Use of Oldroyd Xs Flooring Membrane to allow fast-track flooring during the refurbishment of an Oast House near Cranbrook, Kent, UK

The owner of this attractive working oast house in an idyllic setting wished to convert it into a residential dwelling. It was decided that the refurbishment should be in sympathy with the tradition of the building. As such, timber flooring was chosen, as it was felt that it would enhance the warmth and natural ambience of the building.

The Problem

New slabs require time to “dry down”. During the initial stages, high levels of water vapour are released. Laying a timber floor directly onto the slab traps this vapour. Unable to escape quickly enough, it becomes absorbed into the timber, causing the flooring to expand, warp, and distort. In the worst-case scenario, the timber could become affected by dry rot or wet rot.

The Solution

Oldroyd Xs is a 2 mm thick polypropylene membrane with a pattern of x-shaped grooves embossed into it. It is laid to the floor surface area and returned 200 mm up the wall. Joints are sealed using a special butyl sealing tape. The membrane protects the wooden flooring from any water vapour, while the special grooves allow the water vapour to escape into the room. Thus the slab is able to cure correctly without presenting any problems to the floor finish.

The Result

A perfect timber floor can be laid instantly without any of the moisture-related problems normally encountered during fast-track installation.