Project Overview
This project in Wandsworth involved sanding, buffing, lacquering and gap filling a solid hardwood floor across multiple areas of a property. The building was a converted space with original hardwood laid many years ago, and the floor had accumulated a lot of surface damage over that time. It had not been professionally sanded in some years, and visible gaps had opened up between boards. Our team was brought in to carry out a full restoration, returning the floor to a strong, flat and well-finished surface.
The Challenge
The floor presented a few complications. There were areas of deeper scratching and some boards had cupped slightly due to past moisture exposure. Cupped boards need to be sanded down carefully so the high edges are brought level without over-sanding the centre of each board. The gaps were also quite pronounced in some sections, which required a substantial amount of gap filling and careful colour matching. Getting all of this right before lacquering was essential to a good end result.
Our Approach
- Inspection and prep: We walked the floor before starting, checking for raised nails, loose boards and any boards that had cupped or warped. Raised nails were punched down to prevent sander damage.
- Coarse sanding pass: A 40-grit pass with the drum sander levelled the cupped areas and removed the bulk of the old finish and surface damage.
- Medium and fine passes: Progressive grits brought the surface down to a consistent, smooth finish ready for gap filling.
- Gap filling: Filler was mixed to match the board colour and pressed into all significant gaps. Once cured, a final fine-grit pass over the filled areas created a flush surface.
- Buffing: A full buff of the floor prepared the grain for lacquer application.
- Lacquering: Two coats of protective lacquer were applied and allowed to cure between applications.
The Result
The finished floor was flat, clean and consistent throughout. The cupped boards were no longer visible and the gaps had been closed to a neat, matching finish. The lacquer brought out the natural grain of the hardwood and left the surface well protected for years ahead. Professional sanding and gap filling in London typically costs between £25 and £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, making this an excellent investment compared with full floor replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cupped floorboards be fixed without replacement?
In most cases, yes. If the cupping has been caused by a moisture event that has since resolved, the boards will often flatten naturally over time and sanding can correct any residual unevenness. If the moisture source is ongoing, that needs to be addressed first or the boards will cup again.
How long does a sanding job of this type take?
For a medium-sized residential floor, sanding, gap filling and lacquering typically takes two to three days. The floor needs to be clear of furniture and the property should be well ventilated throughout.
Do you work in commercial properties as well as residential?
Yes, we work in both. Commercial projects such as offices, shops and community halls are a regular part of our workload. We can arrange out-of-hours work where needed.