Original Pine Boards Restoration, Sanding & Oiling, in Harrow, London

There is nothing more common than pine when it comes to wood species. But this pine floor is now extraordinary beautiful.

We are a bit reluctant when we are called to restore the original pine boards as many times the expectations are similar to ones for a hardwood floor. There are some aspects related to these which have to be considered.
These boards are actually the sub-floor and they were fitted accordingly, not aiming to be a finishing floor. Also pine is renowned for its high rates of expansion and contraction. Being old floors, throughout decades many imperfections are settled now to be part of the floor character.

After a detailed discussion with our client in which I learned that the rustic character of the floor has to be kept and actually the gaps have to be preserved we were confident that we can deliver the expected results.

First step was to remove and refit the pine boards where the hearths were so the floor will present a uniform look. The cracked, rotten or damaged boards were replaced or repaired. After this, we did some serious nail punching. This for two reasons: aesthetic as the floor looks much better without showing the shiny sanded nail heads and security as sparks caused by the sanding machines in contact with nail heads can cause fire.

The entire surface of pine boards was covered with lye which will prevent the tannin to change the colour of the floor into amber. Due to the chemical reaction between lye and tannin the pine changed its colour. After the lye was fully cured two coats of Clear Osmo Polyx Oil were applied. With the last coat of oil the floor revealed a warm transparent white look. This combined with the unique pattern of pine grains created a beautiful Scandinavian look.

Another aspect which will preserve this floor in a good structural state, for many years to come, is lack of filling. Most of the times the gap filling actually expands the gaps thus ruining the floor. Any attempt to push these old floors to the exact standard of modern finishing will only ruin them and not restore them.

Wooden boards: original pine boards
Location: Harrow, London