Berkeley Cottage Oak brings a sense of timelessness to the home, with its beautiful and authentic look. Board by board, this brushed and matt lacquered engineered floor will give you that worldly feel you've been looking for. Featuring chatter marks from the sawmill along the edges, each board bursts with the charming effects of a floor that's been laid fresh from the saw and smoothed by the tread of generations. The classic smoking treatment creates a depth of colour and a subtle BML finish gives wonderful texture.
These are the questions we get asked most often about our floors and their features.
Is Berkeley Cottage Oak suitable for underfloor heating?
Yes – Berkeley Cottage Oak is suitable for underfloor heating when fully stuck down.
How do I clean this BML floor?
To clean this Berkeley floor, simply use our specially formulated cleaning liquid for lacquered floors. Alternatively, use a well-wrung mop (water only). We do not recommend using a steam mop or any other solutions on our floors.
Does Berkeley flooring need to acclimatise before installing?
Yes – We recommend you let your Berkeley floor acclimatise for 3 to 4 days before installing. This needs to be in the same room that it will be installed in, and it needs to remain within the sealed packaging. The sealed packaging helps ensure the floor doesn’t warp with the change of temperature from different environments. Do not store the flooring outdoors, in an outbuilding, or anywhere with damp or condensation problems.
What condition should the subfloor be in?
The surface immediately beneath a Woodpecker natural wood floor must be in good structural condition, free from damp rot, fungal or insect infestation, and contaminating residues. It must be flat with uneven areas not exceeding 3mm over a 2m area. Naturally, the surface should be vacuumed and totally free of debris before fitting begins. Hot pipes should be well insulated to prevent localised hotspots, which can cause wood flooring to warp or shrink.
What expansion gaps does Berkeley flooring need?
As wood is a natural substance, it will expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. That’s why when a wood floor is fitted, expansion gaps need to be left wherever the boards meet a wall, structural support, stairs, breakfast bar, fireplace, central heating pipe…etc. Gaps must also be considered at doorways to allow for the differing expansion between rooms. Place spacers at regular intervals when fitting and then remove them before skirting boards, beading or trims are put in place. Allow a 2mm gap for every metre span of the floor with a minimum of 10-15mm gap regardless. For areas over 5m in width, extra provisions should be made for expansion.
How can Berkeley floors be installed?
Berkeley floors can be installed by being glued, secret nailed or floated.
What joints does Berkeley flooring have?
Berkeley flooring has tongue and groove joints.
Can I install Berkeley flooring in my bathroom?
We generally wouldn’t recommend using engineered flooring in a bathroom.
How thick is Berkeley flooring?
Berkeley flooring is 15mm thick which includes a 4mm real wood wear layer.
How much should I allow for wastage?
We generally recommend 10% wastage, however, this can be impacted by the room shape, laying style and other factors so always check with your installer first.
What does 'pack includes cut lengths' mean?
This means that at least one plank within your pack will be cut in half. This is intentional as it will help spread the joints out across your floor, thus helping prevent weakening. The other planks will be the same length.
Fall in love with the rich dark tones of our Legacy Chepstow Distressed Charcoal Oak and discover our top tips for styling this wonderfully luxurious floor…
Wonderfully contemporary and oh so special, our Legacy Goodrich Salted Oak is no ordinary parquet floor. Discover what makes it unique and be inspired with our home décor styles…
Discover the wonders of wide planks with our Legacy Harlech Raw Oak flooring. It’s the perfect choice for a sleek and contemporary look – view our top decor tips on how to style this beautiful floor in your home…
A rich and luxurious solid choice – our Legacy York Antique Oak is a solid wood floor with wonderful depth and character. Be inspired with our home decor tips and discover the beauty of this premium floor…
Full of wonderful detail and texture, our Legacy Berkeley Century Pine floor will add instant character to any room. Whether your style is modern or traditional, this floor will complement a range of looks – discover our fave décor styles and let us wow you…
Celebrate Wood Flooring Week with Woodpecker from 1st – 5th February 2021 with wonderful inspiration, expert tips and an introduction to our new Legacy range…
We generally recommend adding at least 10% on top for wastage, however, the plank type, laying pattern and room shape will have an impact on how much wastage is needed so it’s always best to consult with your installer first. Herringbone and chevron floors will typically need 15%-20% wastage.
Use our simple guide to learn how to get accurate measurements of your room.