Wooden floor sanding, staining & repairs, gap-filling in East & Central London

At Halo Floors, we use the best sanders on the market. The Lagler Hummel belt sander is the key to any good floor sanding job. These machines have the ability to level and sand any floor to a high standard while also collecting virtually all the dust that is generated. Using this machine in conjunction with the rest of the Lagler family, namely the Flip Edger and the Lagler Trio finishing sander and the full Festool Rotex sander/extraction system, we can get a perfect finish to every floor time and time again.

Repairs

Once it has been agreed which boards need replacing, we can supply and fit reclaimed floorboards sourced from a local reclaim yard in order to get as close a match as possible to the original floor. Alternatively, if there is an area not to be sanded, it is a great idea to use the boards that will be covered by carpet or tiles in the future, as these will be an exact colour match. We can replace these with new boards to make sure the floor is sound.

It is worth noting that most boards 165mm and narrower are relatively easy to source but the wider the board, the more difficult it is to source. Think about the size and quantity of boards you need before embarking and any large replacement programme.

Gap Filling

Gap-filling a floor is an option that many people like since it brings a uniform finish to the floor and helps exclude drafts and this comes in two types. The first being the ‘mass fill’ system used after installation of a new floor. The other system is to use wood slivers.

With mass filling, we use the dust provided from the floor to attain a perfect colour match and mix it with a resin to fill any small gaps. This method is used after new floor installations generally and only works with tongue and groove or parquet constructions. The whole area is filled and when dry, sanded back. The result of this is a perfectly sealed floor that will hold up well to any surface liquids penetrating any weak spots and also cosmetically will give the floor a certain elegance.

With the sliver method, these are pre-cut tapered strips from 0mm – 6mm (or 8mm if required). Mostly used on square edged Victorian-style floorboards when there is a problem with draughts coming up from a cellar or, simply, if it makes the floor more aesthetically pleasing. Each sliver is hammered into place using a high-quality PVA adhesive, left to dry and then trimmed before the sanding stage.This method guarantees that the filler will not pop out or drop down below the floor when the British seasons play their part in moving the planks over time. We have seen many floors through the years that have been filled with ugly flexible filler or the dust and resin method on square edged boards. The result is always the same over time. Failure.

Staining

This is a process of applying colour to the wood after the sanding stage and before the sealing stage in order to lock the colour in. It should not be confused with ‘all-in-one’ stain/varnishes sold in the large DIY stores. The advantage to a professional stain is that when the inevitable scratch does happen, it will not remove the colour as well as the varnish, therefore making the floor generally more robust. Staining can add depth to a floor and there is a huge range of stains to choose from.

We hold an extensive stock of samples that can be tested on your floor after the sanding process so you are able to see exactly how each colour will look in place. This is the only way to tackle the process confidently as the same stain will have a different shade on different wood. The versatility of floor staining can bring a whole new dimension to any interior decoration ideas you may have.

Sealing

This is the final process to apply an adequate layer of protection on the floor to keep it in tip top shape for many years to come.

This process can be separated into two rough categories, lacquers and oils. Both finishes have moved on immeasurably in the last 15 years or so. Lacquers have very good durability and come in ‘non-yellowing’ formats as standard these days. Perfect for large commercial spaces that have to take a lot of traffic and general wear and tear. They also work very well in houses with old softwood floors as they are quick drying and relatively maintenance free. Oils look beautiful and are ‘micro-porous’ meaning they penetrate the wood and give it a bit more depth, as opposed to sealing a layer over the wood in the case of lacquers.

It is also possible to make localised repair to an oiled floor as opposed to a lacquer system where the whole area would need to be sanded back and refinished. As a rough guide, we think the oils work better on hardwoods where the penetration is a real asset to the overall look of the floor and lacquers on the softwoods, but there are no rules! We will explain and advise which route might be the best choice your own particular floor at the estimate stage.

We only use top quality Osmo Poly-x oil and Bona lacquer systems as standard.

For Free Quotes with no Obligations, or Information on any of our Services, please contact us.

Specialising in supply, installation and renovation of all wood flooring

Sanding & Finishing

Repairs

Gap Filling

Staining

Sealing

Please feel free to contact us

EVERYTHING WOOD · EVERYTHING FLOORS

020 7503 1965

07957 580993

bobowen@halofloors.co.uk