Parquet Floor Restoration in London

As a London homeowner you would probably be delighted to discover a beautiful parquet floor underneath your carpet or lino. If you have a semi-detached or detached bungalow in London which was built from1920-1970 then there is a high probability that your home has at least one floor constructed with authentic parquet flooring.

Restoring Parquet Flooring offers a timeless and beautiful addition to any room and although the motif on the tiling may be delicate, parquet flooring is surprisingly robust. So even if your parquet has lain buried under carpeting or runners for years, the chances are it will be restorable.

Like all other hardwoods, the restoration of parquet begins with sanding. You can choose to use a professional London Floor Sanding Company or you can undertake the sanding process yourself. If you are unsure of the process in any way it would be a pity to risk a botched job. So the safe option would be to obtain a free sanding quotation from a parquet floor specialist company who will be able to accurately gauge the current condition of the floor as well as offering professional advice on your next step. This service may not be as expensive as you imagine.

Check for creaks and leaks!

The first thing to do is to inspect the floor carefully to see whether any of the tiling blocks have become loose; that is, no longer attached to the original underfloor. The best way to uncover this is to walk across the floor tile by tile taking careful, measured steps. If any part of the flooring moves then the tiling is loose. Another indication of loose parquet tiling is an echo-like sound when the tile is tapped. The floor may also be missing blocks. this often occurred in older style homes when the central heating and plumbing systems were installed at a later date.

Parquet tiling is generally fitted together tongue in groove (not unlike a jigsaw puzzle) which means that broken tiling must be removed with great care to avoid damaging the interlocking tile. If you require to replace damaged or missing tiles then you would be best advised to contact a London parquet flooring specialist. Alternatively if you are absolutely determined to go it alone you could remove a tile from another room which you do not intend to restore (if this is a viable option of course).

If your parquet is particularly aged it will probably be held in place by a tar adhesive. Tar is no longer legal for use inside homes, so the residue will have to be carefully removed before new adhesive can be applied.

If the underfloor needs levelling then this can be done by using an acrylic compound (for a concrete base) but be sure to allow enough time as of the manufacturer’s directions for this to dry before proceeding, the most important rule of thumb being to ensure adequate ventilation at all times.

Gently does it...

When you start the Floor Sanding process remember you are sanding the whole floor, not just the tiles you have repaired. You will probably want to hire a belt sander rather than a drum sander which tends to be kinder on the delicate parquet motif. Use the sander by walking from one side of the room to the other with the sander in front, as if you are vacuuming. Now walk back and sand the same area again. When you have covered the entire floor space then change direction and do it again. You may have to hand sand the corners and other areas the sander could not get into. When the sanding process is finished, lightly vacuum thoroughly.

If the sanding has uncovered gaps between the tiles then now is the time to fill these in by using a wood putty and a palette knife, wiping residual putty off the tiles as you go. When the putty has dried then it’s time for the final sanding. Vacuum again and now your rediscovered parquet flooring is ready for the finishing coat. Choose from varnish, lacquer, stain or oil and apply carefully and over small areas.

When the finishing is completely dry then give it another coat. Leave to dry, preferably for 24-hours then stand back and admire your beautifully restored parquet flooring.

The Advantages of Solid Oak Flooring

Solid oak wood flooring is just that – solid. Oak speaks of timeless elegance, durability, tradition and of course style. Whether you already have a solid oak floor in need for some loving care or are thinking about enhancing your home with real oak flooring, read on and discover the advantages of choosing oak.

PEFC

Selecting reclaimed wood is always the preferable way to reduce carbon footprint, but if this is not possible then select your oak from a UK supplier and ensure it is Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) approved for both quality and ecological purposes.

Oakwood flooring can be purchased either bare or finished i.e. with a veneer already in place and you can choose the topcoat of choice if you have a specific finishing in mind. Reclaimed and professionally restored oakwood flooring can be a spectacular addition to any room and will last for decades with only a very little regular maintenance to keep it looking great.

Here are just some of the advantages of owning a solid oak timber floor:

· Always a versatile choice, oakwood can be stained and coloured to match any style of furnishings.

· Well cared for oak flooring will last a lifetime.

· Oak flooring can be restored to successfully represent any era from Georgian glamour to Victorian elegance.

· Light sweeping weekly and a monthly mop is enough to keep an oak floor in tip-top condition.

· Oak flooring adds character to a room.

· Oak flooring adds real value to any property.

Versatile oakwood flooring

For those who appreciate the distressed look, oakwood responds particularly well to the hand scraping process and can be co-ordinated to match units, dressers and butcher block tables to bring a look of rustic charm to any kitchen space.

Add a splash of colour to bedroom flooring with the superb range of wood stains available. Choose from bold and bright colours to natural wood shades that can cross co-ordinate beautifully with a variety of furnishings and décor.

Oakwood looks clean, uncluttered and graceful. Oak is the all-round perfect house guest and fits in perfectly in hallways, dining rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. In addition to homes, it is the flexibility of oak that also makes it a popular choice for commercial premises such as restaurants, wine bars and hotel foyers.

Oak parquet flooring

For something a little different, oakwood Parquet Floor Sanding offers a robust floor combined with the beauty of parquet tiles. Oak parquet can be installed tongue-in-groove style and, like floorboards, is available in a natural or rustic finish. Oak parquet flooring is available in all the classic parquet motifs including herring-bone, chevron, squares and more. If you have an existing oak parquet floor, give it the best chance to shine by taking professional advice on a safe restoration.

Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating does not mean you’re prevented from enjoy real oak flooring, and the boards can be professionally installed over the heating system safely and securely. For further information on this and any other aspect of solid oak flooring, take advantage of a free quotation from a reputable floor sanding and restoration company.

Accessorise

To revitalise the appearance of original oak flooring, consider adding new skirting, beading, door surrounds or dados for a fresh new look. Changing the finishing on your floor goes a long way to transforming the appearance of your floor, even if you don’t wish to colour stain your wood. Floor Sanding and Varnishing will bring that pristine natural beauty and for a muted style, matt oil finish brings hallways and other heavy traffic areas to life.

When you purchase an oak floor, whether it’s reclaimed or new timber, in addition to having a beautiful real wood floor to enjoy, you are also investing in your home. Oakwood flooring never goes out of fashion and remains an asset in all types of UK homes.

Outdoor Flooring

When we talk about wooden flooring, we don’t just mean interior designs. The garden is now seen as an ‘outdoor room’ and as such we need to consider what type of wooden flooring and floor sanding polishing works with this unique space. Here are a few ideas on outdoor flooring to play with, depending on what you want to do in your outdoor room and the design and layout of your space.

Railway Sleepers

Railways sleepers are a wonderfully recyclable asset to any type of garden space. Made from oak, these reclaimed timber edgings, in good condition, are likely to last for the duration of your garden. Railway sleepers are graded A, B and C so that the consumer knows exactly what they are buying and how long the sleeper is likely to last:

A Grade:        Sleepers in excellent condition with no rot and with bolthole marks which once attached it to railway lines. Grade A sleepers are popularly used as high-profile patio edging.

Grade B:        Sleepers with slight damage on one side, a little rot but otherwise in good condition. This grade of sleeper is used for stacking and for building retaining walls.

Grade C:        This grade of sleeper will likely have damage on both sides and the damage will be more extensive that Grade B. There may also be a higher percentage of rot but the Grade C will have one good facing which can be used for edging purposes on driveways and as a base for a garden shed or gazebo.

Green Structural Oak

This is oak wood that has been cut within the last six months. Because it is still ‘young’ timber it will hold a high percentage of moisture and is prone to shrinkage and will shift as the wood dries out. So when purchasing green structural oak, make allowances for shrinkage and/or movement in the early days of your construction.

Structural Oak (air dried)

This is oak that has been held in ideal drying conditions for anything from 3 – 5 years. When used for any kind of construction, air dried oak should not be prone to movement or shrinkage, thus avoiding those irritating squeaks and puffs which can plague outdoor hardwood constructions. This type of treated oak is popular when installing oak beams.

Wood Tiling

Wood style decking can look great on the patio and is easy to lay. Ideal for the perimeter of swimming and paddling pools around Jacuzzis and hot tubs too, these easy-grip tiles look great in any outdoor setting. If you are wondering why wood tiles can be placed so close to water without becoming damaged or warping, it’s because patio wood tiles have a plastic base which lift the tile slightly higher than the ground so that the wood escapes water damage. The screws that fix plastic to the tile itself are treated to be rust-proof too.

The Distressed Look

Distressed (or hand-scraped) wood has been enjoying a renaissance in homes and offices across the UK, and this trend continues outdoors as distressed decking gains popularity as an alternative to patio slabs and traditional decking. Hand-scraped wood brings uniqueness and personal style to any floor sanding that cannot easily be copied. So if you are looking for the ultimate in patio originality, go for distressed wood flooring.

Bamboo Flooring

Ideal for inside and out, bamboo decking is the new kid on the patio block who looks set to be around for a very long time. The durability and sheer good looks of bamboo makes it one of the most versatile and eco-friendly patio options around.

Ipe Wood

The seasoned veteran of the patio floor, ipe wood is one of the hardest woods out there and is extremely popular for use in all types of outdoor projects including raised decking, patios, flooring for gazebos and summerhouses, outdoor staging and other portable structures. Ipe wood contains no toxins and is safe for use beside water. Typically this wood carried an attractive greenish-red undertone interspersed with light and dark markings. Ipe wood is distinctive and extremely attractive in appearance and remains a popular choice for UK garden lovers everywhere.

Flooring Oils

Why choose oil?

When an oil-based finishing product is used as topcoat veneer on a Hardwood Floor Sanding it gives a highly polished finish. This ‘retro’ look was originally popular in the 1940s and ‘50s, but retro is back and oiled floors are making a design comeback. However, oil finishing is not only about achieving a shiny finish and there are other reasons to choose oil finishing on your hardwood floor.

Oil finishing products can have a base of petroleum (usually called synthetic oil), tung, vegetable or linseed. One of the prime advantages of using oil is that unlike varnish, lacquer or stain, it is absorbed into the wood, ‘feeding’ it and enhancing the natural wood grain. Some floor oils have also been manufactured with hardening agents incorporated into the mix. These help to give the floor an additional protective shield against scuffs and scrapes.

Gloss or low sheen?

If you don’t need your floor to be shiny enough to please Fred Astaire then you can opt for a low sheen finish. This somewhat muted effect is gaining popularity in homes across the UK as it works well with the in-vogue ‘distressed wood’ look. For an eco-friendly option try using oil that is low in or has no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). A low count, or ideally an absence of, VOCs means that no harmful toxins or odours are produced; an important consideration if you have children and/or allergy sufferers in the house.

Maintenance required

The only downside (if it is a downside) of choosing an oil finish is that to keep your floor in tip-top condition it will require, in addition to ongoing cleaning,  re-oiling every two years or so.

Do it yourself?

You can undertake to re-oil your floor yourself, and the easiest way to do this is laid out below. However, one word of warning: do not attempt to skip any of the steps as this will almost certainly lead to a botched job which may require the skills of a hardwood floor specialist to Wood Floor Repair.

How to…

Before applying any oil the floor must be sanded. It is wise to use a medium grain as a fine grain will stop the oil from being absorbed by the wood. Once sanding is complete brush away residual wood dust and lightly vacuum.

Run a damp mop over the floor to pick up any rogue shards of wood you may have missed. You can use a good hardwood floor cleaner, but avoid abrasive detergents. Now give the floor time to dry out thoroughly. If you need to be absolutely sure the floor is dry (never apply oil to a floor that is even a little wet!) you can use a metre to check the floor for hidden moisture.

Now you’re ready for the oil. Oil is best applied with a good quality paint roller. Work the oil carefully into the wood grain in sections to ensure full coverage. When the oil has been applied leave it alone for 20 minutes or so in order for it to find its way into the floor boards.

Once the oil has been absorbed into the wood polish with a coarse buffing pad, which will help work the oil deeper into the grain as well as removing any excess oil lying on top. Use clean rags to wipe over the floor, again in sections. Take a new pad and polish up the floor to a smooth shine before leaving the floor alone to allow the oil to harden (circa 7-8 hours but ideally overnight).

Then apply an additional light coat of oil. This process does two things:

1)     It helps build up additional protection from wear and tear.

2)     It gives the floor a uniformity of shine.

If you are looking to produce a muted sheen then you can shine the floor one more time using a clean rag underneath a polishing pad. For a high gloss sheen this final step can be omitted.

Finally, leave the floor to rest overnight before replacing furniture.

Hardwood Trims, Edging and Mouldings

When you are looking for a complete and professional finish to your newly laid hardwood flooring there is no better way than to include some beautiful trims. Edging or real wood mouldings blend perfectly with the skirting board, or depending upon the look you are creating, instead of skirting, why not have them lying flush with the wall?

Hide a multitude of sins

In addition to concealing the wood ends and patches of rough stuff better left unseen, the right choice of trim enhances any style of wood flooring and looks great against the polished boards. An extra advantage of using trim is that it adds a touch of originality to your floor. Remember too that your edging can be stained to match or cross-coordinate with the colour of your floor.

Bring on the hardwood bling!

When you want your room to sparkle try adding T-style edgings cut especially to fit around door frames, borders and vents. For hardwood stairs too there is a super selection of stair finishings products out there, including quarter round and stair nose floor mouldings. If you are unsure of how to install these decorative additions to your floor then seek the advice of an expert, as it is imperative that the mouldings and fixings should be correctly installed. That being said, most trims nowadays are precisely constructed for ease of installation and are built to last at least as long as your floor. However, it is always good to know professional advice can be obtained if required.

Flooring finishings – finished to perfection

After spending money and time on getting the perfect real wood floor you will no doubt consider a professional looking finishing to be the best way to bring out the real beauty of your hardwood flooring. If this is the case, it is always better to leave the finishing (whether you choose lacquer, stain or varnishing) until the trims and edgings are in place. This way you can give the whole flooring a flawless looking finish and avoid any ‘patchy’ results.

However, if you are adding trims to an already established floor then you may wish to purchase distressed style additions or better yet distress them yourself if you feel you can. If you want to add a live-in look to your trims then select unfinished wood.

Adding uniqueness to any floor

Trims, edgings and mouldings bring a tailor made quality to any wood floor and the value lies in their ability to change the appearance of your wood floor and make it unique. Recognising this, interior flooring professionals often use trims in their bespoke room design to give the final result its own, unique flair and flourish.

Corner trims can easily be added to floating and laminate flooring and parquet flooring benefits greatly from a complimentary trim in accord with the tile pattern.

Trims are readily available from UK professional hardwood suppliers in red oak, walnut, teak, cherry, mahogany as well as a selection of unfinished hardwoods if you wish to add the finishing yourself. Flush finishings, t-shapes, overlaps, door trims, threshold dividers, reducers and quarters rounds all help to bring a personalised finish to your floor.

If you are unsure on any aspect of floor finishings or how to incorporate them into your overall plan, find out more from your friendly wood flooring professional. Alternatively if you have a more than rudimentary knowledge of carpentry and have laid your wood floor yourself then you can confidently have a go yourself!

All types of real wood flooring is enhanced by the right style and application of trims, edging and mouldings, so before you apply the lacquer or even open that tin of varnish, check out the trim options to make your floor stand out from the rest.

Eco Friendly Flooring Solutions

Bamboo

For sustainable, non toxic wood flooring with no harmful emissions bamboo is one of the most popular green flooring choice that ticks every box. Because bamboo is grass not wood it is fast growing, and there is no need to permanently destroy the plant itself to harvest the crop, thus making it one of the most sustainable forms of flooring available. Once laid bamboo feels and looks like real wood flooring and is tough and durable too. Bamboo is quick growing too and one plant can be re-harvested in as little as five years.

Cork

The material used for making cork flooring is taken from the bark of the tree in strip pieces, which like bamboo means that the tree is not cut down. This makes it sustainable, eco friendly and one of the best green flooring solutions around. Cork flooring comes in both plank and tile form and is a very good addition to bathrooms and kitchens. Its structure means that it retains more heat and is often warm enough to walk on with bare feet.

Oak and Other Hardwoods

You should be aware that English oak is in very short supply, especially in the UK. Therefore, if you have set your heart on an oak floor but don’t want to contribute to the depletion of natural resources then consider an eco-friendly method of obtaining the oak floor you want.

Whatever type of hardwood floor sanding you love, whether burnished gold mahogany, rich dark teak or majestic oak you can have the hardwood floor of your dreams by purchasing your hardwood via a UK flooring company that uses wood cut only from sustainable forests. Never buy wood that comes from rain forest regions and choose your company carefully. Flooring companies with a conscience are proud to inform customers that they use materials from countries that plant more trees than are harvested.

Recycled hardwood

Another option is to create a new floor from completely recycled wood planks. This, whilst by far being the best option, is also one of the most difficult unless of course you have access to a real oak floor that the original owner no longer wants!

To help you navigate what may appear to be a rather woolly, or should that be woody, environmental nightmare, enlist the expert advice of a professional wood flooring company who know the best sustainability options and how to get the best from recycled real wood flooring.

Eco-friendly wood stain finishing

There are a wide selection of non-toxic oils, lacquers, wood stains and varnishes to help revitalise an old floor or bring character to a new one. Any type of finishing should only be applied after sanding and vacuuming. Even the smallest particles of residual grit and dust will mar the final appearance of your floor.

Once the finishing has been down overnight then it is a good idea to lightly dust the floor the next day with a dry duster. Eco-friendly wood stains can be re-done after 24 hours if necessary. Avoid replacing furniture too soon after coating as these stains will take 72 hours to attain maximum hardness. In a normal home with moderate traffic an eco-friendly floor finishing product will normally last around two years.

If you feel like being bold with coloured stain remember that wood stain colours can be both mixed together and diluted. Dilution will weaken both colour and consistency so never dilute with more than 1/5 part of water or the stain will be too thin and be rendered useless.

If you require exterior eco-friendly wood stain then be sure to check the tin, as many products are for interior use only. If you require advice on this or any aspect of real eco-friendly flooring solutions, contact your friendly flooring team who will be pleased to help.

Distressed Wood Flooring

When your goal is authentic looking rustic flooring, the best method is to opt for distressed hardwood. This exacting technique brings any wood floor to life and speaks of timelessness, unique appeal and of a floor that is well loved. Distressed wood flooring is especially popular in kitchens and in cottage-style conservatories, where the accent is on family living. Distressed floor can be matched with distressed wood units, dressers and kitchen tables for the complete rustic look.

Period-style wood flooring is also well represented by this technique. For example a professional wood scraping technique can successfully replicate 17^th Century flooring.

Hardwoods to choose

Woods popularly chosen to receive the distressed treatment are hardwoods such as teak, mahogany and oak. However, light pine and balsa are good choices too, especially in bedrooms where a farmhouse look is required. Distressed pine brings immediate cosiness and warmth to any room, turning your house into a home.

Because the distressed wood technique can best be attained by professional flooring experts it is, in 99.9% of cases, best left to them if you want to avoid a botched job! However if you feel confident enough to try your hand at turning your wood flooring into a historical masterpiece then it is always best if you have more than a rudimentary knowledge of Wood Floor Sanding methods and carpentry.

If you are laying a distressed floor from scratch rather than having an existing floor treated, you can be assured that any Floor Sanding Company in the UK worth their salt will use reclaimed wood. This works not only on the ecological front but reclaimed wood, in addition to causing no harm to the planet, also brings the intrinsic character and personality you are looking for.

Ideal for busy families

Distressed wood flooring is ideal for busy family homes with children and pets buzzing around, thus saving mum and dad from being forever on the alert for scratches and gouges made by toys and pet claws. Distressed wood is fast becoming popular in themed restaurants and trendy wine bars where the accent is on style and authenticity. You can also see some fine examples of distressed wood flooring in some of the city museums and in eco-friendly shops in particular.

In a nutshell, a distressed floor is created by giving the floor a sound thrashing with various implements including wood flooring tools, hammers, axes and even blow torches are used to create that light/dark image which naturally comes with age. If this sounds a tad violent (or even fun and rather therapeutic!) – it is also very easy to get wrong so think once, twice and then think again before attacking your floor with random implements. The process of distressing wood is actually very methodical and most definitely non-violent!

The professional touch

Professional wood flooring people have the intrinsic knowledge of how wood naturally ages, and how the various uses for a floor over time give it a certain character. For example if a floor has heavy traffic it will age differently from a floor which is constantly played on by children. A kitchen floor subject to stove heat and spillages over the years will react differently to a cellar floor that sees very little daylight.

Distressing any type of wood is labour intensive so if you are going it alone then don’t rush the process. Tell yourself it will take as long as it takes, read every book you can on the subject, visit every distressed floor you can, check out markets, inspect old wooden furniture and above all take some professional advice.

Distressing, or artificially aging, a floor is deservedly described as an art form as it involves both skill and artistic design if the finished effect is to look authentic.

Floor Sanding Services

Squeak

Although the subject for many a cartoon and comedy sit-com, a squeaky floorboard is far from amusing when it happens just as you are trying to get a tired baby (or yourself!) off to bed. Whilst squeaks are an inevitable part of owning a hardwood floor, you don’t have to put up with them. There are ways to get rid of squeaks and creaks without too much hassle and just a little carpentry intelligence.

Squeaks are usually caused by loose boards moving together or against the subflooring. However, if you can feel a loose board with your feet then this is a more serious flaw that needs requires immediate action. That being said a large percentage of squeaks are not caused by something major and can be fixed with a simple readjustment of the boards or risers, if the squeak is on stairs.

Even though your squeak may not denote anything serious be assured it will not go away on its own so the sooner you get rid of the squeak the sooner you can enjoy peace and quiet again.

Squeak on the floor

Once the source of the squeak has been discovered, it is prudent to take time to carefully plan the best method of elimination. It may be that the simple solution of lubrication is sufficient to quell that pesky squeak. Should this be the case then simple talc powder or a powdered form of graphite are the best squeak eliminators. Simply sprinkle the powder over the squeaky board and walk it into the wood. However be aware that this will not be a long-term fix, but it does work well in the interim while you are pondering on a permanent solution.

Squeaking boards can also be caused by loose or missing nails, which can be easily fixed by removal or replacement. Other causes of squeaks include the collapse of subflooring support and in this case you may want to add bridging blocks. If you are able to get into the subfloor you will find locating squeaks much easier. Sagging boards are easier to reach via the subfloor too.

If it is not possible to get to the subfloor then you can work from the top by way of cutting or drilling a hole in the board before inserting nails. This method is called countersinking and can be used with the correct carpentry tools and a bit of common sense. If you feel unsure about attacking your hardwood in this way then try using carpentry adhesive applied with a putty knife instead.

Squeak on the stairs

Squeaky stairs can be eliminated by working from the top of the stair or from underneath. Repairing from the underside has the obvious advantage of hiding any repair work as well as offering more room for general manoeuvre.

Once you have located the squeak you need to drive a wedge in between the tread and the stair riser. When the wedge is securely in place you can tidy off any overhanging ends and sand evenly by hand.

If you are repairing from the top of the stair, drill holes in both the riser and the tread to prevent splitting. Once secured the holes can then be filled with putty or wood plastic solution.

Look after your hardwood stairs by checking for signs of damage from time to time. The old adage ‘a stitch in time’ applies here, as fixing squeaks, creaks and other small repair jobs when they become apparent (rather than waiting) will ultimately extend the life of your stairs, as well as the possible prevention of injuries caused by accidents.

Banishing squeaks forever

It is realistic for any hardwood floor owner to understand that squeaks are an inevitable part of owning a hardwood floor. However with a little vigilance and the willingness to spend a little time on maintenance, you can ensure banishment of these annoying little squeaks forever.

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