For over twenty years, we’ve been selling smoked oak flooring at Solid Floor. Our smoked floors are counted as our most popular choices and for good reason. The depth, richness, and warmth of tone that smoking imparts to natural oak is unparalleled.
What is smoking and what is fuming?
Smoking, also known as fuming, is a traditional procedure for darkening oak to enhance its appearance. It was favoured by Art and Crafts designers at the turn of the last century who sought to give their furniture and panelling the appearance of naturally darkened, antique oak. The process itself is a chemical reaction wherein the oak is exposed to the fumes that emanate from ammonia, thus the name fuming. The naturally occurring tannins in the wood react with the fumes, darkening it. The longer the exposure, the darker the oak becomes.
The natural variations of fumed oak
The amount of this tannin contained in oak trees, however, varies. It is determined by differences in region, locale, forest, and even individual trees. The more tannin present, the darker the wood will turn via the fuming process. Unlike wood staining, which is achieved by applying a surface pigment, the fuming action colours the wood to varying degrees.
This means that a defining characteristic of fumed floors, whether they are single, double, or triple-smoked, is that there is a lively variety of dark to light boards. Rather than imagining our smoked floors as colours, like what you find on a paint chip, it is far easier to think of them as a spectrum. Saltram and Standon are on one end of the spectrum, Tatton, and Tredegar are on the other. But no matter which you choose, they are all imbued – lighter and darker – with the same translucent warmth.
What to expect when installing smoked floors
Again, as fuming is the result of a reaction and not the application of pigment, its effects do not immediately cease at the time the procedure is carried out. At the mill, the post-fumed boards are packed face-to-face and are not exposed to the air. When they are eventually unpacked on site, they will oftentimes have a dark, cool – some describe it as blue or purple – look, darker and cooler than expected. There is no need to panic; this is normal. Once exposed to the air, they will lighten and warm in tone. This can be quite dramatic in the first few weeks, as the floor will gradually shift to its stable, mature appearance. It should maintain this look for years, warming somewhat and mellowing gracefully.
Explore our range of smoked oak floors
For warm-toned oaks, explore Landmark Standon, Dalton, or Tatton. If you're looking for a classic smoked oak at a more accessible price point, Strata Wold or Dale offer excellent quality with a traditional character. For a darker finish with striking grain contrast, consider Landmark Derrymore or Strata Palisades, both of which are smoked oaks treated with black oil to bring depth and drama to the surface.
If you prefer a more subdued, neutral tone, our popular Landmark Dyrham or its slightly deeper counterpart Tredegar are ideal choices. These have been specified in many refined interiors, including the Leinster Square development by Banda Projects
We also offer distinctive smoked oak endgrain floors. OscarOno Opus features a random geometric pattern with a hidden repeat, while OscarOno Forêt includes six unique endgrain patterns on pre-finished engineered boards, allowing you to curate your own arrangement. Both are available in lighter (Natural) and darker (Smoked) tones.
