How to identify good quality wood (and avoid inferior substitutes!)

We are frequently asked by customers ‘How can we tell if the wood we like is good quality?’ In this article, we provide expert guidance on identifying what good quality wood looks like. Here are our top recommendations for selecting the best quality wood, ensuring both a stunning and durable floor. We additionally offer strategies to maximise your budget while avoiding subpar options. Instead of opting for cheaper alternatives that will later require replacement, we show you how to invest wisely for long-term satisfaction and value.

Be aware low cost wood will have hidden compromises

Occasionally, our customers will present us with seemingly attractive low cost deals on wooden boards from outside EU and UK regulations. While we understand that these offers may appear appealing at first glance, it’s important to understand the reasons why these wooden floor boards are able to be priced so low. There are compromises in quality and safety, which aren’t disclosed in product descriptions, which often account for the lower prices. It is crucial to consider these hidden risks before making a purchase.

Manufacturers can offer cheaper prices by mixing in cheaper wood species

Engineered wood is the most widely available and popular choice of flooring in the UK and is preferred by the majority of customers. The most common type of discounted engineered wood is the multi-layered variety. Whether you decide to choose English oak or a more exotic wood species, engineered boards typically feature a base layer of plywood to provide stability and strength (see ‘Engineered or solid wood’ article). Low-cost manufacturers often cut corners in the construction of the plywood base layer, this is something that is not easily noticeable to customers.

The standard practice is to use birch ply to make up the plywood base of engineered boards. Birch ply is highly recommended for its superior strength, and this quality is naturally reflected in the final product price. It is best for a single wood species to be used in the construction of these boards, and birch ply offers the best effective properties for this purpose. However, less reputable manufacturers mix in cheaper wood species within the plywood layers to cut costs. These manufacturers are likely to be more careful with the top layer to avoid any visible defects that may deter customers.

The ideal engineered wood boards are 20mm thick, with approximately 12 thin layers of birch in the plywood base. The greater the number of layers, the more stable and durable the base layer becomes. This intricate manufacturing process is typical within the EU. However other regions which are well known for mass production of cheap wood lack any such regulation.

Manufacturers can offer cheaper prices by mixing wood types

In addition to mixing various wood species, low cost manufacturers often combine hard and softwoods in their products.

Throughout Europe, these mismatched wood types are typically reserved for wooden pellets and firewood. However, outside EU and UK regulations, this hotchpotch wood is used to construct wooden boards. Consequently, each layer in these cheaply made engineered boards exhibits different rates of expansion and contraction, leading to numerous weak points and compromises in the overall structural integrity of the boards.

Rogue suppliers cut costs by reducing drying time.

Another quick way to save money in the manufacturing process is by reducing the drying time. Insufficient drying results in residual moisture, causing the boards to warp, delaminate and generally becomes weaker.

In the UK and the EU, manufacturers need to meet appropriate standards to allow adequate time for drying the wood.

Some manufacturers hide short planks in longer packs

Another common way to cut costs involves concealing short planks in boxes advertised as containing longer lengths. While a pack may include a few 2m long boards, the majority of the contents are often mixed short boards.

The use of short boards will result in a floor with excessive joints, which can detract from the aesthetic appeal of a seamless, expansive wooden surface. Most customers prefer a floor that showcases the natural beauty of the wood with minimal interruptions. A reputable manufacturer should communicate the average board length in a batch, ensuring that no boards are less than 1 metre long.

Your boards may have a good length but still be wonky.

Even when boards are of good length, they may still suffer from inconsistent width or be irregularly shaped. This issue often arises from infrequent maintenance of factory machinery, which, although costly, is essential for maintaining quality. Some manufacturers cut costs by reducing maintenance and quality control, resulting in split, delaminated, or misshapen boards being shipped out.

When these irregular boards are laid down, parts of the floor will have visible gaps due to narrower sections of the boards.

Customers often blame the fitter, but the root cause is the manufacturer's failure to ensure consistent dimensions and quality. Reputable manufacturers address this by swiftly replacing any boards that do not meet quality standards, while cheaper manufacturers often do not offer such guarantees.

We always encourage customers to consider the source of low prices. Significant price reductions are typically achieved at the expense of product quality, a fact that is often not disclosed to the customer.

Low quality wood is also failing more quickly due to changes in the way we heat our homes

An increasing number of homes are equipped with high-performance central heating systems, and some are even adopting air conditioning in anticipation of warmer summers in the UK.

Underfloor heating (UFH) presents unique challenges as it directly affects the wooden floor. The significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity place considerable stress on the wood. High-quality engineered floors are meticulously crafted to remain stable with low moisture content, making them suitable for use with underfloor heating. Conversely, low-quality engineered wood is inherently weaker and prone to delamination and separation when subjected to the pressures of UFH systems.

Manufacturers can cut costs by sourcing wood from countries with low or no regulations

At Fin Wood, we strongly recommend that our customers prioritise quality wood sourced from reputable suppliers with a proven track record. It is important that customers inquire about the wood's origin and ask specific questions. Vague responses, such as simply stating "European oak," are inadequate. Suppliers should be able to provide detailed information, including the specific country of origin.

The UK and EU have reputable standards which govern fair manufacturing practices, often certified by organisations such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Is very expensive wood the best option? Does a high price guarantee a high quality product?

It's important to note that excessively expensive wood doesn't always equate to significantly higher quality. At Fin Wood, we've observed instances where the added cost primarily reflects extensive marketing expenses rather than enhanced product quality. When planning a wood floor project, there are effective strategies to manage costs. While wide boards are often preferred for showcasing the natural beauty of wood, they typically come at a higher price point. To optimise your budget, we recommend considering narrower boards or utilising random width or mixed width packs.

In parquet layouts, larger blocks typically command higher prices, and block thickness also influences cost. For ground floors, we recommend a 20mm thickness for durability under heavy traffic. Conversely, upstairs areas experience lighter foot traffic and can suffice with a 15mm thickness, as they require less frequent sanding—potentially every 20+ years compared to the ground floor's approximate 10-year interval.

Regarding colour options, more customised colours often come at a premium. To optimise costs, opting for simpler, natural tones is advisable. Clear oil finishes are both cost-effective and offer long-term ease of maintenance. This approach ensures your flooring remains both aesthetically pleasing and practical for years to come.

Another crucial factor to consider is the cost of installation. Generally, simpler patterns are more cost-effective. At Fin Wood, we suggest that customers reserve herringbone parquet as a distinctive feature for special rooms, using matching boards elsewhere to manage expenses effectively. It's important to bear in mind that incorporating borders into the design can also increase overall costs. See ‘Top tips for comparing wood flooring quotes’.

Our high quality wood floors are crafted for life

At Fin Wood, we craft high quality wood floors to last for life. Our floors are built to withstand the wear and tear of daily life, including occasional radiator leaks, ensuring they can last for decades. This exceptional longevity not only provides enduring beauty and functionality but also underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability (see ‘A Great Wood Floor Shouldn't Cost The Earth’ article.

Following a leak a low quality floor will have much more extensive damage across more of the floor as each board lends the moisture to the neighbouring board. These weaker boards act more like a sponge and absorb and distribute leaking moisture.

In the case of good quality engineered floors, any damage from a leak is typically confined to the immediate area of the incident, leaving the rest of the floor undisturbed. This localised damage allows for straightforward repairs, where only a few pieces need replacement to restore the floor's integrity.

Conversely, after a leak, lower quality floors often suffer more extensive damage that spreads across a larger area. These boards tend to behave like sponges, absorbing and spreading moisture to neighbouring boards. At Fin Wood, we exclusively stock high-quality wood sourced from suppliers with over 20 years of experience using advanced German technology and certified EU forests. You can purchase high quality and certified EU wood directly from us, alternatively, we can assist you in evaluating other preferred alternatives to meet your specific needs.