FLOORDESIGNS / Q&A
Atkinson & Kirby: questions and answers
Atkinson & Kirby real wood flooring comes in different constructions, finishes and layouts. Start with the selected board and the condition of the room, then agree the installation and aftercare.
Is all Atkinson & Kirby flooring solid wood?
No. Its catalogue includes different wood constructions. Confirm whether your selected product is engineered or solid, together with its finish and fitting profile. Those details determine the relevant installation and maintenance instructions.
Can it be used with underfloor heating?
Check the exact product and complete installation system. Isla Oak CLA1001 is marked compatible, but fitting conditions and heating limits still apply. Give the selected specification to the installer and heating supplier before ordering.
How much flooring is in an Isla Oak pack?
The manufacturer’s current CLA1001 page lists 2.2 m² per pack. Use the measured layout and cutting allowance to calculate the order, then confirm the current pack specification. Do not transfer this coverage to another board.
Can I clean an oiled and a lacquered floor the same way?
Use the care instructions for the finish. Atkinson & Kirby publishes separate maintenance resources for lacquered and UV-oiled floors and for oiled floors. Confirm the finish and permitted products before choosing a cleaning routine.
Does a 3 mm wear layer mean the floor can be sanded repeatedly?
It does not establish a fixed number of renovations. Condition, previous work and construction all matter. Have the actual floor assessed before sanding or applying a new finish; a product-page thickness alone is not approval.
What should a wood-floor quotation include?
The exact product and layout, measured quantity, preparation, fitting system, trims and the treatment of doors and skirtings. Include any heating assessment and confirm the applicable care and warranty information at handover.
Should rustic Isla Oak look identical from board to board?
No. Atkinson & Kirby describes rustic grading with knots and natural colour variation. Inspect a representative selection rather than relying on one clear sample. If you want a more uniform appearance, compare the chosen product's declared grade before ordering.
Manufacturer reference: Isla Oak CLA1001.
What does RL mean on the Isla Oak specification?
The manufacturer identifies the length as random length. Plan the layout from the full current specification instead of assuming every board has one fixed length. Ask the fitter to account for the supplied lengths when setting out joints and calculating the measured order.
Manufacturer reference: Isla Oak CLA1001.
Is Isla Oak's top layer the same measurement as the full board thickness?
No. CLA1001 lists a 14 mm board and a 3 mm oak top layer. They describe different parts of this specific product. Use overall thickness when assessing adjoining heights, and have a specialist assess renovation potential rather than calculating a guaranteed number of sandings.
Manufacturer reference: Isla Oak CLA1001.
Should I choose a care sheet simply because a wood floor is described as oiled?
Use the maintenance document matching the exact finish. Atkinson & Kirby lists lacquered/UV-oiled maintenance separately from oiled-floor maintenance. Confirm the finish on the order and product sheet before buying cleaners or renewal products.
Manufacturer reference: Free downloads.
Is one standard waste percentage enough for every wood-floor layout?
A final allowance should come from the measured layout and selected board format. Diagonal directions, borders, alcoves and pattern work can alter the cuts. Ask for the allowance to be explained and reconcile the order with the exact product's pack coverage before placing it.
What information helps when I later need a wood-floor repair or refinishing assessment?
Keep the product code, finish, invoice and installation details. Record any later sanding or coatings as well. The installed floor's condition and history matter to a repair assessment; a familiar colour name or the original wear-layer figure is not enough by itself.
Additional answers reviewed 10 October 2026. Follow the current instructions for the exact product and intended use. For more context, read the Atkinson & Kirby product guide.
Sources and further reading
Guide updated 9 October 2026. Use the instructions supplied for your exact product, finish and intended use.