Floor Sanding & Fitting Project Gallery

Project Overview

This hardwood floor sanding, gap filling, and lacquering project was completed at a Victorian terraced property in Islington, North London. The original pine floorboards were in poor condition: the lacquer had worn through in the main traffic routes, the surface was scratched and stained, and the gaps between boards had grown wide enough to cause draughts and let dust collect. The client wanted the floor restored to a smart, practical condition that would work well for a busy family home. Hardwood floor sanding in London typically runs between £25 and £45 per square metre, inclusive of gap filling and a standard lacquer finish.

The Challenge

Older Victorian pine boards can be tricky to work with. The boards in this property were around 19 millimetres thick and had clearly been sanded at least once before, leaving less material to work with than a virgin floor. Some boards also had significant gaps, not just the standard seasonal movement gaps but wider ones caused by boards shrinking as the central heating dried the timber out over decades. The gap filling needed to be done properly, with a flexible material that would move slightly with the wood rather than cracking out within a couple of years. The surface also had a few deep scratches and dark staining around one area that would need extra passes to remove fully.

Our Approach

1. Preparation: We punched all nail heads below the surface to protect the sanding belts, then swept and vacuumed the floor thoroughly before starting.
2. Coarse sanding: An initial pass with a coarse belt on the drum sander removed the bulk of the old finish and surface imperfections, including most of the staining.
3. Gap filling: Once the first sanding pass was complete and sawdust was available, we mixed dust with a flexible resin binder and worked the filler into every gap. This ensures the fill is colour-matched to the actual floor and provides some flexibility to accommodate seasonal wood movement.
4. Medium and fine sanding: After the filler had cured, we completed medium and fine sanding passes across the whole floor, including a careful edge-sanding run along the skirting boards.
5. Buffing: A buffing machine with a fine pad completed the surface preparation, leaving the wood clean, smooth, and open-pored for the lacquer.
6. Three-coat lacquering: We applied three coats of a hard-wearing water-based lacquer in a satin finish, lightly abrading between coats to ensure good adhesion and a consistent sheen level throughout.

The Result

The floor went from looking tired and patchy to genuinely smart. The gaps were filled, the staining was gone, and the satin lacquer gave the old pine a warm, natural appearance that suited the period character of the house. The client was particularly pleased with the gap filling, which had stopped the draught that had been coming through the floor in winter. A well-maintained lacquer finish on pine can last eight to fifteen years before it needs refreshing, and the floor will be far easier to clean and keep looking good in the meantime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is gap filling always necessary when sanding a hardwood floor?

It depends on the size and number of the gaps. Small seasonal movement gaps of one to two millimetres are normal and do not necessarily need filling. Larger gaps that collect dirt, cause draughts, or create a spongy feel underfoot benefit significantly from being filled. We assess this during the initial inspection and advise accordingly.

What causes the gaps between floorboards to get wider over time?

The most common cause is low humidity, usually from central heating drying out the air during winter. Wood is hygroscopic and will shrink when it loses moisture. Improving indoor humidity levels, ideally keeping relative humidity between 45 and 65 per cent, helps reduce this effect.

How long will a lacquered pine floor last before it needs re-sanding?

A pine floor with a good lacquer finish and normal domestic traffic can go ten to twenty years between full sanding jobs. In high-traffic areas such as hallways, the finish will wear first, and a maintenance coat applied before it wears through completely can extend the time between full sanding jobs considerably.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Paddington, W2. The floor had seen years of daily wear and was in need of attention to bring it back to a quality finish. Our team carried out a full assessment before starting work, checking for any boards that needed attention alongside the main sanding and finishing work.

Before the Work

Before work began, the floor showed typical signs of wear. Surface scratches, dull patches, and general finish deterioration were present. A thorough survey was carried out to plan the correct sanding depth, assess board condition, and choose the most appropriate finish for the space.

Survey photos showing the floor condition before work:

Our Approach

The following services were carried out as part of this project:

• Floorboards - Replacement (incl. materials)
• Floorboards - Sand, Buff & Lacquer
• Furniture Moving
• Gap Filling
• Gap Filling - Pine Slivers
• Staining

The Result

Once the sanding and finishing process was complete, the floor was transformed. The wood grain was opened up and brought back to life, the surface was smooth and even, and the new finish provided lasting protection. The client was left with a floor that looked, and performed, as good as new.

Photos of the completed work:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does floor sanding take?
Most residential sanding jobs are completed in one to two days, depending on floor size and condition. Lacquering or oiling adds further drying and curing time, which we factor into the job schedule.

Do I need to vacate the property during sanding?
Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps dust to a minimum, but we recommend keeping pets and young children clear of the area during the work. Most clients remain in their property throughout.

How much does floor sanding cost in London?
Prices typically range from £25 to £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, finish type, and any repair work required. Gap filling and board replacement are priced separately if needed.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Stanwell, TW19. The floor had seen years of daily wear and was in need of attention to bring it back to a quality finish. Our team carried out a full assessment before starting work, checking for any boards that needed attention alongside the main sanding and finishing work.

Before the Work

Before work began, the floor showed typical signs of wear. Surface scratches, dull patches, and general finish deterioration were present. A thorough survey was carried out to plan the correct sanding depth, assess board condition, and choose the most appropriate finish for the space.

Survey photos showing the floor condition before work:

Our Approach

The following services were carried out as part of this project:

• Engineered - Sand, Buff & Lacquer

The Result

Once the sanding and finishing process was complete, the floor was transformed. The wood grain was opened up and brought back to life, the surface was smooth and even, and the new finish provided lasting protection. The client was left with a floor that looked, and performed, as good as new.

Photos of the completed work:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does floor sanding take?
Most residential sanding jobs are completed in one to two days, depending on floor size and condition. Lacquering or oiling adds further drying and curing time, which we factor into the job schedule.

Do I need to vacate the property during sanding?
Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps dust to a minimum, but we recommend keeping pets and young children clear of the area during the work. Most clients remain in their property throughout.

How much does floor sanding cost in London?
Prices typically range from £25 to £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, finish type, and any repair work required. Gap filling and board replacement are priced separately if needed.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Hackney, N1. The floor had seen years of daily wear and was in need of attention to bring it back to a quality finish. Our team carried out a full assessment before starting work, checking for any boards that needed attention alongside the main sanding and finishing work.

Before the Work

Before work began, the floor showed typical signs of wear. Surface scratches, dull patches, and general finish deterioration were present. A thorough survey was carried out to plan the correct sanding depth, assess board condition, and choose the most appropriate finish for the space.

Survey photos showing the floor condition before work:

Our Approach

The following services were carried out as part of this project:

• Gap Filling
• Hardwood - Sand, Buff & Lacquer
• Staining

The Result

Once the sanding and finishing process was complete, the floor was transformed. The wood grain was opened up and brought back to life, the surface was smooth and even, and the new finish provided lasting protection. The client was left with a floor that looked, and performed, as good as new.

Photos of the completed work:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does floor sanding take?
Most residential sanding jobs are completed in one to two days, depending on floor size and condition. Lacquering or oiling adds further drying and curing time, which we factor into the job schedule.

Do I need to vacate the property during sanding?
Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps dust to a minimum, but we recommend keeping pets and young children clear of the area during the work. Most clients remain in their property throughout.

How much does floor sanding cost in London?
Prices typically range from £25 to £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, finish type, and any repair work required. Gap filling and board replacement are priced separately if needed.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Ealing, W5. The floor had seen years of daily wear and was in need of attention to bring it back to a quality finish. Our team carried out a full assessment before starting work, checking for any boards that needed attention alongside the main sanding and finishing work.

Before the Work

Before work began, the floor showed typical signs of wear. Surface scratches, dull patches, and general finish deterioration were present. A thorough survey was carried out to plan the correct sanding depth, assess board condition, and choose the most appropriate finish for the space.

Our Approach

The following services were carried out as part of this project:

• Floorboard Repairs

The Result

Once the sanding and finishing process was complete, the floor was transformed. The wood grain was opened up and brought back to life, the surface was smooth and even, and the new finish provided lasting protection. The client was left with a floor that looked, and performed, as good as new.

Photos of the completed work:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does floor sanding take?
Most residential sanding jobs are completed in one to two days, depending on floor size and condition. Lacquering or oiling adds further drying and curing time, which we factor into the job schedule.

Do I need to vacate the property during sanding?
Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps dust to a minimum, but we recommend keeping pets and young children clear of the area during the work. Most clients remain in their property throughout.

How much does floor sanding cost in London?
Prices typically range from £25 to £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, finish type, and any repair work required. Gap filling and board replacement are priced separately if needed.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This hardwood floor sanding, repair, and re-oiling project was completed at a terraced property in Leytonstone, East London. The client had lived in the house for several years and the floor, a solid oak strip floor, had accumulated damage in several areas: a few boards had split along the grain, one had a deep gouge from furniture removal, and the oil finish throughout had become dry and patchy. Rather than replacing the entire floor, we carried out targeted board replacement in the worst-affected areas and then sanded and re-oiled the whole floor to bring everything back to a consistent, good condition. Spot repair plus sanding on a hardwood floor of this type typically costs in the range of £25 to £45 per square metre for the sanding element, with board replacement priced per board.

The Challenge

The key challenge in any spot repair project is making the new boards blend with the old ones. Fresh oak boards will always be paler and brighter than boards that have aged over years in a finished room. The fit-and-forget approach of simply swapping damaged boards and sanding straight over them often leaves the repair area looking obvious for some time. Getting a good colour match requires careful selection of replacement stock, appropriate staining or tinting of the oil finish, and thorough sanding across the whole floor rather than just the repaired patches. The client also wanted the floor to look as natural as possible after the work was done, which meant avoiding a heavy lacquer finish in favour of an oil that would blend the old and new wood tones naturally.

Our Approach

1. Board assessment: We walked the floor and identified each board that needed replacing. In total, five boards were beyond economical repair and were marked for removal.
2. Board removal: The damaged boards were carefully cut out using a circular saw set to the exact board thickness, then removed without disturbing the neighbouring boards.
3. New board fitting: Replacement oak boards selected to match the existing profile were glued and secret-nailed into place, then left to cure before sanding began.
4. Full floor sanding: The entire floor was sanded in sequence: coarse pass to strip the old finish and flatten the surface, medium pass to remove the scratch marks, fine pass to prepare for the oil finish. Sanding all the old and new boards together at this stage is what allows the final finish to read as one uniform surface.
5. Oil application: We applied a hardwax oil tinted slightly amber to help the new boards blend with the aged tone of the original floor. Two coats were applied with a buffing pass between them.
6. Final buff: A final light buff brought the oil to an even sheen across the whole floor.

The Result

The repaired sections blended well with the rest of the floor. The slight tint in the oil helped to even out the colour difference between old and new boards, and within a few months of normal use the whole floor looked consistent. The client was pleased not just with the visual result but also with the cost saving compared to a full replacement, which would have been three to four times the price. The oil finish gives the floor a natural, matt look that suits the character of the house and is easy to maintain with occasional re-oiling of any areas that start to look dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you match replacement floorboards to the existing ones?

We try to source replacement boards in the same wood species, width, and thickness as the originals. Exact matches are not always possible, particularly for older or non-standard boards, but working with the same species and then finishing old and new together minimises the visible difference. Tinted oils or stains can further close the gap in colour.

Is an oil finish as hardwearing as lacquer?

Oil finishes are less resistant to surface scratching than lacquer, but they are much easier to maintain. Scratches in an oiled floor tend to blend in naturally, whereas lacquer scratches show clearly as white marks. Worn areas in an oiled floor can be re-oiled without sanding the whole floor, which makes maintenance straightforward and low-cost.

How often does an oiled hardwood floor need maintenance?

In a normal domestic setting, a full re-oiling is typically needed every three to five years. Between re-oiling, using a suitable wood floor cleaner and a maintenance oil product on heavy-wear areas every few months will extend the time between full treatments considerably.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Leytonstone, E11. The floor had seen years of daily wear and was in need of attention to bring it back to a quality finish. Our team carried out a full assessment before starting work, checking for any boards that needed attention alongside the main sanding and finishing work.

Before the Work

Before work began, the floor showed typical signs of wear. Surface scratches, dull patches, and general finish deterioration were present. A thorough survey was carried out to plan the correct sanding depth, assess board condition, and choose the most appropriate finish for the space.

Survey photos showing the floor condition before work:

Our Approach

The following services were carried out as part of this project:

• Floorboards - Fireplace Heart Removal
• Floorboards - Replacement (incl. materials)
• Floorboards - Sand, Buff & Lacquer
• Gap Filling
• Lift & Dispose Hardwood Flooring
• Stairs - Sand & Seal
• Floorboards Installation ( Incl. materials)

The Result

Once the sanding and finishing process was complete, the floor was transformed. The wood grain was opened up and brought back to life, the surface was smooth and even, and the new finish provided lasting protection. The client was left with a floor that looked, and performed, as good as new.

Photos of the completed work:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does floor sanding take?
Most residential sanding jobs are completed in one to two days, depending on floor size and condition. Lacquering or oiling adds further drying and curing time, which we factor into the job schedule.

Do I need to vacate the property during sanding?
Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps dust to a minimum, but we recommend keeping pets and young children clear of the area during the work. Most clients remain in their property throughout.

How much does floor sanding cost in London?
Prices typically range from £25 to £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, finish type, and any repair work required. Gap filling and board replacement are priced separately if needed.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Poplar, E14. The floor had seen years of daily wear and was in need of attention to bring it back to a quality finish. Our team carried out a full assessment before starting work, checking for any boards that needed attention alongside the main sanding and finishing work.

Before the Work

Before work began, the floor showed typical signs of wear. Surface scratches, dull patches, and general finish deterioration were present. A thorough survey was carried out to plan the correct sanding depth, assess board condition, and choose the most appropriate finish for the space.

Survey photos showing the floor condition before work:

Our Approach

The following services were carried out as part of this project:

• Beading Installation (incl. materials)
• Engineered - Sand, Buff & Lacquer
• Staining
• Plank Repair

The Result

Once the sanding and finishing process was complete, the floor was transformed. The wood grain was opened up and brought back to life, the surface was smooth and even, and the new finish provided lasting protection. The client was left with a floor that looked, and performed, as good as new.

Photos of the completed work:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does floor sanding take?
Most residential sanding jobs are completed in one to two days, depending on floor size and condition. Lacquering or oiling adds further drying and curing time, which we factor into the job schedule.

Do I need to vacate the property during sanding?
Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps dust to a minimum, but we recommend keeping pets and young children clear of the area during the work. Most clients remain in their property throughout.

How much does floor sanding cost in London?
Prices typically range from £25 to £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, finish type, and any repair work required. Gap filling and board replacement are priced separately if needed.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Kilburn, NW6. The floor had seen years of daily wear and was in need of attention to bring it back to a quality finish. Our team carried out a full assessment before starting work, checking for any boards that needed attention alongside the main sanding and finishing work.

Before the Work

Before work began, the floor showed typical signs of wear. Surface scratches, dull patches, and general finish deterioration were present. A thorough survey was carried out to plan the correct sanding depth, assess board condition, and choose the most appropriate finish for the space.

Survey photos showing the floor condition before work:

Our Approach

The following services were carried out as part of this project:

• Floorboards - Sand, Buff & Lacquer
• Gap Filling
• Lift & Dispose Carpets or Laminates
• Staining

The Result

Once the sanding and finishing process was complete, the floor was transformed. The wood grain was opened up and brought back to life, the surface was smooth and even, and the new finish provided lasting protection. The client was left with a floor that looked, and performed, as good as new.

Photos of the completed work:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does floor sanding take?
Most residential sanding jobs are completed in one to two days, depending on floor size and condition. Lacquering or oiling adds further drying and curing time, which we factor into the job schedule.

Do I need to vacate the property during sanding?
Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps dust to a minimum, but we recommend keeping pets and young children clear of the area during the work. Most clients remain in their property throughout.

How much does floor sanding cost in London?
Prices typically range from £25 to £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, finish type, and any repair work required. Gap filling and board replacement are priced separately if needed.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit

Project Overview

This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Bromley, BR1. The floor had seen years of daily wear and was in need of attention to bring it back to a quality finish. Our team carried out a full assessment before starting work, checking for any boards that needed attention alongside the main sanding and finishing work.

Before the Work

Before work began, the floor showed typical signs of wear. Surface scratches, dull patches, and general finish deterioration were present. A thorough survey was carried out to plan the correct sanding depth, assess board condition, and choose the most appropriate finish for the space.

Our Approach

The following services were carried out as part of this project:

• Gap Filling
• Parquet - Sand, Buff & Lacquer

The Result

Once the sanding and finishing process was complete, the floor was transformed. The wood grain was opened up and brought back to life, the surface was smooth and even, and the new finish provided lasting protection. The client was left with a floor that looked, and performed, as good as new.

Photos of the completed work:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does floor sanding take?
Most residential sanding jobs are completed in one to two days, depending on floor size and condition. Lacquering or oiling adds further drying and curing time, which we factor into the job schedule.

Do I need to vacate the property during sanding?
Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps dust to a minimum, but we recommend keeping pets and young children clear of the area during the work. Most clients remain in their property throughout.

How much does floor sanding cost in London?
Prices typically range from £25 to £45 per square metre depending on floor condition, finish type, and any repair work required. Gap filling and board replacement are priced separately if needed.

Have a similar project? Call us on 020 88309782 or Book a Free Site Visit