Project Overview
This wood floor project in Stockwell involved repairing a significantly worn and damaged solid wood floor before refinishing and staining it to a new colour. The floor had not been professionally maintained for many years and showed cracked boards, a broken finish, deep scratches and some surface staining. The owners had considered replacing the floor entirely but asked us to assess it first. Our view was that the structural quality of the underlying boards was still good and that a full repair and refinish would deliver an excellent result.
The Challenge
Floors in this condition present multiple challenges at once. The cracked and split boards needed replacing before any sanding could start. Some of the deeper scratches went through the full thickness of the original finish and into the wood, which meant the sanding had to go deep enough to fully remove them. The staining added another variable -- the clients wanted a darker tone than the original wood but the replacement boards needed to take the stain at the same rate as the older, more weathered boards. This required some careful preparation of the new boards to open the grain and ensure even uptake.
Our Approach
- Board assessment and replacement: Each damaged board was marked during inspection. Boards beyond saving were lifted and replaced with matching profile timber.
- Coarse sanding: An aggressive first pass removed the old finish, corrected surface height differences and removed the deep scratch damage.
- Progressive sanding: Medium and fine passes brought the surface to a smooth, even condition across all areas including the repaired sections.
- New board preparation: The replacement boards were lightly sanded by hand before staining to open the grain and help them absorb the stain evenly.
- Staining: A darker wood stain was applied to the whole floor in even strokes and worked into the grain. A second coat was applied to areas that needed more depth.
- Lacquering: Two coats of satin lacquer were applied to protect the stain and give a finish that held up to daily use.
The Result
The floor came back looking far better than the clients had anticipated. The repaired boards blended in well under the stain and the darker colour gave the room a warmer, more contemporary feel. The whole job cost a fraction of what a replacement floor would have been and delivered a more characterful result. Professional sanding, staining and refinishing in London runs between £25 and £45 per square metre, with board replacement costed separately depending on the number of boards required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you match replacement boards to an old floor?
We do our best to source a matching species and profile. Staining makes this significantly easier as the colour correction helps blend old and new boards. For floors where no stain is being applied, the match will be close but the replacement boards will be visibly newer until they age naturally.
Does staining a floor make it harder to maintain?
No. A stained and lacquered floor maintains exactly the same way as any lacquered floor. Sweep regularly, clean with a slightly damp mop and avoid harsh chemicals. The stain is sealed under the lacquer and is not affected by normal cleaning.
Is Stockwell covered by your service area?
Yes. We regularly work in Stockwell, Clapham, Brixton, Vauxhall and the surrounding areas of south London.