Solid Wood Floor Fitting in London

Looking for new wood floors in your property? With over 30 years of experience, our skilled professionals deliver expert solid wood floor fitting in London homes and businesses. With a wide range of property types, we provide precise installations, reliable service, and clear, upfront pricing from the very start. Call us now!

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Solid Wood Flooring Options

Species, Grades and Widths

At Sanding Wood Floors, we offer a wide range of solid wood flooring options to suit different interiors, property styles, and usage requirements. From selecting the right timber species to choosing grade and board width, we guide you through every decision to ensure the flooring looks right and performs well long-term.

Based on Wood Species

Species	Characteristics	Best For	What to Expect
Species Oak	Characteristics Highly durable, strong grain pattern, wide colour range	Best For Most homes, high-traffic areas	What to Expect Ages well, takes stains evenly, very versatile
Species Walnut	Characteristics Rich, dark tones with smooth, consistent grain	Best For Premium interiors feature rooms	What to Expect Naturally darker finish, adds warmth and depth
Species Maple	Characteristics Light colour with subtle, uniform grain	Best For Modern, minimalist spaces	What to Expect Clean look, less grain contrast, smooth appearance
Species Ash	Characteristics Pale tones with bold, visible grain	Best For Contemporary and Scandinavian styles	What to Expect Strong visual texture, brightens spaces

Based on Grades

Grade	Appearance	Best For	What to Expect
Grade Prime	Appearance Very clean, minimal knots, uniform colour	Best For Modern, high-end interiors	What to Expect Smooth, consistent look with minimal variation
Grade Select	Appearance Light variation with small knots	Best For Balanced, natural interiors	What to Expect Mix of clean and natural character
Grade Natural	Appearance Moderate knots, visible grain, slight colour variation	Best For Living rooms, bedrooms	What to Expect Not too clean, not too rustic. Offers a natural, lived-in wood look
Grade Rustic	Appearance Prominent knots, colour variation, natural markings	Best For Traditional or character-rich spaces	What to Expect More texture, visible imperfections add charm

Based on Width

Width Type	Size Range	Effect	What to Expect
Width Type Narrow	Size Range 70–100 mm	Effect Traditional, detailed look	What to Expect More joints, classic appearance
Width Type Medium	Size Range 125–200 mm	Effect Balanced, versatile style	What to Expect Works well in most room sizes
Width Type Wide	Size Range 200 mm+	Effect Open, modern feel	What to Expect Fewer seams make rooms feel larger

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Solid Oak Flooring Fitting(London's Most Popular Choice):

Solid oak remains the most popular choice across London thanks to its durability, versatility, and timeless look. It suits both traditional and modern interiors, takes stains well, and handles daily wear with ease, making it a reliable option for long-term flooring performance.

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Ash, Walnut, Pine and Other Hardwood Species:

Alongside oak, we fit a range of hardwoods, including ash, walnut, and pine, each offering a different look and feel. From light and subtle grains to rich, darker tones, these options allow you to choose flooring that matches your style and suits the way you use your space.

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Herringbone and Chevron Solid Wood Flooring Fitting:

We specialise in fitting patterned solid wood flooring such as herringbone and chevron. These layouts add structure and visual interest to a space, but require precise installation. Our skilled team ensures accurate alignment and a clean finish, so the pattern looks sharp and lasts over time.

All solid wood species must be acclimatised in the room for at least 48–72 hours before fitting begins. This is one of the most commonly skipped steps by trade fitters and the most common cause of early board movement and joint failure. We plan acclimatisation time into every project schedule. For a full guide to preparing your property for fitting, see our hardwood floor fitting preparation guide →

Solid Wood Floor Installation Methods

We use proven installation methods tailored to your property, ensuring your solid wood floor not only looks exceptional but performs reliably over time. Our team selects the right approach based on subfloor type and layout, delivering a secure, long-lasting fit with a clean, professional finish. Most common methods we use for the installation include:

Nail-Down Solid Wood Flooring:

A trusted, traditional method, nail-down installation creates a firm, secure floor that feels solid underfoot. Ideal for timber subfloors, it delivers long-term stability and a classic finish, making it a popular choice for both period and modern homes.

Best for: period properties with existing timber subfloors, ground floor rooms on joists, rooms where gluing to concrete is not possible. Not suitable for: concrete subfloors without batons, below-ground rooms, or over underfloor heating without specific product approval.

Glue-Down Solid Wood Flooring:

Used over concrete subfloors, glue-down installation bonds the boards directly to the substrate using a flexible adhesive that allows the wood to move slightly with seasonal humidity changes. Before gluing, we carry out a moisture test, concrete must read below 75% relative humidity (RH). Where readings are above this threshold, a damp proof membrane (DPM) is applied before adhesive. Skipping moisture testing is the most common cause of glue-down floor failure – we never skip it.

Best for: ground floor flats with concrete slabs, new-build properties with screed floors, commercial spaces with concrete subfloors.

Subfloor Preparation (The Most Important Stage)

A great floor starts with the right preparation. We carefully assess and prepare the subfloor, ensuring it is level, dry, and stable. It is very important for preventing future issues and achieving a smooth, long-lasting installation.

If you live in a leasehold flat or above a neighbour, subfloor preparation is also the ideal stage to add acoustic underlay or insulation, preventing the floor fitting from creating a noise problem once complete. See our floor insulation and soundproofing service →

From Fitting to Finishing: Our Complete Solid Wood Floor Service

We provide a complete, end-to-end solid wood flooring service, managing everything from initial survey to final finish. Using trusted products like Bona, Junckers, Morrells, and Osmo, we maintain full control in-house, delivering consistent quality, better results, and a smooth, hassle-free experience from start to finish.

Step 1: Survey, Product Selection and Quote

We begin with a detailed survey, helping you choose the right wood species, grade, and finish. We guide you through options including Bona lacquers, Osmo oils, and Morrells stains, then provide a clear, upfront quote tailored to your space and requirements.

Step 2: Fitting and Subfloor Preparation

After the acclimatisation period (48–72 hours for solid wood in the room), we prepare the subfloor (levelling, DPM where required), and install the flooring to manufacturer specification. Expansion gaps are left around all perimeters. Skirting boards are removed and replaced, or a matching scotia fitted to cover the gap.

Step 3: Sanding and Finishing (in-house)

Once installed, our sanding team sands the newly laid floor to a consistent level, new boards are never perfectly flush at every joint, and sanding removes those height differences for a completely even surface. The chosen finish (lacquer, hardwax oil or oil) is then applied in 2–3 coats with key-sanding between each. The result is a professionally sanded and site-finished floor that looks and performs better than factory pre-finished boards with no visible joint lines between boards.

Solid Wood Floor Fitting Cost in London

The cost of a solid wood floor fitting in London typically ranges between £35 and £90 per m², depending on the installation method, pattern complexity, subfloor preparation required, and whether sanding and finishing are included. Prices below cover fitting and finishing labour, supply of the flooring is quoted separately after species and grade selection at the survey.

Solid wood floor fitting

£35 – £50 /m²

Installation of boards, basic setup

Fitting + sanding & finishing

£45 – £70 /m²

Installation, sanding, and finishing

Herringbone / Chevron fitting

£60 – £90 /m²

Pattern layout and precision installation

Subfloor preparation

£10 – £25 /m²

Levelling, cleaning, basic prep work

Staining/finishing

£8 – £12 /m²

Colour application and sealing

The supply cost of solid wood flooring varies considerably by species and grade, oak in natural or select grade typically costs £40–£80/m² supplied, walnut £60–£120/m², and herringbone-cut boards carry a further premium due to the pattern cutting waste. We can source flooring directly and include it in a single project quote, or install customer-supplied materials. Total project cost for a typical 25m² London living room (supply, fit and finish) is discussed and confirmed at the free survey.

Final pricing depends on access, floor condition, and project size. A minimum charge may apply. See our full wood floor price guide →

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Professional Deck Sanding and Restoration Services in Cold Norton, UK

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See What Our Happy Clients Have to Say!

Sarah

Maidstone, Kent

★★★★★

"I recently hired Sanding Wood Floors to restore the original floorboards in my Maidstone home, and I couldn't be happier with the results! I highly recommend their services!"

James

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

★★★★★

"As a homeowner in Tunbridge Wells,kent I was amazed by the skill and efficiency of the Sanding Wood Floors team. They brought my worn-out wooden floors back to life, leaving them looking brand new."

Olivia

Ramsgate, Kent

★★★★★

"I'm extremely satisfied with the results. The finished parquet floors are absolutely beautiful and have added so much value to my home. I highly recommend them to anyone in need of wood floor restoration."

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a solid wood floor fitting take?

Fitting time depends on the room size and installation method. A single room of 20–25m² in straight plank: 1–2 days fitting + 1–2 days sanding and finishing. A full house of 80–100m²: 4–6 days fitting + 3–4 days finishing. Herringbone or chevron pattern layouts add 30–50% more fitting time due to the precision required. Acclimatisation (48–72 hours before fitting begins) is built into the project schedule and not included in the fitting day count.

Does solid wood flooring work with underfloor heating?

With limitations, yes. Solid wood can work over underfloor heating if the floor surface temperature stays below 27°C and board widths are kept under 120mm (narrower boards expand less). However, engineered wood is a more stable and reliable choice for UFH installations, its cross-ply construction resists the expansion and contraction that solid wood experiences with temperature cycling. We always advise on this honestly during the survey: if you have UFH and want a real wood look, we will discuss both options and help you choose the right material.

Can I supply my own flooring and just use your fitting service?

Yes, we can install customer-supplied flooring. We’ll first check the material for suitability and condition, then advise on the installation approach to ensure the best possible result and long-term performance.

How much does a solid wood floor fitting cost per m² in London?

Solid wood floor fitting costs between £35–£50/m² for standard straight plank installation, and £60–£90/m² for herringbone or chevron pattern fitting. A complete service including fitting, sanding and finishing runs £45–£70/m². Subfloor preparation is priced separately at £10–£25/m² depending on the work required. Supply of the flooring itself is quoted additionally after species selection at the free survey.

Why is site-finished solid wood better than pre-finished flooring?

Pre-finished boards have a small bevel machined into each edge at the factory. When laid, this creates a visible groove at every board joint across the whole floor, you can see and feel each join. A site-finished floor is sanded completely flat after laying, removing any height differences between boards, and then finished in one application. The result is a single continuous surface with no visible joints in raking light. Site finishing also allows a completely custom colour and sheen level, and produces a tighter bond between finish and wood than a factory coating applied months before installation.

Can the floor be sanded and refinished in the future?

Yes, solid wood floors can typically be sanded 3–5 times over their lifetime, depending on board thickness. This is one of the primary long-term advantages of solid wood over engineered or laminate: the floor can be restored to a fresh finish rather than replaced. Our hardwood floor sanding service handles this, often 10–15 years after the original fitting when the first finish has worn through in high-traffic areas.

Solid Wood Floor Fitting in London

Solid Wood Flooring Options

Based on Wood Species

Species

Characteristics

Best For

What to Expect

Species

Characteristics

Best For

What to Expect

Species

Characteristics

Best For

What to Expect

Species

Characteristics

Best For

What to Expect

Species

Characteristics

Best For

What to Expect

Based on Grades

Grade

Appearance

Best For

What to Expect

Grade

Appearance

Best For

What to Expect

Grade

Appearance

Best For

What to Expect

Grade

Appearance

Best For

What to Expect

Grade

Appearance

Best For

What to Expect

Based on Width

Width Type

Size Range

Effect

What to Expect

Width Type

Size Range

Effect

What to Expect

Width Type

Size Range

Effect

What to Expect

Width Type

Size Range

Effect

What to Expect

Solid Oak Flooring Fitting(London's Most Popular Choice):

Ash, Walnut, Pine and Other Hardwood Species:

Herringbone and Chevron Solid Wood Flooring Fitting:

Solid Wood Floor Installation Methods

Nail-Down Solid Wood Flooring:

Glue-Down Solid Wood Flooring:

Subfloor Preparation (The Most Important Stage)

From Fitting to Finishing: Our Complete Solid Wood Floor Service

Step 1: Survey, Product Selection and Quote

Step 2: Fitting and Subfloor Preparation

Step 3: Sanding and Finishing (in-house)

Solid Wood Floor Fitting Cost in London

Solid wood floor fitting

Fitting + sanding & finishing

Herringbone / Chevron fitting

Subfloor preparation

Staining/finishing

Our Recent Work

Our Other Services