Solid wood flooring brings real character to a home; every board unique, every grain with its own story. It’s pure hardwood from top to bottom, made to age beautifully and last for generations. Here are the key questions to help you decide if solid wood is the right choice for your space.
What is solid wood flooring?
Exactly what it sounds like, with each plank cut from a single piece of hardwood. That means no layers, just natural grain and tone all the way through. It gives your room warmth and authenticity that imitation materials can’t quite match.
Because it’s solid timber, you can sand and refinish it multiple times. This means that, even after years of wear, it can be restored. It’s the kind of floor that ages with grace.
Most solid wood floors come in two finish options:
- Lacquered: A smooth, sealed surface that resists wear and moisture. It’s easy to clean and great for busy areas.
- Oiled: Soaks into the grain, enhancing the wood’s natural look and feel with a matt finish.
Both are durable. Lacquer gives more day-to-day protection, while oiled floors are easier to touch up or refresh over time.
Where can you use solid wood flooring?
It’s ideal for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms; places where you want warmth, style and a bit of luxury. Avoid bathrooms and wet rooms though, as moisture can cause movement or warping. If you’re after a wood look in those areas, wood effect tiles are a better fit.
How do you install solid wood flooring?
It takes a bit more preparation than click-fit floors but the result is worth it. Here are the basics:
- Prepare the subfloor: It needs to be dry, flat and stable.
- Let the boards acclimatise: Leave them in the room for about a week before fitting. This helps avoid expansion or shrinkage after installation.
- Leave expansion gaps: Wood moves naturally, so make sure there’s a small gap around the room’s edges.
Fixing methods:
- Over concrete: Use flexible wood adhesive to glue it down.
- Over plywood or joists: Nail through the tongue using a flooring nailer for a clean, hidden finish.
Stagger the joints as you go for a balanced look, then finish with matching skirting or beading and you’re done!
How long does solid wood flooring last?
It’s built to go the distance. With the right care, solid wood can easily last over 100 years; far longer than laminate, vinyl or even engineered wood.
As it’s the same material all the way through, you can sand and refinish it multiple times to deal with scuffs, dents or dullness, each time bringing it back to life.
For comparison, engineered wood flooring lasts for around 25 to 40 years depending on the wear layer, while laminate flooring and vinyl flooring is low maintenance but, once worn, can’t be refinished.
How do you care for solid wood flooring?
Keep it straightforward:
- Sweep or vacuum regularly (use a hard floor setting)
- Mop with a damp, not wet, cloth and a wood-safe cleaner
- Use felt pads under furniture to prevent scratches
- Oiled floors may need the occasional re-oil; lacquered ones can be lightly re-coated over time
A bit of regular care keeps the grain looking beautiful for decades.
Why choose Victorian Plumbing for solid wood flooring?
We make it easy to bring natural beauty into your home, from choosing the perfect finish to laying that final board:
- Huge choice of solid wood floors, all made from real hardwood.
- Clear specifications on thickness, finish and fitting methods, so you know exactly what works for your project.
- Tile and flooring calculator to make sure you order just the right amount.
- Trade accounts available for bigger projects with exclusive bulk savings.
- Flexible finance options to help you spread the cost and start your renovation sooner.
- Rated Excellent for service, with fast, reliable delivery to keep your project on track.
