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In hospitality interiors, flooring is one of the most influential design decisions. It is the surface guests interact with most consistently, shaping first impressions, guiding movement through a space and supporting the overall atmosphere long after check-in. For hotels, serviced apartments and distinctive holiday stays, flooring must strike a careful balance between natural beauty, durability and long-term performance. At Atkinson & Kirby, this balance defines the Climate Collection – an engineered wood flooring range designed to perform in demanding environments while remaining visually connected to nature. Rooted in timber authenticity and inspired by natural conditions, the collection is increasingly specified in hospitality spaces across the UK, from coastal retreats to urban developments. Designed for Hospitality: Why Flooring Matters Hospitality flooring is required to do far more than look good. High footfall, frequent cleaning, shifting temperatures and guest turnover all place pressure on materials, particularly in hotels and short-stay accommodation. The Climate Collection has been developed with these realities in mind. Its engineered construction offers enhanced dimensional stability, making it better suited to environments where humidity and temperature fluctuate. At the same time, its timber surfaces maintain the warmth, texture and authenticity that designers and guests associate with premium interiors. For hospitality operators, this means fewer compromises: natural floors that feel comfortable underfoot, perform reliably over time and support a cohesive interior scheme. Grounded by Nature: A Subtle Marine Influence While firmly rooted in natural timber character, the Climate Collection carries a subtle Marine influence. Rather than overt coastal styling, this influence is expressed through softened tones, weathered textures and a calm response to light – drawing inspiration from shoreline landscapes, driftwood hues and coastal brightness. This approach allows the collection to feel equally at home in coastal hotels, rural escapes and city-centre developments, adapting to its surroundings rather than dominating them. Case Study: Polzeath Beach Cottages, Cornwall Located just moments from the Atlantic coast, Polzeath Beach Cottages required a flooring solution that could withstand a coastal environment while reinforcing the calm, natural feel of the interiors. Manoa Oak from the Climate Collection was specified throughout the cottages. Its pale, natural tones mirror shifting coastal light and echo the muted palette of sand and driftwood. In open-plan living spaces, the flooring provides visual continuity, allowing sea views and natural materials to take centre stage. Importantly for a high-turnover holiday setting, Manoa Oak delivers the durability and stability required without compromising the relaxed, grounded atmosphere expected of a premium coastal retreat. From Coast to Countryside: Liberton Barns, Edinburgh The adaptability of the Climate Collection is further demonstrated inland at Liberton Barns in Edinburgh. Here, Manoa Oak unifies a series of converted agricultural buildings, bridging old and new architecture. Against exposed stone and traditional timber structures, the lighter tones of the flooring soften the interiors and introduce a contemporary feel. While far removed from the coast, the same Marine-inspired sensibility remains – a calm, natural base that responds sensitively to its environment. Urban Hospitality: 95 Peckham Road, London In a denser urban context, 95 Peckham Road highlights how the Climate Collection performs within tighter architectural constraints. Once again specified in Manoa Oak, the flooring plays a critical role in enhancing daylight and extending sightlines throughout compact apartment interiors. Continuous runs of timber help create a sense of space and flow, offering visual lightness that offsets the structural weight of city living. For hospitality and build-to-rent developments in urban areas, this ability to open up interiors while maintaining durability is a key advantage. A Consistent Foundation Across Hospitality Spaces Across coastal, rural and urban projects, the Climate Collection demonstrates its strength through consistency and adaptability. Rather than dictating design, it provides a refined material foundation that allows architecture, furnishings and location to define the final outcome. For independent hotels, serviced apartments and holiday accommodation, this translates into flooring that: Supports cohesive interior design Performs under high footfall conditions Enhances light and spatial flow Feels grounded, natural and resolved Guests may not consciously focus on the floor beneath them, but they experience its impact throughout their stay – in the way spaces connect, transition and ultimately feel comfortable and welcoming. Flooring That Performs, Wherever You Are The Marine influence within the Climate Collection is not about creating a coastal aesthetic. Instead, it reflects natural conditions – light, movement, resilience and balance – translated into a flooring solution suitable for hospitality environments across the UK. Whether specifying for a seaside hotel, a countryside conversion or an urban development, the Climate Collection offers engineered wood flooring that feels grounded by nature and designed for modern hospitality living. Explore the Climate Collection Discover flooring solutions designed to perform beautifully in hospitality spaces here.

Why material choice matters more than ever Rising oil prices are making headlines across global markets, but their impact extends far beyond the petrol pump. For the flooring industry, oil price volatility is beginning to influence manufacturing costs, material availability and long-term product value. From synthetic flooring materials to transport and logistics, oil plays a far more significant role in flooring than many homeowners and specifiers realise. Understanding how oil prices affect different flooring types can help future‑proof your investment — particularly when weighing short‑term cost against long‑term performance. Why the price of flooring is linked to the price of oil Although real wood flooring is a natural, renewable choice, its journey from forest to living room is still shaped by global energy markets. Oil isn’t just used for fuel — it forms the backbone of many industrial processes that sit behind flooring production. Petroleum is a core ingredient in chemicals, resins and plastics, all of which play a role in modern flooring manufacturing. Even for wood floors, oil-derived products are present in finishes, adhesives and protective coatings. As oil prices rise, the cost of these essential components increase, feeding through the wider supply chain. Why flooring costs are shifting Several key cost drivers are behind current price movement across the flooring sector: Synthetic reliance Many popular flooring types such as LVT and laminate rely heavily on petroleum-based materials. PVC layers, plastic backings and stabilising resins are directly linked to oil prices, making these floors particularly sensitive to market volatility. Finishes and adhesives Even solid and engineered wood flooring requires oils, lacquers and bonding systems. These are chemically produced products, meaning increases in oil prices can lead to higher finishing and installation costs across all flooring categories. Energy costs Timber preparation is energy-intensive. Processes such as kiln drying, which stabilises wood for interior use, rely on significant energy input. When oil prices rise, the cost of responsibly preparing timber rises alongside it. How different floor types are affected by oil price volatility Flooring Type Sensitivity to Oil Prices Why it Matters Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) High Heavily petrochemical-based; prone to cost volatility as oil prices change Laminate Flooring High Resin- and plastic-intensive layers are directly tied to oil markets Engineered Wood Flooring Medium Some reliance on adhesives and finishes, but core material is natural timber Solid Hardwood Flooring Low–Medium Minimal synthetic content; costs driven more by timber and energy prep While engineered wood flooring is not completely immune, it remains a stable long-term investment compared with highly synthetic floors. Timber is a physical, renewable resource — not a by-product of oil refining — making it less exposed to sudden price swings over its lifetime. How flooring prices are affected beyond the factory Oil prices don’t just impact manufacturing — they influence transport and logistics too. Rising fuel surcharges affect container shipping, road haulage and last‑mile delivery, particularly for imported flooring. Choosing quality flooring products in a volatile market In periods of economic uncertainty, quality becomes a cost control strategy. High-quality engineered wood flooring offers durability, repairability and long service life — often lasting decades rather than years. Synthetic floors may appear cost-effective initially, but frequent replacement cycles expose homeowners and specifiers to repeated price volatility. Investing once in a premium engineered wood floor reduces long-term spend, waste and disruption. When choosing flooring, consider room-specific performance to maximise value: Living rooms & hallways: Engineered hardwood offers stability, longevity and timeless appeal Kitchens & dining spaces: High-quality finished wood provides durability without synthetic overload Bedrooms: Natural timber improves comfort, acoustics and long-term wellbeing Explore our room-by-room guidance to find the right engineered wood flooring solution for your space. In summary Oil price rises are reshaping flooring costs — but not all materials are affected equally. While synthetic floors are highly exposed to oil market volatility, engineered wood flooring remains one of the most resilient, stable and future‑proof choices available. By choosing quality, natural materials backed by UK expertise, you protect both your home and your investment.