At Hoff Parquet, we specialise in high-quality ash wood flooring installations for private homes, commercial spaces, and architectural projects across the UK. Our services cover supply, subfloor preparation, expert fitting, and finishing of both solid and engineered ash wood floors, including wide and long plank formats, herringbone, chevron, and bespoke stair elements

Why Chose Ash

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Ash is a hard and resilient timber with light tones and distinctive grain. It offers a clean, contemporary appearance while remaining highly durable and impact resistant. Ash is suitable for a range of interiors and works well in both residential and commercial environments.
Solid vs Engineered Ash FlooringWe offer both solid and engineered ash flooring options. Each has its own specific installation requirements and benefits:
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Solid Ash Flooring

• Made from 100% natural ash
• Generally supplied in narrower widths to limit natural movement
• Requires a very stable environment and must not be installed over underfloor heating
• Best suited for joist systems or stable plywood subfloors
• Needs full acclimatisation and controlled humidity levels

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Engineered Ash Flooring

• Constructed with a hardwood ash top layer (4–6mm) over a high-quality multi-layer plywood base
• Offers excellent stability, even in larger plank widths and lengths
• Fully compatible with underfloor heating systems
• Can be glued down, floated, or fitted using flexible adhesives depending on subfloor
• Ideal for modern and energy-efficient homes

Subfloor Preparation

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Proper subfloor preparation is critical for long-lasting wood flooring. At Hoff Parquet, we work with all types of subfloors and carry out the full preparation in-house.
Joist Subfloors
We install and level chipboard or plywood sheeting, securely fixed to the joists to provide a solid, flat surface for the wood floor.
Chipboard and Plywood
Existing wooden subfloors are checked for deflection and flatness. Where needed, we reinforce, sand or level the surface before installation.
Screed and Concrete Subfloors
We test all mineral subfloors for moisture using appropriate equipment. Where required, we install a damp-proof membrane and apply levelling compound to achieve a flat, dry and stable base.
Underfloor Heating Systems
Engineered ash wood flooring is ideal for use over underfloor heating. We follow correct heating cycles, apply suitable adhesives, and ensure floor surface temperatures remain within safe limits throughout installation and beyond.

Installation Challenges with Wide and Long Ash Planks

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Fitting very wide and long ash planks (over 180mm wide or over 2 metres in length) demands experience, planning, and perfect site conditions. Here are key challenges:
1. Movement and Cupping in Solid Wide Planks
Solid ash is especially reactive to humidity changes. Wide boards can expand and contract significantly, causing cupping (edges rise), crowning (centre lifts), or gapping between boards.
To manage this:

• We ensure a moisture-balanced site (RH 40–60%)
• Acclimatisation for a minimum of 72 hours in the installation space
• Subfloor must be perfectly dry and flat (within 3mm over 2m)
• Often secret-nailed or fully bonded using flexible adhesives

2. Subfloor Tolerance and Rigidity
Wide and long boards expose even the smallest subfloor irregularities. Any dips, deflection, or bounce can lead to squeaking, cracking, or failed adhesion.
To resolve this:

• Concrete/screed is levelled with smoothing compound and damp-proofed
• Chipboard/plywood is reinforced, screwed down and sanded flat
• Joist systems must be rock solid with securely fitted board overlay

3. Engineered Ash Still Requires Precision
While more stable than solid wood, wide engineered ash planks must still be laid with care:

• We use high-grab, flexible adhesives with high shear strength
• Plank layout and staggering must be planned to avoid end-joint clustering
• Expansion gaps must be accurately calculated and hidden beneath skirting

4. Risk of Lipping and Unevenness
Long boards can vary slightly in thickness or flatness. When installed without care, this results in lipping (one board edge higher than another).
We address this by:

• Selecting only high-grade boards from consistent batches
• Using weighted roller systems during bonding
• Spot-checking for level at every metre during install

Ash Parquet Patterns – Herringbone and Chevron

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Ash Parquet Patterns – Herringbone and Chevron
Ash is a stunning option for classic parquet layouts. We install both herringbone and chevron designs with precise alignment and symmetry.
Each block or plank is:

• Acclimatised and sorted by tone
• Glued down using specialist parquet adhesive
• Sanded and finished in place, if required, for seamless grain flow

Bespoke Matching Joinery

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To complete your flooring, we offer bespoke ash joinery, custom-made to match the tone and finish of your floor:

• Stair treads and risers
• Bullnose and square-nose edges
• Threshold strips and trims
• Door surrounds and skirtings

All elements are crafted in-house to the highest standards and installed by our experienced team.

Why Choose Hoff Parquet?
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• Specialists in challenging wide plank installations
• Full subfloor preparation for every substrate type
• In-house joinery for bespoke elements
• Experts in parquet, solid and engineered ash flooring
• Compatible systems for underfloor heating
• Wood Flooring Showroom in Edinburgh, nationwide service available

Book a ConsultationTo discuss your ash wood flooring project, or to request a quote, visit www.hoffparquet.co.uk or contact us to schedule a site visit. Large samples and design advice are available at our Edinburgh showroom.