Real wood character.
The stability your heating system demands.
Engineered wood combines a genuine timber wear layer with a stable ply core. The most popular wood floor in London — suited to properties with central heating, underfloor heating or original Victorian subfloors.
The most popular wood floor in London for good reason.
It has the look of solid hardwood, handles the conditions of a centrally heated home, and lasts long enough to sand and refinish twice during its life.
Real wood wear layer
The surface is genuine timber — oak, walnut, ash or maple. The grain, character and natural variation are identical to solid hardwood. The ply core is what makes it stable.
Handles central heating
Engineered boards stay flat as room temperatures change with the seasons — a key advantage over solid wood in centrally heated London properties.
Compatible with underfloor heating
Most engineered products carry formal UFH approval for both wet and electric systems. We verify compatibility during specification — not after the boards have been delivered.
Suited to period properties
Victorian and Edwardian joists move seasonally. Engineered boards accommodate this movement without the cupping or gapping that solid wood can develop over original timber subfloors.
Sand and refinish 2–3 times
Enough to restore the floor twice over its life — typically at years 12–15 and again at years 25–30. Each sanding brings the floor back to near-new condition.
Multiple species and finishes
Oak, walnut, ash and more in brushed, oiled, lacquered and white-oiled finishes. We hold trade accounts with Havwoods and Ted Todd for access to the full ranges.
The subfloor is where most wood floors fail. We fix it first.
Moisture causes engineered boards to cup. An unlevel screed causes them to spring and creak underfoot. An unacclimatised board gaps in its first winter. Every one of these failures is avoidable — which is why we test the subfloor before quoting and prepare it properly before any material goes in.
Six steps from survey to a finished floor.
The same process on every job. No shortcuts, no skipped acclimatisation, no levelling done by eye.
Survey & moisture assessment
We visit and test the subfloor with a calibrated Protimeter. Moisture readings determine whether a DPM is needed and which adhesive system is correct for the product and subfloor type. We do not quote without this step.
Free visit, 45–60 minutesProduct specification
We match the board to the room — subfloor type, UFH presence, the room's humidity profile, and the look you want. Trade samples from Havwoods and Ted Todd brought to the survey visit.
Fixed quote within 3 working daysSubfloor preparation
Concrete subfloors levelled to ±3mm per 2m with self-levelling compound. Timber subfloors inspected for movement — loose boards screwed, damaged sections replaced, ply deck laid where required.
1–2 days typicallyAcclimatisation
Boards delivered to site and left to adjust to the room's temperature and humidity for 48–72 hours minimum. Skipping this step is the primary reason engineered floors gap in their first winter.
48–72 hours minimumInstallation
Boards laid in the correct direction for the room and its main light source. Expansion gaps maintained throughout. Adhesive or secret-nail method chosen based on the subfloor and product specification.
1–3 days depending on areaFinishing & walk-through
Skirting, beading and threshold bars fitted and caulked. Doors trimmed for clearance. Full walk-through with you — anything imperfect fixed before we leave. Written 1-year fitting guarantee issued.
Guarantee covers workmanship, not material wear4.7 stars from 386 verified reviews.
A selection of feedback from homeowners we have fitted engineered wood flooring for across London.
“The survey was thorough — they found a damp patch under the concrete we had no idea about and fixed it first. The floor has been down 18 months and there is no movement at all.”
T.W.
Highgate, North London
“We have had floors fitted before and never had it done this carefully. The acclimatisation, the expansion gaps, the threshold bars — every detail was handled properly. It shows in the result.”
R.B.
Clapham, South London
“Used them after another company's floor started lifting within a year. The difference in approach was immediate — they tested the subfloor moisture before quoting, not after it failed.”
A.H.
Islington, London
Thinking about engineered wood flooring for your property?
Free subfloor survey. Fixed-price quote within 3 working days. 1-year written fitting guarantee.
Engineered wood flooring questions, answered.
Engineered wood has a genuine timber wear layer — solid wood, typically 3–4mm thick. The grain, character and ageing of the surface are real. Laminate has a photographic surface that mimics wood — it is not real wood and cannot be sanded. Engineered wood can be sanded and refinished two to three times over its life; laminate cannot.
Solid hardwood is the same species of timber throughout — 18–22mm of solid oak, for example. It can be sanded five to eight times over its life. Engineered wood has a real wood surface bonded to a plywood core. It can be sanded two to three times. The ply core makes engineered wood more stable — it handles central heating and UFH better than solid, which makes it the more practical choice for most London properties.
Yes — most engineered products carry formal approval for both wet and electric UFH systems. The key is specifying a product that is rated for the UFH system in the property. We check this as part of the specification process.
Typically two to three times, depending on the wear layer thickness. A 4mm wear layer allows two full sandings. Some thicker products allow three. That is usually enough to restore the floor twice during its life — at around years 15 and 30.
Oak is the most widely specified — durable, available in a wide range of finishes, and suited to most property types. Walnut is a darker, more premium option for studies and reception rooms. Ash has a distinctive pale grain. We hold trade accounts with Havwoods and Ted Todd and can source from their full ranges.
Both. We supply and install from our trade accounts, or we will fit boards you have already purchased. If you supply, share the technical specification before the survey so we can confirm the correct subfloor preparation and adhesive.
It is priced separately and itemised in the quote — because the extent varies by property. We will not skip it to hit a price point. Every quote includes a specific line for subfloor preparation with a clear scope.
Fine gaps in winter that close in summer are normal seasonal movement. If boards are cupping or gaps are growing and not recovering, that points to a moisture or acclimatisation issue. If it is within a year and attributable to our work, we return under the 1-year fitting guarantee at no cost.
Still have questions? Call 07405 739028 (Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm) or email info@corebuildgroup.co.uk
Not sure engineered wood is right for you?
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Read moreEngineered Wood Flooring across London and the South East.
Free survey and fixed-price quote at all locations. Not listed below? Call us — we cover more than we list here.
Don't see your area? Call 07405 739028 — we cover more locations than listed above.
Ready to fit engineered wood flooring that actually lasts?
Tell us the rooms, the subfloor type and whether there is underfloor heating. We test the subfloor at the survey, quote in three working days, and give you a real start date.