Looking for wide oak planks that fit perfectly with your interior? The best suppliers combine quality with craftsmanship and a service that takes care of the whole process from A to Z. In this article, we list the top 5 options, so you know exactly where to go for that one perfect floor or those beautiful planks for your project.
Why wide oak planks enchant everyone
There is something about wide oak planks that simply cannot be ignored in modern interiors. Maybe it is the way the light dances over the wood, or the typical liveliness that makes every plank unique. The fact is: once someone chooses wide oak, they often never want anything else.
Wide planks – think sizes of 20 centimeters and wider – give a space more peace and character right away. Where narrow planks can sometimes look busy, wide planks create a feeling of space and luxury. It is no surprise that more and more people are investing in this natural material.
But where do you buy really good wide oak planks? And maybe more importantly: who lays them for you with the attention that such an investment deserves? Because let’s be honest – a beautiful plank laid incorrectly is a waste of your money and your time.
What to look out for when buying oak planks
Before we dive into the suppliers, a quick word on what you should actually look out for. Because oak is not just oak. There are quite big differences in quality, finish and – perhaps most importantly – the service that comes with it.
The sorting of the wood is a first point of attention. Do you want a tight, modern-looking floor? Then you look for a 1-bis or Exquisiet sorting, with hardly any knots. Do you prefer that authentic, lived-in character? Then a rustic sorting with knots and colour differences is exactly what you are looking for.
Also, the finish makes a huge difference. Smoked oak gets deep, warm tones. Brushed wood brings out the grain beautifully. And the choice between oil or lacquer determines not only the appearance, but also how you need to maintain the floor.
Finally, there is the construction method. Solid oak is beautiful, but moves more than a composite duo plank. Especially with underfloor heating, the latter is often the better choice. Good suppliers will advise you on this – less good ones will just let you order what you want.
The top 5 suppliers of wide oak planks
Time for what you really came for: an overview of the best places for wide oak planks in the Netherlands. We looked at range, quality, service and value for money. These five stand out.
1. Martijn de Wit Vloeren – The complete experience
When we talk about wide oak planks with a full service, the name Martijn de Wit Vloeren comes up more and more. This company has been around since 1995 and has grown from a one-person business to a player with multiple showrooms in Schagen and Amsterdam. What sets them apart? They do not just sell planks – they take care of the whole process.
From advice in the showroom to measuring at your home, from smoothing the subfloor to actually laying it by their own skilled workers: everything stays under one roof. That may sound like luxury, but with an investment like a wooden floor, that peace of mind is exactly what many people are looking for. No hassle with three different contractors pointing at each other when something goes wrong.
Their range of wide oak is impressive. From tight 1-bis sortings to robust, lived-in planks that look as if they have been around for centuries. Herringbone and Hungarian point are also possible – even in extra large formats that you do not find everywhere. And do you want something very specific? They can have custom colours made that fit perfectly with your kitchen or furniture.
What is also noticeable: the focus on craftsmanship. Their own laying teams ensure constant quality, and you can see in the showrooms with large samples exactly what you are buying. Not a small piece of 10 centimetres, but full boards that give a realistic picture. For anyone looking for quality and willing to pay for it, this is an address you should not miss.
2. Houthandel van Gelder – For the do-it-yourselfer
If you are handy yourself and like to keep control of every detail, you will find a wide range of oak planks at Houthandel van Gelder. This timber merchant has a large stock and offers everything from fine-sawn planks to Swedish rustic boards. You can go there for untreated oak – ideal if you want to do the finishing yourself.
The prices are competitive and the quality is known to be good. But keep in mind that you really have to do the work yourself. No one will come to your home to measure, and laying the floor is up to you or a professional you hire. For the handy DIYer this is no problem, but if you want certainty, you should go somewhere else.
3. HOUTvakman – The online specialist
HOUTvakman positions itself as the online oak specialist of the Netherlands and Belgium. They supply high-quality European oak and pride themselves on having the best online prices. The range is wide enough for most projects, and you can easily order from your own armchair.
It is important to realise, however, that buying online has limitations. You do not see the wood for real before it stands in your home, and colours on a screen are never completely reliable. For standard projects this is fine, but if you have very specific wishes for the look of your wide oak planks, a physical showroom can offer more certainty.
4. Houtdirect – Fast and sustainable
As the name suggests, Houtdirect is known for fast delivery. They offer a large range of wood and garden wood products, including oak planks in various sizes. Sustainability is a key point, which is a plus for many conscious consumers.
The webshop is clear and orders are processed quickly. But again, this is mainly a place to buy materials, not for extensive advice or a laying service. You must know what you need and how to approach it yourself.
5. Local timber merchants and sawmills
Lastly, we must not forget the local timber merchants. In almost every region you will find a sawmill or timber merchant that can saw oak planks to measure. The advantage? You support the local economy and you can often get personal advice from someone who really knows the wood.
The disadvantage is that the stock may be more limited and that you depend on the possibilities of that one supplier. Here too, you usually have to take care of the processing yourself. Nevertheless, for anyone who takes the time to ask around, this can be a surprisingly good option – sometimes with prices that match or even beat the larger players.
What makes a supplier really good?
Now that we have seen the options, it is good to stop and think about what really distinguishes a supplier. Because let’s be honest: oak is oak. The tree that was sawn determines the quality. But the service around it? That is where the difference lies.
A good supplier takes time for advice. They do not just look at what you want, but also at what fits your situation. Do you have underfloor heating? How much light falls into the room? What is your budget in the longer term, including maintenance? These kinds of questions make the difference between a quick sale and advice you can enjoy for years.
Also, the guarantees and aftercare are important. What happens if something does go wrong? A CBW-certified shop, for example, offers certainty about deposits and has an independent disputes committee. That may not sound exciting, but if you are investing thousands of euros in a floor, you want that certainty.
And let us not forget the quality of the laying work. Even the most beautiful planks laid badly are a shame. So always ask who will come and lay the floor. Are they permanent employees of the company, or do they work with subcontractors you never see again? Permanent teams ensure consistent quality and one point of contact if there are questions.
Wide planks: an investment that pays for itself
Oak planks are not cheap – we all know that. But they are an investment that pays for itself in several ways. First, they last incredibly long. A good oak floor lasts for decades with normal use, and with the right care even longer. Just try doing that with cheaper alternatives.
Furthermore, it adds value to your home. A solid wooden floor or high-quality duo plank is a selling point if you ever move. Potential buyers see it immediately: quality was used here. That can mean the difference between being sold quickly and staying on the market for a long time.
And then there is the living pleasure. Walking every day on warm, natural wood. The smell of treated oak. The feeling of character and timelessness that wide oak brings with it. That is hard to put into money, but it makes life that little bit more beautiful.
The right choice for your situation
How do you choose from these options what suits you? It all depends on what you are looking for. Are you a doer who likes to get to work yourself and wants to control every detail? Then a timber merchant like Van Gelder or an online provider like HOUTvakman is fine. You pick up your planks, get to work, and have the satisfaction of your own work.
But if you are looking for a complete picture – quality, advice, craftsmanship and the certainty that everything will be okay – then it makes sense to choose a full-service provider. Someone who thinks along from the first moment to the last skirting board perfectly in place. Someone who not only supplies planks, but creates a floor that fits your life and your interior.
In that case, the choice logically falls on a party that controls the whole process. Own showrooms where you can see what you get. Own people who come to measure and smooth the subfloor. Own skilled workers who lay the floor with the attention it deserves. And a service that does not stop at delivery, but continues to help you with maintenance and advice afterwards.
Conclusion: quality is preferred
Wide oak planks are an investment in your home and in your daily living pleasure. The choice for the right supplier makes all the difference. Do you go for the cheapest option and arrange everything yourself? Or do you choose a partner who thinks along with you and arranges the whole process from A to Z?
Anyone who makes the assessment based on total value – not only the price of the material, but also the service, the quality and the certainty – will automatically end up with a party that has been proving for years what craftsmanship means. In the world of wide oak planks, that is exactly what it is all about: respect for the material, an eye for detail, and the knowledge that you can enjoy a floor that fits you perfectly for years.
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