Solid Wood Flooring UK

Solid wood flooring is made from a single piece of natural hardwood, milled into planks or blocks with a tongue and groove profile. Unlike engineered, laminate or vinyl flooring there are no layers and no printed surface. The timber you see on top continues all the way through the board, which is what allows it to be sanded and refinished many times.

With correct installation and normal household care, a solid wood floor can last fifty years or more. Many Victorian and Edwardian homes in the UK still have their original solid boards in place. Because the surface can be sanded back and refinished, the floor is restored as it ages rather than replaced.

Neither is better in every situation. Solid wood gives you more sanding life and a purely natural board, which suits timber subfloors and period restorations. Engineered wood is more stable in changing humidity and is the right choice over underfloor heating or a concrete screed. The subfloor and the heating in your room usually decide it.

 In most cases we would not recommend it. Solid timber expands and contracts more than engineered wood as it heats and cools, which can lead to gapping or cupping. If you have underfloor heating, engineered wood flooring is the safer choice and we can point you to suitable products in that range.

A kitchen is usually acceptable if spills are wiped up quickly and the room is well ventilated, and a lacquered finish is sensible there. Bathrooms, wet rooms and utility rooms are not suitable for solid wood because of standing water and constant humidity. For those rooms we would suggest SPC or LVT instead.

Yes, provided the screed is dry, flat and has a suitable damp proof membrane. The boards must be fully bonded down with a flexible wood flooring adhesive, or fitted over a plywood deck. A moisture test on the screed is essential before you start.

It depends on the thickness above the tongue. An 18mm or 20mm board can typically take four to six full sands over its lifetime, spaced years apart, which is normally far more than a home will ever need.

It is more involved than a click system floor. Solid boards must be secret nailed or fully glued down rather than floated, and the subfloor needs to be flat and dry. Confident DIYers do fit straight plank layouts successfully, but for herringbone, chevron or large areas we would recommend a professional fitter.

18mm is the standard for most UK homes and gives a strong sanding life. 15mm is useful where floor height is limited, such as under existing doors. 20mm and above suits wide boards, joist fixing and long term restoration work.

Choose lacquered if you want the lowest maintenance and the hardest surface film, which suits busy family homes. Choose oiled or hard wax oiled if you prefer a natural matt look and want the ability to repair small areas without sanding the whole room, accepting that it needs re oiling every few years.

Sweep or vacuum with a soft brush head regularly, then clean with a barely damp mop and a cleaner made for wood floors. Never use a steam cleaner and never leave water standing on the surface. Felt pads on furniture and a doormat at the door will do more for the floor than anything else.

Yes. Order samples free of charge and we will post them to you so you can see the grain, tone and finish in your own home, in your own light, before you commit to a full order.