Sub-floors:
Having the best sub-floor means achieving the best results in creating a timber floor.
Screed:
The screed, or generally the load-bearing layer, constitutes the support which must give adequate resistance to the various mechanical stresses imparted by the floor itself and the floor in use, like static and dynamic loads. The screed is always laid on a vapour membrane (on upper levels) or on a vapour barrier (on ground floors or above basements) for insulation. The screed must be gapped and separated from the walls (perimeter joints) by suitable strips of compressible material.
To lay the timber floor the screed must have the following characteristics:
compactness in its full thickness
sufficient and constant thickness (5-7 mm cement screed; 3-5 mm anhydrite screed).
inflexibility, especially in areas where pipes pass below
protection against water seepage and formation of condensation
hard surface
absence of live cracks and fissures
dimensions, planarity and horizontal position
level of surface texture
cleanness
moisture content of laying level and walls (1.7% by weight for the cement screed; 3% by weight for the anhydrite screed).