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Why should I choose a professional installer for my staircase?

Aside from time, there really is a lot to consider when installing flooring for your home or office. Choosing a professional installer means:

  • The best results that ensure your home looks complete and finished
  • It’ll be more convenient and time-efficient for you to select a professional to complete your flooring and staircase installation, they already have years of experience, knowledge, and know-how about not only how to tackle the site/job but also the necessary tools and preparation/organisation required to complete the job
  • Fewer hazards and minimal risk of an incomplete/poor finish
  •  A professional team gets it right the first time and has an understanding/insight on how to minimise wastage. This will ensure that you do not have extra expenses and costs on fixing loose ends, mistakes, or mismanaged flooring.
  •  Flooring is a huge investment and should be valued as such. Installing beautiful floors correctly does have the potential of increasing the value of your home
  • Aside from appearances, your Warranty depends on the correct installation of flooring, stairnoses, trims, and accessories.

Taking into consideration all of the above, also consider that should you opt to DIY, are you ready to:

  • understand and prepare the subfloor
  • understand and prepare the home and conditions that may affect your flooring installation for example environment
  • prepare, plan, organise, measure, cut, and size
  • spend the money on all the tools and equipment required to complete the job

Ultimately, you deserve the peace of mind to ensure that you and your home are being taken care of and that you will be pleasantly satisfied with the results of the installation that you will live with on a daily basis.

Click this link to view our stairnose section on our website to discover more about our Stairnose products available. 

Why has my floor changed colour?

There are numerous reasons why your floor changed colour. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome changes to colour.

Possible causes:

  • No blinds installed
  • Floor exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time
  • Rugs and mats have been left in the same position for longer periods of time

Overcoming the problem:

  • Install blinds to protect the floor from direct sunlight
  • Move rugs regularly

General information:

Overtime with oxidisation and especially with exposure to direct sunlight, floors (including carpets) begin to change colour. In this instance, there was a rug covering one section of the floor, while the rest of the area was exposed to direct sunlight through wall-to-floor windows with no window coverings installed.
As a result, this floor darkened with this exposure, just as we would if we spent days on end in the sun!

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to such conditions.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of direct sunlight and how to protect your floor.

Why choose Clever Choice

Life is full of choices and Clever Choice chooses to supply superior flooring products, so you can have confidence when you lay a Clever Choice Floor for home, work or play.

There are cheaper floors, but they are not the same density nor have the same stability and durability as our award winning High Density Clever Choice Design Floors.

We would like you to enjoy the best quality floors available in Australia, that offer the highest quality and real value for money.

Boutique distribution Australia-wide will ensure we continue to offer the highest quality customer service, bringing our design floors to your home.

Why are my floors scratched?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be showing scratches. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to avoid your floors being scratched.

Possible causes:

  • Heavy Furniture being dropped or dragged along your floors
  • Chair and lounge legs being moved and dragged around
  • Pets claws are not trimmed regularly
  • Dirt and grit being walked into the house scratches the coating on flooring

Overcoming the problem:

  • The best treatment for scratching is prevention
  • Using felt protective pads (not rubber) on legs of furniture
  • Placing rugs under swivel chairs at desks
  • Removing shoes before entering the home
  • Keeping pets’ claws trimmed
  • Regularly cleaning and replacing the brush on your vacuum cleaner
  • Utilising certain products such as Bona Wood Floor Refresher and Gilly Stephenson’s products can help to renew your floor and reduce the appearance of scratches.

General information:

The myth that hard floor coverings don’t scratch has been proliferated too widely. Even laminate floors and tiles can scratch! While Clever Choice products have a scratch-resistant wear layer, like any hard floor covering, they are not 100% scratch proof.

Scratching occurs when something has been dragged across the floor, which has scratched or damaged the coating of the flooring. Grit and dirt from shoes that are brought in and scraped along the floor is one common cause of fine scratches to floor coverings.

When damaged, the UV-resistant polyurethane coating on Clever Choice products reflects light, giving scratches their notorious white appearance.

This is not a manufacturing defect.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on how to care for your floors.

Why are my floors lifting and experiencing vertical movement?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be lifting and experiencing vertical movement. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome lifting and vertical movement.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines
  • Installed outside guidelines and without trims
  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines.
  • Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.
  • Refer to FAQ for how to manage moisture.

General information:

Bamboo, oak and timber floors are natural products that respond and react to the environments in which they are installed. This means they absorb and release moisture, expand and contract with hot and cold temperatures and move and adjust naturally to varying environmental conditions.

When installing these products, as well as laminate floors, it is important that installation guidelines are followed closely. The use of gapping around the perimeter and expansion trims is essential for ensuring the floor performs at its best. These expansion gaps and trims allow the floor to react naturally to its environment and minimise the visual effects of it doing so.

When expansion gaps and trims are not correctly used, it creates pressure on the floor and the boards push together, causing vertical movement in extreme cases.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors gapping?

There are a couple of reasons why your floors would be gapping. Read on to discover the number 1 possible cause, and how to overcome gapping in floors.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines without trims

Overcoming the problem

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines. Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.

General information:

Floating floors have a specified “raft size”. This is the maximum area (L x W) over which a floating floor can be laid before an expansion trim is required.

Some people opt not to have trims installed, due to aesthetics, however, what looks worse than a trim is a gap!

As floating floors react naturally to their environments, expansion trims and trims in doorways allow the floor in different rooms to naturally move and adjust separately. So if conditions change in one room, only the flooring in that room is affected.

If an area larger than the specified raft size installed without the use of trims, natural gaps often appear in between boards where a trim would be required.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors cupping and warping?

There are numerous reasons why your floor would be cupping, darkening, and warping. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome cupping, darkening, and warping.

Possible causes:

  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Find and eliminate the source of moisture.
  • Wipe up any spills or messes immediately.
  • Install a dehumidifier if the relative humidity is above the recommended range.

General information:

Bamboo, oak, and timber are all-natural products. This means they respond and react to their environments, including absorbing and releasing moisture.
Even laminate floors behave this way because of their Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) cores.

When a floor takes on moisture, it begins to swell. Moisture can cause cupping, the appearance of dark patches, warping, and in extreme cases, vertical movement.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to moisture.

Check with your insurance company if your water damage is covered. Dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliance leaks are generally covered by insurance.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors blistering?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be showing blisters. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome blistering floors.

Possible causes:

  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Identify and eliminate the source of moisture such as leaks
  • Refer to FAQ for how to manage moisture.

General information:

Moisture can have varying effects on the flooring. When a floor is exposed to a large amount of moisture for a prolonged period of time, blistering can occur.

The blistering appearance is produced by the board trying to expel and release the moisture. Sunlight and warm conditions can also draw the moisture to the surface of the board, where it creates a blister in the coating as it tries to escape.

Often this occurs near wet areas such as bathrooms or laundries or near windows where water has entered and affected the flooring.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to excess moisture.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Who is Clever Choice?

Paxwood Pty Ltd t/a Clever Choice Design Floors is a hardwood flooring company with over 15 years’ experience in the industry.

Clever Choice is dedicated to providing high quality alternative and sustainable hardwood flooring. We are an environmentally friendly company and take steps to minimise our carbon emissions throughout the entire manufacturing process, while ensuring the high standard of quality is upheld in all our products.

Clever Choice is a recognized market leader as a supplier of superior quality bamboo, Oak, Laminate & composite decking. The “Clever” brand is respected as high quality, and has been specified and installed in government and major construction projects.

Not all flooring is made to the same standards. With over 10 years experience in flooring manufacture and supply, we are selective with the flooring we offer. Clever Choice Design Floors superior quality flooring, constantly delivers the most stable and value for money flooring to the Australian market.
Clever Choice Design Floors are designed and manufactured to continue to perform over their recommended lifetimes and are fully covered by structural and finish warranties.

Our resellers are selected for their professional customer service, excellent product knowledge and after sales support ensuring satisfaction from your new flooring experience.

Clever Choice product specifications have been independently tested and certified to meet International and Australian Standards.

Who can install flooring?

The recommendation is to use a professional and experienced flooring installer to install your Clever Choice Floors, underlay, trims, and accessories. Follow the Clever Choice product installation guidelines when installing Clever Choice products. 

If you intend to install your floor yourself it is strongly recommended that you have:

  • Experience with using power tools, personal protective equipment, and
  • Experience with general building work.

For optimum performance, professional installers are available from your local retailers.

Where can I buy Clever Choice Products?

Paxwood Pty Ltd t/a Clever Choice Design Floors is a wholesale company distributing flooring solutions, underlay, and accessories to flooring stores and flooring outlets across Australia.

Click here to locate your nearest Clever Choice stockist!

What is VOC?

Defining Volatile Organic Compounds

According to the State of the Environment Australia 2016 website, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. Many common household materials and products, such as paints, glues, and cleaning products, give off VOCs.

Common VOCs include:

  • Acetone
  • Benzene
  • Ethylene Glycol
  • Formaldehyde
  • Methylene Chloride
  • Perchloroethylene
  • Toluene
  • Xylene

The United States Environment Protection Agency website further asserts that Organic chemical compounds are everywhere in both indoor and outdoor environments as they have become essential ingredients in many products and materials. Indoor VOCs are mostly released into the air from the use of products and materials containing VOCs.

The US EPA provides what we have researched to be a very clear and understandable definition:

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) means any compound of carbon, (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate) that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions, except those designated by EPA as having negligible photochemical reactivity.

Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are organic chemical compounds whose composition makes it possible for them to evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions of temperature and pressure. This general definition of VOCs is used in scientific literature and is consistent with the definition used for indoor air quality.

Since the volatility of a compound is generally higher the lower its boiling point temperature, the volatility of organic compounds is sometimes defined and classified by their boiling points. For example, the European Union uses the boiling point, rather than its volatility in its definition of VOCs.

A VOC is any organic compound having an initial boiling point less than or equal to 250° C measured at a standard atmospheric pressure of 101.3 kPa.5, 6, 7

VOC Categories

VOCs are sometimes categorized by the ease they will be emitted. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes indoor organic pollutants as:

Very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs)
The higher the volatility (lower the boiling point), the more likely the compound will be emitted from a product or surface into the air. Very volatile organic compounds are so volatile that they are difficult to measure. They are found almost entirely as gases in the air rather than in materials or on surfaces. The least volatile compounds found in air constitute a far smaller fraction of the total present indoors. The majority will be in solids or liquids that contain them or on surfaces including dust, furnishings, and building materials.

What is Underlay?

Underlay or underlayment is a term used to describe the thin layer of cushioning between the floorboard and sub-floor.

The thickness of Underlay and requirements for use of Underlay will vary from installation to installation. Some projects will specify a certain type of underlay in the effort to provide added benefits to noise reduction.

View Clever Choices’ range of Underlay to learn more.

What is the P slip resistance rating on flooring products

Slip ratings are important as we all have a duty of care to help ensure we reduce the risk and exposure to injuries due to slips, trips, or falls and most importantly create a safe environment. There are numerous factors and conditions that determine the risk. As a general guide a product with a low slip rating requires additional slip-resistance through the application of anti-slip products. See a basic guide below:

  • P3 rating is fair and indicates a moderate risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating means that the product can be installed on stairs with no additional slip resistance
  • P2 is standard and indicates a high risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating will mean that you require additional slip-resistant tape or coating to be applied to stairs in a commercial application.
  • P1 is very low and indicates a very high risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating will mean that you require additional slip resistance tape or coating to be applied to stairs in a commercial application

The table below has been derived from Australian Standards AS/NZS 4663: 2004 and AS 4586: 2013.

Wet-Pendulum-Testing

The Induction Group provide a very comprehensive and detailed Guide to Slip Resistance Testing

All Clever Choice flooring products have been independently tested for slip resistance through AWTA in accordance with AS 4586-2013 Slip Resistance Classification of New Pedestrian Surface Materials. Visit the Technical information Tab for each Clever range.

What is the difference between hot press and cold press?

Hotpress bamboo is compressed to 1150kg/m2 density, while the cold press is only compressed to 900kg/m2. This means hot press density is more than 10% higher than cold press, thereby providing a more stable, better performing, and longer-lasting flooring option.

What is the Clever Choice Warranty period?

The warranty period for Clever Choice flooring including Clever European Engineered Oak, Clever Australian Timber Species, Clever Ultimate Bamboo, Clever Classic Laminate, Clever Hydro, Clever Hybrid, Clever Bamboo is a 30-year residential lifetime structural warranty and 5-year commercial warranty.

What is the ASTM E96 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Report?

Watch the video that explains the test method ASTM E96 for determining the amount of water vapor that will diffuse through a material in the presence of vapor pressure difference

What is density?

The formula for density is d=M/V. M represents the mass, V represents the Volume and D equals the density.
Therefore, density is the measurement that compares the amount of matter an object has to its volume. (Mass of a unit volume of a material substance.)
A board with a high amount of matter in a certain volume has high density and therefore greater stability.

Clever Flooring Type Density
Clever European Engineered Oak 750kg/m3
Clever Australian Engineered Timber Species Variable
Clever Classic Laminate 850kg/m3
Clever Hydro Laminate 950kg/m3
Clever Hybrid 2100kg/m3
Clever Bamboo 1100-1150kg/m3
What is Bamboo?

Bamboo is often mistaken as a tree, in actual fact Bamboo is a perennial grass plant with hollow circular stems. Although Bamboo is formally classified as a grass, many of the larger woody bamboo species are very tree-like in appearance.

Bamboo flooring remains popular for its attractive natural material using natural renewable resources.

Click here to discover the Clever Bamboo colours available. 

What is Anti-Slip Tape

Anti-slip tape can be used on a variety of surfaces to prevent falls or slips around the home or office. Anti-slip tape is manufactured from a unique combination of aluminum oxide and a thick plastic carrier to provide a flexible and durable non-slip solution.

Anti-slip tape is:

  • Easy to install, just peel and stick
  • Conforms to the slip resistance requirements of AS4586:2013 and volumes 1 and 2 of the 2015 NCC (P3)
  • Uniquely flexible allows for a bend in excess of 90 degrees
  • Withstands temperatures below -30 degrees celsius and up to 120 degrees celsius

Visit the slip resistance product page on our Clever website.

What is anti-slip lacquer?

Anti-slip lacquer or sometimes referred to as anti-slip paint or anti-slip varnish is a product used to improve the slip resistance on surfaces and comply with the Building Code of Australia.

From 1 May 2014, treads or nosing to treads (stairnosing) of a stairway must comply with a slip resistance classification as tested to Australian Standard AS 4586 – 2013 Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials.  This new test method for slip resistance replaced the old ‘X’ ratings with ‘P’ ratings.

A product such as Bona Traffic HD Anti-slip uses advanced polymer technology. Developed to give uncompromising resistance to scratches, scuff marks and chemicals whilst being sustainable with regard to the environment. It is formulated to meet the highest standards for slip resistance in commercial areas, staircases, or other situations with an increased risk of spillage.

Visit our slip resistance product page on the Clever website to learn more.

What happens with variation in sub-floors?

Excessive sub-floor variation leads to:

  • Excessive deflection of the panel underfoot
  • Crackling noise associated with movement within the edge joint
  • Excessive drum sound associated with foot traffic
  • Board joints coming apart in floated floors
What happens with constant mopping?

Using too much water when cleaning the hardwood floor can result in problems. What happens with constant mopping or too much water is that it will damage your floor in the long term, the added moisture will be absorbed and cause a reaction in the boards. Excessive moisture may cause the boards to deteriorate. Wet swiffers or steam mops are not to be used for this type of flooring.

What happens if I don’t use Trims?

What happens if I don’t’ use Trims? The simple answer is, if you do not plan to use Flooring Trims as part of the flooring installation, you are ultimately planning for failure and problems.

The natural movement of your installed Clever floors or any floorboard for that matter is to be expected. As part of the design, planning, and selection process, you should be making an allowance for expansion and contraction of your floors. 

Flooring Trims are not an element you want to miss out on discussing! Every flooring supplier will have guidelines and recommendations that will ensure that your floors are installed to the highest and most professional standards. If recommendations are not followed you may experience performance issues such as squeaking, bouncing, buckling, cupping, or boards exposed from under trims, scotia, or skirting.

Ultimately, Trims will ensure your satisfaction for a professional finish and optimal performance of your Clever floors. 

Trims are an essential component of a professional and successful flooring installation so have a conversation with your designer or the place you have booked your flooring supplies/installation from. You and your floors will be relieved of any pressure or inconvenience, as it is a much more costly exercise to try and remedy situations once your floors are installed!  

Follow the links below to learn all about Clever Flooring Trims, Scotia, and Stairnosing: 

TRIMS

SCOTIA

STAIRNOSE

What does EIR stand for?

EIR stands for Embossed in register.

EIR is an advanced modern technology that adds texture to the floor surface.
The EIR technique means it follows the grain pattern of the print with the textured finish in embossing that gives the floor the real timber look and feel.
Embossed in register not only intensifies the depth, texture, and authentic look of flooring, it increases traction and improves slip resistance.

What do you suggest for Glue Down Application
  1. Install four, five or six rows of flooring, either as a direct stick applying glue to the subfloor or as a floating floor by applying Glue into the groove of both the side and ends of the planks.
  2. Connect each row of flooring together to properly fix the tongue and groove connections as much as possible.
  3. Use the clamps every 90 – 120 cm and ratchet tightly until the gaps between flooring will close.
    Note: Do not over tighten the belt clamps. These clamps are heavy duty but overtightening only concludes problems.
  4. Place strips of “14 days” blue painters’ tape across the newly installed rows of flooring, spaced 45 – 60 cm or so, and overlapping the previous sections of boards by one or two rows. This will hold the boards tightly together until the flooring adhesive dries.
  5. Release the tension and remove the clamps.
  6. Repeat cycle.
  7. Remove tape once flooring adhesive has set – consult manufacturer installation instructions for cure time.
  8. Enjoy your floor.

CLEVER WARNING

  • Using tools can be dangerous.
  • Always take care and keep away from children.
  • For your own safety and to reduce the risk of harm wear the appropriate and necessary Personal Protective Equipment including protective eyewear in the work area at all times.
  • Select correct type and size of tool for work.
What do I need to know about the Critical Radiant Flux Report?

The two important numbers on the CRF (fire test) report are the mean Critical Heat Flux (CHF) Value and the mean Smoke Value.  These numbers are compared against the requirements in the Volume 1, Specification C1.10, Clause 3 of the National Construction Code (NCC).  If you do not have a copy of the NCC you can download one from here: https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-online/NCC .

The NCC refers to Critical Radian Flux – this is the same as the CHF Value on the report.  The CHF requirements differ depending on the type of building, the location of the installation within that building, and whether or not the building has a sprinkler system installed or not.  The requirements in the clause are a minimum – the CHF value on the report needs to be either the same or higher than those values in order to meet the requirements.  In addition, for buildings that do not have a sprinkler system attached the Smoke Value must be less than 750 %.min. For buildings with a sprinkler system there is no requirement on Smoke Value.

Every Clever Choice range has been independently tested by AWTA Product Testing, located in Victoria.

To access our reports, simply click on the Technical Tab in each product range. Click here to be directed to our Product section.

What do I need to know about Moisture affected floors?

The ATFA on the 14 August 2018 held a technical webiner on ‘Moisture Affected Floors’. This was such a great resource it is worth sharing with you. You will need about 1 hour to learn a great deal about moisture and flooring, including:

– how to identify moisture
– precautions you can take
– how to manage/rectify moisture affected floors
– and much more

What are the Clever Choice Warranty Terms and Conditions?
The importance of Underlay Selection

Selecting the right Underlay for your purpose is of great importance,  as it can help in the reduction of heat loss, therefore keeping your energy bills to a minimum and keeping the home warmer.

If maintaining minimal noise impact is important when choosing the right underlay for your purpose, then it is relevant to understand how sound and vibrations travel.

Underlay is not the sole determining factor for achieving ultimate acoustic ratings and reduction in transmission of noise. Each site will perform differently in relation to concrete density, thickness, ceiling systems, window/blind installations, furniture, and other structural and site-specific conditions.

All materials/systems should be independently checked/tested for their suitability to the individual site, project
or other conditions.

Is Clever Choice socially responsible?

Is Clever Choice socially responsible?

To answer is Clever Choice socially responsible, first, we must be clear about Clever Choice’s long-term strategy. It is our commitment to behave and conduct business ethically.  We must have and show compassion and empathy towards social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues. Supporting our resellers and ensuring an A-Grade standard with all our suppliers is of paramount importance. We are only successful if those we work and engage with are successful.

Clever Choice is a proud partner of the Floorworld initiative with the Pancare Foundation.

Floorworld

Pancare Foundation is Australia’s not-for-profit pancreatic cancer organisation. Their purpose is to increase survival and provide support to people affected by pancreatic cancer and other upper gastrointestinal cancers.

With one of the lowest survival rates of all major cancers, pancreatic cancer statistics have not changed significantly in over 40 years, you and us can make a difference. To help Pancare Foundation continue funding vital research Clever Choice in the months of April and November offers customers of Floorworld an opportunity to contribute. Be on the lookout for Clever products on promotion during April and November at a local Floorworld store near you.

To learn about the symptoms and causes of pancreatic cancer to reduce your risk or if you’re directly affected by pancreatic cancer, they are available to support you. Join a local support group to connect with other cancer fighters, or explore their resources for detailed information about your diagnosis and treatment options. Pancare Foundation website

It’s time for us to make a change, join us in the fight against pancreatic cancer today. You can donate directly to the Pancare Foundation

Is Clever Choice a member of any associations?

Is Clever Choice a member of any associations?

  • Clever Choice is proudly an Australian-owned and operated company.
  • Clever Choice is also an active and financial member of the Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA).

atfa member

How do I make my wood floors look new again?

There is a refinishing system available for all wood floor types including hardwood, engineered timber, bamboo, cork, laminate, vinyl, and hybrid floors. It is in your best interest to seek advise from the professionals who refinish floors on a daily basis.

If you are seeking options to DIY, our number 1 tip would be to ensure you are using the correct method and the appropriate/relevant refinishing product for your floors and to always test the product you plan to use on a sample piece or left-over boards that you may have from your original purchase.

For a professional refinish of your wood floors, click here to contact Electrodry or copy and paste the link into your browser https://www.electrodry.com.au/services/wood-floor-refinishing/

Electrodry is a member of the ATFA

atfa-member

The Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) publishes literature to assist owners and users of wood floors in the care and maintenance of their floors, click on the link below:

12_Floor-Care-and-maintenance

How do I avoid problems with my bamboo flooring?

According to David Haywood, technical manager at Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA), most problems with bamboo floors occur due to incorrect installation. Often where problems appear, floors have been installed with an incorrect allowance for expansion, on top of an uneven or unlevel subfloor or with inadequate moisture prevention.

Do you have a guide for Direct Stick and Dual Bond Installation

DIRECT STICK / DUAL BOND

  • Oak & Engineered Timbers are recommended to be adhered directly to the subfloor.
  • For concrete slabs where acoustic ratings are not required, firstly sweep the floor clean and dust free. Apply Mapei V4SP or Ultrabond Eco S955, following
    the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • For dwellings where acoustic ratings are required, a dual bond method is recommended.
  • For concrete slabs, firstly sweep the floor clean and dust free. Apply Mapei Ultrabond Eco V4SP, following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Then cover the floor with 3mm AcoustiCORK underlay, ensuring no gaps are left or present.
  • Once the subfloor is completely covered with the AcoustiCORK underlay, apply Mapei Ultrabond Eco S955, following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • If this process is not followed as per manufacturer’s guidelines, your floor could become drumy and bounce, causing vertical movement, bouncing, squeaking or board failure.
Considerations for Tongue & Groove Installation
  1. Check each board prior to installation
  2. When installing Oak & Engineered Timber boards manufactured with a Tongue & Groove profile, it is recommended to fill the grooves using crossed link water resistant PVA glue to both the side and end Groove prior to installation.
  3. Install the boards by sliding the tongue into the groove tight until no gap is present on both the sides and ends.
  4. If any excess glue squeezes through the top of the board wipe it off immediately.
  5. Use flooring strap clamps to hold the boards tight together while the glue dries as per manufacture guidelines. This will ensure there are no gaps between boards after installation is complete.

Clever Tip:

  • Installing tongue and groove floor boards should be the last thing you do after you have prepared the space/s
Clever Commercial Projects

Clever Choice also specialises in clever commercial projects and work, having supplied flooring for multiple iconic buildings, including the Melbourne Recital Centre and the BCEC Art Gallery.

You will also find Clever Choice flooring in Your Town prize homes, national bottle shops, My House Rules houses and developments like Stocklands in Newport and Coomera.

Can Vinegar be used to clean my floors?

NO. The method of cleaning with vinegar and water was quite a common practice. Unfortunately, the vinegar’s acidity can have a destructive effect on the floor coatings. In the beginning, the floors may look clean and polished, but eventually, over time, the vinegar will affect the shine of your floors.

Can Clever Choice flooring be installed over concrete or tiles?

Yes, as long as the floor is clean, dry, and level. It is important to read the product installation guidelines for specific details that are available for download from each product category.

Are Clever Choice floors EIR?

EIR stands for Embossed in register which is a modern technology that follows the grain pattern of the print for a more real timber look and feel.

The embossing on the Clever Classic Laminate and Clever Hydro ranges uses this advanced and modern technique.

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What is the difference between hot press and cold press?

Hotpress bamboo is compressed to 1150kg/m2 density, while the cold press is only compressed to 900kg/m2. This means hot press density is more than 10% higher than cold press, thereby providing a more stable, better performing, and longer-lasting flooring option.

What is Bamboo?

Bamboo is often mistaken as a tree, in actual fact Bamboo is a perennial grass plant with hollow circular stems. Although Bamboo is formally classified as a grass, many of the larger woody bamboo species are very tree-like in appearance.

Bamboo flooring remains popular for its attractive natural material using natural renewable resources.

Click here to discover the Clever Bamboo colours available. 

How do I avoid problems with my bamboo flooring?

According to David Haywood, technical manager at Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA), most problems with bamboo floors occur due to incorrect installation. Often where problems appear, floors have been installed with an incorrect allowance for expansion, on top of an uneven or unlevel subfloor or with inadequate moisture prevention.

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Why should I choose a professional installer for my staircase?

Aside from time, there really is a lot to consider when installing flooring for your home or office. Choosing a professional installer means:

  • The best results that ensure your home looks complete and finished
  • It’ll be more convenient and time-efficient for you to select a professional to complete your flooring and staircase installation, they already have years of experience, knowledge, and know-how about not only how to tackle the site/job but also the necessary tools and preparation/organisation required to complete the job
  • Fewer hazards and minimal risk of an incomplete/poor finish
  •  A professional team gets it right the first time and has an understanding/insight on how to minimise wastage. This will ensure that you do not have extra expenses and costs on fixing loose ends, mistakes, or mismanaged flooring.
  •  Flooring is a huge investment and should be valued as such. Installing beautiful floors correctly does have the potential of increasing the value of your home
  • Aside from appearances, your Warranty depends on the correct installation of flooring, stairnoses, trims, and accessories.

Taking into consideration all of the above, also consider that should you opt to DIY, are you ready to:

  • understand and prepare the subfloor
  • understand and prepare the home and conditions that may affect your flooring installation for example environment
  • prepare, plan, organise, measure, cut, and size
  • spend the money on all the tools and equipment required to complete the job

Ultimately, you deserve the peace of mind to ensure that you and your home are being taken care of and that you will be pleasantly satisfied with the results of the installation that you will live with on a daily basis.

Click this link to view our stairnose section on our website to discover more about our Stairnose products available. 

Why has my floor changed colour?

There are numerous reasons why your floor changed colour. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome changes to colour.

Possible causes:

  • No blinds installed
  • Floor exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time
  • Rugs and mats have been left in the same position for longer periods of time

Overcoming the problem:

  • Install blinds to protect the floor from direct sunlight
  • Move rugs regularly

General information:

Overtime with oxidisation and especially with exposure to direct sunlight, floors (including carpets) begin to change colour. In this instance, there was a rug covering one section of the floor, while the rest of the area was exposed to direct sunlight through wall-to-floor windows with no window coverings installed.
As a result, this floor darkened with this exposure, just as we would if we spent days on end in the sun!

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to such conditions.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of direct sunlight and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors lifting and experiencing vertical movement?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be lifting and experiencing vertical movement. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome lifting and vertical movement.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines
  • Installed outside guidelines and without trims
  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines.
  • Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.
  • Refer to FAQ for how to manage moisture.

General information:

Bamboo, oak and timber floors are natural products that respond and react to the environments in which they are installed. This means they absorb and release moisture, expand and contract with hot and cold temperatures and move and adjust naturally to varying environmental conditions.

When installing these products, as well as laminate floors, it is important that installation guidelines are followed closely. The use of gapping around the perimeter and expansion trims is essential for ensuring the floor performs at its best. These expansion gaps and trims allow the floor to react naturally to its environment and minimise the visual effects of it doing so.

When expansion gaps and trims are not correctly used, it creates pressure on the floor and the boards push together, causing vertical movement in extreme cases.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors gapping?

There are a couple of reasons why your floors would be gapping. Read on to discover the number 1 possible cause, and how to overcome gapping in floors.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines without trims

Overcoming the problem

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines. Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.

General information:

Floating floors have a specified “raft size”. This is the maximum area (L x W) over which a floating floor can be laid before an expansion trim is required.

Some people opt not to have trims installed, due to aesthetics, however, what looks worse than a trim is a gap!

As floating floors react naturally to their environments, expansion trims and trims in doorways allow the floor in different rooms to naturally move and adjust separately. So if conditions change in one room, only the flooring in that room is affected.

If an area larger than the specified raft size installed without the use of trims, natural gaps often appear in between boards where a trim would be required.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors cupping and warping?

There are numerous reasons why your floor would be cupping, darkening, and warping. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome cupping, darkening, and warping.

Possible causes:

  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Find and eliminate the source of moisture.
  • Wipe up any spills or messes immediately.
  • Install a dehumidifier if the relative humidity is above the recommended range.

General information:

Bamboo, oak, and timber are all-natural products. This means they respond and react to their environments, including absorbing and releasing moisture.
Even laminate floors behave this way because of their Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) cores.

When a floor takes on moisture, it begins to swell. Moisture can cause cupping, the appearance of dark patches, warping, and in extreme cases, vertical movement.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to moisture.

Check with your insurance company if your water damage is covered. Dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliance leaks are generally covered by insurance.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors blistering?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be showing blisters. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome blistering floors.

Possible causes:

  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Identify and eliminate the source of moisture such as leaks
  • Refer to FAQ for how to manage moisture.

General information:

Moisture can have varying effects on the flooring. When a floor is exposed to a large amount of moisture for a prolonged period of time, blistering can occur.

The blistering appearance is produced by the board trying to expel and release the moisture. Sunlight and warm conditions can also draw the moisture to the surface of the board, where it creates a blister in the coating as it tries to escape.

Often this occurs near wet areas such as bathrooms or laundries or near windows where water has entered and affected the flooring.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to excess moisture.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

What is Anti-Slip Tape

Anti-slip tape can be used on a variety of surfaces to prevent falls or slips around the home or office. Anti-slip tape is manufactured from a unique combination of aluminum oxide and a thick plastic carrier to provide a flexible and durable non-slip solution.

Anti-slip tape is:

  • Easy to install, just peel and stick
  • Conforms to the slip resistance requirements of AS4586:2013 and volumes 1 and 2 of the 2015 NCC (P3)
  • Uniquely flexible allows for a bend in excess of 90 degrees
  • Withstands temperatures below -30 degrees celsius and up to 120 degrees celsius

Visit the slip resistance product page on our Clever website.

What is anti-slip lacquer?

Anti-slip lacquer or sometimes referred to as anti-slip paint or anti-slip varnish is a product used to improve the slip resistance on surfaces and comply with the Building Code of Australia.

From 1 May 2014, treads or nosing to treads (stairnosing) of a stairway must comply with a slip resistance classification as tested to Australian Standard AS 4586 – 2013 Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials.  This new test method for slip resistance replaced the old ‘X’ ratings with ‘P’ ratings.

A product such as Bona Traffic HD Anti-slip uses advanced polymer technology. Developed to give uncompromising resistance to scratches, scuff marks and chemicals whilst being sustainable with regard to the environment. It is formulated to meet the highest standards for slip resistance in commercial areas, staircases, or other situations with an increased risk of spillage.

Visit our slip resistance product page on the Clever website to learn more.

What happens with constant mopping?

Using too much water when cleaning the hardwood floor can result in problems. What happens with constant mopping or too much water is that it will damage your floor in the long term, the added moisture will be absorbed and cause a reaction in the boards. Excessive moisture may cause the boards to deteriorate. Wet swiffers or steam mops are not to be used for this type of flooring.

What do I need to know about Moisture affected floors?

The ATFA on the 14 August 2018 held a technical webiner on ‘Moisture Affected Floors’. This was such a great resource it is worth sharing with you. You will need about 1 hour to learn a great deal about moisture and flooring, including:

– how to identify moisture
– precautions you can take
– how to manage/rectify moisture affected floors
– and much more

How do I make my wood floors look new again?

There is a refinishing system available for all wood floor types including hardwood, engineered timber, bamboo, cork, laminate, vinyl, and hybrid floors. It is in your best interest to seek advise from the professionals who refinish floors on a daily basis.

If you are seeking options to DIY, our number 1 tip would be to ensure you are using the correct method and the appropriate/relevant refinishing product for your floors and to always test the product you plan to use on a sample piece or left-over boards that you may have from your original purchase.

For a professional refinish of your wood floors, click here to contact Electrodry or copy and paste the link into your browser https://www.electrodry.com.au/services/wood-floor-refinishing/

Electrodry is a member of the ATFA

atfa-member

The Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) publishes literature to assist owners and users of wood floors in the care and maintenance of their floors, click on the link below:

12_Floor-Care-and-maintenance

Can Vinegar be used to clean my floors?

NO. The method of cleaning with vinegar and water was quite a common practice. Unfortunately, the vinegar’s acidity can have a destructive effect on the floor coatings. In the beginning, the floors may look clean and polished, but eventually, over time, the vinegar will affect the shine of your floors.

Close Button
Why should I choose a professional installer for my staircase?

Aside from time, there really is a lot to consider when installing flooring for your home or office. Choosing a professional installer means:

  • The best results that ensure your home looks complete and finished
  • It’ll be more convenient and time-efficient for you to select a professional to complete your flooring and staircase installation, they already have years of experience, knowledge, and know-how about not only how to tackle the site/job but also the necessary tools and preparation/organisation required to complete the job
  • Fewer hazards and minimal risk of an incomplete/poor finish
  •  A professional team gets it right the first time and has an understanding/insight on how to minimise wastage. This will ensure that you do not have extra expenses and costs on fixing loose ends, mistakes, or mismanaged flooring.
  •  Flooring is a huge investment and should be valued as such. Installing beautiful floors correctly does have the potential of increasing the value of your home
  • Aside from appearances, your Warranty depends on the correct installation of flooring, stairnoses, trims, and accessories.

Taking into consideration all of the above, also consider that should you opt to DIY, are you ready to:

  • understand and prepare the subfloor
  • understand and prepare the home and conditions that may affect your flooring installation for example environment
  • prepare, plan, organise, measure, cut, and size
  • spend the money on all the tools and equipment required to complete the job

Ultimately, you deserve the peace of mind to ensure that you and your home are being taken care of and that you will be pleasantly satisfied with the results of the installation that you will live with on a daily basis.

Click this link to view our stairnose section on our website to discover more about our Stairnose products available. 

Why choose Clever Choice

Life is full of choices and Clever Choice chooses to supply superior flooring products, so you can have confidence when you lay a Clever Choice Floor for home, work or play.

There are cheaper floors, but they are not the same density nor have the same stability and durability as our award winning High Density Clever Choice Design Floors.

We would like you to enjoy the best quality floors available in Australia, that offer the highest quality and real value for money.

Boutique distribution Australia-wide will ensure we continue to offer the highest quality customer service, bringing our design floors to your home.

Who is Clever Choice?

Paxwood Pty Ltd t/a Clever Choice Design Floors is a hardwood flooring company with over 15 years’ experience in the industry.

Clever Choice is dedicated to providing high quality alternative and sustainable hardwood flooring. We are an environmentally friendly company and take steps to minimise our carbon emissions throughout the entire manufacturing process, while ensuring the high standard of quality is upheld in all our products.

Clever Choice is a recognized market leader as a supplier of superior quality bamboo, Oak, Laminate & composite decking. The “Clever” brand is respected as high quality, and has been specified and installed in government and major construction projects.

Not all flooring is made to the same standards. With over 10 years experience in flooring manufacture and supply, we are selective with the flooring we offer. Clever Choice Design Floors superior quality flooring, constantly delivers the most stable and value for money flooring to the Australian market.
Clever Choice Design Floors are designed and manufactured to continue to perform over their recommended lifetimes and are fully covered by structural and finish warranties.

Our resellers are selected for their professional customer service, excellent product knowledge and after sales support ensuring satisfaction from your new flooring experience.

Clever Choice product specifications have been independently tested and certified to meet International and Australian Standards.

Where can I buy Clever Choice Products?

Paxwood Pty Ltd t/a Clever Choice Design Floors is a wholesale company distributing flooring solutions, underlay, and accessories to flooring stores and flooring outlets across Australia.

Click here to locate your nearest Clever Choice stockist!

Is Clever Choice socially responsible?

Is Clever Choice socially responsible?

To answer is Clever Choice socially responsible, first, we must be clear about Clever Choice’s long-term strategy. It is our commitment to behave and conduct business ethically.  We must have and show compassion and empathy towards social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues. Supporting our resellers and ensuring an A-Grade standard with all our suppliers is of paramount importance. We are only successful if those we work and engage with are successful.

Clever Choice is a proud partner of the Floorworld initiative with the Pancare Foundation.

Floorworld-Pancare

Pancare Foundation is Australia’s not-for-profit pancreatic cancer organisation. Their purpose is to increase survival and provide support to people affected by pancreatic cancer and other upper gastrointestinal cancers.

With one of the lowest survival rates of all major cancers, pancreatic cancer statistics have not changed significantly in over 40 years, you and us can make a difference. To help Pancare Foundation continue funding vital research Clever Choice in the months of April and November offers customers of Floorworld an opportunity to contribute. Be on the lookout for Clever products on promotion during April and November at a local Floorworld store near you.

To learn about the symptoms and causes of pancreatic cancer to reduce your risk or if you’re directly affected by pancreatic cancer, they are available to support you. Join a local support group to connect with other cancer fighters, or explore their resources for detailed information about your diagnosis and treatment options. Pancare Foundation website

It’s time for us to make a change, join us in the fight against pancreatic cancer today. You can  donate directly to the Pancare Foundation.

Is Clever Choice a member of any associations?

Is Clever Choice a member of any associations?

  • Clever Choice is proudly an Australian-owned and operated company.
  • Clever Choice is also an active and financial member of the Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA).

atfa-member

Clever Commercial Projects

Clever Choice also specialises in clever commercial projects and work, having supplied flooring for multiple iconic buildings, including the Melbourne Recital Centre and the BCEC Art Gallery.

You will also find Clever Choice flooring in Your Town prize homes, national bottle shops, My House Rules houses and developments like Stocklands in Newport and Coomera.

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Why has my floor changed colour?

There are numerous reasons why your floor changed colour. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome changes to colour.

Possible causes:

  • No blinds installed
  • Floor exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time
  • Rugs and mats have been left in the same position for longer periods of time

Overcoming the problem:

  • Install blinds to protect the floor from direct sunlight
  • Move rugs regularly

General information:

Overtime with oxidisation and especially with exposure to direct sunlight, floors (including carpets) begin to change colour. In this instance, there was a rug covering one section of the floor, while the rest of the area was exposed to direct sunlight through wall-to-floor windows with no window coverings installed.
As a result, this floor darkened with this exposure, just as we would if we spent days on end in the sun!

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to such conditions.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of direct sunlight and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors scratched?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be showing scratches. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to avoid your floors being scratched.

Possible causes:

  • Heavy Furniture being dropped or dragged along your floors
  • Chair and lounge legs being moved and dragged around
  • Pets claws are not trimmed regularly
  • Dirt and grit being walked into the house scratches the coating on flooring

Overcoming the problem:

  • The best treatment for scratching is prevention
  • Using felt protective pads (not rubber) on legs of furniture
  • Placing rugs under swivel chairs at desks
  • Removing shoes before entering the home
  • Keeping pets’ claws trimmed
  • Regularly cleaning and replacing the brush on your vacuum cleaner
  • Utilising certain products such as Bona Wood Floor Refresher and Gilly Stephenson’s products can help to renew your floor and reduce the appearance of scratches.

General information:

The myth that hard floor coverings don’t scratch has been proliferated too widely. Even laminate floors and tiles can scratch! While Clever Choice products have a scratch-resistant wear layer, like any hard floor covering, they are not 100% scratch proof.

Scratching occurs when something has been dragged across the floor, which has scratched or damaged the coating of the flooring. Grit and dirt from shoes that are brought in and scraped along the floor is one common cause of fine scratches to floor coverings.

When damaged, the UV-resistant polyurethane coating on Clever Choice products reflects light, giving scratches their notorious white appearance.

This is not a manufacturing defect.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on how to care for your floors.

Why are my floors lifting and experiencing vertical movement?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be lifting and experiencing vertical movement. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome lifting and vertical movement.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines
  • Installed outside guidelines and without trims
  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines.
  • Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.
  • Refer to FAQ for how to manage moisture.

General information:

Bamboo, oak and timber floors are natural products that respond and react to the environments in which they are installed. This means they absorb and release moisture, expand and contract with hot and cold temperatures and move and adjust naturally to varying environmental conditions.

When installing these products, as well as laminate floors, it is important that installation guidelines are followed closely. The use of gapping around the perimeter and expansion trims is essential for ensuring the floor performs at its best. These expansion gaps and trims allow the floor to react naturally to its environment and minimise the visual effects of it doing so.

When expansion gaps and trims are not correctly used, it creates pressure on the floor and the boards push together, causing vertical movement in extreme cases.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors gapping?

There are a couple of reasons why your floors would be gapping. Read on to discover the number 1 possible cause, and how to overcome gapping in floors.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines without trims

Overcoming the problem

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines. Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.

General information:

Floating floors have a specified “raft size”. This is the maximum area (L x W) over which a floating floor can be laid before an expansion trim is required.

Some people opt not to have trims installed, due to aesthetics, however, what looks worse than a trim is a gap!

As floating floors react naturally to their environments, expansion trims and trims in doorways allow the floor in different rooms to naturally move and adjust separately. So if conditions change in one room, only the flooring in that room is affected.

If an area larger than the specified raft size installed without the use of trims, natural gaps often appear in between boards where a trim would be required.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors cupping and warping?

There are numerous reasons why your floor would be cupping, darkening, and warping. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome cupping, darkening, and warping.

Possible causes:

  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Find and eliminate the source of moisture.
  • Wipe up any spills or messes immediately.
  • Install a dehumidifier if the relative humidity is above the recommended range.

General information:

Bamboo, oak, and timber are all-natural products. This means they respond and react to their environments, including absorbing and releasing moisture.
Even laminate floors behave this way because of their Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) cores.

When a floor takes on moisture, it begins to swell. Moisture can cause cupping, the appearance of dark patches, warping, and in extreme cases, vertical movement.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to moisture.

Check with your insurance company if your water damage is covered. Dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliance leaks are generally covered by insurance.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors blistering?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be showing blisters. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome blistering floors.

Possible causes:

  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Identify and eliminate the source of moisture such as leaks
  • Refer to FAQ for how to manage moisture.

General information:

Moisture can have varying effects on the flooring. When a floor is exposed to a large amount of moisture for a prolonged period of time, blistering can occur.

The blistering appearance is produced by the board trying to expel and release the moisture. Sunlight and warm conditions can also draw the moisture to the surface of the board, where it creates a blister in the coating as it tries to escape.

Often this occurs near wet areas such as bathrooms or laundries or near windows where water has entered and affected the flooring.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to excess moisture.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

What happens if I don’t use Trims?

What happens if I don’t’ use Trims? The simple answer is, if you do not plan to use Flooring Trims as part of the flooring installation, you are ultimately planning for failure and problems.

The natural movement of your installed Clever floors or any floorboard for that matter is to be expected. As part of the design, planning, and selection process, you should be making an allowance for expansion and contraction of your floors. 

Flooring Trims are not an element you want to miss out on discussing! Every flooring supplier will have guidelines and recommendations that will ensure that your floors are installed to the highest and most professional standards. If recommendations are not followed you may experience performance issues such as squeaking, bouncing, buckling, cupping, or boards exposed from under trims, scotia, or skirting.

Ultimately, Trims will ensure your satisfaction for a professional finish and optimal performance of your Clever floors. 

Trims are an essential component of a professional and successful flooring installation so have a conversation with your designer or the place you have booked your flooring supplies/installation from. You and your floors will be relieved of any pressure or inconvenience, as it is a much more costly exercise to try and remedy situations once your floors are installed!  

Follow the links below to learn all about Clever Flooring Trims, Scotia, and Stairnosing: 

TRIMS

SCOTIA

STAIRNOSE

Close Button
Why should I choose a professional installer for my staircase?

Aside from time, there really is a lot to consider when installing flooring for your home or office. Choosing a professional installer means:

  • The best results that ensure your home looks complete and finished
  • It’ll be more convenient and time-efficient for you to select a professional to complete your flooring and staircase installation, they already have years of experience, knowledge, and know-how about not only how to tackle the site/job but also the necessary tools and preparation/organisation required to complete the job
  • Fewer hazards and minimal risk of an incomplete/poor finish
  •  A professional team gets it right the first time and has an understanding/insight on how to minimise wastage. This will ensure that you do not have extra expenses and costs on fixing loose ends, mistakes, or mismanaged flooring.
  •  Flooring is a huge investment and should be valued as such. Installing beautiful floors correctly does have the potential of increasing the value of your home
  • Aside from appearances, your Warranty depends on the correct installation of flooring, stairnoses, trims, and accessories.

Taking into consideration all of the above, also consider that should you opt to DIY, are you ready to:

  • understand and prepare the subfloor
  • understand and prepare the home and conditions that may affect your flooring installation for example environment
  • prepare, plan, organise, measure, cut, and size
  • spend the money on all the tools and equipment required to complete the job

Ultimately, you deserve the peace of mind to ensure that you and your home are being taken care of and that you will be pleasantly satisfied with the results of the installation that you will live with on a daily basis.

Click this link to view our stairnose section on our website to discover more about our Stairnose products available. 

Why has my floor changed colour?

There are numerous reasons why your floor changed colour. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome changes to colour.

Possible causes:

  • No blinds installed
  • Floor exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time
  • Rugs and mats have been left in the same position for longer periods of time

Overcoming the problem:

  • Install blinds to protect the floor from direct sunlight
  • Move rugs regularly

General information:

Overtime with oxidisation and especially with exposure to direct sunlight, floors (including carpets) begin to change colour. In this instance, there was a rug covering one section of the floor, while the rest of the area was exposed to direct sunlight through wall-to-floor windows with no window coverings installed.
As a result, this floor darkened with this exposure, just as we would if we spent days on end in the sun!

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to such conditions.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of direct sunlight and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors scratched?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be showing scratches. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to avoid your floors being scratched.

Possible causes:

  • Heavy Furniture being dropped or dragged along your floors
  • Chair and lounge legs being moved and dragged around
  • Pets claws are not trimmed regularly
  • Dirt and grit being walked into the house scratches the coating on flooring

Overcoming the problem:

  • The best treatment for scratching is prevention
  • Using felt protective pads (not rubber) on legs of furniture
  • Placing rugs under swivel chairs at desks
  • Removing shoes before entering the home
  • Keeping pets’ claws trimmed
  • Regularly cleaning and replacing the brush on your vacuum cleaner
  • Utilising certain products such as Bona Wood Floor Refresher and Gilly Stephenson’s products can help to renew your floor and reduce the appearance of scratches.

General information:

The myth that hard floor coverings don’t scratch has been proliferated too widely. Even laminate floors and tiles can scratch! While Clever Choice products have a scratch-resistant wear layer, like any hard floor covering, they are not 100% scratch proof.

Scratching occurs when something has been dragged across the floor, which has scratched or damaged the coating of the flooring. Grit and dirt from shoes that are brought in and scraped along the floor is one common cause of fine scratches to floor coverings.

When damaged, the UV-resistant polyurethane coating on Clever Choice products reflects light, giving scratches their notorious white appearance.

This is not a manufacturing defect.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on how to care for your floors.

Why are my floors lifting and experiencing vertical movement?

There are numerous reasons why your floors would be lifting and experiencing vertical movement. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome lifting and vertical movement.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines
  • Installed outside guidelines and without trims
  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines.
  • Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.
  • Refer to FAQ for how to manage moisture.

General information:

Bamboo, oak and timber floors are natural products that respond and react to the environments in which they are installed. This means they absorb and release moisture, expand and contract with hot and cold temperatures and move and adjust naturally to varying environmental conditions.

When installing these products, as well as laminate floors, it is important that installation guidelines are followed closely. The use of gapping around the perimeter and expansion trims is essential for ensuring the floor performs at its best. These expansion gaps and trims allow the floor to react naturally to its environment and minimise the visual effects of it doing so.

When expansion gaps and trims are not correctly used, it creates pressure on the floor and the boards push together, causing vertical movement in extreme cases.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors gapping?

There are a couple of reasons why your floors would be gapping. Read on to discover the number 1 possible cause, and how to overcome gapping in floors.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines without trims

Overcoming the problem

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines. Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.

General information:

Floating floors have a specified “raft size”. This is the maximum area (L x W) over which a floating floor can be laid before an expansion trim is required.

Some people opt not to have trims installed, due to aesthetics, however, what looks worse than a trim is a gap!

As floating floors react naturally to their environments, expansion trims and trims in doorways allow the floor in different rooms to naturally move and adjust separately. So if conditions change in one room, only the flooring in that room is affected.

If an area larger than the specified raft size installed without the use of trims, natural gaps often appear in between boards where a trim would be required.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

Why are my floors cupping and warping?

There are numerous reasons why your floor would be cupping, darkening, and warping. Read on to discover the possible causes, and how to overcome cupping, darkening, and warping.

Possible causes:

  • Moisture

Overcoming the problem:

  • Find and eliminate the source of moisture.
  • Wipe up any spills or messes immediately.
  • Install a dehumidifier if the relative humidity is above the recommended range.

General information:

Bamboo, oak, and timber are all-natural products. This means they respond and react to their environments, including absorbing and releasing moisture.
Even laminate floors behave this way because of their Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) cores.

When a floor takes on moisture, it begins to swell. Moisture can cause cupping, the appearance of dark patches, warping, and in extreme cases, vertical movement.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when exposed to moisture.

Check with your insurance company if your water damage is covered. Dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliance leaks are generally covered by insurance.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

What happens with variation in sub-floors?

Excessive sub-floor variation leads to:

  • Excessive deflection of the panel underfoot
  • Crackling noise associated with movement within the edge joint
  • Excessive drum sound associated with foot traffic
  • Board joints coming apart in floated floors
What happens if I don’t use Trims?

What happens if I don’t’ use Trims? The simple answer is, if you do not plan to use Flooring Trims as part of the flooring installation, you are ultimately planning for failure and problems.

The natural movement of your installed Clever floors or any floorboard for that matter is to be expected. As part of the design, planning, and selection process, you should be making an allowance for expansion and contraction of your floors. 

Flooring Trims are not an element you want to miss out on discussing! Every flooring supplier will have guidelines and recommendations that will ensure that your floors are installed to the highest and most professional standards. If recommendations are not followed you may experience performance issues such as squeaking, bouncing, buckling, cupping, or boards exposed from under trims, scotia, or skirting.

Ultimately, Trims will ensure your satisfaction for a professional finish and optimal performance of your Clever floors. 

Trims are an essential component of a professional and successful flooring installation so have a conversation with your designer or the place you have booked your flooring supplies/installation from. You and your floors will be relieved of any pressure or inconvenience, as it is a much more costly exercise to try and remedy situations once your floors are installed!  

Follow the links below to learn all about Clever Flooring Trims, Scotia, and Stairnosing: 

TRIMS

SCOTIA

STAIRNOSE

What do you suggest for Glue Down Application
  1. Install four, five or six rows of flooring, either as a direct stick applying glue to the subfloor or as a floating floor by applying Glue into the groove of both the side and ends of the planks.
  2. Connect each row of flooring together to properly fix the tongue and groove connections as much as possible.
  3. Use the clamps every 90 – 120 cm and ratchet tightly until the gaps between flooring will close.
    Note: Do not over tighten the belt clamps. These clamps are heavy duty but overtightening only concludes problems.
  4. Place strips of “14 days” blue painters’ tape across the newly installed rows of flooring, spaced 45 – 60 cm or so, and overlapping the previous sections of boards by one or two rows. This will hold the boards tightly together until the flooring adhesive dries.
  5. Release the tension and remove the clamps.
  6. Repeat cycle.
  7. Remove tape once flooring adhesive has set – consult manufacturer installation instructions for cure time.
  8. Enjoy your floor.

CLEVER WARNING

  • Using tools can be dangerous.
  • Always take care and keep away from children.
  • For your own safety and to reduce the risk of harm wear the appropriate and necessary Personal Protective Equipment including protective eyewear in the work area at all times.
  • Select correct type and size of tool for work.
What do I need to know about Moisture affected floors?

The ATFA on the 14 August 2018 held a technical webiner on ‘Moisture Affected Floors’. This was such a great resource it is worth sharing with you. You will need about 1 hour to learn a great deal about moisture and flooring, including:

– how to identify moisture
– precautions you can take
– how to manage/rectify moisture affected floors
– and much more

The importance of Underlay Selection

Selecting the right Underlay for your purpose is of great importance,  as it can help in the reduction of heat loss, therefore keeping your energy bills to a minimum and keeping the home warmer.

If maintaining minimal noise impact is important when choosing the right underlay for your purpose, then it is relevant to understand how sound and vibrations travel.

Underlay is not the sole determining factor for achieving ultimate acoustic ratings and reduction in transmission of noise. Each site will perform differently in relation to concrete density, thickness, ceiling systems, window/blind installations, furniture, and other structural and site-specific conditions.

All materials/systems should be independently checked/tested for their suitability to the individual site, project
or other conditions.

Considerations for Tongue & Groove Installation
  1. Check each board prior to installation
  2. When installing Oak & Engineered Timber boards manufactured with a Tongue & Groove profile, it is recommended to fill the grooves using crossed link water resistant PVA glue to both the side and end Groove prior to installation.
  3. Install the boards by sliding the tongue into the groove tight until no gap is present on both the sides and ends.
  4. If any excess glue squeezes through the top of the board wipe it off immediately.
  5. Use flooring strap clamps to hold the boards tight together while the glue dries as per manufacture guidelines. This will ensure there are no gaps between boards after installation is complete.

Clever Tip:

  • Installing tongue and groove floor boards should be the last thing you do after you have prepared the space/s
Can Clever Choice flooring be installed over concrete or tiles?

Yes, as long as the floor is clean, dry, and level. It is important to read the product installation guidelines for specific details that are available for download from each product category.

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Why are my floors gapping?

There are a couple of reasons why your floors would be gapping. Read on to discover the number 1 possible cause, and how to overcome gapping in floors.

Possible causes:

  • Installed outside guidelines without trims

Overcoming the problem

  • Rectify installation so it is in accordance with guidelines. Ensure expansion gaps and trims are used as specified.

General information:

Floating floors have a specified “raft size”. This is the maximum area (L x W) over which a floating floor can be laid before an expansion trim is required.

Some people opt not to have trims installed, due to aesthetics, however, what looks worse than a trim is a gap!

As floating floors react naturally to their environments, expansion trims and trims in doorways allow the floor in different rooms to naturally move and adjust separately. So if conditions change in one room, only the flooring in that room is affected.

If an area larger than the specified raft size installed without the use of trims, natural gaps often appear in between boards where a trim would be required.

This is not a manufacturing defect and is a natural reaction of the floor when installed outside guidelines.

Please refer to our care and maintenance guidelines for each product for more detailed information on the effects of moisture and how to protect your floor.

What is VOC?

Defining Volatile Organic Compounds

According to the State of the Environment Australia 2016 website, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. Many common household materials and products, such as paints, glues, and cleaning products, give off VOCs.

Common VOCs include:

  • Acetone
  • Benzene
  • Ethylene Glycol
  • Formaldehyde
  • Methylene Chloride
  • Perchloroethylene
  • Toluene
  • Xylene

The United States Environment Protection Agency website further asserts that Organic chemical compounds are everywhere in both indoor and outdoor environments as they have become essential ingredients in many products and materials. Indoor VOCs are mostly released into the air from the use of products and materials containing VOCs.

The US EPA provides what we have researched to be a very clear and understandable definition:

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) means any compound of carbon, (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate) that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions, except those designated by EPA as having negligible photochemical reactivity.

Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are organic chemical compounds whose composition makes it possible for them to evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions of temperature and pressure. This general definition of VOCs is used in scientific literature and is consistent with the definition used for indoor air quality.

Since the volatility of a compound is generally higher the lower its boiling point temperature, the volatility of organic compounds is sometimes defined and classified by their boiling points. For example, the European Union uses the boiling point, rather than its volatility in its definition of VOCs.

A VOC is any organic compound having an initial boiling point less than or equal to 250° C measured at a standard atmospheric pressure of 101.3 kPa.5, 6, 7

VOC Categories

VOCs are sometimes categorized by the ease they will be emitted. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes indoor organic pollutants as:

Very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs)
The higher the volatility (lower the boiling point), the more likely the compound will be emitted from a product or surface into the air. Very volatile organic compounds are so volatile that they are difficult to measure. They are found almost entirely as gases in the air rather than in materials or on surfaces. The least volatile compounds found in air constitute a far smaller fraction of the total present indoors. The majority will be in solids or liquids that contain them or on surfaces including dust, furnishings, and building materials.

What is the P slip resistance rating on flooring products

Slip ratings are important as we all have a duty of care to help ensure we reduce the risk and exposure to injuries due to slips, trips, or falls and most importantly create a safe environment. There are numerous factors and conditions that determine the risk. As a general guide a product with a low slip rating requires additional slip-resistance through the application of anti-slip products. See a basic guide below:

  • P3 rating is fair and indicates a moderate risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating means that the product can be installed on stairs with no additional slip resistance
  • P2 is standard and indicates a high risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating will mean that you require additional slip-resistant tape or coating to be applied to stairs in a commercial application.
  • P1 is very low and indicates a very high risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating will mean that you require additional slip resistance tape or coating to be applied to stairs in a commercial application

The table below has been derived from Australian Standards AS/NZS 4663: 2004 and AS 4586: 2013.

Wet Pendulum Testing

The Induction Group provide a very comprehensive and detailed Guide to Slip Resistance Testing

All Clever Choice flooring products have been independently tested for slip resistance through AWTA in accordance with AS 4586-2013 Slip Resistance Classification of New Pedestrian Surface Materials. Visit the Technical information Tab for each Clever range.

What is the ASTM E96 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Report?

Watch the video that explains the test method ASTM E96 for determining the amount of water vapor that will diffuse through a material in the presence of vapor pressure difference

What is density?

The formula for density is d=M/V. M represents the mass, V represents the Volume and D equals the density.
Therefore, density is the measurement that compares the amount of matter an object has to its volume. (Mass of a unit volume of a material substance.)
A board with a high amount of matter in a certain volume has high density and therefore greater stability.

Clever Flooring Type Density
Clever European Engineered Oak 750kg/m3
Clever Australian Engineered Timber Species Variable
Clever Classic Laminate 850kg/m3
Clever Hydro Laminate 950kg/m3
Clever Hybrid 2100kg/m3
Clever Bamboo 1100-1150kg/m3
What is Anti-Slip Tape

Anti-slip tape can be used on a variety of surfaces to prevent falls or slips around the home or office. Anti-slip tape is manufactured from a unique combination of aluminum oxide and a thick plastic carrier to provide a flexible and durable non-slip solution.

Anti-slip tape is:

  • Easy to install, just peel and stick
  • Conforms to the slip resistance requirements of AS4586:2013 and volumes 1 and 2 of the 2015 NCC (P3)
  • Uniquely flexible allows for a bend in excess of 90 degrees
  • Withstands temperatures below -30 degrees celsius and up to 120 degrees celsius

Visit the slip resistance product page on our Clever website.

What is anti-slip lacquer?

Anti-slip lacquer or sometimes referred to as anti-slip paint or anti-slip varnish is a product used to improve the slip resistance on surfaces and comply with the Building Code of Australia.

From 1 May 2014, treads or nosing to treads (stairnosing) of a stairway must comply with a slip resistance classification as tested to Australian Standard AS 4586 – 2013 Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials.  This new test method for slip resistance replaced the old ‘X’ ratings with ‘P’ ratings.

A product such as Bona Traffic HD Anti-slip uses advanced polymer technology. Developed to give uncompromising resistance to scratches, scuff marks and chemicals whilst being sustainable with regard to the environment. It is formulated to meet the highest standards for slip resistance in commercial areas, staircases, or other situations with an increased risk of spillage.

Visit our slip resistance product page on the Clever website to learn more.

What happens if I don’t use Trims?

What happens if I don’t’ use Trims? The simple answer is, if you do not plan to use Flooring Trims as part of the flooring installation, you are ultimately planning for failure and problems.

The natural movement of your installed Clever floors or any floorboard for that matter is to be expected. As part of the design, planning, and selection process, you should be making an allowance for expansion and contraction of your floors. 

Flooring Trims are not an element you want to miss out on discussing! Every flooring supplier will have guidelines and recommendations that will ensure that your floors are installed to the highest and most professional standards. If recommendations are not followed you may experience performance issues such as squeaking, bouncing, buckling, cupping, or boards exposed from under trims, scotia, or skirting.

Ultimately, Trims will ensure your satisfaction for a professional finish and optimal performance of your Clever floors. 

Trims are an essential component of a professional and successful flooring installation so have a conversation with your designer or the place you have booked your flooring supplies/installation from. You and your floors will be relieved of any pressure or inconvenience, as it is a much more costly exercise to try and remedy situations once your floors are installed!  

Follow the links below to learn all about Clever Flooring Trims, Scotia, and Stairnosing: 

TRIMS

SCOTIA

STAIRNOSE

What does EIR stand for?

EIR stands for Embossed in register.

EIR is an advanced modern technology that adds texture to the floor surface.
The EIR technique means it follows the grain pattern of the print with the textured finish in embossing that gives the floor the real timber look and feel.
Embossed in register not only intensifies the depth, texture, and authentic look of flooring, it increases traction and improves slip resistance.

What do I need to know about the Critical Radiant Flux Report?

The two important numbers on the CRF (fire test) report are the mean Critical Heat Flux (CHF) Value and the mean Smoke Value.  These numbers are compared against the requirements in the Volume 1, Specification C1.10, Clause 3 of the National Construction Code (NCC).  If you do not have a copy of the NCC you can download one from here: https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-online/NCC .

The NCC refers to Critical Radian Flux – this is the same as the CHF Value on the report.  The CHF requirements differ depending on the type of building, the location of the installation within that building, and whether or not the building has a sprinkler system installed or not.  The requirements in the clause are a minimum – the CHF value on the report needs to be either the same or higher than those values in order to meet the requirements.  In addition, for buildings that do not have a sprinkler system attached the Smoke Value must be less than 750 %.min. For buildings with a sprinkler system there is no requirement on Smoke Value.

Every Clever Choice range has been independently tested by AWTA Product Testing, located in Victoria.

To access our reports, simply click on the Technical Tab in each product range. Click here to be directed to our Product section.

What do I need to know about Moisture affected floors?

The ATFA on the 14 August 2018 held a technical webiner on ‘Moisture Affected Floors’. This was such a great resource it is worth sharing with you. You will need about 1 hour to learn a great deal about moisture and flooring, including:

– how to identify moisture
– precautions you can take
– how to manage/rectify moisture affected floors
– and much more

Close Button
What is the P slip resistance rating on flooring products

Slip ratings are important as we all have a duty of care to help ensure we reduce the risk and exposure to injuries due to slips, trips, or falls and most importantly create a safe environment. There are numerous factors and conditions that determine the risk. As a general guide a product with a low slip rating requires additional slip-resistance through the application of anti-slip products. See a basic guide below:

  • P3 rating is fair and indicates a moderate risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating means that the product can be installed on stairs with no additional slip resistance
  • P2 is standard and indicates a high risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating will mean that you require additional slip-resistant tape or coating to be applied to stairs in a commercial application.
  • P1 is very low and indicates a very high risk of slipping when the floors are wet. This slip rating will mean that you require additional slip resistance tape or coating to be applied to stairs in a commercial application

The table below has been derived from Australian Standards AS/NZS 4663: 2004 and AS 4586: 2013.

Wet-Pendulum

The Induction Group provide a very comprehensive and detailed Guide to Slip Resistance Testing

All Clever Choice flooring products have been independently tested for slip resistance through AWTA in accordance with AS 4586-2013 Slip Resistance Classification of New Pedestrian Surface Materials. Visit the Technical information Tab for each Clever range.

What is the ASTM E96 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Report?

Watch the video that explains the test method ASTM E96 for determining the amount of water vapor that will diffuse through a material in the presence of vapor pressure difference

What do I need to know about the Critical Radiant Flux Report?

The two important numbers on the CRF (fire test) report are the mean Critical Heat Flux (CHF) Value and the mean Smoke Value.  These numbers are compared against the requirements in the Volume 1, Specification C1.10, Clause 3 of the National Construction Code (NCC).  If you do not have a copy of the NCC you can download one from here: https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-online/NCC .

The NCC refers to Critical Radian Flux – this is the same as the CHF Value on the report.  The CHF requirements differ depending on the type of building, the location of the installation within that building, and whether or not the building has a sprinkler system installed or not.  The requirements in the clause are a minimum – the CHF value on the report needs to be either the same or higher than those values in order to meet the requirements.  In addition, for buildings that do not have a sprinkler system attached the Smoke Value must be less than 750 %.min. For buildings with a sprinkler system there is no requirement on Smoke Value.

Every Clever Choice range has been independently tested by AWTA Product Testing, located in Victoria.

To access our reports, simply click on the Technical Tab in each product range. Click here to be directed to our Product section.

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What is Underlay?

Underlay or underlayment is a term used to describe the thin layer of cushioning between the floorboard and sub-floor.

The thickness of Underlay and requirements for use of Underlay will vary from installation to installation. Some projects will specify a certain type of underlay in the effort to provide added benefits to noise reduction.

View Clever Choices’ range of Underlay to learn more.

What is the ASTM E96 Water Vapor Transmission Rate Report?

Watch the video that explains the test method ASTM E96 for determining the amount of water vapor that will diffuse through a material in the presence of vapor pressure difference

The importance of Underlay Selection

Selecting the right Underlay for your purpose is of great importance,  as it can help in the reduction of heat loss, therefore keeping your energy bills to a minimum and keeping the home warmer.

If maintaining minimal noise impact is important when choosing the right underlay for your purpose, then it is relevant to understand how sound and vibrations travel.

Underlay is not the sole determining factor for achieving ultimate acoustic ratings and reduction in transmission of noise. Each site will perform differently in relation to concrete density, thickness, ceiling systems, window/blind installations, furniture, and other structural and site-specific conditions.

All materials/systems should be independently checked/tested for their suitability to the individual site, project
or other conditions.

Close Button
What is the Clever Choice Warranty period?

The warranty period for Clever Choice flooring including Clever European Engineered Oak, Clever Australian Timber Species, Clever Ultimate Bamboo, Clever Classic Laminate, Clever Hydro, Clever Hybrid, Clever Bamboo is a 30-year residential lifetime structural warranty and 5-year commercial warranty.

What are the Clever Choice Warranty Terms and Conditions?