Wood Flooring for Apartments London

The Key Considerations

What Makes Apartments
Different

Acoustic Requirements

Most London apartment leases require an acoustic underlay beneath any hard floor covering. The specification varies — some leases specify a minimum Impact Sound Reduction value (typically 18–22dB), others simply require a recognised acoustic underlayment system. We check the lease requirement before specifying and use acoustic underlays rated for the required performance.

Floating installation over acoustic underlay is the most common approach in apartments. Glue-down to concrete is also used where acoustic performance is less critical, or where the floor is above a ground floor or commercial unit rather than another residential property.

Lease requirement checked at survey

Management Company Approval

Many leasehold apartments require management company or freeholder approval before a hard floor can be installed. Some require submission of the proposed specification — the product, the acoustic underlay, and the installation method — before work begins.

We can provide the technical documentation required for a management company submission — product data sheets, acoustic performance data, and a description of the installation method. We recommend obtaining approval in writing before any order is placed.

Documentation provided for submission

Concrete Subfloors

Most post-war London apartment buildings have concrete subfloors. Engineered oak is the correct specification — solid wood should not be installed on concrete because the residual moisture in the slab, even when cured, causes movement over time.

We test the subfloor for moisture at survey stage and confirm the readings are within the acceptable range for the adhesive or floating installation specified. If the readings are elevated, we advise on a damp-proof membrane before flooring is installed.

Moisture tested at survey

Underfloor Heating

Electric UFH systems are increasingly common in London apartment refurbishments — easier to install than wet systems and controllable room by room. All engineered oak in our collection is UFH compatible. The key requirement is commissioning — the UFH system must be run through a controlled warm-up cycle before the floor is installed above it.

All products UFH compatible

Transitions & Thresholds

Apartment layouts often require careful threshold management — between rooms, at bathroom and kitchen doorways, and at the front door. Floating installation requires expansion gaps at all perimeter walls and transitions, covered by appropriate trims. We include threshold and trim specification in every apartment quote.

Included in every quote

Access & Logistics

Apartment installations involve logistics that house installations do not — lift access, material delivery to upper floors, restricted working hours in some buildings, and protection of common areas during material movement. We assess access at survey stage and include any relevant logistics considerations in the installation plan.

Access assessed at survey

Installation Methods for Apartments

Floating vs Glue-Down
in an Apartment Context

Floating Installation

Boards are clicked together and laid over an acoustic underlay — no adhesive contacts the subfloor. The floor moves as a single floating plane, accommodating seasonal expansion. Expansion gaps at all walls and transitions are covered by skirting and threshold strips.

Floating is the standard method for apartment wood floors because it is acoustic underlay-compatible, reversible, and does not require the adhesive cure times that glue-down installations need. It is suitable for all engineered oak products in our collection.

The acoustic performance of a floating installation is determined by the underlay — we specify the underlay to meet the lease requirement rather than simply using a standard product.

Standard for most apartments · Acoustic underlay required

Glue-Down

Boards are fully bonded to the concrete subfloor with a professional wood floor adhesive. Glue-down creates a more stable installation that does not move as a floating plane — more appropriate for very wide boards (220mm+) where a floating installation can produce a slight springiness underfoot.

Glue-down does not inherently provide acoustic isolation — where acoustic performance is required, a separating layer must be incorporated beneath the adhesive bed, or an acoustic adhesive system used. We specify this where the lease requires it.

Glue-down requires a clean, dry, prepared subfloor — and a minimum waiting period after installation before the adhesive has fully cured and the floor can be used normally.

Better for wide boards · Acoustic layer required if lease specifies

Best for
Apartment Installations

Signature Collection

190mm engineered oak — floating or glue-down. Rustic and classic grades. All UFH compatible. The most-installed range in London apartments.

View Collection →

Prime Grade Collection

Herringbone and wide plank in prime AB grade. Tight, consistent grain — works well in contemporary and minimalist apartment interiors.

View Collection →

Design Collection

Patterned formats — herringbone and chevron — for apartment reception rooms where the floor leads the interior scheme. Glue-down only.

View Collection →

Wood Floors in Flats,
Answered

The questions we are asked most often.

Ask Us Anything →

Do I need acoustic underlay for wood flooring in a London flat?

Most London apartment leases require acoustic underlay beneath any hard floor covering. The specification varies — some leases require a minimum Impact Sound Reduction value, others require a recognised acoustic underlayment system. We check the lease requirement at survey stage before specifying.

Do I need management company approval to install wood flooring?

Many leasehold apartments require management company or freeholder approval before a hard floor can be installed. We can provide all technical documentation required for a management company submission, including product data sheets, acoustic performance data, and installation method descriptions.

Can engineered oak be installed on a concrete subfloor in a flat?

Yes. Engineered oak is the correct specification for concrete subfloors. Solid wood should not be installed on concrete. We test the subfloor moisture at survey stage and confirm readings are within the acceptable range before installation begins.

Is floating or glue-down better for an apartment?

Floating installation is the standard method for apartment wood floors — it is acoustic underlay compatible, reversible, and does not require adhesive cure times. Glue-down is better for very wide boards (220mm+) where floating can produce slight springiness, but requires a separate acoustic layer where the lease specifies performance requirements.