Project Overview
This Islington project involved professional sanding, gap filling, and lacquering of an existing hardwood floor. The work demonstrates what a well-executed sanding and refinishing job can do — bringing a floor that has been in place for decades back to a clean, attractive condition without replacing any material. Sanding and refinishing in London typically costs between £25 and £45 per square metre.
The Challenge
One of the advantages of hardwood flooring is that it can be restored to a near-new condition even after many years of use. We had recently worked on a sanding and refinishing project in Islington and the results demonstrated this well. Our team started with a thorough inspection of the floor and its condition. Once we confirmed that no major structural repairs were needed, we moved straight into the sanding process. This floor was not heavily damaged — the surface imperfections, including scratches, dents, marks, stains, and chipped finish, were all addressable through sanding and gap filling alone.
Our Approach
- Inspection: A careful check of the full floor identified any boards that needed attention. No replacements were required here, which kept the project straightforward.
- Sanding: Sanding strips off a thin layer from the top of the hardwood and opens the pores of the wood. This is what allows the finish to soak into the structure of the board and produce a long-lasting, hard-wearing effect. We worked through progressively finer grits to leave the surface smooth and ready for filling and finishing.
- Gap filling: Gaps between boards were filled to give the floor a clean, solid surface across its full width.
- Lacquer application: Lacquer finishes are well suited to hardwood floors — they are hard-wearing, provide solid protection, and add clarity and depth to the wood's appearance. The lacquer was applied in multiple coats with full drying time between each.
The Result
Sanding and gap filling removed all the smaller issues and surface imperfections, including scratches, dents, marks, stains, chipped and old finish, and dirt build-up. The lacquer finish applied for this Islington project offers hard-wearing protection, solid durability, and a clean, attractive appearance. The floor looks well-maintained and well-suited to the property — which is exactly the point of a proper sanding and refinishing service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is floor sanding dusty, and what precautions do you take?
A: Modern professional sanding equipment is dust-contained rather than dust-free, so there will be some fine dust in the room. We seal off doorways to neighbouring rooms where possible and vacuum thoroughly between stages. Most clients find the dust manageable, particularly if they are not living in the space during the work.
Q: How long does lacquer last on a hardwood floor?
A: In a typical domestic setting, a well-applied lacquer should last eight to twelve years before a full re-sand is needed. A maintenance coat applied every few years can extend this considerably without going back to bare wood.
Q: Can you sand floors that have been painted?
A: Yes, though painted floors sometimes require additional preparation and may use up more sandpaper than a natural wood surface. We assess each floor during our first visit and quote accordingly.