FAQ's
Measure & Quote: We endeavour to make your quoting process simple, easy and fast.
- You can either visit the showroom, have a look around and supply us with your plans to quote off once you have indicated your timber preferences
- You can email the plans to our offices where they’ll be read by a Quantity Surveyor and we can provide a quote if you already know what timber you like
- Book an on-site visit for us to come to you - call 09 4485728 to arrange
- You are welcome to use our showroom to meet with your architect, designer or builder to discuss and finalise your timber choice.
Once your timber floor has been decided on, and quotation accepted online we will initiate the invoicing to confirm your job and secure your timber.
This should be done at your earliest possible convenience, timber is in high demand and with dollar and shipping fluctuations your pricing will only be secured once your deposit is paid.
The number of invoices for your project will depend on its size. Larger jobs may be divided into several progress payments, with the final invoice issued upon completion and sign-off.
We look forward to welcoming you into the Freedom Flooring family soon!
Yes of course we accept credit cards for your convenience - a small charge of 1.75% will be charged for the use of credit cards.
Click here to download a copy of our Brochure, or click here where you can request a brochure to be mailed to you.
You should follow our recommended cleaning procedures.
Do not let people walk on your floor with high heeled shoes.
Glue or tape felt pieces underneath furniture corners, chair legs etc.. these can be purchased of course, or you can just make your own.
Do not spray any aerosol sprays until the polyurethane has fully cured - approximately 7 days.
Do NOT let moving people drag your furniture across your floor - use pads/felt squares or carry everything into place, you will scratch the surface or dent your floor, this occurs mostly with refrigerators and dishwashers.
Most timber floors require minimum maintenance, if looked after correctly.
Generally - a damp mop does the trick (you should not use a wet mop) 1/2 cup of methylated spirits in a bucket of hot water will suffice as a cleaning solution.
Other than that, there are some great timber floor cleaners on the market - we can point you in the right direction.
The ones you buy at the supermarket often contain silicone which is a no-no for timber so stick with meths for best results..
For oiled floors - never use water, follow manufacturers specifications for these surfaces.
Dust/Dust Free: We use top of the line sanding machines with dust collecting equipment. Our sanders will endeavour to clean the dust away by vacuuming down surfaces.
However, it is virtually impossible to totally eliminate dust from the job. At an extra cost we can offer a dust free service with specialized equipment. This equipment is recommended for gymnasiums/restaurants/bars/schools/shops & offices, places that the public frequent and the process of removing dust would impair the operator to open immediately.
For all other situations we can recommend a cleaning service.
If you want your floor to look the best it can, it is imperative there are no more trades left working on your project while your floor receives it's final coat. If deadlines are all over the place, it's best to get the timber down, give it one or two coats then leave it till everyone is finished their work to do the final coat.
Silicone found on the foot wear of plumbers and glaziers can be a problem as it causes a reaction in the polyurethane. Make these tradespeople or your project manager aware of this.
Carpet should not be laid till at least 24 hours after the final coat is applied to your timber, as the fibres float through the air and land in the drying polyurethane.
Once the final coat is applied, you must stay off your floor until the floor sander has advised you may walk on it again, even opening windows and doors can blow dust in to land in the coat before it dries. Don't be tempted to walk on it if it looks dry enough, foot prints have to be sanded out!
You must plan to allow at least 24 hours before you move back in to your house, if you move back in before the polyurethane is fully cured (7 days), then you must follow our instructions below.
You can download our full terms and conditions HERE
Timber flooring requires very little maintenance, but there are a few things you can do to ensure its longevity.
If you see something you like on our website you can order samples to be sent out to you directly.
It is highly beneficial to visit our extensive showroom to view the timbers available, get useful advice and take samples to compare to your paint and other finishings and fixtures - you are also welcome to meet your Designer, Architect or Builder in our showroom to discuss your options.
We will come out to your site and assess it to help you choose the best floor for your needs, equally we can recommend the best timber flooring based off your plans, and purpose for your flooring. Do not hesitate to place an old fashioned phone call to us just for some useful advice, some timbers lend themselves far more favourably than others according to specific situations, it’s a big purchase and you need to be sure you’ve got it right!
Cleaning & Maintenance
Whilst timber flooring requires very little maintenance, there are a few things you can do to ensure its longevity and beauty.
A system of regular sweeping or vacuuming and mopping should keep your timber floor happy, and if you have an oiled floor - regular mopping with specialty oiled timber floor products will help you build a ‘patina’ to the floor which will enhance and deepen your oil finish, while protecting your floor. It’s very important to use products specially designed for maintaining timber flooring to keep it looking fresh and fabulous.
Vacuum or sweep to remove any loose dirt or grit off the floor. The best method of removing dirt and grit is vacuuming with a soft brush attachment on your vacuum, alternatively use a soft broom to sweep prior to damp mop cleaning.
Slightly dampen (never soak) your clean Microfibre cleaning pad and attach to the mop head. Lightly spray a 2m x 1m area of your floor with your Mop using the trigger handle on the mop, then mop that section. Finish one area before moving on to the next. Use the bona spray bottle on localised marks or spills.
Download Water-based Cleaning Guide
or for the Oil Floor Cleaning Guide: Download Guide here.
**The same process applies if you have an oiled floor, however you must only use cleaning products approved for use on oiled wood floors such as Rubio Soap. Simply decant your rubio soap concentrate following the instructions on the bottle. If you use a spray mop, decant into the spray mop cartridge and use your spray mop as normal.
If you are cleaning an oiled floor - you cannot walk on the cleaned floor until it is completely dry, please allow 15 minutes per section to dry before walking on. Alternatively you may want to use Rubio Surface Care, a handy ‘ready to use’ spritzer spray for oiled floors, a fast solution for smaller surfaces or to remove local stains without having to mop the whole floor.
After every few years depending on the wear and tear of your floor, you might like us to do a powerscrub on your floor. The powerscrub will remove the toughest dirt and grime from wooden floors with ease, the machine uses two counter-rotating cylindric brushes that deeply cleans all kinds of timber flooring surfaces, from oiled and polyurethaned floors to rough brushed timber flooring, parquet and engineered or prefinished flooring with bevelled edges. Refreshing with a powerscrub is a ‘halfway’ between your regular cleaning routine and a complete re-surface of your timber floor.
Not only can a powerscrub clean your timber floor, it will refresh any decking that has silvered off and needs a fresh look. Call on 08002410088 or info@freedomflooring.co.nz
After a few years of kids, pets and parties (not necessarily in that order!) you might like to think about whether it’s time to go for a timber floor revival. This is one of the main advantages to timber flooring - the ability to make it fresh again.
So what is the process? It is good for you to keep a record of the type of products used on your floor. So if you are getting your floor finished now, or recently had it finished then retain this information so your flooring contractor can ensure the original and recoat materials are compatible. However, if you don’t have access to this information we can help you.
A recoat involves a solvent wash to your timber floor first, then your floor will be buffed (lightly sanded). The floor is then vacuumed and recoated. Pretty!
For more information call 08002410088 or info@freedomflooring.co.nz
Use stands or plastic pot plant saucers to keep pots off your floor. Moisture that soaks through pots or ceramic plant saucers will destroy the coating and the floor. Use felt protectors under the legs of planters stands.
When a spill occurs, soak up the liquid immediately with paper towels or a towel. Mist the area with a spot cleaner, and mop with your Microfiber mop or a Microfiber Floor Cloth. Never leave puddles of liquid on your timber floor - clean without delay!
When your mop pad becomes soiled, rinse with water and thoroughly wring out the pad. If the mop pad becomes excessively soiled, launder and replace with a clean mop pad. Using excessively soiled pads may cause streaking. Do not use any fabric softeners, dryer sheets or bleach on your Microfiber cleaning pad as these products will weaken the natural cleaning characteristics of the pad.
Lift dust, dirt and grit weekly by vacuuming with the soft brush vacuum head on or sweep with a soft broom. Shake out door mats weekly. Damage often occurs to wooden floors by grit being ground into the surface by walking it in from outside. Use mats to look after your floor - place a door mat outside each of your entrances and if possible a softer mat immediately inside each door - this will help to remove any sand, grit and small stones from soles / feet.
Check and clean the head of your vacuum regularly for grit and debris that may scratch the floor. The frequency of cleaning will depend on traffic and amount of activity from occupants. If the vacuum has broken wheels or the metal parts scrape the floor, then please replace your vacuum head, these can scratch your timber.
NEVER drag furniture across your floor, only lift and carry. Ensure moving people are supervised at all times so that they do not drag furniture or large appliances. When wheeling heavy items (eg: Fridges) use heavy carpet runners or mats to roll the wheels on, as the wheels will dent the floor underneath. Place felt pads under legs of all furniture especially chairs and stools - these can be purchased in handy different sized packs. There are chair caps and felt to suit every application.
Make sure mats and rugs have natural material backings rather than rubber or synthetics which could possibly discolour your floor. Lift wet or damp rugs or doormats immediately to dry, as leaving them will mean your timber will absorb the moisture.
Your floor can be affected by UV rays, so move rugs and mats often during the first few months. New UV double Glazing will minimise this, or you can use UV filters over older/existing glazing. Sheer curtains can look beautiful and will also protect your floor from harsh NZ sun.
ONLY use recommended cleaning products suggested by your provider. Products not recommended could compromise your coating and will void your warranty.
**Warning: Under NO circumstances should you consider using a steam mop on any kind of timber floor. This will delaminate your coating, and permanently destroy the fibres of your timber floor.
**Never ‘wet mop’ a timber floor. A dampened mop is all you need. Clean any spills of water immediately off the floor with a towel.
**After the coating is dried it continues to cure for a few days, During this time please only use a soft broom or vacuum with the soft brush vacuum head setting on to remove general dust and grit - no mopping in this time.**
Glossary of Terms
Concrete slabs in new homes and sometimes older homes can often be too moist to lay timber - or for that matter any other floor covering. Your concrete will be tested using a commercial moisture meter.
There are several solutions if your concrete slab is too moist:
- Plank on Ply: We will glue and nail plywood directly to the leveled concrete surface, then applying the timber by secret nailing.
- Directly on to concrete: A moisture vapour barrier will be applied to the levelled slab, maybe twice according to the moisture level of the concrete. Timber is then glued with powerful industrial quality adhesives and "weighted" while glue cures.
- On joists/Battens: This is where battens or joists are fixed to the levelled concrete - and the timber is then nailed to the battens/joists.
Timber is a live product - it expands and contracts according to weather conditions and temperature, to achieve the best results it is advised that timber must be acclimatized in closed internal room conditions so the boards can reach their appropriate moisture level for at least 1-2 weeks prior to laying.
Often, your concrete sub-floor will not be completely level. Before a timber floor is layed, we will level your floor using a floor levelling compound.
Moisture-cured Polyurethane is a solvent-base Polyurethane that is more durable and more moisture resistant than other surface finishes. Moisture-cured Polyurethane comes in non-yellowing and in ambering types. Curing of this type of finish is by absorbing minute quantities of moisture vapor from the air, which causes them to dry and harden.
Water-based Polyurethane is a water-borne urethane with a blend of synthetic resins, plasticizers and other film forming ingredients that produces a durable surface that is moisture-resistant. These finishes are clear and non-yellowing and are different sheen levels. They have a milder odor than oil-modified finishes have and they dry in about two to three hours. Water-based Polyurethanes are generally more expensive.
A premium product - BonaKemi waterborne Polyurethane has been a tremendous success - it is extremely resistant to wear and provides a clear natural apperance. The product is available in 3 gloss levels.
A natural alternative to Polyurethane it's an enviromentally sound choice. Pallmann Magic Oil is an oil-wax combination that leaves an open, breathing and diffusive surface finish. Due to the wax content, a uniform matt, velvety surface is produced. With Magic Oil 2K Update, thanks to the hardener component, very rapid drying is achieved. This rapid drying, even in extremely heavy wear areas (catering industry, hotels, business premises, offices...) allows renovation work to be completed in the shortest possible time, with no reduction in resistance to mechanical wear or chemicals once allowed to dry overnight. The improved density of the cross-linking action results in a stronger water and dirt repellant surface that cannot be achieved with 1-component parquet oils. Dirt removal compares with that on lacquered parquet/wood floors.
Blonding involves colouring the polyurethane then applying to the timber, each coat making the timber whiter and whiter.
This involves a chemical reaction applied to the timber which then soaks into the timber to achieve the bleaching. Bleaching looks fantastic and really brings out the markings in the timber. Bleaching is a more expensive and time consuming option because of the chemicals used and time required to achieve the desired result. It should be noted that the process of bleaching softens and swells the fibres of the timber making it more susceptable to indentation and scratching.
How to Choose Your Flooring Supplier
It can sometimes be a difficult process choosing your flooring supplier so we’ve put together the top criteria to consider when making this important decision.
Be sure to use this chart to ask your chosen provider the right questions. Flooring is a big purchase so you need to feel confident in your choice.
Together we have over 40 yrs of knowledge in the timber flooring industry as well as 18 talented and professional flooring specialists in the team, some who have been at Freedom Flooring for close to two decades!
A We stand by our work 100%.
We are New Zealand owned and family run – you are our business and we can’t be here without you.
Absolutely – the buck stops here!
We are accredited members of recognised New Zealand and Australian authorities in the flooring industry.
The answer is no! There are no limits – you can have what you want.
We provide flooring samples for you to view in your home or our pretty fantastic showroom at 9a Airborne road, Albany, North Shore – 09 448 5728.
We accept credit cards with no surcharges.
Our website or Facebook page will help – including recent images of completed projects.