Solid hardwood
20mm+ solid timber (oak, walnut, ash). Pros: 50+ year lifespan, can be sanded 6–8 times, character-grade ages beautifully. Cons: expands/contracts with humidity 3–5%, requires acclimatisation 7–14 days before fitting, NOT suitable over UFH (manufacturers void warranty), expensive to install (£25–£45/m² fitting on joists). Best for: heritage projects, traditional period homes without UFH.
Engineered wood
Real wood top layer (2–6mm) on plywood/HDF/birch base. 14mm and 20mm overall thickness common. Pros: stable over UFH, suits floating, glued or secret-nailed installation, faster fit (£15–£28/m² fitting), 30+ year lifespan, can be sanded 2–4 times if top layer is 4mm+. Cons: cheaper variants have thin 2mm wear layers and limited re-sanding. Best for: open-plan kitchen extensions with UFH, basement conversions, any project needing dimensional stability.
Other options
Laminate (printed image + HDF core): £15–£40/m². Looks plausible but not real wood; cannot be sanded. LVT (luxury vinyl tile): £20–£60/m² — waterproof, suits kitchens/bathrooms, excellent over UFH. Parquet engineered options: £80–£180/m² — herringbone or chevron back in fashion for London period homes.
