN 13 501-1
Classification (fl = floor):
A1 fl / A2 fl = non-combustible
Bfl / Cfl = poorly combustible
D fl = normally combustible
E fl / Ffl = easily combustible
Smoke development:
s1 = smoke = 750% min
s2 = not s1 ( > 750% min )

According to the test carried out, none of the samples caused flaming droplets (corresponds to d0). Test institute: ÖTI, 1050 Vienna, Austria.

SLIP RESISTANCE CLASS
Brushed natural wood floors: R10
Brushed oak: R11
Larch Domino: R13 (with appropriate surface treatment on site)

AREAS OF APPLICATION
P1: Suitable for low to medium traffic: bedrooms, children‘s and living rooms or similar.
P2: Suitable for medium to heavy use: kitchen, dining room or similar.
O: Suitable for commercial areas

Suitable for underfloor heating, provided installation and care instructions are followed! When using floor cooling systems, approval must be obtained from the floor cooling manufacturer. The general requirement for the use of the cooling system is that the temperature of the cooling must not be more than 3 °C below the room temperature. Furthermore, the cooling should run continuously and not be switched on and off. It is essential to avoid the formation of condensation water, as this can attack the underground or the adhesive.

For precise information on the individual floors and their suitability, please refer to our current price list.