Fumed and Brushed Character Solid Oak Flooring
Our Fumed and Brushed Character Oak Flooring is machined from sustainably-sourced solid European oak timber. After machining, the boards are wire brushed, which raises the grain, producing a tactile, textured surface. After brushing, the boards are then fumed, a chemical process which darkens the wood, creating a pleasing mix of dark oak shades. This character grade floor contains some splits, checks and plentiful open knots of varying size. The knots can be filled and sanded to a smooth finish if preferred.
Our Fumed and Brushed Oak Flooring is available in a choice of narrow board or wide board floor, for full information see below.
We manufacture all our wood floors to order to ensure that every board is machined from the same batch of timber. As we are machining from natural materials, the raw timber batch can sometimes be a little wider or a little narrower than usual. Individual boards in each batch are always the same width, but may not be exactly 140mm or 185mm.
Narrow Board Oak Floors
Supplied as a single width narrow board (i.e. each board you receive will be exactly the same width). The width supplied is dependent on timber availability at the time of manufacture, but is typically 140mm. Occasionally, the raw timber batch is a little wider and produces a 150mm finished width. If you are matching up to a floor we've previously supplied, or if it is important to you that your boards are exactly 140mm or 150mm wide, please contact us to discuss availability.
Wide Board Oak Floors
Supplied as a single width wide board (i.e. each board you receive will be exactly the same width). The width supplied is dependent on timber availability at the time of manufacture, but is typically 185mm. Occasionally, the raw timber batch can be a little wider or narrower, but generally by not more than 5%. If you are matching up to a floor we've previously supplied, or if it is important to you that your boards are exactly 185mm wide, please contact us to discuss availability.
Board Lengths
Our solid oak floorboards are supplied in random lengths, usually between 1.5m and 2.5m. Some boards may be supplied longer or shorter than that, depending on raw timber stocks at the time of machining.
Fumed Oak Floors
Fuming is a chemical process which darkens the oak in a natural way - and is provided as an alternative to staining. Different boards and different batches of timber will react differently to the fuming process, and as such the wood will not have a uniform colour. Photographs on the website and samples are provided for guidance only - we can not guarantee an exact colour match. If you wish to obtain a uniform dark tone we recommend the use of a stain rather than fuming.
All the raw timber we use is sourced from either PEFC or FSC certified suppliers. The timber is kiln-dried to a moisture content of 9-11% and kept at an ambient temperature in our heated and humidity controlled factory. We pre-plane the boards before final machining which results in accurately machined floorboards which are extremely straight, flat and a pleasure to fit. Mass produced imported floors are not made, or quality controlled, to the same high standards as a British Hardwoods wood floor.
| Country of Manufacture | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | British Hardwoods |
| Flooring Finish | Oiled - Osmo Clear Satin or Unoiled |
| Timber Species | Fumed European Oak |
| Timber Grade | Character Grade |
| Thickness | 20mm |
| Width | Wide board (typically 185mm) / Narrow board (typically 140mm) |
| Length | 1.5m - 2.5m (average) |
| Edge Detail | Micro Bevel (on long edges) |
| Profile | Tongue and Groove (including ends) |
Where are your floors made?
We manufacture all our solid wood floors at our premises here in Yorkshire.
Is the timber sustainably sourced?
All the timber we use is sustainably sourced from FSC or PEFC certified sawmills.
Is the timber kiln-dried?
Yes, the timber is kiln-dried to a moisture content of between 9-11% and is therefore perfectly compatible for use within a warm, dry property.
Are your boards tongued and grooved?
Yes, all our hardwood floors are machined in the traditional way with tongue and groove joints on all four edges.
Are your floors lacquered?
We don’t offer a lacquered finish; we recommend that lacquers are best applied once the floor is laid. Our optional factory finish is Osmo Polyx Oil (commonly known as Hardwax Oil). Our floors can also be supplied unfinished, ready to take a finish of your own choice once laid.
If I choose filled knots, what are they filled with?
We use a durable resin filler in a 'black oak' shade. Please note, the filler has a light grey appearance when unfinished, which darkens when finished with Hardwax Oil (or similar flooring finish).
What is fuming?
Fuming is an alternative to staining that we offer on our range of oak flooring. It is created by chemical reaction between tannins in the oak and ammonia, which is applied as a gas. This reaction darkens the oak in a natural way, thus replicating the natural tones and shades of an aged oak floor. Different boards and different batches of timber will react differently to the fuming process, and as such the wood will not have a uniform colour. If you wish to obtain a uniform dark tone we recommend the use of a stain rather than fuming.
Can I fit a solid wood floor onto underfloor heating?
No, only engineered wood floors can be used in conjunction with underfloor heating.
Do you offer a fitting service?
As a manufacturer we supply only, we don’t offer a fitting or finishing service.
When will I receive my order?
Current guides to lead time are displayed at the top of the page underneath the main product heading and price.
How much is delivery?
The delivery charge depends on the total weight of the goods ordered and the delivery location. To calculate the delivery charge:
- Put all the goods you require into your shopping cart.
- Go to the shopping cart.
- Type your full delivery postcode in the 'Calculate Shipping' box and our website will calculate the accurate shipping charge for you.
Do you offer free delivery over a certain amount?
We feel that it is fairer and more honest to display delivery costs separately, rather than 'hide' them within the cost of our flooring. Transporting large loads of hardwood flooring around the UK is costly. The shipping price shown in the cart is the direct charge from the independent couriers we use.
Can I collect from your premises or arrange my own transport?
Yes – choose the “Customer Collect” option when placing your order. As soon your order is ready, we will contact you to let you know.
• Download our comprehensive Hardwood Floor Fitting and Maintenance Guide.
Maintenance Advice for Oiled Hardwood Flooring
Although a solid hardwood floor is extremely hardwearing the surface finish needs to be maintained to keep it looking beautiful.
Sweep your floor regularly with a soft brush or dust mop; small particles of grit and stones can be carried on the soles of shoes, and these can abrade and scratch the surface of the wood. An entrance mat placed in exterior doorways can help reduce this. Dining chairs and other furniture can mark hardwood floors if the legs are left unprotected. Adhesive felt pads offer a simple and inexpensive solution (check felt pads regularly to ensure that they are still in place).
We only recommend the use of proprietary products for cleaning your floor. These products are specially formulated and will protect and prolong the lifetime of the finish. We don’t recommend the use of universal floor cleaning products, even if they state they are suitable for wood floors, they could contain harsh chemicals, or silicones that can make the floor slippery.
Never use household cleaning products, e.g. washing up liquid, furniture polish, bleach, baking soda, cleaning wipes, Zoflora, Vanish, Flash, Mr Muscle, Clorox, or any other type of detergent or surface cleaner, as these will strip the surface finish. Steam cleaners, aqua vacuums, robo-mops, and other similar devices are also not recommended.
If you are undertaking any decorating or renovation work such as painting, plastering, wallpapering, sanding, etc., ensure you cover the floor properly to protect the surface.
Regular Cleaning
Damp mop with Osmo Wash and Care. Simply add a couple of capfuls to warm water and wipe the floor with a lightly dampened cloth or Osmo Plush Microfibre Mop. Osmo Wash and Care does not form a film and feeds oil back into the floor every time you wash it. The product also contains anti-slip properties.
Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner is restorative cleaning product for occasional use. Simply apply with a soft cloth or Osmo Active Fibre Cloth and buff into the timber. It will remove small surface abrasions, some stubborn marks, and can be used as a polish to add additional lustre.
An Osmo Cleaning Mop Kit for Floors is a three-headed mop kit perfect for cleaning, damp mopping, and polishing your oiled wood flooring.
Osmo Polyx Oil finishes can be spot repaired and re-coated when necessary. The Osmo website is a great source of information, how to videos, and advice:
https://osmouk.com
We use numerous ways to deliver our floors all around the UK mainland. This includes delivery by our own vehicles and also the use of independent couriers.
To calculate the delivery charge:
- Put the goods you require into your shopping cart.
- Go to the shopping cart.
- Type your full delivery postcode in the 'Calculate Shipping' box and our website will calculate the shipping method and the accurate shipping charge.
BHW Van (our own vehicle)
Door to door delivery using our own vehicle and driver. When your order is ready, we will contact you to arrange a convenient delivery day. On the day of delivery, we will provide a delivery time-slot (usually when our driver is en route). On arrival, our driver will transfer your order from the vehicle to your doorstep.
Pallet Track (kerbside delivery)
Overnight kerbside delivery by an independent Pallet Track courier, using a palletised network of transport and 17.5 tonne vehicles. In special circumstances, where access is limited, it may be possible to arrange a smaller 7.5 tonne truck but this is dependent on the size of the load.
When your order is ready, we will contact you to arrange a convenient delivery day. Pallet Track deliveries are “kerbside”, i.e. the driver will move the goods to the back of the wagon where possible, and it is the customer’s responsibility to move the goods from the wagon and into the property. It is essential that a delivery day is chosen when there are sufficient physically capable people present (potentially all day) to facilitate the offloading process. On the day of despatch, we will notify you to confirm that your order has been despatched. Updates regarding delivery windows and approximate delivery times are the responsibility of the courier.
Premium Delivery (door to door)
Door to door delivery using our own vehicle and driver to areas beyond our usual delivery scope (offered as an alternative to Pallet Track courier). When your order is ready, we will contact you to arrange a convenient delivery day. On the day of delivery, we will provide a delivery time-slot (usually when our driver is en route). On arrival, our driver will transfer your order from the vehicle to your doorstep.
Courier Delivery
Applies to smaller flooring orders only (usually up to 10m2).
Storage information
Our timber is kiln-dried and should not be stored in a cold, damp environment (e.g. garage or outbuilding). On delivery, the packs should be taken straight indoors into a dry, heated building. All concrete, plaster and wet work should be fully dried out prior to storage and/or installation. Our hardwood flooring has been factory acclimatised and further acclimatisation is not necessary prior to installation.
