Prime Solid Oak Flooring Restoration in Hampton

Before the works

The oak hardwood flooring in this Hampton home was overall looking tired and in need of restoration. During our free home survey, we did thorough inspection of the solid wood floors and discussed with the client all possible options and how we can work around the furniture, as some of with would remain inside the property during the works.

Our client has decided to go for natural clear finish of the floors in matt lacquer.

How we did it...

Solid wood flooring comes usually as "tongue-and-groove" planks and would have approx. 6-7 mm sandable depth, measured form the surface to the position of the T&G on the plank. This upper layer defines what is the remaining thickness available for sanding on the oak plank.

Depending on the overall condition of the floors, the initial floor sanding may start with coarser or medium grid. The task of this initial floor sanding stage of the solid wood flooring is to remove the previous finish and provide a good level throughout all planks. 

Overall, the level of the hardwood flooring is expected to be good, due to the "tongue-and-groove" locking between the planks, however due to presence of past, current or seasonal damp in some cases the planks may get slight sides curving with the time. 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 wooden flooring for finishing. 

Floors were consequently sealed with a coat of primer and 2 coats of Bona Mega water-based lacquer in matt sheen with another light screen buff between the coats, for excellent final touch to the finish.