What is solid wood flooring?

Solid wood flooring is exactly what it sounds like. Each plank is one piece of timber, all the way through. No layers, no composite core, no photograph of wood. Just wood.

Oak is the most common by far. You'll also see walnut, ash, maple, and a few tropical species, but oak dominates because it's hard wearing, takes stain well, and people like how it looks.

Why people still want it

There's something about a solid wood floor that engineered and laminate don't quite match. Part of it is knowing what's under your feet is the real thing, nothing simulated. Part of it is how it ages. Solid wood develops character over the years. Scratches, patina, subtle colour changes. It looks better at twenty than it did at two.

And you can sand it. Multiple times. A 20mm thick board can be refinished five or six times over its life, which means a solid floor can genuinely outlast you if it's looked after.

The trade-offs

Wood moves. It swells in humid weather and shrinks when it's dry. You'll get gaps in winter, guaranteed. It's not a great choice over underfloor heating, and bathrooms are out entirely.

Installation takes longer too. Solid boards are usually nailed or glued down, not clicked together.

Is it worth the extra?

If you want a floor that lasts decades, can be repaired rather than replaced, and feels like the real deal because it is, then yes. Just know what you're signing up for.