Pine end grain block wooden floor brings a scandinavian look to Tower Bridge, E1
The end grain blocks create a highly patterned floor, that’s full of character
The new eye-catching hall flooring
WHAT IS END GRAIN FLOORING?
End grain flooring is a traditional floor covering which was historically used to pave narrow alleyways. It’s is now prized for being a highly decorative floor which celebrates the grain of the wood. To find out more about this type of flooring, read our blog post on this topic.
The grain of the wood is evident in every piece of wood
Once installed, the blocks work together to create a stunning floor
CHOOSING THE FLOOR
Wood species and colours were discussed in detail with the client and we then made samples, so they were confident with the look of the floor. Unlike hardwoods, pine end grain flooring readily absorbs pale oils, making it perfect for the light, clean and contemporary Scandinavian look the clients required. Osmo oil in Snow White was chosen to achieve this look.
We made a small batch of samples to show the clients
The white oil creates a pale, light finish
MAKING THE END GRAIN BLOCKS
We made 4,000 solid pine blocks measuring 90 mm x 90 mm and 22 mm thick. These all had to be made on site, as the pine is susceptible to warping and losing its stability. To reduce the dust, we fitted a dust extractor to the circular saw and used a fume extractor to circulate the air and eliminate the dust particles.
Making the end grain blocks out of pine
The fume dust extractor in action
INSTALLING THE END GRAIN BLOCKS
The new wood flooring was fitted in the hall, open plan kitchen and living room. Our first task was to remove the old laminate floor and expose the subfloor. This was constructed from concrete and was in pretty good condition, so we just had to grind down some of the raised areas to ensure the surface was smooth and flat.
We fitted the blocks on top of a soundproof membrane
Making sure the new floor fits perfectly
THE ADVANTAGES OF END GRAIN FLOORING
Apart from their good looks and quirky patterns, solid end grain blocks are popular because they are extremely hard wearing and durable. As the blocks are made from solid pine around 22 mm thick, there is plenty of scope for repeat sanding. A new colour can easily be applied, if required, as the sanding and sealing process won’t limit the longevity of the floor. If properly maintained, an end grain wooden floor will last for years.
End grain flooring is highly decorative
Each block is full of pattern
WOOD FLOORING IN FLATS
End grain flooring is a perfect choice for flats, as it is very good at absorbing sound. Other types of wood flooring can cause the sound to bounce around a room, but the density of the solid end grain flooring means that the impact of the sound is reduced. However, as the flooring was being installed in a top flat, a sound reduction membrane was still required to meet regulatory requirements. Find out why you should always fit proper soundproofing in flats with wooden flooring.
FILLING THE GAPS BETWEEN THE BLOCKS
Solid wood flooring will expand and contract with the changes in heat and humidity in a room. As the wood moves, gaps will appear between the blocks. Although the gaps can be left, in this case, the clients preferred for them to be filled. We used a flexible filler to allow for any movement in the wood. A solid filler would simply crack and fall out, so it’s important to use the right products to get the best results. Once the gaps were filled, we sanded the floor, starting with a rough grade and finishing with a much finer grade.
The final job was to stain and seal the wood. The pale oil was sealed with a transparent Osmo oil, to protect the wood and create a hardwearing and durable surface.
We used a flexible filler to fill in the gaps around the blocks
Applying a transparent oil to seal in the colour and protect the surface
A SATISFIED CUSTOMER
We were delighted to receive such a glowing review on completion of the work. “Alin from Fin Wood was extremely helpful in explaining how the work would be done and provided a clear and competitive quote. His fitter Likka is a real craftsman and carried out his work thoughtfully and tidily - the end result is a beautifully fitted floor that we are delighted with. We would recommend Fin Wood without hesitation.”
If you would like to discuss any ideas for a new wooden floor in your home, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.
Location: Tower Bridge, E1