Traditional floors, supplied and fitted
Solid oak and hardwood floors for period homes and reception rooms, supplied and fitted with the manufacturer's guarantee.
A solid board is cut from a single piece of timber, usually oak, and is what most people picture when they think of a traditional wood floor. It suits period rooms, hallways and reception rooms where you want a floor with a long life.
We supply and fit solid oak and other hardwood floors in homes across Wandsworth, with the manufacturer's guarantee on the boards.
A solid board is wood all the way through. It has a traditional look and feel and can be fitted in a range of widths and grades. Oak is the standard choice, in tones from pale to dark. Other hardwoods such as walnut and ash are also available. We help you choose between grades, which range from clean, uniform boards to ones with more knots and character.
Wood absorbs and releases moisture, so a solid board moves slightly with the seasons. To reduce problems, boards are acclimatised in the room before laying and an expansion gap is left at the walls. The room should be at its normal living temperature. We explain how this works at the survey.
Solid boards are generally not the first choice over underfloor heating, because of the movement. If you have underfloor heating, we will usually recommend engineered boards instead.
Solid boards are commonly secret-nailed to a timber subfloor or battens, or glued to a suitable base. Which suits your home depends on what is underneath. We check this at the survey and put the method in your quote.
Stairs can be part of a job. Mention them when you ask for a quote so the floor can flow from room to room.
Many Wandsworth homes are Victorian or Edwardian, with hallways and reception rooms that suit a solid oak floor. Board width, tone and the direction of the boards all shape how the floor sits with the architecture. Seeing samples next to your skirting and doors helps you pick, so ask about samples when you book the survey.
Oak is the usual species, but walnut, ash and other hardwoods are also available. Grades range from clean, uniform boards to rustic boards with knots and colour variation. Plank width changes the look: wider boards feel more modern, narrower ones more traditional. The right mix depends on the room, the light and your taste.
| Solid | Engineered | |
|---|---|---|
| Movement with humidity | Higher, so boards are acclimatised | Lower |
| Over underfloor heating | Usually not the first choice | Usually suitable |
| Look and feel | Wood all the way through | Real wood surface on a stable core |
Hallways take the most wear, so solid oak is a popular hallway choice. Where the floor meets stairs, thresholds or another room, we plan the detail so the join looks deliberate. Mention stairs when you ask for a quote.
A door mat, felt pads under furniture and a damp, not wet, mop go a long way. Keep rooms at a steady temperature and humidity, because solid wood reacts to changes. The boards carry the manufacturer's guarantee, and we give you the terms with your free quote. R3 Carpentry, who carry out the work, are fully insured.
Many Victorian and Edwardian terrace and townhouse floors have a timber base, which is what solid boards were made for. Solid hardwood boards are usually secret-nailed to joists or to a plywood layer, so the fixings stay hidden. Existing floorboards are checked and levelled first. In a hallway or reception room the result is a floor that can look right for decades with sensible care.
Solid wood reacts to moisture, so the base is checked first. Over a concrete or screed floor a damp-proof membrane is normally needed, and some bases suit engineered boards better. Boards are acclimatised in the room, and a gap is left at the walls. Finishes include hardwax oil and lacquer in matt or satin, and boards can be stained to a tone you choose. We take you through the options at the survey.
Solid oak can run up a staircase as treads and risers, so the hall and landing match. Each step is measured and cut, because older stairs are rarely square. Edges are shaped for a safe, neat finish, and the same finish as the floor keeps the colour even. Include any staircase in your enquiry so it is in the written quote.
Oiled floors look natural and are topped up with a maintenance oil over time. Lacquered floors are harder wearing, but scratches show more. Avoid wax polish, steam mops and soaking the surface, which can harm either finish. Wipe spills quickly and use a cleaner made for your floor, and we will tell you which at handover.
Not always. Solid wood suits traditional floors in rooms without underfloor heating. Engineered is the better choice for heating and wide planks in open-plan spaces. We advise based on your room.
It can be, but kitchens have more moisture and spills. Many people choose engineered boards there. We discuss the room and your habits at the survey.
Yes. Solid boards are acclimatised in the room before laying, so they adjust to its temperature and humidity.
No. We supply and fit new floors. We do not offer sanding or restoration.
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