The Evolution of Wood Floor Laying: From Hand Tools to High Tech (And Why Some Traditions Should Never Die)
When I first came to London from Kosovo over ten years ago, I arrived with little more than a few hand tools, a strong back, and a love for working with wood that had been passed down through my family. I didn’t know then that I’d fall in love with this city, or that I’d still be here today, fitting wood floors in some of the most beautiful homes and buildings the UK has to offer.
A lot has changed in the flooring world since I started. Technology, materials, and expectations have all moved on. But you know what hasn’t changed? The need for skill, care, and a good eye for detail. The truth is, no matter how modern the tools get, it’s the installer who makes the floor special. And the best ones, in my opinion, still have a few old-school tricks up their sleeve.
Then and Now: How the Trade Has Shifted
When I was learning the trade, we were taught to measure twice, cut once, and to treat every floor like it was going into your own home. That hasn’t changed. But what has changed are the materials and tools we now have at our disposal.
Back in the day, planks were thicker, often unfinished, and the sanding and oiling were done entirely on site. You’d be covered in dust by lunchtime, and your arms would ache from dragging the old machines around. Today, the quality of pre-finished timber has come on leaps and bounds. At Woodcraft Flooring, we work with European suppliers who use cutting-edge machines to cut and press the wood with amazing precision.
Glue formulas are stronger. Plywood is more stable. Subfloor products like levelling compounds and damp-proof membranes are miles better than what we had just a few years ago. All of that makes our lives easier—and gives our customers better, longer-lasting floors.
What We’ve Gained
One of the biggest game changers has been the sheer range of options available. Whether it’s classic oak planks or a bespoke parquet de Versailles panel, the variety is massive. We now offer over 200 different colour finishes at Woodcraft. Interior designers and architects often come to us with a mood board and ask, “Can you match this exact shade of greige?” (Yes, that’s a colour now!)
Modern machinery can help prep timber for that sort of precision, but when it comes to applying the finish, we still use traditional hand tools. Why? Because a machine gives you uniformity. We give you character. Every bevel, every brushed mark, is applied by hand, which makes each floor truly one of a kind.
What Shouldn’t Change
With all this innovation, it’s easy to think the old ways don’t matter anymore. But that would be a mistake. There’s a level of craftsmanship that only comes with time, with watching someone more experienced do something in a way that isn’t written in any manual.
Take herringbone, for example. It might look straightforward, but laying it properly requires a sharp eye, steady hands, and a solid understanding of how wood behaves. It moves. It breathes. It reacts to temperature and moisture. Machines can’t account for that, but an experienced fitter can.
I’ve seen too many floors rushed in by people who rely entirely on tech—laser levels, moisture readers, apps on their phones. Don’t get me wrong, I use those too. But sometimes, you just need to knock on the timber and listen. Wood talks, if you know how to listen.
Learning From the Past, Leading in the Present
I’ve always believed the best fitters are the ones who never stop learning. At Woodcraft, I’ve had the chance to work alongside fitters with 30+ years of experience, and I still pick up new things every day. Sometimes it’s a better way to scribe a board around an awkward pipe. Other times, it’s just learning how to stay calm when a site is chaos and your delivery is late (that one took me years).
We try to pass on that knowledge to younger fitters as well. Teaching them not just how to use the tools, but when to take a step back and look at the whole room. It’s not just about putting wood on the floor—it’s about making it part of the space.
A Bit of Pride (and a little bit of sawdust)
There’s nothing quite like walking into a room you’ve finished and seeing the way the light hits the grain just right. Or knowing that the floor you’ve just laid is going to last for decades—maybe even generations. That’s the kind of pride that keeps you going when your knees are shot and you’re on your fifth coffee of the day.
So yes, the tools have changed. The materials are better. The options are wider. But the heart of this trade is still the same. It’s about respect—for the craft, for the material, and for the home you’re working in.
And maybe, just maybe, it’s also about showing that a guy from a small town in Kosovo can come to London, work with his hands, and build something lasting.
Thanks for reading, Arben
