Before the works
The oak engineered wood flooring in this Richmond home was overall looking tired and in need of renovation. During our free home survey, we did thorough inspection of the floors and discussed with the client all possible options. Our client has decided to go for either staining the floors in whitewash or finishing the floors in invisible / raw matt lacquer.
How we did it...
Our floor restoration service begins with detailed inspection of the floors and any repairs to the engineered wood flooring will be completed in this initial stage. In this project there was no need of any repairs.
Engineered flooring planks come in 3 main standards of thickness, which also defines how thick is the available for sanding oak top layer of the product. Depending on the overall condition of the floors, the initial floor sanding may start with coarser or medium grid.
The task of this stage is not only to remove the previous finish and get the floors to bare wood, but also to provide a good level throughout the entire floor. In the case of engineered wood flooring, the level of the floor is usually good, due the "click" or "tongue-and-groove" locking between the planks. Sanding the floors with fine grids (80 - 120 gr) and a good rotary buff to the new oak timber surface with high grid buffing screens is the most important stage in the preparation of the wood flooring for finishing.
A number of colour samples in whitewash and clear invisible / raw finish were provided on a sanded surface for the client to review and approve, prior to application and finishing the floors. Each coat of white-tinted primer increases the whitewash effect of the finish and maximum of 3 coats are applied.
The client decided to go with a invisible / raw finish made by application of Bona Mega Natural. Floors were consequently sealed with Bona Natural primer and 2 more coats of Bona Mega Natural waterbased lacquer with another light screen buff between the coats, for excellent final touch to the finish.
Other Projects in Richmond
Did you know this about oak flooring?
Oak wood is a durable and strong hardwood timber known for its distinct grain patterns and wide range of colors, from light brown to reddish tones. It has a coarse texture with prominent grain markings, making it a popular choice for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and structural applications. Oak is highly resistant to wear, moisture, and insect damage, offering long-lasting durability. It takes staining in dark, light, greys and whites well, with lacquer and oil-based finishes. Another reason that makes it the most popular timber for wooden flooring offering versatility in both traditional and contemporary designs. You can check for more information our flooring guide about wood timbers.