Project: Random Width Oak Flooring Restoration in Central London

Before the works

The oak engineered wood flooring in this rented Central London flat had suffered a water leak from air-conditioning system, causing a minor damage, which could have been removed by floor sanding and resealing of the floors.

During our free home survey, we did thorough inspection of the floors and discussed with the client all possible options, including staining in whitewash, greywash or invisible / raw finish.

We also discussed situation with the furniture and what possible disruption these works could have for the tenants. 

Our client has decided to go for cosmetic gap filling and finishing the floors in matt lacquer. The property was vacated for a week, while the works took place and our team moved the furniture around to allow completing the floor restoration works in stages.

How we did it...

Engineered flooring planks come in 3 main standards of thickness, which also defines how thick is the available for sanding oak top layer of the product. Depending on the overall condition of the floors, the initial floor sanding may start with coarser or medium grid. The task of this stage is not only to remove the previous finish and get the floors to bare wood, but also to provide a good level throughout the entire floor. In the case of engineered wood flooring, the level of the floor is usually good, due the "click" or "tongue-and-groove" locking between the planks.

This engineered wood flooring was quite unique. It was 20 mm thick plank  in random widths of 180 mm to 240 mm, with a thick oak top layer.

Sanding the floors with fine grids (80 - 120 gr) and a good rotary buff to the new oak 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 3 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.