The Beauty Behind Reclaimed Engineering

What makes our flooring so special?

Wood is a huge part of our aesthetic, we love reclaimed timber, the warmth, the knots of the wood, how it has aged and weathered over time. The different finishes and the natural variations add to the charm and it’s uniqueness. And whilst we all know you also love this look we are frequently asked about the practicalities of reclaimed flooring, the million dollar question is what really is reclaimed engineered?  We thought it was worth sharing our expertise and guiding your decision making process on which type of flooring suits your lifestyle and aesthetic.

We have developed a technique that is used by only a handful of companies in the UK to create engineered reclaimed boards. Reclaimed will always be full of natural variations in the colour, the splits, the knots and the textures. This of course comes from the previous life of the timber, for instance oak from an old barn in Southern France will wear differently to an old building in the North of Scotland. Sun exposure will bleach the wood, whereas wild and windy winters will show their toll on the wood in a different way. The darker black woods are more likely to be from cold and wet places and give that burnt black tarnished look. This is what makes the reclaimed option such a unique and beautiful product. What we do next is what makes our wood special.

      Master craftsman with years of experience, painstakingly restore and evolve the reclaimed wood making it fit for todays world.

The top layer of your reclaimed engineered floor boards are all made of timber that could be anything from 50-120 years old. The unique patina finish is left untouched, yet the wood is treated so you can have underfloor heating in your house, making ideal for modern day living.

This process is vital for our many renovations and new build projects. The timber is made to be extremely stable, so they work well on uneven floors and can even be glued to concrete floors. This takes the fear and uncertainty of reclaimed out of the mix. You can have that effortless look, with a lived in feel, while still standing the time for modern day living.    

We use a hybrid oil to finish the flooring; it is all done at the production stage, with good chemical and mechanical resistance that sinks into the surfaces, giving it protection and adding to the timber's patina. Oiled floors will continue to age, which will only make the floor look better as it gets older. If you maintain your floor with the recommended maintenance products your floor will last a lifetime and look beautiful throughout, gaining its own unique patina.

Occasionally some customers choose a raw lacquer, this has outstanding chemical and mechanical resistance and is extremely scratch resistant. This product is generally used for commercial environments.

Reclaimed Engineered          |          Hand Aged Engineered

We also have hand aged engineered flooring. A newly made product but carefully treated by hand, using reactive stains and colours to create a unique finish every time. It comes in many shapes and sizes. Like a genuine reclaimed floor you might find different levels and steps to the surface this will enhance the overall look of your floor and make it appear to have been laid for a 100 years. Your floor will be different to most floors on the market, no two boards will be the same. There will be colour variations as well as differences in the hand age elements. This is what makes your floor unique. This of course comes with the same engineered process as the reclaimed engineered flooring so it’s suitable for underfloor heating and practical for old and new buildings. 

One of our favourite projects Emma’s kitchen showcasing a mix of reclaimed woods  @kramers_world

We do hope this helps you make a decision on what flooring feels right for you. It’s personal choice but for us it’s about the balance between honest character and a pared back style. Whether you are looking for simple and modern, warm country or town house elegance there’s different finishes to suit your style. The nature of reclaimed means no two planks will look the same. This is its charm.

Search through your preferred choice and order a free sample. If you would like a larger sample making this up can be arranged for a small fee. Or come and visit one of our stores to look at our collection. Our Vyner Street showroom has the full range on display, smaller sample boards are available to view in both of our boutique studios in Chelsea and Leeds.