The markings on the band sawn oak floor
Band sawn engineered hardwood flooring isn’t an obvious choice when it comes to choosing a new floor, but with the markings running across the planks, it means that it’s a floor with plenty of character and personality. With a nod to the flooring of the past, this style of wood flooring creates a statement floor with a rustic, traditional feel.
Band sawn oak flooring features horizontal marks running across the board which are reminiscent of the saw marks which were etched into the wood in the days when wood was sawn by hand. These days, the look is recreated to create additional texture and character on every plank of wood.
For this project we fitted 135 mm wide band sawn effect oak engineered flooring from The Natural Wood Floor Company in the entrance hall, living room, dining room and top landing. The stairs were also clad in the same material, allowing the flooring to flow between the two floors. The homeowners wanted the natural beauty of the wood to be the main feature of the floor, so chose a pre-finished product, sealed with a natural oil.
As the flooring was overlaid on top of the existing floorboards, we had to ensure that the original boards were all secure and sound by fixing loose boards into place. In the dining room, an old fireplace had been removed, along with the hearth. To prepare this area we laid a self-levelling latex compound to create a flat, smooth service.
The new flooring on the landing
The floor was laid over the existing floorboards
The Fin Wood team began laying the floor in the hallway to achieve the best alignment. We also had to consider how the flooring would sit around the fireplace in the living room, as we wanted to ensure that this feature was properly framed with full planks of wood.
In the hall, we reduced the depth of the integrated framed coir mat, so it was in proportion with the size of the hall. It’s important to achieve the right balance allowing the flooring to sit comfortably in the space, so it works with the rest of the house.
Self levelling compound creates a smooth flat surface
The framed mat suits the size of the entrance hall
The fireplace is enhanced with the wooden border
Our work on the stairs helped to create a standout feature, which set the tone for the rest of the house. The clients preferred the look of a wider, rounded nosing profile to finish off each step. As the steps were wider than the wood flooring, we had to join two narrow planks together. We have perfected our technique over the years, so were able to achieve a seamless join that is hard to spot. We also reworked the angle of the three winder steps, so they would sit vertically to the newel post. This keeps the structure of the stairs in proportion to the original features in the house, so they blend in with their surroundings. It’s this attention to detail which has become our trademark, helping us to establish our reputation for our skilled craftsmanship.
The original stairs
The stairs clad in the new oak
We removed all of the doors and trimmed the bottom of each, so they would accommodate the height of the wood flooring. The bathroom had already been tiled, so we lowered the wood flooring level here for consistency. Where possible, we always prefer to create a continuous run from one material to another.
A seamless transitions from the wood flooring to the tiles
The doors were trimmed to accommodate the new flooring level
Removing skirting boards can be costly, as they can get damaged during removal and the bottom of the wall may have to be plastered to cover up any damage. Undercutting the skirting boards is the perfect solution and it avoids the use of unsightly beading. With our method, the skirting boards can remain in place and the correct expansion gap can be allowed for.
The flooring fits neatly under the skirting boards
The hall flooring with shaped bottom step
For us, this project was all about proportions and ensuring that the wood flooring suited the original features in the house. When done correctly, wood flooring becomes part of the house, as if it’s always been there. Our clients were delighted with the results and left us this glowing review, “The Fin Wood team couldn't have been any more professional. Alin put together an incredibly detailed quote and made himself available for questions in the lead up to the project. The team were punctual (down to the exact minute every single day!), incredibly polite, tidied and removed dust at the end of every day and most importantly, did an amazing job with meticulous attention to detail. 10/10”
If you are interested in installing a new wooden floor to enhance your home, we’d love to hear from you.
Location: Kenley CR8
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