Project: Solid Maple Strip Hardwood Flooring Restoration

Before the works

The maple hardwood flooring in this Clerkenwell home was overall looking tired and in need of restoration. During our free home survey, we did thorough inspection of this maple solid strip wood flooring and discussed with the client all possible options.

Our client has decided to go for finishing the floors in matt Bona Mega lacquer.

How we did it...

Solid wood flooring comes usually as "tongue-and-groove" planks and would have approx. 6-7 mm sandable depth, measured form the surface to the position of the T&G on the plank. This upper layer defines what is the remaining thickness available for sanding on the maple plank. Depending on the overall condition of the floors, the initial floor sanding may start with coarser or medium grid. The task of this initial floor sanding stage of the hardwood flooring is to remove the previous finish and provide a good level throughout all planks.

Overall, the level of the hardwood flooring is expected to be good, due to the "tongue-and-groove" locking between the planks, however due to presence of past, current or seasonal damp in some cases the planks may get slight sides curving with the time.

Sanding the floors with fine grids (80 - 120 gr) and a good rotary buff to the new maple timber surface with high grid buffing screens is the most important stage in the preparation of the wooden flooring for finishing.

Floors were consequently sealed with a coat of primer and 2 coats of Bona Mega water-based lacquer in matt sheen with another light screen buff between the coats, for excellent final touch to the finish.