Solid oak in a detached Weybridge property — a specification choice the client had been considering for several years. The existing suspended timber subfloor was in good structural condition and provided an ideal base for a secret-nailed solid installation.
The clients chose solid over engineered primarily because they wanted a floor that could be sanded multiple times over its lifetime. With two teenage children and plans to remain in the property for the long term, the ability to refresh the floor in ten or fifteen years without replacement was important to them. Solid oak, properly installed, will outlast the house.
The 180 × 20mm solid European oak boards were acclimatised on-site for ten days before installation. The subfloor was checked for moisture, squared, and re-screwed where necessary. Boards were secret-nailed at 45 degrees through the tongue, working from a straight datum line established along the longest wall. The installation took nine days across the full ground floor.
The solid oak has the warmth and substance that engineered floors, however good, do not quite replicate. The floor creaks very slightly in one area — as all solid floors on suspended timber subfloors do — and the client was informed and accepting of this before installation. The hardwax oil finish was applied on-site in two coats with a light buff between.
Every enquiry is reviewed personally. We'll come back to you within one working day.
Our Process
Every LIGNORA project begins with a home visit — we assess the subfloor, measure the space, discuss the brief, and bring sample candidates before writing a quote. This project was no different. The subfloor was assessed, moisture tested, and prepared before the floor was delivered to site for acclimatisation.
The floor was delivered to site and acclimatised in the property for the full required period before a single board was fixed. All LIGNORA floors are acclimatised in the actual conditions of the property — not in a van or garage. This is the single most important step in ensuring the floor performs across its lifetime.
Our installation team carried out the full job — subfloor preparation, installation, and on-site finishing — without subcontracting any element. The client received a seasonal installation warranty, written aftercare guidance, and a follow-up visit to confirm the floor had settled correctly.
Why Clients Choose LIGNORA
Own team only
No subcontractors on any LIGNORA installation. The people who quote the job are the people who lay it. Accountability from start to finish.
Acclimatisation without exception
Every floor is acclimatised in the property before installation. This is the step that determines long-term performance. We build it into every project schedule — it is never skipped.
Seasonal installation warranty
Every project comes with a seasonal warranty covering the installation through its first full temperature cycle. We follow up after installation to confirm the floor is performing as expected.