Solid Elm Flooring

Solid Elm Flooring Features

Elm has been used as flooring for centuries. As well as being beautiful, elm is strong and hard. An elm floor is for the free spirit and definitely not the perfectionist. If you yearn to be surrounded by nature in all its glory we guarantee that an elm floor will make you smile.

Elm is exquisitely beautiful but sadly now very rare. Disease has ravaged our native elms and the remaining trees are only felled if they have succumbed. This is a sad story, but for our part, we think that it is our duty to make sure that any of this beautiful wood that does become available is put to the best possible use. When buying an elm floor you are buying a piece of history.

Make no mistake, laying an elm floor is a challenge and it is not a job for the faint hearted. It will take skill, craft and time, but the end result will knock your socks off.

We can offer you Character grade elm and even more character in the Barn grade elm.

Google Reviews

jamie J.

Good selection of quality hardwoods, great services and really helpful advice from Wolf. Was a very good experience. Many thanks.

Jonathan A.

I've purchased various products from Vastern including cladding, character boards, planned timber and huge oak slabs. Everyone is extremely helpful and professional, especially Wolf who's helped me out many times to find exactly the timber I needed. They always have a large range of character boards in stock and the quality of timber is always exceptional.

phil R.

I visited vastern to collect some samples for a project, I was served by Wolf his knowledge and attitude was amazing I got exactly what I needed plus some very nice planed oak and as a bonus some great firewood. Great service 100% will be back again. Cheers Wolf

Mark N.

I've bought Vastern Timber's modified Brimstone Ash for three different parts of a single project on my house (cladding, roof terrace decking and fence/gate structure) and the results have been stunning. Not only is the timber of the highest quality and looks great, but the attention to detail and helpfulness of the Vastern staff - from placing and adjusting the order to carefully poositioining the load onto my vehicles - has been second to none.

Paul R.

Really good service and really good quality timber. Got some great advice with my latest job from a very helpful guy called Wolf.

Tim R.

Morning Dee,
Pete just delivered the timber! Please could you pass on my thanks to everyone involved for an excellent service and beautiful product. Thanks to the guys in the mill too for pushing this through so quickly. Very much appreciated.
Kind regards
Tim

Steve Cooney F.

Bought some wood for a shelf from Vastern Timbers and had a great experience. Wolf was incredibly helpful—he found the perfect piece for our needs and got it ready quickly. Excellent service and really knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

Frank M.

Excellent service and expert advice given.Very positive experiences
and would highly recommend Wolf .Will definitely return for further products

Charlie K.

I’ve been to Vastern Timber Supply a couple of times now, and each visit has been a great experience. The staff are always helpful, polite, and genuinely friendly, which makes the whole process easy and enjoyable. They have an amazing selection of timber, and I’ve always been able to find exactly what I was looking for. Special mention to Wolf for going above and beyond—he was incredibly helpful and made the visit even better sharing his knowledge and experience. Highly recommend to anyone in need of quality timber and top-notch service!

caspar alexander H.

Great Place, Lovely timber, Wolf was so helpful and accommodating. Thank you

Marianne D.

Great customer service both over the phone before travelling to their site and also in person when I needed some help. They were very helpful.

Ian H.

I regularly use Vastern for purchasing locally grown, sustainably sourced British oak and ash. I then use this for making bespoke fitted and freestanding furniture. The quality of the timber is excellent and reliable. I usually deal with Wolf when I visit who's friendly, knowledgeable and allows time to search for the timber that fits my requirements. The company really cares about what they do, and they promote the conservation and enhancement of British woodlands which is important to me and really sets them apart!

Chris S.

I went to Vastern to get a burr oak waney edge board. Their customer service was excellent, I was given a lot of help and advice to pick out the very board that met my needs to make my river table. I went back to get some planed oak for the legs/base. Thoroughly recommended!
Edit Oct 2024: Visited again to get some planed oak boards for a custom lounge light. Customer service and the personal touch was still top notch!

J A.

Was really impressed with the service at vasterns, knowledgeable, patient and thorough, my client bought three, 1st grade oak waney edge boards and Wolf was on hand to help guide us to the right choice. Top guy, top gear. Was patient and aloud us time to make decisions and think about our options.

No pressure, no rush. Recommended.

Look forward to getting stuck in to them.
Thanks

Oliver M.

I used Vasterns for some ash for a kitchen job and was very pleased with the quantity to choose from, the quality of the timber and the price. The customer service was also excellent. A guy named Wolf took time to help me pick out everything I needed. Left feeling pleased with my haul of timber and will definitely be back.

Harry L.

Brilliant service. Quality product

Ruth H.

Wolf was excellent today helping Steve and I select a piece of wood for a desk and sorting out getting it cut so we could move it back on our truck. Great service and really nice that he was interested in our project. Thanks so much.

John L.

Andrew C.

The Dorset Tree Shepherd Ltd. is extremely pleased to have found Vastern Timber, what an incredible place! Such vast amounts of excellent quality timber, stacked and drying. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, thank you so much to Stefan and Wolf for providing a first class service.

Lois B.

Dropped in by chance recently as I ideally wanted a tactile (kiln dried) oak plank for my bathroom. Amazed at the choice from the warehouse stocked full of various sized planks and woods to chose from! The customer service was excellent, as was the smell - as well as knowing the oak I chose was responsibly sourced!
I would definitely recommend anyone upgrading a table, needing a worktop, making shelves etc visiting this treasure trove for something truly unique & very affordable!

tiger S.

Amazing visit to site. Staff were excellent. All extremely helpful and nice. Wolf help me pick out the perfect bit of wood and was very patient with me. 100% would recommended.

Kevin M.

Tom S.

Something so good about being able to select some great quality timber that has been grown and harvested close to home and skillfully dried and graded by Vastern. I've been using them for years, and always have much appreciated help to select what I need. My customers love to know that the timber used on their project was locally sourced too, which is a bonus.

Oliver M.

Just received my order from Vastern Timber and loved the quality of Brimstone Ash which arrived early. I then ran out and required a small additional quantity and instead of the usual 12 week it was supplied in 3 weeks. Thanks a lot Stefan and the team.

David G.

Since opening our workshop Murray & Gould Ltd in 2022, Vasterns Timber has become our first choice timber merchant. It certainly helps being local, which got us through the door the first time around, but it’s the service and quality of products that keeps us going back.
It’s so easy to make an appointment giving details of what timber and dimensions you wish to select.
The timber is made accessible and ready by the time of the appointment which saves so much time. You are taken through the process by ‘Wolf’, who is happy to help however he can to find the timber boards that you require. He’s incredibly patient and helpful so you don’t feel at all rushed or pressured to select unsatisfactory boards, as is often the case elsewhere.
The prices have been good every time we’ve been and very fair on any ‘character’ in the boards.
If they have, or can source, the species we need, then they are our first port of call. Having been shown round the whole site by Wolf, we have a great picture of the huge stock that is available and the variations within them.
David Gould
Murray & Gould Ltd

Character Grade elm floor

Our Character grade floor is elm at its most natural; full of swirling grain and weird and wonderful shaped knots. The natural colour of elm varies from green to purple and every hue in between.

Barn Grade elm floor

Cut from our biggest trees the Barn grade elm floor boards are wide and wild. These have everything that the character grade boards have plus bigger knots and wandering heart splits. You may even see the odd hunters pellet glinting from the wood.

Call us to discuss your project

01793853281

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Solid Elm flooring specification

Our range of solid elm flooring is supplied in a traditional mixed width format with each floor comprising of three widths. We do this to make best use of each elm tree we cut and because it is the way it has been done for hundreds of years. The board widths are designed to be laid randomly to create a natural looking floor.

Viewing our flooring

To see our full range of hardwood flooring, please come and visit our beautiful oak framed showroom at Wootton Bassett, Swindon, where we display all of our floors as well as many other products.

Availability

Each solid elm floor is created to order. Please allow three to four weeks for production. We can also supply skirting and architraves to match your floor.

Specification

British elm
Ulmaceae
From trees felled due to disease in Britain
Supplied by Vastern Timber (sales@vastern.co.uk)
Traditional mixed width specification
Random lengths
Supplied uncoated

Characteristics

Dimensions

Character grade elm floor
Face widths	Thickness	Profile	Length
100 / 125 / 150mm	20mm	T&G	0.9 – 3.0mt

Barn grade elm floor
Face widths	Thickness	Profile	Length
150 / 175 / 200mm	20mm	T&G	0.9 – 3.0mt
200 – 300mm	20mm	T&G	0.9 – 3.0mt
200 – 300mm	20mm	SE	0.9 – 3.0mt

Widths	We supply our solid elm floors in a traditional mixed width format. You will receive an equal area of each of the three widths.
Moisture Content	10 – 12%
Surface Finish	Supplied planed and unfinished, without coating.

Profiles

Our solid hardwood floors are supplied machined to a tongue and groove profile (T&G) on the long edges. The ends are cut square but may need retrimming on site. The corners are sharp rather than bevelled. The boards are reversible so that you can choose the best face when laying. We also offer our Barn Grade elm floor machined to a simple square edge (SE) profile.

Barn Grade elm floor only

Installation

Acclimatisation

Our solid hardwood flooring is dried to a moisture content of approximately 10–12%. We recommend that you acclimatise your hardwood floor in the house for four to six weeks before being laid.

Fixing options

Board widths	Hidden nail	Glue	Cut nails	Screws	Floating
100 / 125 / 150mm
150 / 175 / 200mm
200 – 300mm

Subfloor suitability

Board widths	Plywood / chipboard	Sealed concrete	Battens	Joists
100 / 125 / 150mm
150 / 175 / 200mm
200 – 300mm

Underfloor heating

We strongly recommend that you do not lay solid elm flooring over underfloor heating

Coating

Our solid hardwood floors are supplied unfinished. Once laid the floor will need sanding and finishing with your chosen flooring specific coating.

Movement

A degree of movement should be expected after fitting and throughout the year as the ambient temperature and humidity in your house varies. Small gaps may open up between some boards.

Disclaimer

While the utmost care has been taken to provide accurate information, Vastern Timber shall not be held responsible for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions on this website nor for any damages resulting from the use of the information.

Further Information

Interior photo of our bespoke elm flooring for London restaurant.

Case study

Bespoke Elm flooring at a London restaurant

Prices

Find our flooring price list here

Engineered oak flooring boards laid flat.

Flooring Types

Not sure if Solid Elm Flooring is for you? Have a look at our other flooring types.