Care & Maintenance




Natural Wood Made Easier to Live With
When choosing a natural wood floor, two of the first questions are often:


“What about termites?”

“What about moisture and maintenance?”


These concerns can make people reluctant to choose real wood, especially in warm and humid climates.


Holzer Floor was developed with these regional conditions and common concerns in mind. Our stone-core construction, factory-applied surface protection and integrated underlay are designed to make natural oak flooring more practical for everyday use.

However, natural wood is still a natural material. Proper installation, moisture control and simple daily care remain important for long-term performance.

1. Termite Considerations

Holzer Floor uses a stone-based core, which is primarily made from inorganic, limestone-derived calcium carbonate compounds and is not a food source for termites.


However, the top layer is real natural oak, so the complete floor should not be described as completely termite-proof.

For projects where termite protection is important, designers should consider the building’s overall termite-control system, including the subfloor and surrounding structure.

Key takeaway The stone core is not a food source for termites, but proper building-wide termite protection is still important because Holzer Floor contains real natural oak.

2. Moisture & Humidity

Moisture is one of the most important factors in maintaining any natural wood floor.

Holzer Floor’s stone-core construction is designed to provide a more stable flooring structure, but it does not make the floor waterproof.

Before installation:

• The concrete subfloor must be properly levelled.

• The subfloor must be sufficiently dry.

• Moisture conditions should be checked before installation.

• Any water leakage or moisture problem should be resolved first.

Important The integrated underlay does not replace concrete leveling or moisture control. Do not use thicker underlay to compensate for an uneven or unsuitable subfloor.

Key takeaway Good moisture control starts with the building and subfloor—not with the underlay.

3. Easy Everyday Care

Holzer Floor is factory finished before delivery, so the floor arrives finished and ready to install.


For everyday care:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dust and grit.

• Wipe spills promptly.

• Use a soft cleaning method suitable for finished wood floors.

• Use suitable wood-floor cleaning products.

• Place protective pads under furniture.

• Use entrance mats to reduce dirt and sand.

• Avoid excessive water when cleaning.


Avoid

• Standing water

• Excessive wet mopping

• Harsh chemicals

• Abrasive cleaning tools

• Dragging heavy furniture

• Sharp objects directly on the floor

Key takeaway Keep the floor clean, keep it reasonably dry and protect it from unnecessary wear.

4. Natural Oak Will Change Naturally

Natural oak is different from synthetic flooring.


Over time, sunlight and everyday use can gradually change the appearance of the wood. You may also see differences in:


• Color Tone (e.g, darker and lighter)

• Grain

• Knots

• Tiger marks

• Natural character

These are natural characteristics, not manufacturing defects.

The color treatment and protective surface finish help maintain the finished appearance, but they cannot stop natural wood from changing over time.

The beauty of natural wood is that every piece has its own character.


5. Repair: Individual Planks Can Be Replaced


One advantage of a plank flooring system is that a damaged individual plank does not necessarily mean replacing the entire floor.


If one or a few pieces are seriously damaged, the affected plank can be removed and replaced by a trained installer.

Typical replacement process


1. Identify the damaged plank.

2. Cut the plank carefully through the centre.

3. Remove the damaged sections without damaging the surrounding floor.

4. Clean the area and remove remaining material.

5. Prepare the replacement plank.

6. Remove the required tongue from the replacement piece where necessary.

7. Apply the appropriate flooring adhesive to the back.

8. Position the new piece carefully into the opening.

9. Allow the adhesive to cure according to the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.


Important Plank replacement should be carried out by a qualified or experienced flooring installer, particularly when the floor has already been installed and surrounding planks must be protected.

6. Plan for Future Repair

Holzer Floor is made to order. We do not normally keep finished flooring in stock because each project is produced according to its selected colour, plank style and thickness.


For this reason, we strongly recommend planning for future repair during the original order.


Recommended additional quantity


Straight / Herringbone:

• Allow approximately 15–20% installation wastage, depending on the layout.

• Consider keeping an additional 5% for future replacement or repair.


Chevron:

• Allow approximately 20% installation wastage, depending on the layout.

• Consider keeping an additional 5% for future replacement or repair.

The exact quantity should be determined from the actual project layout and installation requirements.


Why keep extra flooring?
The color and natural character of oak may vary between production batches. Having the original flooring stored on site gives the best chance of obtaining a suitable match for future repairs.

For made-to-order natural oak flooring, keeping a small quantity from the original production is a practical form of future insurance.

7. Plan the Layout Before Ordering

For larger or more detailed projects, designers can use AutoCAD or another suitable drawing system to plan the floor layout before ordering.

The floor plan can help determine:

• Plank direction

• Starting point

• Room transitions

• Door and walkway alignment

• Pattern direction

• Estimated cutting and wastage

• Required flooring quantity

For example, the designer can lay out individual plank positions on the drawing to understand where the installation should begin and how the pattern will flow through the room.

This is particularly useful for Herringbone and Chevron, where the direction and starting point have a significant visual effect.

Recommended design process

1. Decide the plank direction

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2. Confirm the starting point

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3. Lay out the pattern digitally

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4. Calculate the required quantity and wastage

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5. Confirm the layout with the homeowner/client

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6. Finalise the order and installation plan

This can also help the project team coordinate the concrete levelling, ordering quantity and installation direction before work begins.

8. After Installation: Let the Floor Breathe

The first days after installation are important.

For approximately the first 7–10 days, allow the newly installed floor to settle under normal, well-ventilated indoor conditions.

Avoid:

• Sealing the room completely

• Covering the entire floor with plastic sheeting

• Trapping moisture beneath protective coverings

• Creating excessive heat inside the room

• Directing strong air-conditioning directly onto the floor

Plastic sheeting can trap moisture against the flooring and create a condensation or “sweating” effect.

Instead:

Allow fresh air to circulate naturally and maintain a stable indoor environment.

9. Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes

Natural wood responds to its surrounding environment.

Avoid creating a strong temperature difference across the floor—for example, directing a powerful air-conditioner continuously at one section of the floor while the rest of the room remains much warmer.

Better practice

• Maintain a reasonably stable indoor temperature.

• Allow normal air circulation.

• Avoid direct, continuous cold airflow onto the floor.

• Avoid extreme heating or cooling.

• Keep the room ventilated during the initial period after installation.

Key takeaway

Natural wood performs best in a stable indoor environment rather than under sudden temperature or humidity changes.

10. Care & Maintenance for Designers

When specifying Holzer Floor, designers should consider more than just colour and appearance.

Specify and plan:

Before ordering

• Colour

• Plank style

• Thickness

• Installation direction

• Layout

• Wastage

• Future replacement quantity

Before installation

• Subfloor level

• Subfloor moisture

• Site conditions

• Installation requirements

After installation

• Ventilation

• Moisture control

• Cleaning method

• Furniture protection

• Future repair requirements

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Key Takeaway

Natural wood does not have to be difficult to maintain.

Holzer Floor combines a real natural oak surface with a dense stone core, factory-applied surface protection and an integrated underlay to create a practical flooring system for everyday spaces.

With proper subfloor preparation, moisture control, simple care and good planning for future replacement, designers can specify natural oak with greater confidence.

Related Topics

Stone-Core Technology →

Why Holzer uses a dense stone-based core.

Integrated Underlay →

1mm IXPE underlay, factory integrated and ready to install.

Surface Protection & Scratch Resistance →

How the factory finishing process protects the natural oak surface.

Water & Moisture Considerations →

What designers should check before installation.

Installation Instructions →

The installation process and important site requirements.

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