Carpet became popular in Britain during the 1980s. In Europe, where homes were less draughty, wood floors have remained the norm. The most popular species is oak - for its natural beauty, durability, and because it is grown locally (European forest cover is increasing at 3% a year). However, there are hundreds of species of wood in the world. And within each species no two trees are identical. This means every floor has its own unique colours and pattern (grain). Added to this, the way the planks are cut (wide or thin) and finished (oil, wax, varnish or lacquer) affects their appearance once laid and, as it ages, the wood continues to develop. One advantage of a solid wood floor is that it can be refinished. Day-to-day cleaning just needs a very slightly damp mop, a soft brush and a light wax or polish every so often. However, if it gets damaged it can easily be reconditioned in just few hours using a special sanding machine. The result is, effectively, a brand new floor, which can also be stained and finished to bring out a different colour or appearance. The alternative to solid wood is 'engineered' wood flooring. This is effectively a layer of real wood stuck to a stable block-wood base. These floors are very stable and, therefore, much more tolerant to damp and uneven sub-floor. However, at first look, even the experts have trouble telling the difference between engineered and solid. Every floor we put down is a lifetime advertisement for wood flooring (which we obviously think is great) and for Arbor Timber. This is why we take care to get it right. If you are considering a wood floor, the first thing to do is give us a call or come and visit the showroom. If you would prefer to visit the showroom we have large-scale samples that give a truer depiction of how the flooring looks.

Estimate We then can arrange a time, at your convenience, to come out with samples and conduct an estimate. We will measure the dimensions of the room, test for damp, listen to your plans, and advise where appropriate. If you choose to go ahead, the next thing we must do is deliver the wood. Since wood is a living material, it needs to arrive several days before the fitting starts in order to let it adjust to the temperature and humidity of its new environment. For this reason, the best place to let it rest is in or near the room in which it will be laid.

Fitting Before fitting begins it is important to remove all furniture and that any plastering, levelling or painting is completely dry. Like a carpet, a wood floor should be one of the last things to be fitted. Fitting usually takes a few days for an average size living room. This can be more if the sub-floor needs levelling or if there are lots of corners or additional fixtures. At the end of each day, the fitting team clear all their work and, for safety reasons, remove their tools (for extra peace of mind, they are also fully insured). We are also able to customise additional fixtures (e.g. steps, thresholds, skirting and architraves) and, at the same time, supply and fit doors and staircases. One supplier from start to finish. Finally, if you already have a floor that is damaged or needs to be renewed, please call us. Since each floor we lay is our investment, as much as it is yours, we also recondition existing floors to ensure they stay smart for life If you have any questions about our hardwood flooring or you would like to arrange a site visit please do not hesitate to call us on 0191 378 2800