Project Overview
This Norbury job covered the repair, gap filling, full sanding and oil finishing of a hardwood floor and wooden staircase. The floor had a number of boards that were too worn and distressed to save through sanding alone, wide gaps throughout, and a finish that had worn through to bare wood in the heaviest traffic areas. The stairs were in a similar state — scuffed treads, peeling finish and a general air of tiredness. Rather than replace either, the client chose professional renovation, which was the right call: solid hardwood floors and staircases of this quality are worth saving. Sanding and oil finishing of this scope typically runs at £28 to £40 per square metre.
The Challenge
When boards are too far gone for sanding to help, selecting appropriate replacements requires care. Width and thickness need to match exactly — a board that is even slightly thicker than its neighbours will create a trip hazard and will be immediately noticeable. Getting the species and colour close enough that the replacement boards disappear under the finish is also important, though this is easier to manage with stain or oil than with lacquer, which tends to be more transparent. The wide gaps in this floor needed pine slivers rather than resin alone, and the stairs had areas around the spindles and nosings where hand tools were the only practical option.
Our Approach
Board replacement: Boards identified during inspection as beyond repair were lifted and replaced with closely matched hardwood cut to the correct length, width and thickness. All replacements were fitted and fixed down securely before any sanding began.
Gap filling: Wide gaps were filled with pine slivers tapped in and trimmed flush, then covered with a resin and sawdust mix for a tight, even joint. Narrower gaps received the resin mix alone. Once the filler had cured, it was sanded flush in the first sanding pass.
Sanding floor and stairs: The floor was sanded through three grit levels, following the grain throughout. The staircase was tackled separately: drum sander on the larger treads, detail machines and hand tools for nosings, risers and the areas around spindles. Getting the stairs consistent with the floor surface quality takes time but is necessary for a uniform finish result.
Oil finishing: A hard-wearing penetrating oil was applied to both floor and stairs. Oil finishes give a natural close-to-the-wood look that suits solid hardwood well, and they allow individual sections to be re-oiled if they become worn without needing to sand the whole surface. This is particularly useful for stairs where one or two treads may wear faster than the rest.
The Result
The floor and stairs both came out looking consistent in colour and texture, with all gaps filled, all surface damage removed and a fresh oil finish throughout. The replacement boards are barely distinguishable from the originals. This Norbury project is a clear example of what professional maintenance can achieve on a hardwood floor and staircase that had been left without professional care for too long.
FAQ
When is it not worth repairing boards and better to replace the floor entirely?
If more than around 30 to 40 per cent of the boards are damaged or the subfloor beneath has suffered serious structural issues, replacement may work out more cost-effective than repair. For most floors we see, however, repair and renovation is perfectly viable and far cheaper than replacement. We give an honest assessment at the quoting stage.
How are pine slivers used in gap filling and do they show?
Pine slivers are thin wedges of timber tapped into wide gaps to fill them structurally. They are then sanded flush and covered with the resin and sawdust mix used for finer gaps. Once sanded and finished, they are generally invisible to the eye. The result is a tight, stable floor without draught gaps.
How often should a hardwood floor and staircase be professionally maintained?
In normal domestic use, a full sand and refinish every eight to twelve years is a reasonable guide. Stairs can need more frequent attention because treads are essentially point-loaded with every step. Oil finishes allow spot maintenance more easily than lacquer, which extends the time between full sandings. We advise on the right maintenance schedule for your specific floor and level of use when completing a job.