Installation Guides & Care
Proper care and preparation are essential to ensuring the longevity and beauty of your Urban Treads timber products. Whether you are working with laminated treads, landings, or bench tops, following these strict guidelines will protect your investment and ensure a flawless finish.
Important Notice to Installers
Please read through these critical instructions before beginning any installation work.
1. Seal the End Grain Immediately
Sealing the end grain is the first and most important task you must complete. This helps protect your laminated timber from changes in temperature and weather, which can cause unwanted movement, bowing, or splitting if the end grain is left unsealed.
- Action: Seal or polish all faces and edges as soon as possible upon receiving the product.
2. Proper Storage Requirements
If you are not installing the timber immediately, it must be stored correctly to prevent environmental damage:
- Environment: Keep away from moisture, direct sunlight, heat, or wind.
- Placement: Store the timber wrapped in its plastic, elevated off the floor in a sheltered, dry situation.
- Bench Tops: All bench tops must be stored on their edge, not laid flat.
3. Site Readiness for Installation
Timber is highly susceptible to moisture from surrounding construction work.
- Timing: Only install on-site after the "lock-up" stage has been reached.
- Conditions: Ensure all wet trades (like plastering, tiling, and concreting) have completely finished and the site has fully dried out before bringing the timber into its final position.
Important Disclaimers
Quality Assurance Check Prior to Installation
If you have any doubts or concerns about the grade, moisture content, or any other quality aspect of the product: DO NOT INSTALL IT. Instead, contact Urban Treads immediately for advice.
Installation Liability
Urban Treads has no control over the installation process and accepts no responsibility for any part of the installation process or damages incurred due to improper site preparation or handling.
Frequently asked questions
A: The end grain of the timber is highly porous and absorbs or releases moisture much faster than the face of the wood. If left unsealed, environmental changes can cause the timber to expand or contract unevenly, leading to warping, cupping, or splitting.
A: Keep the timber wrapped in its original plastic and store it indoors in a sheltered, dry area. Make sure it is elevated off the floor (using gluts or pallets) and kept away from direct sunlight, heating vents, or drafty windows. If you ordered bench tops, ensure they are stored on their edge.
A: No. Timber absorbs ambient moisture very quickly. Wet trades like plastering, painting, and cement work release a massive amount of moisture into the air. You must wait until the house reaches the lock-up stage and all wet trades have dried completely before installing your treads or landings.