Stable real-wood floors, supplied and fitted
Engineered oak and wood boards for open-plan rooms, flats and underfloor heating, supplied and fitted.
An engineered board has a real wood surface bonded to a stable core, which makes it a practical choice for the way many Wandsworth homes are used: open-plan kitchens and living rooms, flats, and floors with underfloor heating.
We supply and fit engineered planks and herringbone blocks, and help you choose a board that suits the room and the way you live.
An engineered board has two or more layers. The top layer, called the lamella, is real wood such as oak. Underneath sits a core of plywood or similar material built to resist movement. The layers are bonded together and then finished. Because the core is more stable than a single piece of timber, the board copes better with changes in heat and humidity.
Four things decide how an engineered floor looks and lasts. Overall thickness affects how it meets doors and other floors. The wear layer is the real wood on top. Plank width changes the feel of the room, with wide planks giving a calmer look. The finish, usually hardwax oil or lacquer, sets the sheen and how the surface behaves day to day.
Colour matters too. Light oak, natural oak and smoked tones all read differently under daylight and artificial light, so we recommend viewing samples in the room itself.
If you have underfloor heating, tell us at the start. We check the board manufacturer's guidance, the heating type and the subfloor. The heating usually needs to be brought up to temperature gradually before fitting and then again afterwards, following the board maker's instructions. We confirm the method in your written quote.
Engineered boards come in plank, herringbone and chevron formats. Plank width changes the feel of a room: wide planks give fewer joints and a calmer look, narrower planks feel more traditional. Surfaces can be smooth or brushed, finished in hardwax oil or lacquer in matt or satin. Oak is the most popular species, in tones from pale to smoked.
| Engineered | Solid | |
|---|---|---|
| Movement with humidity | Lower | Higher, so boards are acclimatised |
| Over underfloor heating | Usually suitable | Usually not the first choice |
| Wide planks | Practical | Possible, with more movement |
| Look and feel | Real wood surface on a stable core | Wood all the way through |
In flats, engineered boards are often laid over an acoustic underlay to reduce noise for the neighbours below. Check your lease or building rules before ordering, and allow for the extra thickness at doors, kitchen units and thresholds. We measure these at the survey and plan skirting and beading to finish the edges neatly.
Keep grit off the surface with a door mat, use felt pads under furniture and clean with a damp, not wet, mop and a cleaner suited to the finish. Keep rooms at a steady temperature and humidity. We give you care advice for your board at handover. The manufacturer's guarantee covers the boards, and its terms come with your free quote.
Engineered boards have a real hardwood surface on a layered core, which is why they are popular in new-build flats and townhouses with a screed or concrete base and underfloor heating. The base is checked for moisture first, and a damp-proof membrane is used where needed. Boards are acclimatised, and an expansion gap is left at the walls. Over a flat, dry screed the boards can be glued or floated, depending on the product and the building.
In a terrace, engineered boards can be laid over sound existing floorboards once they are secured and levelled, or over a new plywood layer. The floor lasts best when moisture is steady, so we check the base and leave a gap at the walls to allow for movement. Conservation-area rules cover the outside of a house rather than a floor inside it, but check any listing or lease. Avoid wax polish and steam mops: use a cleaner made for your finish.
A staircase can be clad in matching engineered treads and risers so the floor flows from hallway to landing. Stairs are measured individually because few are perfectly square, and the nosing and edges are planned so the finish is safe and tidy. Mention any staircase when you ask for a quote so it is included in the written price and the same board runs through.
Yes. The surface layer is real wood. The core underneath is a stable engineered material, which is what makes the board resistant to movement.
Neither is better in every case. Engineered suits underfloor heating, open-plan rooms and flats. Solid suits traditional floors in rooms without heating. We recommend based on your room.
Yes. We supply and fit, with the manufacturer's guarantee on the boards.
Use a damp, not wet, mop with a cleaner suited to the finish, keep grit off the surface and put felt pads under furniture. We give you care advice for your specific board at handover.
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