Solid Wood Flooring: What to Know Before You Choose

A quick guide to make sure that your solid hardwood floor performs well for decades.

A good hardwood floor does its job quietly.
It feels warm. Looks calm. Grounds a space.

A bad one makes itself known.
Gaps. Creaks. Bulging boards. Doors that suddenly won’t shut. Heating dialled down because the floor can’t cope.

That usually isn’t the timber’s fault.
It’s the decisions made before installation.

This is what actually matters.

Solid wood flooring vs engineered: start here

This choice should be about the building, not the brochure.

Engineering wood flooring uses a hardwood top layer bonded to a plywood base. The structure makes it more stable and easier to install then a solid hardwood floor. Because of its improved stability, engineered flooring is the best choice for use over underfloor heating.

Solid wood flooring is timber all the way through. It has authenticity and charm that engineered flooring cannot recreate. But, being solid hardwood, it does react more to changes in temperature and moisture. Installed well, it’s expectational. Installed badly, it’s unforgiving.

If the house moves of the conditions change, the floor will too. Choose accordingly.

Common myths about solid wood flooring that are worth ignoring

“Hardwood floors are fragile.”
Not when installed and finished properly. Scratches tend to soften over time, not ruin the floor. Good quality hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times.

“Wood moves too much.”
Wood responds to moisture. Predictably. Wood grows when wet and shrinks when dry. Match the moisture in the wood to the humidity in your house and movement will be minimal. Problems usually come from damp screed and plaster, rushed installs, or poor site conditions.

Mistakes that cause most problems

Installing too early
Plaster and screed hold moisture long after they look dry. Measure the humidity in your house. The target is 40 to 50% relative humidity. [Read more]

Poor subfloors
Uneven or damp bases will cause movement, noise and failure. Your floor will only be as good as the base you lay it on. Time spent getting the sub floor right is a worthwhile investment.

No room to move
Give timber room to move. Expansion gaps around the entire perimeter of the floor (including the fireplace!) are essential . Especially in large spaces.

Oiled floors will benefit from periodic top-ups.
Lacquered floors need less routine care but are harder to repair locally.

Stable indoor humidity matters more than most people realise. Buy a meter and aim to maintain a humidity between 40 and 50% throughout the year.

Final thoughts

Decide early whether this is a long-term floor or a short-term finish. That decision affects everything else.

Think about thickness, door clearances, skirting details and transitions before the boards arrive on site.

If you’re using underfloor heating, engineered boards are the sensible choice.

And accept this: Timber changes. Colour softens. Life will leave its mark. That’s not failure. That’s honesty.

A well-chosen hardwood floor does more than look good. It brings a natural material into everyday life, reduces visual noise, and makes spaces feel calmer and healthier. Real wood has been shown to support wellbeing, concentration and stress reduction.

Not bad for something you walk on every day.

We are here to help you make the right decision. Bring your ideas and plans, visit our showroom and ask the awkward questions.