Choosing wood flooring for indoors

Indoors, timber is not fighting moisture but wear and temperature changes. That shifts the decision onto two factors: the hardness of the species and the installation method.

Species and hardness

Oak is the benchmark for its balance of hardness, grain and stability, and it takes later sanding well. Beech gives a fine, even grain, ideal where you want the floor not to draw attention. Pine is softer and marks sooner, but it works beautifully in rustic settings where that wear is part of the character. Bamboo offers hardness above many hardwoods and a more uniform tone.

Installation and acclimatisation

Before fitting anything, leave the material 48 to 72 hours in the room, packaging open and under real operating conditions. This is the step that prevents the most problems: flooring laid without acclimatising can open at the joints or cup weeks later.

Floating installation over an insulating underlay is the quickest and most reversible; glued-down transmits less noise and feels like a solid floor, but demands a very level screed. With underfloor heating, always check the compatibility of the species and thickness.

Keep the relative humidity of the home between 45% and 65% and the floor will move as little as possible.

If you are torn between species or systems, write to us with the area and the type of room.