Solid Wood Flooring From Flooring365

Free Solid Wood Flooring Samples

Find Your Perfect Solid Wood Flooring With Our Free Samples

We offer free samples on our entire range of solid wood flooring. So, whether you're debating between finishes, or deciding between solid walnut and solid oak flooring, you can be sure in your choice. You can order as many samples as you’d like and have them delivered, free of charge, directly to your letterbox.

How To Order Your Free Solid Wood Flooring Samples

Ordering your free flooring samples has never been easier! Simply find the flooring style you like (or a few since we have no limit on samples) and click the ‘order free sample’ button on the flooring you want. When you’ve finished browsing, visit the cart page to complete your order completely free of charge. We even include free delivery, so you won't have to spend a penny until you're happy with your decision.

Quick and Easy Delivery

We deliver our free samples via royal mail straight to your letterbox so there’s no need for you to wait at home for the delivery!

Solid Wood Flooring FAQ's

What Is Solid Wood Flooring?

Solid wood flooring otherwise known as hardwood flooring, is the closest thing to a natural product that you could choose for your home. It is made simply from a solid piece of hardwood which is cut straight from the tree trunk. After being cut, it is then made into a plank of flooring by a milling machine. After milling, the wood is then planed, profiled, and sanded and may be bought unfinished, for completion on site, or pre-finished with either an oil or lacquer.
In comparison to other floors, nothing quite feels like hardwood flooring. It is sturdy, long-lasting, and suitable for high-traffic areas as they’re generally thicker than engineered wood flooring and it can be re-sanded many times during its lifetime. Purchasing a solid wood floor is a lifetime investment and maintains its value.

Which Solid Wood Flooring Is Best?

We have a great range of solid wood flooring; however, we are unable to tell you which is the best. Ultimately, it all comes down to your personal preference, home, décor, budget, and individual style. What we can tell you, however, is that our solid oak flooring is the most popular. Solid oak flooring is often much more affordable than walnut flooring and it’s easier to source which means there’s a huge range of different finishes available. From the rustic appearance of our handscraped floors to the practical benefits of oiled floors. We even have some more intriguing styles such as solid parquet flooring.

Whatever it is your home requires, we suggest taking time to browse, before making use of our free unlimited samples. If you are still unsure which solid wood flooring is best for your home, get in touch with our team. We’d be more than happy to talk through your requirements and find a flooring that’s not only suitable but beautiful too.

What Styles Are Solid Wood Floors Available In?

Our solid wood flooring is available in a variety of styles and finishes to suit different design preferences and interior aesthetics. From solid oak flooring to walnut, and unfinished to handscraped, our options are almost unlimited in terms of aesthetics, durability, and cost. With numerous different wood species, finishes, and varying plank sizes to choose from, real wood flooring is a great choice for any home. For a better idea of our range, we advise that you visit our finishes tab, or order a few samples for yourself to get a true-to-life example.

Does Solid Wood Flooring Need To Be Glued?

Yes, solid wood flooring should always be glued down using an adhesive such as Mapei Wood Flooring Ahesive. This will keep your flooring secure for years to come.

Does Solid Wood Flooring Need Underlay?

No, you do not need any underlay for solid wood flooring. Hardwood flooring should always be glued directly to the subfloor to ensure a secure installation. It’s also best practice to glue the joints of the tongue & groove as well as the subfloor.

Is Solid Wood Flooring Suitable For Kitchens?

Solid wood flooring is suitable for kitchens, but not bathrooms. This is because hardwood flooring is not waterproof and therefore will be affected by liquids and humidity. We also advise that you opt for a lacquered finish in kitchens as this will help protect your flooring from any occasional spillages. If you are wanting waterproof flooring, please take a look at our luxury vinyl tiles. 

Is Solid Wood Flooring Expensive?

Solid wood flooring is more expensive than some of its alternatives such as laminate. However, it can be sanded and refinished multiple times during its lifespan. Hardwood floors are also well-known for adding value to homes. Therefore, it is a worthy investment provided you have the budget. 

Is Solid Wood Flooring Waterproof?

No, solid wood flooring will never be waterproof since it is a natural product that will absorb liquids and swell in the process. However, if you’re looking to have beautiful wood flooring in your bathroom, we have a great selection of wood-effect LVTs.

What Are the Advantages of Solid Wood Flooring?

• Real wood flooring is incredibly long-lasting and will last for decades if well-maintained.
• Installing a solid wood floor can add value to your home. It has been found that homes that have real wood flooring get around 2.5% added to their estimated home value.
• You have the choice of either unfinished or pre-finished planks of real wood flooring.
• Real wood flooring is extremely durable, easy to clean, and more hygienic, especially when compared with carpet. A quick sweep/mop can keep your solid wood floor looking pristine.
• Solid wood flooring can be repeatedly sanded down, adding to its longevity, and increasing its lifespan even further. This makes hardwood flooring a great choice for high-traffic areas such as hallways.
• The tongue & groove system is the most traditional and well-established method of installation.
• You can find real wood flooring in a wide variety of species of wood, ranging from solid oak flooring to walnut. Each has its very own set of unique characteristics, benefits, grains, and patterns. 
• Solid wood flooring is the most traditional and luxurious flooring on the market. It looks fantastic and can add real warmth and character to your home.
• Real wood flooring attracts less dust, allergens, and mould than its alternates.
• Installing a real wood floor isn’t an overly complex task. However, if you have any doubts, then we would recommend hiring a floor fitter to do it for you. If you do want to install it yourself, it is best to fix the planks down as opposed to leaving them floating, as this can cause the flooring to be lifted.

Is Solid Wood Flooring Worth It?

Real wood floors are a fantastic investment if you’re looking for a long-lasting floor that you and your family can enjoy for decades. They can be found in a range of prices to cater to every budget and at Flooring365 we have the best deals you’ll be able to find online, or offline, so if you are after a superb real wood floor then explore the range of cheap solid wood flooring in our clearance sale.

If you’re looking for something slightly cheaper than solid oak flooring that can offer the same appearance, we highly suggest taking a look at our engineered wood flooring sale.

Solid Wood Flooring Finishes & Treatments

Unfinished

Unfinished real wood flooring is just that, essentially unprotected, natural flooring with no other finishing process such as oiling or lacquer.

Whilst unfinished solid wood flooring does require treatment or protection after fitting and before use, it does offer the benefit of a wider range of styles available. Thanks to the availability of oils, waxes, and stains.

Brushed

Brushed finishes offer a greater texture and more depth to the surface of the floor. To achieve this look, we brush the floor using steel wire wool to remove the thin upper layers during the manufacturing process. This leaves behind an enhanced grain and texture. This type of finish is particularly good at complementing the existing grains on our solid oak flooring. 

Hand Scraped

This finish aims to recreate the traditional look of hardwood flooring to give it a more rustic appearance. Traditionally, woodworkers would hand-finish each board which gave them unique characteristics, like the wavy surface you see on these floors. This gives the boards a very worn and rustic look whilst creating the underfoot feeling of a floor that has been around for years. To maximise and highlight the waviness of this finish, we suggest opting for a lacquered glossy floor. 

Distressed

Distressed solid wood flooring has had additional texture added to the surface, such as bumps and scrapes. This creates a greater depth of grains, knots, and patterns.

Lacquered

Lacquered finishes are one of our most popular choices since they offer more protection against spillages and are available in a wide range of textures. This includes brushed or not brushed, matt, gloss, satin matt, and extra matt. Lacquered flooring is ideal for heavier traffic and offers a high level of protection. However, we still recommend cleaning any spillages as soon as possible to keep your flooring looking its best.

Oiled

Oils flow deep into the wood grain, enhancing the floor’s appearance and offering deep protection. However, unlike lacquers, oiled finishes do not create a surface layer and therefore require more care over spillages. This is particularly important with real wood flooring since the wood will absorb any liquids if left. We also advise that you reapply oils to your hardwood flooring yearly to keep them in good condition, but this does depend on the footfall and traffic within that particular room.

Wood Species

Oak

Solid oak flooring is often the most popular choice when it comes to solid wood flooring. Not only because it is easier to source than other wood species, but because solid oak flooring is extremely durable and can withstand the rigors of daily life, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as living rooms, hallways, and kitchens. It features a tight and prominent grain pattern that is unique to oak and charming to look at. Plus, it is very easy to stain, making it a popular choice for finished or unfinished flooring. With proper care and maintenance, our solid oak flooring can last for decades, maintaining its beauty and functionality.

Walnut

Walnut is the less popular option of the two and this is mostly because it's a rarer product that is harder to source and therefore more expensive to buy. That said, it's often still pretty high in demand due to the vibrant colours and wider grains. Walnut flooring is ideal for grand entrances and large living rooms thanks to its rich and elegant appearance. However, walnut floors do tend to have more variation from plank to plank, so if you're looking for a more uniform appearance, then walnut floors may not be for you.

Birch

Birch flooring offers a distinctive and appealing option for those seeking a unique flooring solution. While not as readily available as solid oak flooring, birch possesses its own set of characteristics that make it a compelling choice. Known for its light hue and subtle grain patterns, birch flooring adds a touch of natural elegance to any space. With proper care and maintenance, birch solid wood flooring can endure for many years, providing a timeless and charming foundation for any living space.

Solid Wood Flooring Thickness

Board Thickness

Generally speaking, board thickness is a case of personal preference. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any advantages to choosing thicker boards. Whilst usually more expensive do tend to be more hard-wearing and provide a slightly improved sound reduction performance. As well as this, thicker boards can also be sanded back and refinished more times, expanding your hardwood flooring lifespan. 

Solid Wood Flooring Installation Methods

Tongue & Groove

Our entire range of solid wood flooring uses the tongue and groove installation method. Whilst not as easy as the Click Lok method, it still allows for simple fitting and installation. This method uses compatible boards that fit together like jigsaw pieces before being held in place with glue. This allows for the flooring to be installed without any nails, making it easier to maintain and refinish in future. Once adhered to the subfloor, your hardwood flooring will remain in place for years, giving a strong, quality feel underfoot.

How to Install Solid Wood Flooring?

The most popular way to install solid wood flooring is to bond it directly to the subflooring using a flexible adhesive. However, you will need to acclimatise your solid wood flooring before proceeding to installation. Real wood flooring is exactly what it states and therefore, it will be susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. These changes can cause your floor to contract or expand which is why it is important to acclimatise your floor so that it can become accustomed to its new environment.

With real wood flooring, we recommend leaving it to acclimatise for at least 7 days before you install the flooring in your home.

Hardwood flooring is a natural living product and as your room changes temperature, as humidity rises and falls, solid wood will shrink and expand. To prevent any issues from this, you should always leave approximately a 1/2" gap between the flooring and the wall. 

If you plan on installing the flooring yourself, please refer to our Solid Wood Flooring Installation Guide for more information.

Solid Wood Flooring & Underfloor Heating

While most of our wood floors can be installed with a water-based underfloor heating system, our solid wood floors cannot. Hardwood flooring is very susceptible to temperature changes and having a heating system so close could lead to issues. If you want the look of solid wood but are determined to have underfloor heating, we suggest that you take a look at our engineered wood flooring range.