Parquet Floor Restoration in London

As a London homeowner you would probably be delighted to discover a beautiful parquet floor underneath your carpet or lino. If you have a semi-detached or detached bungalow in London which was built from1920-1970 then there is a high probability that your home has at least one floor constructed with authentic parquet flooring.

Restoring Parquet Flooring offers a timeless and beautiful addition to any room and although the motif on the tiling may be delicate, parquet flooring is surprisingly robust. So even if your parquet has lain buried under carpeting or runners for years, the chances are it will be restorable.

Like all other hardwoods, the restoration of parquet begins with sanding. You can choose to use a professional London Floor Sanding Company or you can undertake the sanding process yourself. If you are unsure of the process in any way it would be a pity to risk a botched job. So the safe option would be to obtain a free sanding quotation from a parquet floor specialist company who will be able to accurately gauge the current condition of the floor as well as offering professional advice on your next step. This service may not be as expensive as you imagine.

Check for creaks and leaks!

The first thing to do is to inspect the floor carefully to see whether any of the tiling blocks have become loose; that is, no longer attached to the original underfloor. The best way to uncover this is to walk across the floor tile by tile taking careful, measured steps. If any part of the flooring moves then the tiling is loose. Another indication of loose parquet tiling is an echo-like sound when the tile is tapped. The floor may also be missing blocks. this often occurred in older style homes when the central heating and plumbing systems were installed at a later date.

Parquet tiling is generally fitted together tongue in groove (not unlike a jigsaw puzzle) which means that broken tiling must be removed with great care to avoid damaging the interlocking tile. If you require to replace damaged or missing tiles then you would be best advised to contact a London parquet flooring specialist. Alternatively if you are absolutely determined to go it alone you could remove a tile from another room which you do not intend to restore (if this is a viable option of course).

If your parquet is particularly aged it will probably be held in place by a tar adhesive. Tar is no longer legal for use inside homes, so the residue will have to be carefully removed before new adhesive can be applied.

If the underfloor needs levelling then this can be done by using an acrylic compound (for a concrete base) but be sure to allow enough time as of the manufacturer’s directions for this to dry before proceeding, the most important rule of thumb being to ensure adequate ventilation at all times.

Gently does it...

When you start the Floor Sanding process remember you are sanding the whole floor, not just the tiles you have repaired. You will probably want to hire a belt sander rather than a drum sander which tends to be kinder on the delicate parquet motif. Use the sander by walking from one side of the room to the other with the sander in front, as if you are vacuuming. Now walk back and sand the same area again. When you have covered the entire floor space then change direction and do it again. You may have to hand sand the corners and other areas the sander could not get into. When the sanding process is finished, lightly vacuum thoroughly.

If the sanding has uncovered gaps between the tiles then now is the time to fill these in by using a wood putty and a palette knife, wiping residual putty off the tiles as you go. When the putty has dried then it’s time for the final sanding. Vacuum again and now your rediscovered parquet flooring is ready for the finishing coat. Choose from varnish, lacquer, stain or oil and apply carefully and over small areas.

When the finishing is completely dry then give it another coat. Leave to dry, preferably for 24-hours then stand back and admire your beautifully restored parquet flooring.

The Advantages of Solid Oak Flooring

Solid oak wood flooring is just that – solid. Oak speaks of timeless elegance, durability, tradition and of course style. Whether you already have a solid oak floor in need for some loving care or are thinking about enhancing your home with real oak flooring, read on and discover the advantages of choosing oak.

PEFC

Selecting reclaimed wood is always the preferable way to reduce carbon footprint, but if this is not possible then select your oak from a UK supplier and ensure it is Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) approved for both quality and ecological purposes.

Oakwood flooring can be purchased either bare or finished i.e. with a veneer already in place and you can choose the topcoat of choice if you have a specific finishing in mind. Reclaimed and professionally restored oakwood flooring can be a spectacular addition to any room and will last for decades with only a very little regular maintenance to keep it looking great.

Here are just some of the advantages of owning a solid oak timber floor:

· Always a versatile choice, oakwood can be stained and coloured to match any style of furnishings.

· Well cared for oak flooring will last a lifetime.

· Oak flooring can be restored to successfully represent any era from Georgian glamour to Victorian elegance.

· Light sweeping weekly and a monthly mop is enough to keep an oak floor in tip-top condition.

· Oak flooring adds character to a room.

· Oak flooring adds real value to any property.

Versatile oakwood flooring

For those who appreciate the distressed look, oakwood responds particularly well to the hand scraping process and can be co-ordinated to match units, dressers and butcher block tables to bring a look of rustic charm to any kitchen space.

Add a splash of colour to bedroom flooring with the superb range of wood stains available. Choose from bold and bright colours to natural wood shades that can cross co-ordinate beautifully with a variety of furnishings and décor.

Oakwood looks clean, uncluttered and graceful. Oak is the all-round perfect house guest and fits in perfectly in hallways, dining rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. In addition to homes, it is the flexibility of oak that also makes it a popular choice for commercial premises such as restaurants, wine bars and hotel foyers.

Oak parquet flooring

For something a little different, oakwood Parquet Floor Sanding offers a robust floor combined with the beauty of parquet tiles. Oak parquet can be installed tongue-in-groove style and, like floorboards, is available in a natural or rustic finish. Oak parquet flooring is available in all the classic parquet motifs including herring-bone, chevron, squares and more. If you have an existing oak parquet floor, give it the best chance to shine by taking professional advice on a safe restoration.

Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating does not mean you’re prevented from enjoy real oak flooring, and the boards can be professionally installed over the heating system safely and securely. For further information on this and any other aspect of solid oak flooring, take advantage of a free quotation from a reputable floor sanding and restoration company.

Accessorise

To revitalise the appearance of original oak flooring, consider adding new skirting, beading, door surrounds or dados for a fresh new look. Changing the finishing on your floor goes a long way to transforming the appearance of your floor, even if you don’t wish to colour stain your wood. Floor Sanding and Varnishing will bring that pristine natural beauty and for a muted style, matt oil finish brings hallways and other heavy traffic areas to life.

When you purchase an oak floor, whether it’s reclaimed or new timber, in addition to having a beautiful real wood floor to enjoy, you are also investing in your home. Oakwood flooring never goes out of fashion and remains an asset in all types of UK homes.