f1551b66

Aged Tumbled Smoked

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:47:29 GMT

A sneak peek at a recent job

Here’s a sneak peek at a recent job we completed in a beautiful home Ipswich.

A stunning bespoke oak flooring, handcrafted in our workshop in Ipswich.

Aged, tumbled, smoked, and distressed in a classic diced pattern — and one very happy customer!

We’re not just another flooring company. As a local, family-run business with over 30 years of experience, we’re proud to be one of the few in Suffolk who manufacture our own hardwood floors on-site at Fore Wood Floors, Tuddenham Road.

We specialise in:

• Bespoke designs – Herringbone, Versailles, Basket Weave, Mosaic and many more.

• In-house smoking, tumbling & ageing

• Custom staining & finishing

• Expert fitting in some of Suffolk’s finest homes

Looking for truly handcrafted floors with character? Get in touch — we’d love to help!

Recent Work

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:01:27 GMT

Stunning COREtec Acorn Herring

This is a recent project we done in Coretec Acorn herringbone in a beautiful Suffolk house.

we installed this in a classic herringbone pattern, the rich tones and timeless design brings warmth and elegance to the space perfectly.

As you know, Coretec is one of our favorites products, and for good reason, but i also want to point out here a couple of things as the photos shows how difficult it is to show the true colour of a floor, the herringbone is the same but the light in the kitchen changes it dramatically.

I also want to point out how amazing are skilled fitters are, with the photo bottom right with the kitchen door threshold. As you can see we have carried on the design perfectly, also the herringbone is perfectly positioned too, we are very proud of work here at Fore wood Floors and are Team.

Coretec Acorn Herringbone

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:34:32 GMT

A Recent job with Coretec Acorn Herringbone

One of our recent jobs in a beautiful house in Hadleigh.

If you're in search of a flooring solution that exudes both elegance and superior quality, look no further than the COREtec Naturals Herringbone Acorn. This luxurious luxury vinyl tile (LVT) floor is expertly crafted to capture the warmth and timeless appeal of natural wood, featuring a captivating herringbone pattern that transforms any interior into a refined sanctuary of style and comfort. Perfectly blending sophistication with functionality, the COREtec Naturals Herringbone Acorn is designed for those who value both aesthetics and durability in their home design.

The Benefits of Multi-Layer Construction

The beauty of COREtec Naturals Herringbone Acorn goes beyond its surface. Its thoughtfully engineered multi-layer construction provides enhanced performance and comfort underfoot. The sustainable cork layer serves as a built-in underlay, creating a cushioned feel that’s easy on your feet. Above this, the innovative COREtec Sound Core layer acts as a powerful sound reduction barrier, minimizing ambient noise and adding a sense of tranquility to your space. A specially designed comfort layer also helps regulate warmth, ensuring a cozy and inviting environment year-round.

The floor’s wood-effect planks come in 660mm, 110mm, and 8.0mm dimensions, delivering a high-end look and feel that’s both versatile and visually impactful. Each plank has been designed to seamlessly fit together in a herringbone layout, giving your home a touch of traditional elegance with modern resilience.

Effortless Installation and Maintenance

One of the standout features of COREtec Naturals Herringbone Acorn flooring is its user-friendly installation process. This floor is designed with easy installation in mind, so whether you're a DIY enthusiast or relying on a professional, you’ll find it hassle-free to install. Additionally, the floor is low-maintenance, requiring only regular sweeping and occasional mopping to keep it looking pristine.

Transform Your Home with COREtec Naturals Herringbone Acorn

For homeowners seeking a unique combination of style, durability, and comfort, COREtec Naturals Herringbone Acorn delivers on every front. Its unmatched quality, sophisticated design, and exceptional performance make it a transformative choice for any living space. Embrace the beauty and luxury of COREtec Naturals Herringbone Acorn flooring and fall in love with your home all over again.

Coretec Fremont Oak 82

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:30:40 GMT

I now have COREtec

After finally getting the keys to our new house, the first job was finding the perfect flooring. And guess what? We chose COREtec!

Why COREtec? It’s perfect for our needs:

✅ Durability, we have dogs, kids, and a love for outdoor activities. Coretec is built to withstand it all—scratch-resistant and super durable!

✅ Realistic Wood Look: It looks just like real wood but with all the benefits of modern technology.

✅ Pet and Kid Friendly: 100% waterproof, so no stress with spills or accidents.

✅ Stylish Finish: Our fitter Russell did an amazing job, from scribing around the beams and fireplace to applying silicone near the door. The result is absolutely stunning!

Even though our house is old we found a perfect match from the Coretc range, we chose Fremont 82.

We’re just waiting on the skirting to finish it off, and we couldn’t be happier with how it’s turning out!

If you’re looking for flooring that combines beauty, functionality, and durability, Coretec is your answer. Check it out and see the difference for yourself!

�� Ready to upgrade your floors? Contact us today to get started! ��

More photos

Recent work

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:26:55 GMT

Over clad staircase to a indoor pool

Over clad with oak flooring with safety non slip inserts on a concrete stair case leading down to an indoor swimming pool in a beautiful house in Suffolk.

Just a small part of a bigger project.

More photos to follow.

What flooring is best for you

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 08:44:23 GMT

Oiled, Lacquered or Vinyl what flooring is for you ?

What floor best suits you?

We often get asked what flooring is best, this is a difficult one to answer as there is so many variables, what room, Children, pets, property type the list goes on.

Below we have laid out the pros and cons of each floor, choosing the best flooring option among oiled, lacquered, and vinyl plank flooring depends on various factors such as aesthetics, durability, maintenance, cost, and suitability for the specific area in your home or office. Below is a detailed comparison of each type to help you make an informed decision.

1. Oiled Floor

Description: Oiled floors, typically made from hardwood, are treated with natural or synthetic oils to enhance their appearance and protect the wood. The oil penetrates the wood, providing a matte or satin finish that brings out the wood’s natural grain and colour.

Pros:

Natural Appearance: Oiled floors have a natural, warm look with a matte finish that enhances the wood grain.
Repairability: Scratches and dents can often be spot-repaired without needing to refinish the entire floor.
Non-Toxic: Natural oils are environmentally friendly and often non-toxic.
Comfort: The finish provides a warmer, softer feel underfoot compared to lacquered floors.

Cons:

Maintenance: Requires regular maintenance, including re-oiling to maintain its finish and protection.
Susceptible to Stains: More prone to staining and water damage compared to lacquered floors.
Cost: Generally more expensive both in terms of materials and maintenance.

Best For: Living rooms, bedrooms, and areas where a natural, warm aesthetic is desired.

2. Lacquered Floor

Description: Lacquered floors, also commonly hardwood, are coated with a protective layer of lacquer or polyurethane. This coating can be glossy, semi-gloss, or matte, providing a hard and durable finish.

Pros:

Durability: Highly resistant to wear, stains, and scratches due to the protective lacquer layer.
Low Maintenance: Easier to clean and maintain compared to oiled floors.
Variety of Finishes: Available in a range of finishes from high gloss to matte.
Moisture Resistance: Better resistance to water and spills compared to oiled floors.

Cons:

Less Natural Look: The finish can look less natural and slightly artificial compared to oiled floors.
Harder Repair: Scratches and damage are more challenging to repair without refinishing the entire floor.
Less Comfortable: Can feel harder and colder underfoot.

Best For: High-traffic areas like kitchens, hallways, and commercial spaces where durability and ease of maintenance are essentia l.

3. Vinyl Plank Flooring

Description: Vinyl plank flooring is a synthetic product designed to mimic the look of natural materials like wood or stone. It consists of several layers, including a wear layer, a printed design layer, and a core layer.

Pros:

Cost-Effective: Typically less expensive than hardwood flooring unless its the high end luxury Vinyl.
Durability: Extremely resistant to wear, stains, and moisture. Ideal for areas prone to spills and humidity.
Variety of Designs: Available in a wide range of styles and colors, mimicking the look of wood, stone, or tile.
Easy Installation: Many vinyl planks feature click-lock installation, using a Stanley knife instead of a jigsaw and chop saws making them easy to install without professional help.
Low Maintenance: Simple to clean and maintain, requiring minimal upkeep.
Water proof, no acclimatisation necessary and perfect for underflooring heating.

Cons:

Artificial Feel: May not feel as luxurious or authentic as real wood or stone doesn't have the variation of real wood or stone, so you could have repeated pattern.
Potential for Damage: Can be susceptible to dents and gouges from heavy objects or sharp impacts.

Best For: Bathrooms, kitchens, cellars, and any high-moisture or high-traffic areas where you want a durable, low-maintenance flooring option.

Conclusion:

Oiled Floors: Best if you prefer a natural aesthetic and are willing to commit to regular maintenance.
Lacquered Floors: Ideal for high-traffic areas where you need a durable and easy-to-clean surface.
Vinyl Plank Flooring: Excellent for busy family house holds with pets and Children, perfect for kitchens and bathrooms, hassle free maintenance easy to live with.

Ultimately, the "best" option depends on your specific needs and preferences

Smoked Oak floors

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:11:41 GMT

The difference between smoked floors

Smoked Oak

Smoked Oak is created by a natural re-action between smoking gases and the tannins contained in the Oak, because every piece of flooring contains a different amount of tannin each board takes on different colour tones from deep dark chocolate through to light caramel. It is also noticeable when the floor has been freshly smoked that it's overall colour tone is darker than it is after a few months.

Also after this period, the colour between the individual boards become much more harmonious and the rich deep brown golden tone comes through.

We have many samples on display of Smoked Oak flooring, which show how your floor will be after a few months. Please satisfy yourself that this is the floor you want, then just be patient and let nature work its magic and create you one of the most stunning floors we produce.

White Smoked Oak

White smoked Oak is created by a natural re-action between smoking gases and the tannins contained in the Oak, which leaves a warm brown base colour.

This is then coated with whitened hard wax oil. As with all smoked floors the true colour tone takes a few months to develop, shade differences between the boards become harmonious and the whole floor takes on a slightly warmer tone.

We have quite a few samples of white smoked flooring in the showroom, please satisfy yourself that this is the floor you want, then just be patient and let nature work its magic and create you one of the most stunning floors we produce.

One of our beautiful floors.

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:54:23 GMT

Our PS327 Looks amazing in this beautiful Retro London Apartment

We our lucky enough to work with a top design company and they have done this Amazing design on this London Apartment. This floor is our PS327 and it on sale at only £44.50 plus Vat.

A brand new Vinyl range

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 13:32:21 GMT

This is our brand new Hardcore high end Vinyl range

This brand new range of high-end vinyl is called Hardcore its our newest product of LVT there are 8 Colours to chose from and is available in plank and herringbone.

100% water proof

Built in underlay

Durable and scratch resistant ware layer

15 years warranty

From as little as £27.99m2 + Vat for plank

£29.99m2 + Vat for Herringbone

What makes a Fore Wood Floor unique

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 12:37:21 GMT

What makes us unique

Acorn COREtec

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 13:55:08 GMT

Acorn COREtec Herringbone

This Amazing floor is a COREtec herringbone in Acorn.

It looks amazing and has the wow factor, recently fitted at Woodbridge Golf Club.

Keep your eye out as we have a new collection coming soon tiles and planks, you will be spoiled for choice.

Our New Hydroloc Range

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 16:12:41 GMT

New Hydroloc has just arrived

We have just taken delivery of a great new range of hydroloc, pop in and see our great range of plank and herringbone luxury Vinyl from as little as £25.99m2 plus vat

Kieran's recent sanding jobs

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:00:07 GMT

Our master sander Kieran has kindly took some photos of his recent jobs.

Kieran who is are head sander aka The finishing specialist has kindly took some photos of his recent jobs.

If you are looking for a spruce up or want to change your colour or finish of your floor, please do give call to book a survey.

How to look after your floor

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 15:11:14 GMT

How to look after your floor

We often get asked how to clean and maintain or protect your newly fitted flooring.

So today we have tried to give you as much information as we can to help make your floor last a life time

Cleaning and maintaining oiled or lacquered flooring

It is important to understand what your wood floor is as it will affect the way you clean and maintain the surface.

Lacquered or varnished floors will not need maintaining with oil but special care

should be taken to avoid scratching as it can be more difficult to repair.

Oiled floors will need periodic oil maintenance and can be commissioned with an extra coat of maintenance oil for areas of high traffic and areas where spills are more likely.

Keep a record of your floor's finish as this will be useful for maintaining your floor in the future

Regular cleaning

Daily/weekly cleaning consists of sweeping and vacuum cleaning.

Sweep with a soft broom or dust- attracting flat head mop.

When choosing a vacuum cleaner make sure it has a hard floor or parquet setting. Before you vacuum make sure this setting is selected and check the vacuum end for debris which could cause scratches.

Floors can be periodically damp cleaned with an appropriate spray cleaning and mop pad or a well wrung out mop, avoiding use of excess moisture.

NEVER WET MOP OR STEAM CLEAN WOODEN FLOORS.

All spills should be wiped up immediately with a absorbent kitchen towel.

Avoid abrasive microfibre cloths and wet wipes, which can react with the lacquer or oil and remove the finish.

Using the right type of floor cleaner

Both lacquered and oiled finishes are semi permeable allowing the wood to breathe.

This means you should avoid using harsh chemical and abrasive cleaners on your hardwood or laminate wood floors.

Many supermarket including brands claim to work well on all surfaces wood floors but most should be avoided as they contain high acidic or caustic ingredients that will

quickly compromise the lacquered or oiled surface of your floor, destroying the water and stain resistant properties.

We would highly recommend Treatex to help clean and maintain your floors, we stock Treatex cleaning and maintenance products and kits.

Wipe up spills

Avoid standing water or liquid. Wipe up any liquid spills quickly and never allow spills to stay on the surface for any length of time. If moisture ingresses into the surface of your floor it may cause lasting damage

Oil and oil fried food can react with oiled surfaces and should be wiped up directly.

Correct ambient conditions

During the life of the floor ambient humidity must be maintained within the range of 45% to 65% RH and 18 to 24°C. This includes during periods when the property is unoccupied such as during holidays. Please note that high humidity may lead to warping and other issues, whilst excessive drying caused by high temperature &/or low humidity may lead to splits and warping.

Avoid rapid changes in temperature.

Foot traffic

When possible, avoid wearing outside shoes especially if wet or muddy. Stiletto heels may damage wood floor finish and cause compression marks on some wood species, and are not recommended for use on wood floors. Avoid heavy work boots with abrasive soles and thick treads which can retain abrasive objects such as gravel stones. In areas of high foot tone traffic pay special attention to daily cleaning and

where possible use protective rugs and matting.

Kitchen floors

Lacquered wood floors are a good choice for Kitchens as they provide a surface that is stain resistant without the need for regular maintenance.

Alternatively oiled wood floors also perform well in kitchens but should always have an extra coat of maintenance oil applied after installation.

This commissioning coat is buffed into the surface after installation and ensures that the oil is evenly redistributed in the wood's surface, it also adds a water-resistant seal between the joints of each board.

Entrance matting

Always have internal and external entrance matting at all entrances to the property; this will help prevent abrasive particles being carried onto the floor, and will

extend the life of the floor finish.

Protect from furniture

Use self-adhesive felt pads on flat furniture feet to protect the floor from excessive scratching, and usefelt based castor cups under wheeled furniture.

A purpose made polypropylene floor mat must be used below wheeled office chairs. Heavy scratching will break the surface causing damage to the timber by ingress of moisture from cleaning.

Sunshine

Wood is a natural material and is affected by UV light.

Oak will mellow and become darker and richer in tone.

Each species will react in different ways to UV light. In rooms with large windows, especially those

which are south facing, special care should be taken to reposition furniture and rugs to ensure an even colour across the floor.

Household plants

Take care when watering not to spill water around the base of any planter and avoid using metal trays as these can react with water and the natural tannins in oak to produce black watermarks

A planter with soil soaked in water can cause the underside to be cold which can lead to condensation, so it is a good idea to use protective non-reactive plastic mats beneath pots and trays.

Pet care

Keep pets' claws well-trimmed to avoid scratches and protect areas where they sleep and feed to avoid damage from moisture and spills.

Always protect flooring around your pet's food and water bowls from spills and standing water.

Protection whilst decorating

When protecting your floor, where possible avoid covering with plastic sheeting or any material which excessive scratching, and use does not breathe as it can form condensation. Instead use card or fabric dust sheeting.

When using masking tape to paint round architrave airs. Heavy scratching will and skirting, DO NOT leave tape on the floor longer than it takes to paint each coat.

If left for more than a couple of hours, tape adhesive can react with the floor finish causing damage.

If paint is spilt remember that cleaning fluids may damage the floor so avoid, if possible, instead use mild soap and a nylon brush to work away the paint.

If you have any questions that we have missed please do get in contact.

Recent work

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 12:50:01 GMT

Happy customers

A recent job we done for a great customer of ours, a natural oiled engineered oak flooring with a matwell, creating a flush finish with the surrounding floor not only does it serve a purpose but looks great too.

If you are planning a new floor do consider a Matwell they help keep your floor clean and tidy and also look great oo

Why Choose Laminate Flooring

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 13:45:32 GMT

The pros and cons of laminate flooring

As I have said many times every type of flooring has its own pros and cons. Today we look at Laminate flooring, which was very poplar 10 plus years ago but has slowly dwindled in to the back ground due to reasonable price engineered oak flooring and Vinyl.

But recently we have noticed an increase in people choosing laminate flooring, so we will look at the pros and cons of Laminate floors.

First, we will look at how laminate is made.

Laminate is made up of four layers, 1st a transparent, wear-resistant overlay

2nd a design layer this is the layer that defines the actual look of your floor.

3rd a moisture resistant glued HDF core board

4th is the backing plate below it guarantees that the core cannot warp or collapse.

The positives of Laminate

The reason we feel that laminate flooring is becoming more popular is due to the fact that you can now get a waterproof version, so Laminate floors can be used in every room, even for kitchens and bathrooms, before water was a big problem for people with laminate floors.

Highly durable especially Quick Step laminate they offer a minimum 20-year warranty on all its laminate floors. Thanks to the extremely strong core panels AND the patented 'Scratch Guard' upper layer, they are exceptionally durable and hardwearing. The laminate floors are able to cope with scratches, playing kids, stiletto heels.

You also don't need to worry about spilling water or other liquids, Quick-Step floors keep their original color year after year even when exposed to sunlight.

Easy to maintain

Thanks to the protective top layer, laminate floors are very easy to keep clean. Dirt cannot penetrate the wood and a regular clean with a dry or lightly dampened fiber cloth will suffice to keep your floor in perfect condition for decades. You don't need to sand, scrub or oil laminate floors. Black marks or stubborn stains can easily be removed with Quick-Step clean.

Inexpensive relative to other types of floor coverings so if you are on a budget laminate could be perfect.

The Cons of Laminate

If you would have said the cons 10 years ago the list would be

Moisture can swell the laminate floor base

Chips easily

Not suitable for bathrooms or laundry rooms

But now the above is a thing of the past.

The main Cons today would be they cannot sand or refinish damaged planks, or change the stain or look as you could with real wood.

Sometimes it can be slippery.

Also, resale value compared with oak floors.

Its not real wood, which to some people is a factor.

But overall, we feel Laminate is a good choice in todays market hence why we stock one of the best manufacturers of laminate flooring Quick Step, we have a big stand of there laminate flooring, so if you feel laminate flooring is for you, pop in to see our great range of flooring

Why Choose Engineered Oak Flooring

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 15:26:27 GMT

Why Choose Engineered Oak Flooring

Engineered wood flooring offers you the best of both worlds – the beauty of solid wood and the practical features of modern manufacturing techniques. When you are looking for a floor that looks like solid wood but performs far better, and can suit most budgets.

The main advantage of engineered oak flooring is that the layers provide excellent stability, greatly preventing issues such as cupping, warping and shrinkage which are common with solid wood it is sturdy and durable, allowing it to last in your home for years to come.

Engineered flooring is great for under-floor heating (which is not advised with solid wood flooring). Underfloor heating market is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Solid wood flooring should not be used above underfloor heating as it is prone to shrinkage and distortion.

Because of the superior stability of engineered timber flooring, it is available in longer and wider planks than what can safely be achieved with solid timber flooring.

With engineered flooring you achieve the same look as a solid wood floor and nobody would ever know the difference.

Engineered flooring has a surface layer of real oak so just as with a solid wood floor, no two boards will be the same.

As we all know, a natural wood floor is gorgeous to look at and can add considerable value (not to mention wow factor) to your home.

Engineered Oak can be sanded back and re-finished, just like a solid timber floor. This enables you to go for a complete new colour and look if desired, without buying another whole floor.

Engineered Oak flooring also has many of the same benefits of traditional solid hardwood. As a wood product, it boasts a gorgeous, natural appearance and is available in many different grades, and finishes.

Why Choose Fore Wood Floors

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 13:02:54 GMT

We strive to give customer satisfaction

We feel that our unique selling point is our huge stock of flooring, but most of all its our Team, we are a local business and we keep things small so we can give you the flooring you want, our fitters have been with us for years and will be for many more.

Our fitters Russell and Guy are highly skilled and we trust them 100% to give our customers the perfect floor, they are professional craftsman and can do amazing cuts and their unsurpassed attention to detail is second to none

Kieran is our head sander and only sander but as Kieran likes to be called The Finishing specialist, Kieran always gives a 100% and has years of experience and loves his job.

Our office team work hard to make sure it all runs smoothly and are always there to help with any questions you have, Sheena is queen of the office she has worked for us for over 20 years and everybody loves Sheena, she is always bubbly and friendly and is the go to person if you need anything, she always has a smile on her face and is happy to help you with whatever you need.

Last but not least is Simon the owner of Fore wood Floors, Simon started as joiner and has worked with wood for over 30 years and Fore Wood Floors grew out of SP Barnard Traditional joinery, which was founded in 1978.

Simon is the wood ninja and there's nothing that Simon doesn't know about wood (or google), his love and passion always come thorough. Simon loves to be involved and will be the one to visit your house and do a survey and will follow the project from start to finish.

Our office dogs Frank an Fan love their jobs, Frank is out meet and greet, he is always happy to see customers.

Fanny is our head shredder and loves her job and is always happy to do the shredding.

As you can see our Team has decades of experience and we work great as a team and will do for many years to come.

You can always count on us to help you find and fit your dream floor.

Smoked White Herringbone

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 13:02:09 GMT

A beautiful light white smoked Herringbone

This beautiful light and airy oak smoked white herringbone engineered wood floor looks stunning The customer was amazed with the transformation.

The Herringbone was smoked, brushed and oiled to offer a fantastic depth to the floor with a light finish

Pop in today to see our amazing offers.

Oiled or lacquered flooring

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:10:13 GMT

Oiled or lacquered

Choosing the right finish for your floor is extremely important. The two most popular wood flooring finishes are lacquer and oil, both of which have their own benefits, and advantages.

There is no right or wrong flooring or what one is best, below we have set out the pros and cons of oiled or lacquered floors so you can choose the best floor for you.

Oiled Flooring

Oiled finish oak floor accentuates the natural wood grain and provides a natural matt look which gains more character as it ages, an oiled floor also doesn't show scratches, it is also easier to maintain if the oil dries out or is damaged you can simply add more oil on top without needing to sand the floor as it will simply soak into the wood.

The main down side with an oiled floor is that water can soak in after a good few hours leaving a water mark or even worse a dark stain in the wood if left for a long time, such as a small leak from a radiator.

Just like lacquer, an oil finish will protect the surface of the wood. The biggest advantage of oil over lacquer, is that it provides a deeper defence, penetrating the wood. While it's inevitable that the external layer of the wood will wear over time, opting for an oil varnish will help maintain the knots and layers beneath.

A big difference between an oiled and lacquered finish, is the aesthetic and final look produced. In terms of appearance, oiling the wood will give it a really natural look. Whilst it won't have a smooth and sleek appearance, oiling appears matt and barely there, retaining the authenticity of the wood.

Although an oiled wood flooring may need more regular care and upkeep than lacquered, it's unlikely it will need high-impact maintenance. It's a straight-forward process with a link on products and car and treatment just click her

Lacquered flooring

A lacquered finish has many pros. possibly one of the biggest, is that a lacquered wood floor is easily maintained, and cleaned. The lacquer works as an added protective layer, therefore making it ideal for a room with heavy footfall. Working as a temporary water-resistant film, if attended to promptly, the varnish won't permit liquid to seep through the wood's surface. If you're lucky enough to anticipate a high level of sunshine through the room, this coating is ideal as it will work as a UV filter, avoiding potential fading.

Lacquered Floors are great with water as it just sits on the top so no water marks but the down side to lacquered floor is that it can scratch leaving a white mark if a heavy object is dragged on the floor so would need to be sanded down.

There are several options when it comes to a lacquered finish: high gloss, gloss, or matt. As lacquer is coated on top of the wood, there will always be a degree of shine; it's just subject to personal preference as to how much sheen you desire. It's easy to create a beautifully pristine and glossy surface through this finish.

Although very strong and hard-wearing, a lacquered finish is not indestructible. It's imperative to invest in a quality barrier matting if the wood is to be laid in an entrance, to aid with the removal of soiling and moisture. If it's likely that objects will be moved or dragged across the floor, it's possible that a lacquered finish will show up scratches more than an oil finish. With the lacquer sitting on top of the wood rather than sinking in, over time the wood could become exposed, and open to damage. Because of this, we would suggest daily sweeping or vacuuming to keep it looking its best.

If you cant make your mind up please do pop in to speak to one of are friendly staff.

We have great deals and offers on our most popular floors

If you have dogs and wanting a floor that incorporates the positive of both floors and not worried about have real wood then please click here

What Floor for Dogs?

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Sat, 15 May 2021 10:43:32 GMT

What flooring is best for dogs?

We always get asked what flooring is best when you have dogs, unfortunately it’s not an easy answer, if you are looking at oak flooring, there's is many positive and few negatives to each type of floor.

There are also many different finishes and stains which we will expand on in another post

Oiled Flooring

For instance, oiled finish oak floor accentuates the natural wood grain and provides a natural matt look which gains more character as it ages, an oiled floor also doesn't show scratches, it is also easier to maintain if the oil dries out or is damaged you can simply add more oil on top without needing to sand the floor as it will simply soak into the wood.

Lacquered flooring

lacquer sits on top of the wood adding more protection and it’s easy to maintain, also a lacquered flooring highlights the beauty of wood, as the light reflects beautifully off the wood and enhances its color.

COREtec

If you want a floor that doesn't have any of these problems then we would highly recommend COREtec as its one of the best Vinyl on the Market it looks just like the real thing it’s hard to tell the deference its 100% Waterproof an Innovative core technology means COREtec floors won’t warp, buckle or peel due to moisture – even buckets of it.

It’s even 100% Pet proof all floors have extra thick wear layers to resist scratches and scuffs, because man’s best friend isn’t always a floor’s best friend.

Coretec can be brought in Plank or herringbone and they also do a stone.

Last but not least all COREtec floors come with a limited lifetime residential warranty.

Pop in to day we are sure you will find the one you want.

More Info

New discounts on our popular flooring

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:04:32 GMT

Our new discounted flooring

Pop in today and see our new selection of our most popular flooring at discounted prices

Visit us today

A great selection of all types of oak flooring

Our Most Popular Flooring Now Reduced

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 13:18:51 GMT

Our most popular flooring is now massively reduced

Pop in today and see our massively reduced Oak flooring.

We have decided to reduce our most popular/sold flooring this month we also have a great discount on Vinyl flooring too.

We can do supply only, or if you prefer one of our skilled craftsman can fit it for you.

give us a call or pop in today

Smoked Herringbone Oak Floor

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 16:42:46 GMT

Grey Smoked Herringbone Oak flooring

A Lovely grey smoked herringbone oak floor fitted in a lovely period cottage in Stradbroke

Pop in today and see our great range of oak flooring at great prices

Covid-19 Update January 2021

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:15:18 GMT

Our latest Covid-19 update - January 2021

As of 5th January, Fore Wood Floors will remain open for all flooring enquiries, estimating and fitting.

We will continue to operate within the Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines, and ensure that all staff and customers follow Covid secure procedures and guidelines.

Our outside viewing area will also remain open, and a call and collect will also be available.

Once again, the team at Fore Wood Floors, would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support.

Should you have any questions, please contact us .

Engineered herringbone blocks

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 12:03:23 GMT

A beautiful period cottage in the centre of Hadleigh fitted with engineered herringbone blocks

This Lovely Cottage posed quite a few challengers, with various different types of subfloors and different levels and virtually no Parallel walls or right-angle corners.We Managed to over come the level changes and only ended up with one level changed in the doorway between the hall and the lounge by using mixture of different thickness plywood and latex screed levelling

As we had a mixture of different skirting, sole plates and brickwork with a lot of the skirting that was almost plastered in to the walls

We were not able to remove it without causing major damage we therefore scribed all of the border to fit around the different type of perimeter and then inserted a colour match cork strip which created a uniform and almost seamless finish to the floor

Sometimes its the small things

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 16:35:00 GMT

At Forewood floors we care about the small things

Sometimes the little things can make all the difference. We care about the smallest details at forewood floors and sometimes they can be the Centre piece of your floor

Character semi solid oak flooring

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 14:29:10 GMT

Character Semi Solid oak flooring

One of Meltons grandest period houses that we are in the process of installing character semi solid oak flooring, over underfloor heating, because the floor runs through the kitchen and the designers wanted a natural unfinished/ slightly white look, we prefinished in our workshops with 2 coats of Bona white prime, and will finish on site with 2coats of bona Traffic ultra Matt, this will achieve the most durable finish there is

A natural oiled plank oak floor

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 14:08:18 GMT

A Natural oiled plank floor

A natural oiled oak plank flooring fitted in a new barn near cambridge.(PS317 on offer now at £32.99 M2)

Pop in today and see a great selection of oak flooring

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 11:56:36 GMT

We our open Monday - Saturday following strict guidelines

Pop in today and see a massive stock of flooring at a great reduced price, our friendly team is always here to help you find your dream flooring, dog not included ��

Radom length rustic oak plank flooring

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:27:01 GMT

Rustic oak plank flooring

A stunning random length rustic oak plank flooring, fitted in a gate house of a beautiful country manor in Suffolk

Covid-19 Update November

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 12:47:17 GMT

Our latest Covid-19 update - November 2020

As of 5th November, Fore Wood Floors will remain open for all flooring enquiries, estimating and fitting.

We will operate within the Covid-19 restrictions, and ensure that all staff and customers follow Covid secure procedures.

Our outside viewing area remains open, and a call and collect will also be available.

The team at Fore Wood Floors, would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support.

If you have any questions, please contact us .

A Beautiful French Oak Plank flooring

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 10:09:28 GMT

A beautiful modern architectural designed home.

Beautiful Oiled French oak plank laid in an ultra modern architectural designed home.

We carry a range of colours styles and widths to perfectly match your preferences and your home décor

Get in Touch today or pop in and come and see us

Oak parquet herringbone floor

info@forewoodfloors.co.uk (SIMON LYDFORD) — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 14:13:27 GMT

A captivating herringbone floor

Our Team is very happy with this captivating bespoke smoked brushed, hard wax oiled oak parquet herringbone floor , fitted in an character property in Suffolk

Our Recent Oak Flooring work

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 08:05:19 GMT

Yet another happy customer!

We recently fitted this Character Grade French Oiled Oak Plank flooring.

Simply Beautiful in all lights!

If you would like this flooring in your home, please contact us.

Our Recent Herringbone Floor Work

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 08:01:49 GMT

Some of our most recent Herringbone Flooring Work

We recently finished this Herringbone floor in beautiful Cognac Oak, for one very happy customer.
You can view more our our Patterned & Herringbone flooring work in our gallery.

Our Recent LVT Work

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:29:52 GMT

Some of our most recent LVT work

We gave our client the floor his Ferrari Testarossa deserved. Our Luxury Vinyl Tile , has the l atest technology texture embossed finishes. This flooring is t otally waterproof, scratch resistant, stain proof, 25 year guarantee, & can be fitted over most reasonable sub-floors.

Easy DIY installation or can be professionally fitted by our team.

Our Recent Work

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 08:28:48 GMT

Some of our most recent work

we recently completed this Beautiful prime European oak herringbone parquet flooring , with curved borders, a bespoke hand finish with stains and hardwax oil .

If you would like to learn more about installing this flooring within your home, please visit our showroom or contact us .

Covid-19 Update

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 08:38:56 GMT

THE SHOWROOM IS NOW OPEN!

The showroom has now reopened with social distancing measures, but for those who prefer we still have an outside covered viewing area, and a no contact delivery service is available.

Our full estimating, fitting, sanding and delivery services are now operating normally, and we are employing very safe and careful practices to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.

ENGINEERED VS SOLID BOARDS

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 08:33:30 GMT

Which is better – engineered boards or solid boards? Ultimately, it depends on your application and style preferences. Since many customers tell us that they have received conflicting advice on this subject, we’ve decided to lay out the facts here.

Engineered Boards

Engineered boards are also made of wood, with the surface being natural wood and the bottom being natural wood as well. In between, there are crisscrossing layers of plywood.

There may also be a ‘wear layer’ at the top of an engineered floor. Some customers see this and believe that solid floors are a better value. However, keep in mind that both solid and engineered floors typically need to be re-sanded from time to time. Engineered floors only need a fine sanding, but a solid floor will need to be sanded much more heavily.

In addition to this, engineered wooden floors do not expand and contract as much as solid ones do, since they are stuck together when they are laid. This makes the whole floor act like one complete sheet.

Solid Boards

Solid boards are made of solid wood. Because of this, they expand and contract far more than engineered boards, even curling slightly across their width. The wider the board, the greater the movement will be.

This is not always a disadvantage. If you own a period property, solid oak flooring can be a great option. The slight gaps can make the property look and feel even more authentic.

If you believe that a little expansion and contraction is part of the nature of wood and you like the look, then opt for solid boards. There’s no reason not to!

Using Under-Floor Heating?

Never lay solid boards if you’re planning to use under-floor heating. The heating makes the boards open and distort. Even if someone you know claims to have used solid boards successfully, stay away. For solid boards to actually work with under-floor heating is very rare.

You can still enjoy a wooden floor with under-floor heating; just choose an engineered floor with the same appearance as the solid floor you had it mind. Your engineered floor will be designed to stay stable and flat with no gaps. (However, keep in mind that we will still recommend an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room.) Not only will the engineered floor look better than a solid floor would, you’ll also find that heat transfer is better

Floating Floors?

Whether you are using a solid or engineered hardwood floor, we do not recommend using a floating floor. We prefer flooring that can be nailed or stuck down.

If you are unsure which is right for you, please call us.

Skirting and Thresholds

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 08:33:28 GMT

And now for the Finale!

Whatever your hardwood requirements might be, we at Fore Wood Floors are happy to say that we can meet them. Other companies limit their final touches by using ready-made, off-the-shelf MDF or aluminium trims. We don’t. Instead, we have a modern, fully equipped joinery workshop to create custom finishing touches for every customer.

We can fulfil your requests, whatever they might be. Our shop is fully stocked with large quantities of sawn hardwood. This allows us to machine the wood of your choice into made-to-measure thresholds, stair nosing and skirting. In fact, any moulding can be created especially for you.

SKIRTING OPTIONS

Torus Skirting
Oggee Skirting
Pencil Round Skirting
Oak Architrave
Oak Nosing
Flat Oak Trim
Dowelled Pipe Covers
Biscuit Pipe Covers

Thresholds and Skirting are only available when flooring is supplied or fitted by us.