A floor that improves with age.
And can be restored five to eight times.
Solid hardwood is a once-in-a-generation investment. Oak, walnut, ash and maple, fitted properly onto a dry and stable subfloor — a floor that will outlast the property it goes into.
The floor with the longest lifespan of any option.
No composite core, no veneer. Solid timber throughout — which is what makes it sandable, restorable and genuinely lifelong.
Solid timber throughout
No veneer, no composite core. The same material from surface to subfloor — which is what makes it sandable five to eight times over its life.
Sand and refinish repeatedly
Every sanding removes a small amount of material and brings the floor back to near-new condition. A well-maintained solid floor outlasts the house it's in.
Improves with age
Solid wood develops patina over time — grain becomes more pronounced, colour deepens. This is a quality floor, not one that looks best on the day it goes in.
Suited to heritage properties
In a dry, stable property with good subfloor conditions, solid hardwood is the premium specification for period homes, hallways and reception rooms.
Multiple species
Oak, walnut, ash and maple in a range of widths, grades and finishes. We hold trade accounts with Ted Todd and Havwoods for access to the full ranges.
Oiled, lacquered or hardwax
We finish in the system that suits the room — oil for a natural, repairable finish; lacquer for a durable sealed surface; hardwax oil for high-traffic areas.
Solid hardwood has stricter requirements than any other floor. That is why we survey first.
Solid oak is less forgiving than engineered. It needs a dry, flat, structurally sound subfloor. If the conditions are not right, we tell you at the survey — before materials are ordered. If prep is needed, we scope and price it clearly. A solid floor fitted onto the wrong subfloor will fail. We would rather tell you upfront than fix it later.
Six steps from survey to a finished solid floor.
Survey & subfloor assessment
Solid hardwood has stricter subfloor requirements than engineered. We check moisture, flatness and whether the subfloor can carry the load of the boards. We won't specify solid onto a subfloor that will cause it to fail.
Free visit, 45–60 minutesSpecies & grade selection
We advise on species, grade, width and finish based on the room, the property type and the look you are after. We bring samples from the survey visit. A line-by-line written quote follows within three working days.
Fixed quote within 3 working daysSubfloor preparation
Solid hardwood requires a particularly flat, dry and stable subfloor. We level, reinforce and DPM as required. Loose joists and boards are fixed before anything is laid.
1–2 days typicallyAcclimatisation
Solid boards are left on-site for a minimum of 72 hours — longer in winter or in rooms with wide temperature swings. Solid wood is more sensitive to humidity than engineered, and this step is not optional.
72 hours minimum, longer in winterSecret nailing
Solid hardwood is typically secret-nailed through the tongue — the preferred method for a stable, sound-resistant fit over timber subfloors. Adhesive used where the subfloor is concrete.
1–3 days depending on areaFinishing & walk-through
First coat applied, allowed to cure, then second coat. Skirting and threshold bars fitted. Doors trimmed for clearance. Walk-through before we leave — written 1-year fitting guarantee issued on the day.
Oil or lacquer finishes available4.7 stars from 386 verified reviews.
A selection of feedback from homeowners we have fitted solid hardwood for across London.
“Solid oak throughout the ground floor. The boards are beautiful — they found a grade that still has real character without being too rustic. The finish is exactly what we asked for. Couldn't be happier.”
J.M.
Notting Hill, London
“The survey was thorough and honest. They told us the existing subfloor needed reinforcing before anything went in, gave us a fixed price for that too, and did exactly what they said. No surprises.”
P.K.
Richmond, Surrey
“This is our third property with them. Solid walnut in the study and oak throughout the rest. Consistent quality every time — the acclimatisation, the nailing pattern, the finish. It's proper work.”
S.L.
Hampstead, North London
Considering solid hardwood for your property?
Free subfloor survey. Fixed-price quote within 3 working days. 1-year written fitting guarantee.
Solid hardwood questions, answered.
Not every subfloor. Solid hardwood needs a stable, dry subfloor with low moisture readings. It is not typically recommended over underfloor heating — the temperature cycling can cause movement that leads to cupping and gapping. It suits properties with timber or concrete subfloors that are dry and flat, and rooms with consistent temperature and humidity.
Generally not. Solid wood expands and contracts more dramatically than engineered when temperatures change, which is exactly what UFH causes. A small number of solid products are formally approved for UFH, but they are the exception. For UFH applications, we typically recommend engineered oak or LVT.
Typically five to eight times over the floor's life, depending on board thickness. An 18mm solid oak board has enough material to be sanded back five times before the tongue-and-groove depth becomes a concern. That means a floor laid now could be restored at years 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75.
Oak is the most common — it's durable, widely available and works in most property types. Walnut is a darker, more premium option for studies and reception rooms. Ash has a distinctive grain and takes stain well. Maple is the hardest and most wear-resistant. We have trade accounts with Ted Todd and Havwoods and can source from their full ranges.
Oil penetrates the wood and leaves a natural, matte surface that can be spot-repaired — you reapply oil to a scratched section rather than resanding the entire floor. Lacquer sits on the surface as a sealed layer, is more resistant to water and staining, but requires a full sand when it eventually wears. Hardwax oil is a middle ground — penetrating but more durable than standard oil.
Both. We supply and install from our trade accounts, or we'll fit boards you've sourced yourself. If you supply, we need the technical specification before the survey to confirm the correct preparation and fitting method.
For a standard London house — say two to three rooms — expect 3–5 days including subfloor preparation and finishing coats. The finishing adds time because the first coat needs to cure before the second is applied. We'll give you a specific timeline in the quote.
Still have questions? Call 07405 739028 (Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm) or email info@corebuildgroup.co.uk
Solid hardwood not quite right for your subfloor?
Ready to invest in a floor that outlasts the property?
Tell us the rooms, the subfloor type and the species you have in mind. Free subfloor survey, fixed-price quote in three working days, real start date.