With a little bit of maintenance, a wooden floor will last a lifetime, but sometimes it needs a helping hand to keep it looking its best. This expert guide will help you discover the best course of action for your floor. In some instances a deep clean will be required, while in others, a complete re-sand and seal is advisable. We are always happy to come and inspect your wooden floor and help advise on the best treatment. Or read on, as you’ll find plenty of tips to help you.
A freshly renovated floor
This solid wood parquet floor needed to be completely stripped back to the bare wood
A wood floor will need some extra attention when the original finish has worn out in places, exposing bare wood, or if it has changed colour, ingrained dirt is present or the surface is covered in dents and scratches. At this stage it’s wise to consider if the floor needs a thorough deep clean or if the problems can only be solved by sanding and resealing the wood.
If a wooden floor is beginning to lose its colour and is looking tired and dull, it may benefit from a deep clean. Unlike domestic cleaning products, our specialist machinery and cleaning solutions are able to remove ingrained dirt and grime, completely refreshing the floor in the process. It’s best to act as soon as possible, as if left to deteriorate, cleaning may no longer be an option. The next step would be to completely strip the floor back by sanding it. More information about cleaning wooden floors can be found here.
Our specialist machinery removes ingrained dirt and grime
Sanding a wooden floor is a viable option, but it will shorten the lifespan of the floor. This is because it reduces the thickness of the wood. If the wooden floor features a bevelled edge, it will be necessary to sand down to this point in order to get to the old finish and dirt in this area. To remove dents and scratches the timber will need to be sanded down to the base of marks.
Before shot - this parquet floor had loose blocks and the surface was dirty and dull
After shot - the floor has been revitalised
Renovating a wooden floor can be disruptive, as the areas being treated will need to be completely free of furniture, but it is well worth the effort. We use the latest dustless sanders, to ensure dust is kept to a minimum. After inspecting the floor, we decide on the best sandpaper grit to use. If a floor needs a complete overhaul, we will start with a rough grit and gradually work our way down to a finer, higher density 120 grit paper. We work from one edge of the room to the other, to ensure that we don’t overlap on the sanding. If this occurs, the application of the finish will be patchy and uneven. Once the floor is sanded, it is vacuumed and then the chosen sealer is applied. A full floor renovation project, from start to finish, can be seen here.
This solid wood parquet floor was sanded to remove the old lacquer
The end result. The floor has been transformed
Applying a lacquer to the newly sanded wood
The floor finish may have an impact on the renovation work. If the floor was originally oiled, it is suitable for patch repairs if needed in certain areas. If a lacquered floor becomes damaged the entire surface will need to be sanded and resealed. We can also polish waxed floors to create a gleaming surface, more information can be found here.
We can also change the actual look of the floor by introducing a brushed effect. For this we attach a wire brush to our sanding machines which removes the top of the soft wood. This emphasises the grain, resulting in a characterful floor. The colour of the floor can also be changed using lye, coloured oils or stains.
A wooden floor being sealed with a white finish
Once the floor has been sealed, it will take time to dry. We recommend waiting 7 days before moving in any furniture or putting rugs down, to ensure that the finish is completely dry and not tacky.
If you would like us to come and inspect your wooden floor and advise on the best renovation process, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us here.
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