Do I need to acclimatise my wood flooring before fitting?
Yes, you must acclimatise your wood flooring before installation. For engineered wood, allow 48–72 hours; for solid wood, give it at least 7 days. Keep the packs flat, unopened, and in a room with stable conditions.
Do I need expansion gaps when fitting wood flooring?
Yes, always leave an expansion gap of 10–15mm around the perimeter of your wood flooring. This allows the wood to expand and contract naturally with changes in temperature and humidity.
What is the best underlay for wood flooring?
The best underlay depends on your floor thickness and room type. We recommend a 3mm underlay for floors up to 15mm thick, a 5mm underlay for anything thicker, and a special 4mm underlay if you have water-based underfloor heating.
Should I choose pre-finished or unfinished solid wood boards?
Pre-finished is quicker to install, unfinished offers more customisation.
What’s the typical lifespan of solid wood flooring?
30–100 years, depending on care and finish.
How do I know when solid wood flooring needs sanding or refinishing?
When it looks dull, scratched, or loses its finish.
Can I lay solid wood flooring in a conservatory or sunroom?
We don’t recommend it — use engineered wood instead.
What’s the best season to install solid wood flooring?
Spring or autumn, when humidity is stable.
Who lays flooring near me?
Use our Checkatrade partnership to find trusted local flooring fitters near you, wherever you are in the UK.
Who installs flooring?
We’ve partnered with Checkatrade to help you find trusted, local flooring fitters for a professional installation.
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