ENGINEERED WOOD
Real oak, engineered to be stable over underfloor heating and British humidity. Our Chorley barn conversion shows exactly what a 120m² engineered oak floor looks like when it is specified properly.
What you get with engineered wood
Real oak, engineered to be stable over underfloor heating and British humidity. Our Chorley barn conversion shows exactly what a 120m² engineered oak floor looks like when it is specified properly.
- Free home survey and laser measure of every room
- Written, itemised quote with no obligation
- Old floor removal and disposal included
- Fully insured installers with comprehensive guarantees
What makes the difference
Timber moves, and engineered oak is built to move with it. We hold each board to a 6–8% moisture content for the property, acclimatise the packs inside for a week before laying, and leave a gap at every wall so the floor can breathe through its worst winter.
European Oak Species
Genuine European oak in a range of finishes, from natural oiled to smoked and brushed for a darker, wire-brushed look.
UFH Compatible
Engineered construction with a suitable thermal resistance, so real timber works safely over underfloor heating systems.
Herringbone & Chevron
Full pattern work in engineered oak, laid from a laser-set centre line across the full room to avoid pattern drift.
Wide Plank Availability
190mm and wider planks in fixed lengths to minimise end joints and give a cleaner, calmer floor line.
Subfloor Prep Included
Ply boarding, damp proof membrane and acoustic underlay supplied and fitted as part of the installation.
Staged Commissioning
With underfloor heating we bring the system up slowly on a staged schedule to protect the timber during the first weeks.
Engineered Wood FAQs
Everything about engineered oak that catches people out: whether it is genuinely suitable over underfloor heating, how to care for an oiled finish, and what happens to a gapped floor in January.
What is the difference between solid and engineered oak?
Solid oak is a single timber layer, typically 14-20mm thick. Engineered oak is a real oak wear layer bonded to a plywood or softwood base, making it far more dimensionally stable and therefore the correct choice over underfloor heating.
Is engineered oak suitable for kitchens?
It works well in kitchens if you maintain sensible water exposure and wipe spills promptly. For fully wet rooms such as bathrooms, we would normally recommend safety vinyl or LVT instead, because real timber and standing water are not a good pairing.
How long does engineered oak last?
A quality engineered oak floor with a 3mm+ wear layer should last 25-30 years in a domestic property with normal maintenance. We supply board lengths and wear layers sized to the traffic level of the room.
Can engineered oak go over concrete?
Yes, provided the subfloor is prepared correctly. We lay a moisture-resistant plywood base, a damp proof membrane, and an acoustic underlay before the timber is floated or bonded. Our Chorley barn project was a full concrete slab.
Other services
Book your free engineered wood survey
Free home survey, free laser measure and a written quote with no obligation. We cover ten areas around Bolton.