Solid oak traditional floorboards
More character and interest can be included due to the full 19mm thickness… knots and wild grain hold together better.
- Areas where there is a greater chance of temperature and humidity changes i.e. larger areas that are only heated for events, floors with an outside airflow beneath them, floors above potentially damp cellars etc.
- Where wide boards are required and budget is tight ( wide boards require double engineering for stability which is costly )
- Historic projects where there is a requirement for ‘like for like’ replacement
Notes:
- Solid oak wide board flooring can be and has often been laid over UFH… see specific guidelines.
- Multi-ply can move more than the oak in damp conditions and is non-durable so can de-laminate/disintegrate over time.

Single engineered oak floorboards
Character will be lighter as heavier character can ‘break out’ when the oak is machined to the thinner wearing layers.
- Use in Warm dry areas where there is little risk of becoming cold or damp for longer periods.
- Use over UFH where the flooring is always warm and the added stability of the multi-ply base is restricting movement.

Double engineered oak floorboards
Whippletree recommend double engineered where wide and long boards are required. The multi-ply core has a slightly different movement rate to the oak which can cause cupping and bow on these larger boards. The double engineering creates a ‘ply sandwich’ which balances the difference in movement.
- Character will be lighter as heavier character can ‘break out’ when the oak is machined to the thinner wearing layers.
- Use in Warm dry areas where there is little risk of becoming cold or damp for longer periods.
- Use over UFH where the flooring is always warm and the added stability of the multi-ply base is restricting movement.
