Atkinson & Kirby: product and fitting guide

Choose construction, finish and layout together

Shortlist the wood colour alongside the actual construction and finish. Engineered and solid wood are different floor types, and a finish described as oiled is not interchangeable with lacquered flooring for maintenance purposes. Request the product code and the applicable fitting and care documents.

Decide on planks, herringbone or another pattern before estimating material. Ask the fitter to show the intended direction, starting point, joins with other floors and finishing details. A pattern affects cutting and fitting, so compare quotations for the same layout.

A product example: Isla Oak

The manufacturer’s Isla Oak page, code CLA1001, lists a matt lacquer finish, 14 mm thickness, a 3 mm wear layer, 125 mm width and 2.2 m² per pack. Use those details as one precise example when comparing products.

Do not read the wear-layer thickness as a promised number of future sandings. Condition, previous treatment and the construction influence any renovation proposal. Record the full specification for the selected product and ask for advice before deciding on refinishing.

Prepare the room before ordering

Have the fitter assess the existing substrate, moisture condition and the proposed floor build-up. Discuss door clearance, thresholds, skirtings and any fixed kitchen units. Establish which preparation and finishing items the quote includes.

Keep a clear division between the flooring quantity and the work needed to install it. Measurements should include the agreed layout and cutting allowance; order quantities should then be reconciled with the selected pack size.

Underfloor heating needs a complete-system check

Isla Oak is marked as compatible with underfloor heating on its product page. That does not remove the need to follow the fitting instructions, heating limits and commissioning process for the actual installation.

Give the installer and heating supplier the product code, floor construction and planned fitting system. Agree the required conditions and temperature controls before fitting. Obtain the limits from the applicable documents rather than borrowing numbers from another wood range.

Maintain the selected finish

Atkinson & Kirby provides separate maintenance instructions for lacquered and UV-oiled floors and for oiled floors. Use the document matching the selected finish and the permitted products. Do not apply an oil-care routine simply because the surface is real wood.

Plan entrance protection, furniture pads and a routine for dry debris and spills consistent with those instructions. Ask about ongoing maintenance and any restrictions before choosing the finish, especially for a busy household.

Check cover and handover

Ask for the warranty applicable to the selected floor, intended use and purchase. Confirm installation and care conditions, then retain the invoice, product details and installer’s handover record. A brand-level statement is not a substitute for the terms supplied with the purchase.

Bring your room plan, photographs and shortlist to FloorDesigns. We can discuss the project and confirm the current product, availability and measured quotation before an order is placed.

Sources and further reading

Guide updated 9 October 2026. Use the instructions supplied for your exact product, finish and intended use.

• Isla Oak CLA1001
• Fitting and maintenance downloads
• Wood flooring catalogue