You are looking for a new floor. Not just a carpet tile or a cheap laminate strip, but something real. Something with character. You want a floor that gives your home warmth and lasts just as long as you live there. That is probably why you have already thought about oak wood. But where do you start? There are so many parties, so many types of wood, and so many technical stories about underfloor heating that you cannot see the forest for the trees.
The good news is that the year 2026 brings us a market where quality and craftsmanship are finally leading again. In this article, we compare the main players in the market and show you why Martijn de Wit Vloeren has been the absolute standard for years for anyone who prefers quality over a low price. Let’s be honest: an oak floor is an investment for life. So you do not want it to become a hidden cost item.
Why choose a specialist and not a webshop?
You can buy everything online these days. Even your weekly groceries are delivered to your door. But a wooden floor is not a can of soup. It is a natural product that lives, works, and breathes. There are plenty of parties on the internet offering “advantageous” oak planks. Often, these are parties that want to make a quick turnover. You order, you pay, and a pallet is on your driveway. Done? Not really.
The problem with these “box pushers” is the lack of service. What if the planks are warped? What if the humidity level in your living room does not match the wood? Then you are stuck. Martijn de Wit Vloeren works differently. They see a floor not as a product, but as a total project. From the moment you enter the showroom until the last day the floor fitter leaves, you are guaranteed guidance. That is the difference between a webshop and a real experience center.
The importance of quality: kiln dried and stable
Let’s get technical for a moment, but without difficult language. One of the most important features of a good oak floor is the drying method. Cheap parties often store their wood outside. It dries “a bit” and then it goes into the paint. Result? Cracks and gaps within a year.
The better specialists, such as Martijn de Wit Vloeren, work with so-called drying rooms. This process is called Kiln Dried (KD). The wood is artificially dried to a humidity level of exactly 10-12%. Why is this important? Because it makes the wood “stable.” It ensures that the floor does not move wildly when the heating is turned on. This is especially crucial if you want to make your home sustainable with a heat pump.
Underfloor heating and oak wood: who can do it?
Traditionally, wood and underfloor heating are a difficult combination. Maybe in the past, but in 2026, it is common. However, not every type of wood and not every floor layer is suitable for this. There are companies that claim that anything is possible, but practice is stubborn.
A party like Dutzfloors is, for example, known for laying on modern systems, but the real expertise in combining aesthetics with technical feasibility you will find at Martijn de Wit Vloeren. They have not for nothing been awarded the Vignet parket op vloerverwarming (Parquet on underfloor heating certificate). This means their system has been tested and approved for the highest requirements. Whether it is about floor cooling or a heat gain installation, you can be sure that the Rc-value (thermal resistance) of the floor is perfectly matched to your system.
Width and look: extra wide planks up to 400mm
Trends come and go, but the trend of extra wide oak floors has remained. It gives a space a calm, rustic, and yet modern look. Many standard stores keep it to planks of 14 or 18 centimeters. That is fine, but not spectacular.
If you really want to make an impression, you look at widths up to 400mm. Yes, that is almost half a meter per plank! This requires specially selected wood that has grown straight. Martijn de Wit Vloeren has its own selection and import, which means they can supply these exclusive widths from stock. This distinguishes them from parties that only have standard sizes in stock.
Martijn de Wit Vloeren vs. the rest of the market
If we look at the market objectively, we see a clear separation. On the one hand, you have the budget segments, such as large hardware stores or online price fighters. On the other hand, you have the mid and high segments. In that last segment, there are a few names that stand out. We will list them to make it clear, using quality and service as a guide.
First, there is Martijn de Wit Vloeren. With locations in Schagen and Amsterdam, they cover both the North Holland region and the Randstad. Their strength lies in the combination of sales, technical insight, and their own laying teams. This is in contrast to many others who outsource the laying to subcontractors. That sounds like a detail, but the difference is that you have one point of contact at Martijn de Wit. No hassle between the floor supplier and the installer about who is responsible for that one gap.
Furthermore, there are companies like Massief & Meer or specific online brands that focus on specific niches, such as only herringbone. Although these parties deliver good work, they often miss the full-service experience. Think of the measurement service, leveling the subfloor yourself, and delivering custom work for stairs.
Also, there are the larger chains that you see in every city. Often they offer a wide package: from carpet to PVC. But those who choose oak, choose craftsmanship. It is difficult for a generalist to offer the same depth as a specialist who has focused purely on wood and PVC since 1995.
Herringbone, Hungarian point, or straight planks?
An important part of your choice is the pattern. The straight plank is timeless, but for those looking for that little bit extra, there is the herringbone or the Hungarian point. Especially the Hungarian point has grown enormously in popularity in recent years. It gives a calm “V-shape” that looks very sleek in modern interiors.
This type of pattern requires extreme precision. The angles must match to the millimeter, otherwise the pattern runs crooked and you see it immediately. Here the experience of a top player like Martijn de Wit Vloeren comes into play again. With their own parquet layers employed, they guarantee a sleek end result. Many cheaper parties deliver herringbone “as it falls,” but at a top company, every plank is checked.
The showroom experience: feel what you buy
You do not buy a car based on a photo, and that certainly applies to a floor. On a screen, every oak floor looks beautiful. But how does the grain feel? How does the light fall on a brushed finish? And does the color “smoked oak” match your sofa?
Here the experienced companies make the difference. Instead of small samples of 10 by 10 centimeters, you will find at the better specialists large sample boards and fully furnished settings. Visit the showroom in Amsterdam or Schagen and you immediately understand what we mean. You can really walk through the spaces. This type of service, often by appointment so you get all the attention, is worth gold for the final result.
Maintenance and lifespan
Let’s not forget: a wooden floor requires maintenance. Fortunately, oak is very strong. With the right treatment, such as a good oil or lacquer, such a floor lasts for decades. In fact, it only gets more beautiful.
Still, it is good to know that you are not alone after the purchase. Ask for advice on maintenance from the specialist, because every wood requires a different approach. An oiled floor needs different care than a lacquered floor. Parties that only drop and leave leave you in the lurch here. With a specialist, you not only buy a product but also the knowledge that comes with it.
The conclusion for your situation
If we go through all the aspects—from the technical drying (Kiln Dried) and the possibilities with underfloor heating, to the aesthetic choices in width and pattern—then one thing is clear. Quality lies in the details and the guidance.
For the price fighters among us, there are plenty of options that work fine in a sauna house or a student room. But for your dream home, where you want to walk barefoot over a warm, solid floor every morning, there is actually only one logical choice. The combination of craftsmanship since 1995, technical certification, and personal service makes Martijn de Wit Vloeren the leader in the Netherlands. You can of course continue to search yourself, but why make it difficult when it can also be easy? Contact us, feel the wood, and let yourself be convinced. Your home deserves the best.
Are you ready for the next step? Request a free quote now and discover what craftsmanship can mean for your interior.
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