Floorboards Restoration
Period floorboards restored with dust-free sanding, gap filling and natural finishes.
Under many carpets in Epping lies a floor waiting to be rediscovered. Old pine has a warmth and depth that modern flooring struggles to copy, and with the right care they can look superb again.
Restoring floorboards is one of the most popular parts of our floor sanding work. It usually combines repairs, sanding and a finish that suits the age of the house. For more background, read our guide to restoring Victorian floorboards.
Making the boards sound
Old boards often have cut sections from past plumbing and electrics, splits, or woodworm damage. Our floorboard repairs service replaces damaged boards with reclaimed timber of the same age. Loose boards are re-fixed to stop creaks.
Our process
Nails punched below the surface and old carpet gripper removed
Repairs with matched reclaimed pine
Dust-free sanding back to fresh timber
Optional gap filling to reduce draughts
Two or three coats of oil, lacquer or stain
Gaps between boards
Gaps between old boards are common and can cause draughts. Our gap filling service uses resin filler or pine slivers. Please note that floors move with the seasons, so gap filling sits outside our guarantee.
Keep your period floor
Original boards are part of the history of your home, and reclaimed pine of the same age is hard to match with new timber. Restoration is also usually much cheaper than replacing the floor, and far less disruptive. Old-growth pine is denser and more stable than much modern softwood, so a restored floor wears well for years. Buyers also love original features, so a restored floor can add appeal when you come to sell.
We regularly restore boards in Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis and converted flats across Epping. A typical room takes one to two days and you can stay at home throughout.
Choosing a finish
A natural hardwax oil keeps the honey tones of old pine, while a matt lacquer gives extra protection. Your sanding and finishing is covered by our 3-month service guarantee. Browse our projects for examples of restored boards.
Guide prices
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Floor sanding & oiling
Dust-free sanding back to fresh timber, finished with two coats of hardwax oil.
from £22 per m²
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Floor sanding & lacquer
Full sand and three coats of hard-wearing water-based lacquer.
from £24 per m²
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Parquet sanding & finishing
Multi-direction sanding for block and herringbone floors, with your choice of finish.
from £28 per m²
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Gap filling
Resin filler or reclaimed pine slivers between floorboards.
from £6 per m²
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Floor staining
Colour samples on your floor and an even stain before finishing.
from £5 per m²
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Stairs stripping & restoration
Paint and varnish removal, repairs and finishing of treads and risers.
from £45 per step
Guide prices — we confirm a fixed price after a free survey.
Questions about floorboards restoration
Will the stain look like the sample card?
Every timber takes stain differently. Sample cards are only a rough guide, so testing on your own boards is the only reliable way to choose.
Should I oil or lacquer my floor?
Hardwax oil gives a natural, matt look and can be refreshed in patches. Water-based lacquer sits on top as a hard-wearing film that copes well with spills and busy households. We recommend the right one at the survey — or read our guide to oil and lacquer.
Can you restore boards that have been painted?
Yes — original boards often hide beautiful timber under old paint and varnish. We punch down nails, replace split boards and sand back to fresh timber. Read our floorboard restoration guide for the full process.
Is gap filling covered by your guarantee?
Our 3-month guarantee does not cover gap filling. Wooden floors expand and shrink with the seasons and with movement in the building, which can open small cracks in the filler. We use the most suitable method for your floor to keep this to a minimum.
Can you stain a floor darker or lighter?
We do. After sanding we lay out colour samples on your own floor so you can see how each shade looks in the room before we commit. Find out more about wood floor staining.
What is the best way to fill floorboard gaps?
Smaller gaps are filled with resin mixed with fine sanding dust, so the colour matches. Larger gaps are best filled with tapered pine slivers, glued and planed flush. Our gap filling guide compares the two.
What our customers say
Stairs and hall look fantastic
“We had the hallway floor and stairs done at the same time so everything matches. A really tidy team and the price was fair.”
Coopersale
Engineered floor sanded beautifully
“Another company told us our engineered floor could not be sanded. These guys checked the wear layer and found plenty to work with. It looks like it was laid yesterday.”
Ongar
Decking looks much better
“The deck looks warm and rich again. We had to rebook once because of rain, which is understandable, and they rearranged quickly. Happy with the result.”
Epping