Hello,
the parquet flooring was installed in our house at the end of last week.
It was planned for the screed to be lower than in the adjacent rooms (kitchen and hallway).
We do NOT have any "extra-thin" parquet, which apparently exists for cases without a lowered screed.
Nevertheless, the parquet is now about 1.2 cm (0.5 inches) lower than the adjacent floor level. Our site manager and the flooring installer say this is "normal" and therefore not a defect. They claim there are no specific guidelines or standard measurements.
We find this very disturbing because such a large difference cannot simply be adjusted by "overlaying" the floor.
Online, I only found one reference in regulations for public areas regarding this issue.
They consider a difference from 4 mm (0.16 inches) upwards as a tripping hazard.
Could anyone tell me if it is possible to apply these kinds of standards or recommendations to private homes in any way?
Raising the floor level is unfortunately not an option because it would significantly affect the function of the underfloor heating.
Best regards,
Hilaria
the parquet flooring was installed in our house at the end of last week.
It was planned for the screed to be lower than in the adjacent rooms (kitchen and hallway).
We do NOT have any "extra-thin" parquet, which apparently exists for cases without a lowered screed.
Nevertheless, the parquet is now about 1.2 cm (0.5 inches) lower than the adjacent floor level. Our site manager and the flooring installer say this is "normal" and therefore not a defect. They claim there are no specific guidelines or standard measurements.
We find this very disturbing because such a large difference cannot simply be adjusted by "overlaying" the floor.
Online, I only found one reference in regulations for public areas regarding this issue.
They consider a difference from 4 mm (0.16 inches) upwards as a tripping hazard.
Could anyone tell me if it is possible to apply these kinds of standards or recommendations to private homes in any way?
Raising the floor level is unfortunately not an option because it would significantly affect the function of the underfloor heating.
Best regards,
Hilaria
B
Bauexperte23 Apr 2013 12:37Hello,
Stay persistent and submit a formal notice of defects with a deadline. You are not obliged to know the DIN standards... Your general contractor owes you a defect-free service; they should coordinate with the screed installer or the wood flooring specialist.
Regards, Bauexperte
Hilaria schrieb:Provided that the different floor coverings were known from the start, the statement from these two gentlemen is pure self-protection... they should look at comparable rulings.
Nevertheless, the parquet floor is now about 1.2 cm (0.5 inches) lower than the adjacent level. Our site manager and the floor installer say this is "normal" and therefore not a defect. There are no defined "figures" [...] Raising it is unfortunately not possible, as it would significantly affect the function of the underfloor heating.
Stay persistent and submit a formal notice of defects with a deadline. You are not obliged to know the DIN standards... Your general contractor owes you a defect-free service; they should coordinate with the screed installer or the wood flooring specialist.
Regards, Bauexperte
@Meecrob, why do you think I’m avoiding the questions?
The floor finishes were specified in the construction documentation and included in the floor plans. It states:
Hallway / Kitchen = Tiles
Living area = Parquet flooring
Whose responsibility is it to determine the correct screed thickness for this? Mine? Why do I have and pay for a construction company and a site manager?
On site during the installation, the plans were reviewed again and it was clearly communicated that parquet would be installed in the living area. I assume that the specialist contractors know what screed height is required, and if not, they should ask the responsible parties for this information.
What do you think I should have done differently or better?
Hilaria
The floor finishes were specified in the construction documentation and included in the floor plans. It states:
Hallway / Kitchen = Tiles
Living area = Parquet flooring
Whose responsibility is it to determine the correct screed thickness for this? Mine? Why do I have and pay for a construction company and a site manager?
On site during the installation, the plans were reviewed again and it was clearly communicated that parquet would be installed in the living area. I assume that the specialist contractors know what screed height is required, and if not, they should ask the responsible parties for this information.
What do you think I should have done differently or better?
Hilaria
Hello building expert,
the floor coverings were known from the beginning and, as already mentioned, were documented in the detailed construction plan.
On site, I was told that the screed in the parquet area must be lower, but I don’t understand why it is now about 1 cm (0.4 inches) too low.
As mentioned in the initial post, we also do not have the “extra” thin parquet, which apparently exists to prevent this height difference in older buildings.
I will record this because I consider it a defect.
My builder says it is not a defect, which is the crucial question. Who defines a defect in this case? And what would a solution look like? Apart from the above-mentioned article—intended for public buildings and workplaces—which refers to > 4 mm (0.16 inches), I have not found anything that leads to a definitive statement.
Hilaria
the floor coverings were known from the beginning and, as already mentioned, were documented in the detailed construction plan.
On site, I was told that the screed in the parquet area must be lower, but I don’t understand why it is now about 1 cm (0.4 inches) too low.
As mentioned in the initial post, we also do not have the “extra” thin parquet, which apparently exists to prevent this height difference in older buildings.
I will record this because I consider it a defect.
My builder says it is not a defect, which is the crucial question. Who defines a defect in this case? And what would a solution look like? Apart from the above-mentioned article—intended for public buildings and workplaces—which refers to > 4 mm (0.16 inches), I have not found anything that leads to a definitive statement.
Hilaria
B
Bauexperte23 Apr 2013 14:01Hello,
As I already mentioned, you don’t need to be familiar with the DIN standard. But if it helps to clarify, it is, in my opinion, DIN 18202 – permissible flatness tolerances for surface-finished floors, such as screed. 4 mm (0.16 inches) is the maximum allowable tolerance; so it’s quite challenging for the screed installer.
Whether 1.2 cm (0.47 inches) can be evened out using a leveling compound, I cannot answer reliably; I’m neither a screed installer nor a tiler. However, I think it should be possible, as tilers usually work with not much less.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Hilaria schrieb:
Who defines a defect in this case? And what would a solution look like? Apart from the article mentioned at the beginning—for public buildings and workplaces—which refers to > 4mm, I haven’t found anything leading to a definitive statement.
As I already mentioned, you don’t need to be familiar with the DIN standard. But if it helps to clarify, it is, in my opinion, DIN 18202 – permissible flatness tolerances for surface-finished floors, such as screed. 4 mm (0.16 inches) is the maximum allowable tolerance; so it’s quite challenging for the screed installer.
Whether 1.2 cm (0.47 inches) can be evened out using a leveling compound, I cannot answer reliably; I’m neither a screed installer nor a tiler. However, I think it should be possible, as tilers usually work with not much less.
Best regards, Bauexperte
P
perlenmann23 Apr 2013 14:19I don’t remember where I read it:
It’s not you who has to prove that there is a defect, but your general contractor has to prove that there isn’t one!
But I still don’t fully understand it, since with us, tiles with adhesive are level with parquet with adhesive.
It’s not you who has to prove that there is a defect, but your general contractor has to prove that there isn’t one!
But I still don’t fully understand it, since with us, tiles with adhesive are level with parquet with adhesive.
Hilaria schrieb:
It was specified in the detailed planning and included in the plans for the floor covering. It states:
Hallway / kitchen = tile
Living area = parquet
Hilaria Are there no height details in your detailed planning? For us, the tiles were specified at 11mm (0.43 inches) thickness and the cork (this specification came from us as DIY work) at 8mm (0.31 inches). We also have an offset of about 3–4mm (0.12–0.16 inches) — but the people responsible here refer to the Bauexperte’s DIN standard to justify that this is within the tolerance. However, isn’t every parquet floor potentially different in thickness? Therefore, can the screed installer only determine and compensate for the height difference based on the specified thicknesses (8mm / 12mm etc.)?
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