Real wood flooring comes in four constructions, a handful of timbers and a few laying patterns. Here is how they differ, and where laminate and vinyl fit in.
The biggest decision, because it decides where the floor can go.
A real oak layer on a stable multi-ply core. Works over concrete, screed and underfloor heating. Engineered oak.
Oak all the way through. Longest sanding life, but moves more; not suited to underfloor heating. Solid wood.
Genuinely old timber with its own history, cleaned and re-milled. Reclaimed Collection.
Blocks laid in herringbone, chevron or geometric designs, engineered or solid. Oak parquet.
A photograph of wood on a fibreboard core. Cheaper, but cannot be sanded. Laminate vs real wood.
Oak is the standard for a reason.
Oak is hard-wearing, takes stains and oils well and has a strong, attractive grain; it is the most popular flooring timber in the UK. Walnut is naturally dark with a fine grain, a little softer than oak. Douglas fir gives long, wide, straight-grained boards with a Scandinavian feel. Ash, maple and bamboo are seen less often in UK homes.
The choices that decide how the floor looks.
Pattern: straight plank, wide plank, herringbone or chevron. Grade: from clean prime to characterful rustic; see oak grades explained. Finish: oiled for a natural matt look or lacquered for low maintenance. Tone: from white and light to dark and grey.
Send us a photo of the room and tell us about the subfloor and heating, and we will recommend the right board. Or order free samples to see them at home.