18mm Engineered Wood Flooring

Yes, 18mm engineered wood is compatible with underfloor heating, but only with water-based systems. Electric underfloor heating can overheat and damage the boards. For optimal performance, choose boards with a wear layer of 5mm or less to ensure efficient heat transfer. Maintain a consistent surface temperature between 18-27°C and never exceed 27°C.

With a typical wear layer of 4-6mm, 18mm engineered wood can be sanded 3-5 times over its lifetime. This gives the floor a total lifespan of 25-30+ years with proper maintenance. Each sanding removes approximately 0.5mm of material, so check your specific product's wear layer specification.

Always leave an expansion gap of 10-15mm around walls, door frames, and fixed objects. While 18mm engineered wood is more stable than solid wood, it still expands and contracts with humidity changes. This gap can be covered later with skirting boards or beading.

Absolutely. 18mm engineered wood is the ideal thickness for high-traffic areas in family homes. The substantial construction provides excellent durability and a solid feel underfoot, making it suitable for hallways, living rooms, open-plan spaces, and even light commercial use.

It depends on your installation method and subfloor:

• Floating installation (click system): Yes—use a 3mm underlay for sound reduction and moisture protection.
• Fully adhering (glue-down): No separate underlay needed.
• Apartments: Consider acoustic underlay to reduce noise transmission to neighbours.

Yes, 18mm engineered wood can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms with proper precautions:

• Ensure good ventilation
• Immediately wipe up any spills
• Maintain consistent humidity (40-60%)
• A factory-finished lacquered surface offers better moisture resistance

• 14mm: Bedrooms/low-traffic, sandable 1-2 times, £30-45/m²
• 15mm: Living rooms/medium traffic, sandable 2-3 times, £35-50/m²
• 18mm: High-traffic family homes, sandable 3-5 times, UFH compatible, £40-70/m²
• 20mm: Luxury projects, sandable 4-6 times, check door clearances, £60-100+/m²

Minimum 72 hours required. Place unopened boxes in the installation room with stable conditions: 40-60% humidity and 18-22°C temperature. In winter or with high-moisture subfloors, extend to 5-7 days.

Yes, with options:

• Floating: Lay over underlay with moisture barrier
• Glue-down: Fully adhere with flexible adhesive

Test concrete moisture first—must be below 75% relative humidity.

• Daily: Sweep or vacuum with soft brush
• Deep clean: Damp mop with pH-neutral wood cleaner
• Avoid: Steam mops, excessive water, abrasive cleaners
• Protect: Felt pads under furniture, mats at entrances

• Oiled: Natural look and feel, easier spot repairs, needs oiling every 6-12 months
• Lacquered: Protective surface, stain-resistant, lower maintenance, cannot spot-repair

Choose based on lifestyle: oiled for natural aesthetics, lacquered for durability.

Yes for click-lok systems—they're designed for DIY. Tongue and groove boards typically need professional installation (glue-down or secret nailing). Ensure subfloor is level (≤3mm variance over 2m) and follow acclimatisation guidelines.