I posted a question on this forum a few months back about laying a B&Q wooden laminate floor.  Thanks again to all who responded - the job went very well and the end result was very impressive.  His wife thought it looked great - the ultimate test!!

The plastic membrane my mate supplied was in fact specifically designed for wooden floors so all was OK in that department.

Just after laying the floor and whilst doing some other work we kept getting static electricity shocks whenever we touched the metal (earthed) light switches.  This was most disconcerting  

Now that the skirting boards have been fitted and all the furniture is in this does not seem to be a problem any more.

Is this a problem that anyone else has come across??

My schoolboy physics tells me that wood is not a conductor - but are the skirting boards (at some points in contact with the floor) somehow earthing the floating wooden foor ??

Any ideas chaps ??

The static is building up on your body and clothing - you then discharge to any earthed component.  Try it in the dark by holding a screwdriver and watch the spark jump to earth.

To check this out try walking around naked all static should go.  I tried to do this at the local Library but got kicked out - they would not listen to my saying it was a technical experiment

The reason for now but not before is probably down to the fact that you are now better insulated from earth as you wander around.

Or he has stopped wearing nylon underpants