Floorboards Restoration
Period floorboards restored with dust-free sanding, gap filling and natural finishes.
Lifting an old carpet often reveals pine boards with real character. Victorian and Edwardian pine boards have a warmth and grain that new flooring rarely matches, and they respond beautifully to careful sanding.
Restoring floorboards is one of the most popular parts of our floor sanding work. We combine repairs, dust-free sanding and finishes that suit period properties. Our guide to restoring Victorian floorboards covers the process in depth.
Repairs come first
Old boards often have cut sections from past plumbing and electrics, splits, or woodworm damage. We replace damaged boards with matched reclaimed pine as part of our floorboards repairs. Loose boards are re-fixed to stop creaks.
What a floorboard restoration includes
Old gripper rods, staples and tacks removed; nails punched down
Loose boards fixed and damaged boards replaced
Dust-free sanding back to fresh timber
Optional gap filling to reduce draughts
Your chosen finish in multiple coats
Gaps between boards
Many period floors have gaps between boards that let in draughts. Our gap filling service uses resin filler or pine slivers. Please note that floors move with the seasons, so gap filling sits outside our guarantee.
Why restore rather than replace?
Original boards are part of the history of your home, and reclaimed pine of the same age is hard to match with new timber. It is normally quicker and more affordable than new flooring, too. Slow-grown period pine is often harder wearing than new boards. Buyers also love original features, so a restored floor can add appeal when you come to sell.
We regularly restore boards in Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis and converted flats across Croydon. Most rooms are finished in one to two days, and we work room by room so you can stay at home.
Finishes for period floors
Pine looks lovely with a clear oil, or can be darkened with wood floor staining for a more traditional look. The sanding and finishing comes with our 3-month service guarantee. Browse our projects for examples of restored boards.
Guide prices
-
Floor sanding & oiling
Dust-free sanding back to fresh timber, finished with two coats of hardwax oil.
from £22 per m²
-
Floor sanding & lacquer
Full sand and three coats of hard-wearing water-based lacquer.
from £24 per m²
-
Parquet sanding & finishing
Multi-direction sanding for block and herringbone floors, with your choice of finish.
from £28 per m²
-
Gap filling
Resin filler or reclaimed pine slivers between floorboards.
from £6 per m²
-
Floor staining
Colour samples on your floor and an even stain before finishing.
from £5 per m²
-
Stairs stripping & restoration
Paint and varnish removal, repairs and finishing of treads and risers.
from £45 per step
Guide prices — we confirm a fixed price after a free survey.
Questions about floorboards restoration
Does gap filling make a room warmer?
It usually makes a real difference. Gaps between floorboards let draughts rise from under the floor. Filling them makes rooms cosier and stops dirt collecting between boards.
Oil or lacquer — which should I choose?
Hardwax oil gives a natural, matt look and can be refreshed in patches. Lacquer forms a tougher surface layer that copes well with spills and busy households. We recommend the right one at the survey — or read our guide to oil and lacquer.
Why is gap filling not guaranteed?
Gap filling is excluded from our service guarantee. Wooden floors expand and shrink with the seasons and with movement in the building, which can open small cracks in the filler. We choose the method that suits your floor best to keep this to a minimum.
Will the stain look like the sample card?
Oak, pine and other woods all react to stain in their own way. Sample cards are only a rough guide, so testing on the sanded floor is the only reliable way to choose.
Do you offer floor staining?
Yes. After sanding we apply test patches on your timber so you can see how each shade looks in the room before we commit. Find out more about wood floor staining.
How do you fill gaps between floorboards?
Smaller gaps are filled with resin mixed with fine sanding dust, so the colour matches. Wider gaps get thin pine slivers glued in and sanded flush. Our gap filling guide compares the two.
What our customers say
Honest advice — no unnecessary work
“I asked for a full sand, but after looking at the floor they said a fresh coat of lacquer would do. Half the price and the floor looks like new. Rare honesty.”
Sanderstead
Fair price, brilliant finish
“Clear quote with no surprises. They explained the oil options without any pressure and the colour sample matched what we wanted perfectly.”
Sanderstead
Great advice on staining
“I had picked a colour from a brochure, but on our pine it would have looked almost black. The samples showed us a better option and the floor looks brilliant.”
Norbury