Project Overview
This project involved the professional sanding and restoration of an existing wood floor at a property in Balham, SW12. The floor had seen years of daily wear and needed attention to restore its 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:
- Door Frame Trimming
- Furniture Moving
- Gap Filling
- Parquet - Sand, Buff & Lacquer
- Parquet Floor Fitting - No Border
- Staining
- Thresholds & Fitting (inc. 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
What types of original flooring are commonly found in Balham properties? Balham is predominantly made up of late Victorian and Edwardian terraces, with a significant number of interwar semis further from the high street. Original pine floorboards are found throughout SW12, frequently in good structural condition beneath carpets that have been down since the 1970s or 1980s. Solid parquet blocks are also uncovered regularly in reception rooms of the larger terraces, particularly in the streets around Nightingale Lane and Bedford Hill. These floors respond well to sanding and are almost always worth restoring rather than replacing.
Do I need to vacate my Balham property during floor sanding? Most clients stay in their property throughout. Modern dustless sanding equipment keeps airborne dust well contained, and water-based lacquers dry quickly and have minimal odour — both practical advantages in a busy family home. We recommend keeping pets and young children away from the working areas during sanding and for a short period after the final lacquer coat while it fully cures, but the rest of the property remains usable throughout.
Are original floorboards in Balham terraces usually in good enough condition to sand? More often than not, yes. The pine boards found in SW12 terraces are typically 19mm to 21mm thick, which allows for multiple sandings over a lifetime. The main issues we encounter in Balham properties are gaps that have opened between boards as the timber has dried over time, and occasional replaced boards that need blending in. Both are straightforward to address as part of the restoration process.
Do you cover Balham and the surrounding SW12 area? Yes. We work regularly across SW12 and the nearby postcodes including Clapham South, Tooting Bec, Streatham and Wandsworth Common. Call us on 020 88309782 or book a free site visit to discuss your floor.