There is nothing better than 18mm solid wood flooring when it comes to combining strength with flexibility. This extra depth gives every plank superior impact resistance, allowing it to be refinished multiple times over its lifetime. This product has a deeper-than-average thickness, a heavier weight, and greater stability—a sign of quality and durability.
As long as you properly care for your 18mm hardwood floors, they can last 40-60 years or longer. In addition to having a solid construction and a thick wear layer, they allow refinishing, so the same floor can look new several times throughout its lifecycle.
Yes. Among the many advantages of a thick finish is that it can be sanded and refinished several times before needing replacement. Whether you want to refresh the look of your home or update it with new styles as they emerge, you can restore the colour, finish, and smoothness of the boards without replacing them.
Depending on the thickness, it serves a different purpose.
A solid wood floor with a thickness of 18mm is the most cost-effective and offers the most performance for most homeowners.
Ensure that your subfloor is dry, level, and structurally sound at all times. Over time, moisture and uneven surfaces can cause the furniture to warp or make noise. During the installation process, a professional will check for humidity levels, fix any dips or bumps, and use an appropriate underlay to ensure long-term stability of the floor.
Yes. It is important to note that, since 18mm solid hardwood is a premium, long-lasting option, both buyers and valuers recognise it as an actual upgrade. This type of flooring adds both aesthetic appeal and measurable resale value as it represents a level of quality that cannot be found in synthetic flooring or flooring made of thinner materials.
As long as moisture precautions are taken, yes – this is possible. It is essential to seal spills regularly and to clean them up as soon as possible. Many homeowners, when purchasing a new home, opt for engineered alternatives because they offer a similar look with added dimensional stability, which is perfect for areas with high humidity or frequent water exposure.
Generally, no. A thick, solid wood, such as 18mm, limits heat transfer and increases the risk of expansion due to its dense construction. It is safer to use engineered wood for heated floors because it is designed to handle temperature fluctuations more effectively.
A variety of finishes can be chosen, including natural, oiled, lacquered, and brushed, depending on your preferred aesthetics and maintenance. An oiled finish adds a touch of sophistication to a wood sample, a lacquer finish adds a touch of shine, while a rushed texture gives a sense of contemporary comfort.
Several factors affect the price: the type and grade of wood, the surface finish, and the complexity of the installation. The most affordable wood is oak, while the most expensive is walnut or an exotic species. Choosing a professional to install the wood also affects the project’s total cost, but doing so will guarantee the wood’s longevity and a flawless appearance.
What makes 18mm the premium standard (for solid wood):

Where 18mm solid wood excels:
Where to think twice (and what to choose instead):
“Why not just laminate?” (We sell it too — here’s the honest take):
It’s equally important to select the right wood species and the proper thickness when constructing a deck or planning interior floors. Within the 18mm range, each timber type behaves uniquely — not only in colour and grain but also in how it interacts with light, ages over time, and withstands daily wear. If you’re considering an 18mm solid wood floor for your project, explore the expertly curated collections available from Flooring Surgeons to find the perfect match of character, performance, and long-term beauty.
It’s no secret that oak is one of the most popular and versatile hardwood flooring choices – and for good reason as well. Oak is available in a thickness of 18mm and offers both resilience and refinement. In addition to its tight grain pattern and medium hardness, the hardwood has a slightly moving grain pattern that adds a natural warmth to a room while resisting dents and wear.
Oak is also highly adaptable to a range of finishes—from pale, brushed tones that lend themselves to Scandi-style interiors to dark, rich stains that conjure images of the classics. A hardwood floor is one of the most versatile flooring solutions available on the market: durable enough for family homes, classic enough for heritage interiors, and timeless enough to never go out of style.
To give your floor a sense of sophistication, walnut and exotic hardwoods are excellent choices if you are looking for something different from the norm. There is a wide variety of premium woods available in 18mm solid profiles, though it is here that their true potential comes to light.
With its rich chocolate hues and flowing texture, American walnut adds a beautiful warmth and depth to any living space, be it a formal living room or a luxury office. In addition to their colour and density differences, exotic woods such as Merbau, Teak, and Sapele have unique grain patterns, making them ideal for bespoke interior designs where the floor becomes a feature rather than a backdrop.
It is more important to choose these species because of their presence than for their practicality. If the goal is to create an experience in a room, they are the perfect finish because they combine craftsmanship, prestige, and individuality at their finest.
While both 18mm solid hardwood flooring and engineered wood flooring offer outstanding beauty, they serve slightly different purposes in terms of their functionality.
Simply put, solid wood is a better choice for durability and natural longevity, while engineered wood is better for flexibility and modern functionality. Regardless of what you choose, you will be investing in a real wood surface that will enhance your interior for many years to come.

The installation of 18mm solid wood flooring is not just about putting boards together, but rather about engineering a foundation which will last for decades. With their extra thickness, these planks offer a lot of stability and substance—but that same density also means their installation requires precision, patience, and experience.
There is no such thing as a quick fix for a product like this. This means the installer has a smaller margin for error because the planks weigh more, lock tighter, and move less, leaving less room for error. Having done it right, the result is a silent, perfectly flat surface that feels as solid as the structure beneath it, and it is as quiet as it is flat. Poorly done, even the tiniest of uneven spots can reverberate through the floor whenever you walk over them.
This is another reason homeowners choose to hire professionals for 18mm hardwood floors—it’s simply not something a DIYer can handle. Before the boards can be installed in the room, they need to be acclimated to the space’s temperature and humidity, often for several days, so they will settle naturally before being fixed.
It is also essential to consider subfloor conditions at this thickness. It is important to note that even minor dips or pockets of moisture can cause movement or creaking further down the line. As part of the installation process, professional installers do more than simply lay the floor—they create the right environment for the wood by testing for humidity, adjusting levels, and sealing the subfloor to accommodate its needs.
It is for this reason that Flooring Surgeons provide flooring installation services that go beyond just fitting your floors. To ensure your 18mm floor feels as heavy, quiet, and stable as it should, we carefully prepare, measure, and control every step of the process.
Due to the weight and structural integrity of 18mm solid planks, it is almost always best to install them with nails to ensure optimal performance. As a result of these nails, the wood is secured directly to the subfloor in a wooden construction, giving it a distinct “anchored” sound and feel. This choice has always been considered the classic for authenticity—the kind of fit that makes a floor part of the structure rather than just adding to it or sitting on top of it.
That said, there are exceptions. If you are building a modern home with a concrete subfloor or yeed acoustic insulation, a complete glue-down installation can be the better option. It provides a quieter, more cushioned feel while still maintaining a seamless look.
Choosing a method isn’t the key to success – it’s whether it’s carried out correctly that counts. In the case of 18mm thickness, any mistake in spacing, nailing depth, or adhesive spread can undermine the product’s durability for decades to come. Whenever you are dealing with something as substantial as a furniture piece, the fittings deserve to be treated with the same level of care as the wood itself.
If you want to buy 18mm hardwood flooring, you are not simply picking a product—you need to choose the right people who will stand behind it as well. It is our goal at Flooring Surgeons to provide our customers with a seamless experience from start to finish through the use of premium materials, craftsmanship, and customer service.
A wide variety of solid wood floors from our collection is available in matte, satin, and high-gloss finishes, including oak, walnut, and exotic woods, all 18 mm thick. As every plank is hand-selected to ensure structural integrity and visual consistency, the quality of the flooring you see in our showroom will be just as good as what you receive in your home as well.

We offer professional installation services throughout the UK, and our certified fitters will take care of everything from subfloor preparation to the final finish, so you don’t have to worry about uneven boards or premature wear and tear. Our team of flooring specialists will guide your project every step of the way so your floor is treated like their own.
Across the UK, our customers regularly praise us for our focus on detail, responsive customer service, and expert after-sales support. A comprehensive warranty is included with every installation, along with ongoing guidance to help you maintain your floor for as long as possible. Additionally, you can visit one of our local showrooms to feel the products’ quality firsthand, or order free samples online for complete peace of mind before making a purchase.
It really does not matter what type of floor you want; Flooring Surgeons delivers on every level: quality craftsmanship, superb performance, and lasting beauty.