You have seen it on many a programme such as Grand Designs, striking hardwood flooring that adds to the overall effect of the interior and brings the whole look together. Your choice of flooring can make or break an interior and here at Naturally Wood we are hard wood flooring specialists, who will work with you to create stunning solid timber floors for home or business.
Whether you are looking to install hardwood flooring for modern premises, or a period property, we will work with you to help select the ideal designs, wood types and finishes for your property.
We are committed to high standards of workmanship and have built up an impressive flooring portfolio where we have been involved in many exciting restoration and installation projects. Among some of the most well-known names include Abbey Road Studios, Innocent Smoothies headquarters in London and Redbull’s London head office.
There are so many different types and styles of hardwood flooring that if you are choosing solid wood for your home, you may not know where to begin. From eco-friendly flooring such as bamboo or reclaimed wood, to non-traditional and more exotic wood types such as Padouk, Jatoba and Panga Panga, here at Naturally Wood we supply and install a wide range of hardwood flooring.
Here we shall look at some of the popular hardwood flooring options for contemporary and traditional homes.
Hardwood Flooring - Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Contemporary Hardwood Flooring
If you are looking for ideas for a contemporary property, such as an eco-friendly house, or a city style open plan apartment there are so many hardwood flooring types to add the wow factor to your home.
It may be that you have specific flooring requirements, such as flooring for a spiral staircase that sweeps down to an open plan living area and want the same hardwood flooring for both. Or it may be that you have a living room with a sliding glass wall to the garden that can be pushed back back to bring the outside in and want contemporary hardwood flooring to reflect that.
One of the most popular hardwood flooring choices for a contemporary home is beech, which gives a light and airy feel to a modern interior. However, dark wood flooring is also very much on trend right now, with exotic woods such as teak or wenge giving homes a glamorous and expensive feel.
Amongst our portfolio of work includes restoration work that we carried out to flooring of an apartment in a converted hospital in Repton Park, Essex. The hospital was built in the 1880’s and the original pitch pine floorboards were given a new lease of life by staining them black and finishing with Osmo hardwax oil.
Although wood is both a natural and renewable source, there is also an increasing demand for eco-friendly flooring for contemporary homes.
The most popular types of eco-friendly flooring is reclaimed or recycled wood and this gives a rustic feel to an interior and works well in both contemporary or traditional homes. We supply and install reclaimed pine floorboards and these can be stained to a colour to suit your interior.
Hardwood Flooring - Click here to browse our solid wood flooring products
Traditional Hardwood Flooring
Oak wood flooring is a popular choice for a traditional home as there are so many different types and colours to match a traditional interior. One example of oak flooring in a traditional property is a beautiful hardwood floor we completed for a property in Hampstead, London.
We installed European Oak Quarter Sawn Palladio Parquet in a herringbone design with a wenge border. The floor was laid to the stairs and living area of the property and finished in a satin lacquer - and you can see our outstanding results in the case studies section of our website!
Herringbone parquet and stripped flooring are both popular options for traditional hardwood flooring. However, if you don’t want to replace your existing floor boards, another alternative is to repair or refurbish your existing flooring.
Naturally Wood are experts in the repair, restoration and sanding of hardwood flooring and among our portfolio is a restoration project we were involved in at the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London. We restored the original wood block flooring to two studios at Abbey Road and the floor was finished with Osmo hardwax oil.
About Naturally Wood
Naturally Wood are specialists in the installation, restoration, sanding and repair of hardwood flooring. We will bring flooring samples to your home so you see the types of wood and designs at first hand. If you prefer, we can also advise you on the types of flooring best suited to your home.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Laid for Life - Hard Wood Flooring in Your Home
Hard wood flooring gives home interiors a natural beauty, warmth and timeless appeal that it is almost impossible to achieve with other flooring options. Timber flooring has become so popular now that many homeowners are choosing to sand and restore the original floor of their home, or having new hard wood flooring installed.
Naturally Wood are specialists in the installation, restoration and repair of hard wood flooring for homes, businesses and commercial properties. We shall look here at the benefits of hard wood flooring in the home, the choice of wood available and the range of different finishes.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Hard Wood Flooring in the Home - The Benefits
Practical - Hard wood flooring is a fantastic choice for the home because it works well in any room in the house, including areas that will experience heavy footfall, such as the hallway and living room. Once installed, your flooring is easily maintained and we can advise you on the relevant floor products to use.
Aesthetic - Nothing beats the natural beauty of hard wood flooring. It will enhance your interior and can even add value to your home and estate agents will use this in their property description.
Versatile - There are many different woods to choose from in a variety of colours and grain variations to suit your interior. Timber types, include popular woods such as oak or maple, to the more exotic, such as teak or wenge. Your choice of wood, combined with the patterns and finishes offered by Naturally Wood, means you can create truly bespoke flooring.
Durable - Hard wood flooring is very robust. With the right care and maintenance your solid wood floor can last generations - as much as 100 years - so it is well worth the investment.
Long-Lasting - Wood floor that is dull or damaged can easily be restored to its former glory, whereas other flooring options have much shorter life-spans. A carpet has an average life-span of about ten years, laminate flooring at best between ten and 20 years and vinyl 25 years
Allergy-free - Carpets trap dirt and dust, but any particles on a solid wood floor will remain on the surface where they can easily be vacuumed up or swept away. For this reason, hard wood flooring is a healthier alternative for allergy sufferers.
Easy to Clean - Hard wood flooring is easier to clean than other flooring options such as carpet. Liquid spills, for instance, can be wiped clean right away from the surface of a hard wood floor, but is difficult to remove from a carpet. A carpet with stubborn stains that are difficult to remove will have to be replaced.
Natural - Solid hard wood flooring is environmentally friendly, because wood is a sustainable product. You can find timber to suit all kinds of interiors, from contemporary flats to traditional homes.
Hardwood Flooring - Oils, Lacquers or Wax Finishes?
If you are opting for hard wood flooring in the home, there are a range of different finishes to choose from including oils, lacquers and waxes. What works best for you is really down to practical reasons and personal taste, but to help you here is our brief guide to some of the options.
Oiled Finishes - This is a popular choice in the home and it helps protect the wood from dirt and dust. Oiled floors do require some maintenance, as the oil needs to be re-applied after 18 months, but this can be easily done by the householder. The benefit of oiled floors is that marks can be touched up without having to replace the floor.
Satin Lacquered Finishes - This produces a shiny, durable finish, suitable for areas with high levels of footfall. The surface can keep its sheen for up to ten years, depending on how often it is used. However, if you need to remove marks or scratches the whole surface would need to be sanded and re-lacquered.
Matt Lacquered Finishes - The overall finish is similar to an oiled floor. However, the finish does not need to be maintained regularly like an oiled floor. However, you cannot touch up individual marks, as you can with an oiled floor.
Waxing - This gives floors an attractive shine, although the overall look is not as glossy as a lacquered floor. Waxed floors require six to 12 months maintenance, depending on how often the floor is used. As in oiled floors, any marks or scratches can be dealt with individually.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Naturally Wood are specialists in the installation, restoration and repair of hard wood flooring for homes, businesses and commercial properties. We shall look here at the benefits of hard wood flooring in the home, the choice of wood available and the range of different finishes.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Hard Wood Flooring in the Home - The Benefits
Practical - Hard wood flooring is a fantastic choice for the home because it works well in any room in the house, including areas that will experience heavy footfall, such as the hallway and living room. Once installed, your flooring is easily maintained and we can advise you on the relevant floor products to use.
Aesthetic - Nothing beats the natural beauty of hard wood flooring. It will enhance your interior and can even add value to your home and estate agents will use this in their property description.
Versatile - There are many different woods to choose from in a variety of colours and grain variations to suit your interior. Timber types, include popular woods such as oak or maple, to the more exotic, such as teak or wenge. Your choice of wood, combined with the patterns and finishes offered by Naturally Wood, means you can create truly bespoke flooring.
Durable - Hard wood flooring is very robust. With the right care and maintenance your solid wood floor can last generations - as much as 100 years - so it is well worth the investment.
Long-Lasting - Wood floor that is dull or damaged can easily be restored to its former glory, whereas other flooring options have much shorter life-spans. A carpet has an average life-span of about ten years, laminate flooring at best between ten and 20 years and vinyl 25 years
Allergy-free - Carpets trap dirt and dust, but any particles on a solid wood floor will remain on the surface where they can easily be vacuumed up or swept away. For this reason, hard wood flooring is a healthier alternative for allergy sufferers.
Easy to Clean - Hard wood flooring is easier to clean than other flooring options such as carpet. Liquid spills, for instance, can be wiped clean right away from the surface of a hard wood floor, but is difficult to remove from a carpet. A carpet with stubborn stains that are difficult to remove will have to be replaced.
Natural - Solid hard wood flooring is environmentally friendly, because wood is a sustainable product. You can find timber to suit all kinds of interiors, from contemporary flats to traditional homes.
Hardwood Flooring - Oils, Lacquers or Wax Finishes?
If you are opting for hard wood flooring in the home, there are a range of different finishes to choose from including oils, lacquers and waxes. What works best for you is really down to practical reasons and personal taste, but to help you here is our brief guide to some of the options.
Oiled Finishes - This is a popular choice in the home and it helps protect the wood from dirt and dust. Oiled floors do require some maintenance, as the oil needs to be re-applied after 18 months, but this can be easily done by the householder. The benefit of oiled floors is that marks can be touched up without having to replace the floor.
Satin Lacquered Finishes - This produces a shiny, durable finish, suitable for areas with high levels of footfall. The surface can keep its sheen for up to ten years, depending on how often it is used. However, if you need to remove marks or scratches the whole surface would need to be sanded and re-lacquered.
Matt Lacquered Finishes - The overall finish is similar to an oiled floor. However, the finish does not need to be maintained regularly like an oiled floor. However, you cannot touch up individual marks, as you can with an oiled floor.
Waxing - This gives floors an attractive shine, although the overall look is not as glossy as a lacquered floor. Waxed floors require six to 12 months maintenance, depending on how often the floor is used. As in oiled floors, any marks or scratches can be dealt with individually.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Hard Wood Flooring - Maintaining History While Renovating Your Church
Hard wood flooring has a timeless beauty and warmth, which is what makes it such a great option for church interiors and other places of worship. It can suit modern and traditional buildings and is extremely durable, as hard wood flooring can cope with heavy foot fall.
During the Medieval period, clay tiles or stone slabs were used as church flooring and, before that, churches had beaten earth floors. Timber floors have been used for centuries in churches and are thought to have been introduced in the post-medieval period. Nowadays, there are a wide range of different types of flooring used in churches including carpet, ceramic tiles, marble and stone.
Hard wood flooring is a popular surface because it is so attractive and long lasting - a well maintained solid hard wood floor can last up to 100 years. Naturally Wood specialise in the installation and restoration of all types of hard wood flooring for churches and other places of worship, as well as homes and commercial properties.
If you are looking at having new hard wood flooring laid in your church or place of worship, here are some of the things to consider.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
1. Ensure Your Hard Wood Flooring is In Keeping with the Church Interior
If you have an ancient church with a traditional interior, make sure your choice of flooring reflects this; likewise if you have a modern interior. As a guide, darker woods tend to suit more historical buildings and lighter woods work well with contemporary interiors. Oak is a popular choice for places of worship, and maple is a good option for lighter, more modern interiors.
Hard wood flooring is more robust than softer woods and tends to have a more refined grain. If you are looking for an elegant and durable surface, exotic woods - such as teak or wenge - are more expensive, but are extremely hard wearing.
A parquet floor with a herringbone design is a popular option for churches, and a lacquer finish produces a very robust surface. Naturally Wood have installed and restored wood flooring for a range of public buildings, including churches, and you can see these in the case studies section of our website.
An example of one of our case studies is a restoration project we completed in a church in Ruislip, Middlesex. Our experts at naturally wood restored the original Burmese teak wood blocks and the flooring was finished with Bona Mega Lacquer.
In another case study, we installed oak wood flooring in a church in Willesden, London. Our team applied three coats of liquid Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) to a new concrete sub floor. We then installed Legacy European Oak prime grade wood blocks, and the surface was finished with Bona Mega Lacquer.
2. Work Out How Much You Can Spend on Hard Wood Flooring for Your Church
When you are looking to install hard wood flooring in any building, including churches, you should first work out a budget - but be realistic on how much you need to spend. Discuss your overall budget with Naturally Wood and find out what they can do to fit within this price range.
You may not want hard wood flooring for all areas of the church, but for one section - such as the pews and aisles, but not the altar. Or you may want a new hard wood flooring fitted for a Sunday School classroom, youth area, or community room, but not for the main hall of worship.
Another thing to think about is whether you need a brand new floor fitted. In some cases, worn floors can be restored to their former glory, so there is no need for a complete re-fit. Naturally Wood are passionate about the installation, restoration and repair of solid wood floors and can advise you on the best steps to take.
3. Choose a Professional Team to Install Your Church’s Hard Wood Flooring
Once you have decided on floor restoration or installation of your church flooring, it is vital to call in the professionals, so you can be assured that all work will be carried out to the highest possible standards.
Naturally Wood has a family history in the hard wood flooring trade that goes back more than a century and we are proud of our superb quality workmanship. We have the experience of working on church interiors and can advise on all aspects of flooring, including the wood types, finishes, and restoration and repair.
It is vital to call in professionals with a proven track record of working in churches, as there are various considerations to make. This means not only choosing the correct wood flooring to suit the interior but there are also other factors to take on board such as the careful removal and installation of pews. Most pews have concealed anchors instead of L-shaped brackets; they need to be removed correctly and put back exactly in the right place, so as not to damage the new flooring.
Choosing a hard wood flooring company you can trust will give you complete peace of mind. Contact us for friendly, expert advice.
4. Work Out a Time Schedule To Suit Your Congregation
Our floor repair, restoration and installation work is designed to keep disruption at a minimum. However, there is likely to be some element of inconvenience while work is carried out.
Work out a time schedule to suit your congregation and think about whether there are alternatives that can be made during this time. It may be that a temporary room can be used for prayer meetings or Sunday worship. We can help and advise you on all aspects of hard wood flooring and installation.
Based in Loughton, Essex, Naturally Wood offers a complete flooring solution for homes, businesses and public buildings in Essex, London, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Kent.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
During the Medieval period, clay tiles or stone slabs were used as church flooring and, before that, churches had beaten earth floors. Timber floors have been used for centuries in churches and are thought to have been introduced in the post-medieval period. Nowadays, there are a wide range of different types of flooring used in churches including carpet, ceramic tiles, marble and stone.
Hard wood flooring is a popular surface because it is so attractive and long lasting - a well maintained solid hard wood floor can last up to 100 years. Naturally Wood specialise in the installation and restoration of all types of hard wood flooring for churches and other places of worship, as well as homes and commercial properties.
If you are looking at having new hard wood flooring laid in your church or place of worship, here are some of the things to consider.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
1. Ensure Your Hard Wood Flooring is In Keeping with the Church Interior
If you have an ancient church with a traditional interior, make sure your choice of flooring reflects this; likewise if you have a modern interior. As a guide, darker woods tend to suit more historical buildings and lighter woods work well with contemporary interiors. Oak is a popular choice for places of worship, and maple is a good option for lighter, more modern interiors.
Hard wood flooring is more robust than softer woods and tends to have a more refined grain. If you are looking for an elegant and durable surface, exotic woods - such as teak or wenge - are more expensive, but are extremely hard wearing.
A parquet floor with a herringbone design is a popular option for churches, and a lacquer finish produces a very robust surface. Naturally Wood have installed and restored wood flooring for a range of public buildings, including churches, and you can see these in the case studies section of our website.
An example of one of our case studies is a restoration project we completed in a church in Ruislip, Middlesex. Our experts at naturally wood restored the original Burmese teak wood blocks and the flooring was finished with Bona Mega Lacquer.
In another case study, we installed oak wood flooring in a church in Willesden, London. Our team applied three coats of liquid Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) to a new concrete sub floor. We then installed Legacy European Oak prime grade wood blocks, and the surface was finished with Bona Mega Lacquer.
2. Work Out How Much You Can Spend on Hard Wood Flooring for Your Church
When you are looking to install hard wood flooring in any building, including churches, you should first work out a budget - but be realistic on how much you need to spend. Discuss your overall budget with Naturally Wood and find out what they can do to fit within this price range.
You may not want hard wood flooring for all areas of the church, but for one section - such as the pews and aisles, but not the altar. Or you may want a new hard wood flooring fitted for a Sunday School classroom, youth area, or community room, but not for the main hall of worship.
Another thing to think about is whether you need a brand new floor fitted. In some cases, worn floors can be restored to their former glory, so there is no need for a complete re-fit. Naturally Wood are passionate about the installation, restoration and repair of solid wood floors and can advise you on the best steps to take.
3. Choose a Professional Team to Install Your Church’s Hard Wood Flooring
Once you have decided on floor restoration or installation of your church flooring, it is vital to call in the professionals, so you can be assured that all work will be carried out to the highest possible standards.
Naturally Wood has a family history in the hard wood flooring trade that goes back more than a century and we are proud of our superb quality workmanship. We have the experience of working on church interiors and can advise on all aspects of flooring, including the wood types, finishes, and restoration and repair.
It is vital to call in professionals with a proven track record of working in churches, as there are various considerations to make. This means not only choosing the correct wood flooring to suit the interior but there are also other factors to take on board such as the careful removal and installation of pews. Most pews have concealed anchors instead of L-shaped brackets; they need to be removed correctly and put back exactly in the right place, so as not to damage the new flooring.
Choosing a hard wood flooring company you can trust will give you complete peace of mind. Contact us for friendly, expert advice.
4. Work Out a Time Schedule To Suit Your Congregation
Our floor repair, restoration and installation work is designed to keep disruption at a minimum. However, there is likely to be some element of inconvenience while work is carried out.
Work out a time schedule to suit your congregation and think about whether there are alternatives that can be made during this time. It may be that a temporary room can be used for prayer meetings or Sunday worship. We can help and advise you on all aspects of hard wood flooring and installation.
Based in Loughton, Essex, Naturally Wood offers a complete flooring solution for homes, businesses and public buildings in Essex, London, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Kent.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Updating Your School Hard Wood Flooring
When it comes to choosing the right hard wood flooring for your school, there are various factors to take into account. One of the principal factors is durability, as all flooring in schools will generate a lot of pedestrian traffic from pupils and staff. But there are a number of other considerations to make when choosing hard wood flooring and we shall look at some of these below.
Naturally Wood are experts in the installation and restoration of high quality hard wood flooring in schools, sports halls, dance halls, assembly halls, gyms, community centres and more. We are an Essex based company and supply and install a range of hard wood flooring throughout London, East Anglia, and the Home Counties, including Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Hertfordshire and Middlesex.
Here we shall look at the benefits of hard wood flooring in schools and the factors to take into account on choosing your solid wood floor.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Hard Wood Flooring - What Do Schools Require?
There are many different hard wood flooring options and finishes available, but the type of flooring you require will depend on its use. The most popular request for hard wood flooring in schools is for gyms, assembly halls and dance floors - and we shall look at the requirements for flooring in these areas.
1. Practicality
Flooring in schools will generate a lot of footfall from pupils coming in and out of lessons. Add this to the movement of furniture and other equipment across its surface and high level of usage (such as a sports or assembly hall) and there is a good reason why hard wood flooring is such a practical choice in certain parts of the school.
If there is a likelihood of furniture, such as desks and chairs being regularly moved across the floor, your hard wood flooring could be prone to marks and indentations. This is often the case if your assembly hall doubles up as another room, such as an examination room. In this case an aged or distressed hard wood floor may be more appropriate, as any surface marks will only add to its character.
2. Hardness
In dance floors or sports halls, oak and maple are popular hard wood flooring options because the surface is so hard wearing. There are also a range of specially engineered floors available for sports halls and these are stronger than solid wood and less prone to natural expansion and contraction. The type of material used will also depend on the surface the floor is laid on. Sometimes a plywood floor base is needed while other materials can be laid over a concrete sub-floor.
3. Easy to Maintain
Hard wood flooring in schools should not just be durable, but easy to clean, as they can be prone to spills or contaminants. Some gyms or assembly halls may also double up as function halls, where food and drinks may be served. Polished or waxed surfaces were traditionally used in gyms or dance floors. However, lacquered floors are more popular now, as it requires less upkeep.
4. Acoustics
As flooring takes up a lot of space, it needs to be compatible with a teaching environment, so pupils can hear what the teacher is trying to say. The wrong flooring can hamper a pupil’s ability to learn. How your hard wood flooring impacts on the adjacent room and the rooms above and below must also be taken into account. At Naturally Wood, our experts will discuss the options with you.
5. Non-Slip Surface
Hard wood flooring in schools should have a non-slip surface to prevent accidents or injury. A lacquer finish for a gym or dance hall provides a less slippery finish than polished or waxed surface.
6. Appearance
Parquet flooring was historically used in large areas, such as school halls, to break up the expanse and was particularly popular in the Victorian era. All types of parquet designs are suitable for this space.
School gyms or dance floors, however, tend to be more minimalist. Hard wood flooring in these areas are usually laid in narrow random length strips, which is less distracting, and works well in both modern and traditional interiors.
7. Cost
Like all businesses, schools will want to keep costs down to a minimum. Hard wood flooring is ideal for schools and, if well maintained, it can last for generations.
Tired, rough or worn flooring may require renovation and this is generally cheaper than the cost of installing a new floor. Naturally Wood are experts in repair, restoration and sanding of all types of hard wood flooring including in homes, public and commercial buildings. Just contact us to find out more.
Hard Wood Flooring - contact us now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Naturally Wood are experts in the installation and restoration of high quality hard wood flooring in schools, sports halls, dance halls, assembly halls, gyms, community centres and more. We are an Essex based company and supply and install a range of hard wood flooring throughout London, East Anglia, and the Home Counties, including Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Hertfordshire and Middlesex.
Here we shall look at the benefits of hard wood flooring in schools and the factors to take into account on choosing your solid wood floor.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Hard Wood Flooring - What Do Schools Require?
There are many different hard wood flooring options and finishes available, but the type of flooring you require will depend on its use. The most popular request for hard wood flooring in schools is for gyms, assembly halls and dance floors - and we shall look at the requirements for flooring in these areas.
1. Practicality
Flooring in schools will generate a lot of footfall from pupils coming in and out of lessons. Add this to the movement of furniture and other equipment across its surface and high level of usage (such as a sports or assembly hall) and there is a good reason why hard wood flooring is such a practical choice in certain parts of the school.
If there is a likelihood of furniture, such as desks and chairs being regularly moved across the floor, your hard wood flooring could be prone to marks and indentations. This is often the case if your assembly hall doubles up as another room, such as an examination room. In this case an aged or distressed hard wood floor may be more appropriate, as any surface marks will only add to its character.
2. Hardness
In dance floors or sports halls, oak and maple are popular hard wood flooring options because the surface is so hard wearing. There are also a range of specially engineered floors available for sports halls and these are stronger than solid wood and less prone to natural expansion and contraction. The type of material used will also depend on the surface the floor is laid on. Sometimes a plywood floor base is needed while other materials can be laid over a concrete sub-floor.
3. Easy to Maintain
Hard wood flooring in schools should not just be durable, but easy to clean, as they can be prone to spills or contaminants. Some gyms or assembly halls may also double up as function halls, where food and drinks may be served. Polished or waxed surfaces were traditionally used in gyms or dance floors. However, lacquered floors are more popular now, as it requires less upkeep.
4. Acoustics
As flooring takes up a lot of space, it needs to be compatible with a teaching environment, so pupils can hear what the teacher is trying to say. The wrong flooring can hamper a pupil’s ability to learn. How your hard wood flooring impacts on the adjacent room and the rooms above and below must also be taken into account. At Naturally Wood, our experts will discuss the options with you.
5. Non-Slip Surface
Hard wood flooring in schools should have a non-slip surface to prevent accidents or injury. A lacquer finish for a gym or dance hall provides a less slippery finish than polished or waxed surface.
6. Appearance
Parquet flooring was historically used in large areas, such as school halls, to break up the expanse and was particularly popular in the Victorian era. All types of parquet designs are suitable for this space.
School gyms or dance floors, however, tend to be more minimalist. Hard wood flooring in these areas are usually laid in narrow random length strips, which is less distracting, and works well in both modern and traditional interiors.
7. Cost
Like all businesses, schools will want to keep costs down to a minimum. Hard wood flooring is ideal for schools and, if well maintained, it can last for generations.
Tired, rough or worn flooring may require renovation and this is generally cheaper than the cost of installing a new floor. Naturally Wood are experts in repair, restoration and sanding of all types of hard wood flooring including in homes, public and commercial buildings. Just contact us to find out more.
Hard Wood Flooring - contact us now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Hardwood Flooring – A Rich History from Humble Beginnings
The history of hardwood flooring in England starts from the early 17th century. Although hardwood flooring specialists Naturally Wood haven’t been around since then, they have a long history in the trade which can be traced back in the family to the early 1900s.
During the reign of Charles I (1625 - 1649) many homes still had ground floors made from beaten dirt, and those lucky enough to have a second floor had plank flooring, rather than the beautiful hardwood flooring we see today.
While the majority of homes had earthen floors, floors of the wealthy were made from locally sourced stone or slate. Meanwhile on the continent, elegant hardwood flooring was introduced into the homes of the elite and in royal palaces in France and they would have included stunning parquetry and marquetry patterns.
By the 1800s many people had wooden plank floors, although more affluent homes had parquet flooring. Factory produced hardwood flooring was introduced in the Victorian era and by the Edwardian times (1901 - 1914) tongue and groove floors were the norm.
After the Second World War, with the introduction of cheaper carpets and synthetic fibres, hardwood flooring fell out of fashion and it has only been in the last 20 years or so that it has risen in popularity again.
Hardwood Flooring - click here to browse our range of products
Hardwood Flooring: Then and Now
In the early days hardwood floors were first scraped, then scrubbed down with handfuls of sand. In fact many traditional methods, such as hand sanding techniques, were still used in the early 1900s.
Nowadays Naturally Wood combine traditional methods with high tech machinery and the best quality materials to produce stunning hardwood flooring that will add warmth and atmosphere to your home.
Flooring in England centuries ago was made from oak or elm, timbers that are native to this country and that were also used in ship building, and for furniture, doors and boats. Today oak still remains one of the most popular timbers for hardwood flooring because it is so attractive and robust and is available in a range of colours.
However, in addition to oak, there is now a wide range of wood types to choose from including more exotic hardwoods such as Teak, Mahogany, Wenge, Padouk, Iroko, Maple and Purple Heart.
Finishes
Early forms of hardwood flooring would not have been finished, instead being polished over time through footfall. Waxing became popular to help prevent staining, although this was not ideal because it needed to be frequently reapplied.
Varnish was introduced in the mid 18th century which improved hardness, and by the 1930s polyurethane was introduced which was a popular form of finish that is still used today.
Naturally Wood offer a wide range of different finishes including oils, lacquering and staining.
Why Use a Hardwood Flooring Specialist for Hardwood Floor Finishes
For your hardwood flooring finish, it is vital that you hire an expert rather than doing it yourself, purely because there are so many different problems that you could encounter.
Among these are bubbling, chipping, discolouration and early wear, and we shall look briefly at these in turn.
Bubbling - This could occur if either soap, or a similar substance wasn’t properly removed before applying the finish, the finish was overworked as it was applied, or it was caused by air movement across the floor, trapping the bubbles as the finish dries. Bubbles can also be caused by applying hot oil finish to a cold floor.
Bubbling can be corrected in a variety of ways including screening and recoating or, in some cases, sanding and refinishing.
Chipping - This is when some of the finish flakes or chips off, which can be caused by a number of things, including spot contamination.
It can be corrected by screening the floor and recoating it.
Discolouration - The colour of your wood floor can fade over time if it is in direct sunlight but this can generally be prevented by shielding it from the light. In white oak though, discolouration can happen more quickly if the right sealer is not used.
Early Wear - Not sanding the floor properly or not applying enough finish to your flooring can cause early wear. As can cleaning the floor with a wet mop, walking on the surface with gritty or sandy shoes and not applying felt to the bottom of the feet of furniture before you move it around.
A hardwood flooring company will be able to advise you on the correct care for your floor.
Caring for Your Floor
There are some simple measures to take to ensure that you keep your hardwood flooring in tip-top shape:
Do not use household detergents and furniture polishes on your wood floor - only specialist oils, soaps and waxes or specialist lacquer care products (if you have lacquer flooring) should be used.
Do not walk on the floor in stilettos, no matter how tempting this is, as it will create permanent marks on the floor, as will sandy or gritty outdoor shoes. Instead have a mat upon which shoes can be taken off before entering the hallway.
Do not mop your wood floor, instead wipe up any spillages up with a damp cloth and dry the area. And if you have wood flooring in the kitchen, use a mat to prevent getting the floor wet.
Do fix felt pads to the feet of all furniture including sofas, TV tables, bookcases, etc. to prevent the surface being scratched when you move these about.
Hardwood Flooring - click here to browse our range of products.
During the reign of Charles I (1625 - 1649) many homes still had ground floors made from beaten dirt, and those lucky enough to have a second floor had plank flooring, rather than the beautiful hardwood flooring we see today.
While the majority of homes had earthen floors, floors of the wealthy were made from locally sourced stone or slate. Meanwhile on the continent, elegant hardwood flooring was introduced into the homes of the elite and in royal palaces in France and they would have included stunning parquetry and marquetry patterns.
By the 1800s many people had wooden plank floors, although more affluent homes had parquet flooring. Factory produced hardwood flooring was introduced in the Victorian era and by the Edwardian times (1901 - 1914) tongue and groove floors were the norm.
After the Second World War, with the introduction of cheaper carpets and synthetic fibres, hardwood flooring fell out of fashion and it has only been in the last 20 years or so that it has risen in popularity again.
Hardwood Flooring - click here to browse our range of products
Hardwood Flooring: Then and Now
In the early days hardwood floors were first scraped, then scrubbed down with handfuls of sand. In fact many traditional methods, such as hand sanding techniques, were still used in the early 1900s.
Nowadays Naturally Wood combine traditional methods with high tech machinery and the best quality materials to produce stunning hardwood flooring that will add warmth and atmosphere to your home.
Flooring in England centuries ago was made from oak or elm, timbers that are native to this country and that were also used in ship building, and for furniture, doors and boats. Today oak still remains one of the most popular timbers for hardwood flooring because it is so attractive and robust and is available in a range of colours.
However, in addition to oak, there is now a wide range of wood types to choose from including more exotic hardwoods such as Teak, Mahogany, Wenge, Padouk, Iroko, Maple and Purple Heart.
Finishes
Early forms of hardwood flooring would not have been finished, instead being polished over time through footfall. Waxing became popular to help prevent staining, although this was not ideal because it needed to be frequently reapplied.
Varnish was introduced in the mid 18th century which improved hardness, and by the 1930s polyurethane was introduced which was a popular form of finish that is still used today.
Naturally Wood offer a wide range of different finishes including oils, lacquering and staining.
Why Use a Hardwood Flooring Specialist for Hardwood Floor Finishes
For your hardwood flooring finish, it is vital that you hire an expert rather than doing it yourself, purely because there are so many different problems that you could encounter.
Among these are bubbling, chipping, discolouration and early wear, and we shall look briefly at these in turn.
Bubbling - This could occur if either soap, or a similar substance wasn’t properly removed before applying the finish, the finish was overworked as it was applied, or it was caused by air movement across the floor, trapping the bubbles as the finish dries. Bubbles can also be caused by applying hot oil finish to a cold floor.
Bubbling can be corrected in a variety of ways including screening and recoating or, in some cases, sanding and refinishing.
Chipping - This is when some of the finish flakes or chips off, which can be caused by a number of things, including spot contamination.
It can be corrected by screening the floor and recoating it.
Discolouration - The colour of your wood floor can fade over time if it is in direct sunlight but this can generally be prevented by shielding it from the light. In white oak though, discolouration can happen more quickly if the right sealer is not used.
Early Wear - Not sanding the floor properly or not applying enough finish to your flooring can cause early wear. As can cleaning the floor with a wet mop, walking on the surface with gritty or sandy shoes and not applying felt to the bottom of the feet of furniture before you move it around.
A hardwood flooring company will be able to advise you on the correct care for your floor.
Caring for Your Floor
There are some simple measures to take to ensure that you keep your hardwood flooring in tip-top shape:
Do not use household detergents and furniture polishes on your wood floor - only specialist oils, soaps and waxes or specialist lacquer care products (if you have lacquer flooring) should be used.
Do not walk on the floor in stilettos, no matter how tempting this is, as it will create permanent marks on the floor, as will sandy or gritty outdoor shoes. Instead have a mat upon which shoes can be taken off before entering the hallway.
Do not mop your wood floor, instead wipe up any spillages up with a damp cloth and dry the area. And if you have wood flooring in the kitchen, use a mat to prevent getting the floor wet.
Do fix felt pads to the feet of all furniture including sofas, TV tables, bookcases, etc. to prevent the surface being scratched when you move these about.
Hardwood Flooring - click here to browse our range of products.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Wood Floor Restoration
Wood floor restoration is a vital part of keeping your solid wood floor looking fantastic for many years. Solid wood flooring can be a huge asset to your home or business premises, so it is important to keep it looking great through regular wood floor restoration and maintenance.
Wood floor restoration will keep a wood floor in the best possible condition so you can enjoy the look of it for many years to come. Solid wood floors often experience a lot of wear and tear from every day use so it’s important to protect them. Keeping your solid wood correctly looked after with wood floor restoration means that visitors to your home get a good first impression and you benefit from truly beautiful surroundings.
As well as enhancing the look of your home, solid wood floors can increase it’s value too so making sure you keep up to date with any wood floor restoration is well worth doing. If you are thinking of selling your house then doing any wood floor restoration before hand can only increase your chances of selling.
In this guide we will introduce what the main aspects of wood floor restoration are including replacing damaged areas, removing dents and scratches, removing stained areas, filling gaps, sanding and finishing.
Wood Floor Restoration - click here for full information on our wood floor refurbishment service.
Our Wood Floor Restoration Process
Step 1: Floor Repairs
There are three main types of common floor repairs that need to be undertaken when you are thinking about wood floor restoration.
Replace Damaged Floorboards
Most types of floorboard or floor block can be replaced, solving a wide range of problems. It does however depend on the type of flooring you have and this is why we always carry out a survey before any work is under taken. We offer a free no obligation survey to inspect your floor and give you our recommendations.
Because we are specialists in reclaimed wood we have access to a large range of floorboards, wood blocks and strip floors and these can all be cut to the correct size. It is not completely possible to ensure an exact match to your original flooring but by using reclaimed wood we try and find as close a match as we can.
Scratches
Any scratches on your solid wood floor can be taken away using fine to medium sandpaper depending on the depth of the scratch. Light scratches can be sanded down and the wood refinished to look as good as new. More serious scratches will need prolonged sanding to expose the bare wood. Only then can the surface be refinished.
The finish on your wood floor will determine whether the scratched and repaired area can be refinished in isolation, or if this patch will stand out too much. If the latter is the case, then for a consistent finish the entire floor will need to be sanded and have the chosen finish re-applied.
Dents
Dents are a problem with solid wood floors and it’s advisable to ask people to remove their shoes before walking on them, particularly high heels. There are two ways to tackle dents in your wood, they can be filled with a wax which will set and go hard or if the floor is being sanded the dent can be filled with a resin mixed with some of the sawdust the sanding has created.
Step 2: Filling Gaps
Gaps between floorboards will naturally occur but some customers prefer for these to be filled. Small items could get wedged or lost between the boards and draughts will come up through the gaps.
Solid wood floors are all susceptible to the seasons and affected by heat and cold. Wood expands during the hot summer months but then contracts during winter when it is colder. This expansion and shrinkage may cause any filler used to try and fill the gaps to split and disappear.
There are three effective ways to fill gaps between floorboards.
The Stopgap method involves placing strips of plastic in between each floorboard. This helps prevent draughts passing through.
For pine floorboards then Pine Fillets can be used. These are wedges of pine that are placed between the floorboards and glued into place.
If your wood floor has been sanded then the resulting sawdust can me mixed with a resin called Lecol 7500 to fill in all the gaps.
Step 3: Wood Floor Sanding
Sanding is not a complicated process but it is a lengthy one, which requires patience, skill, care and attention to detail. How you sand, the grade of sandpaper used and the machinery employed for the task will all affect the finish of your wood floor.
We can sand all the wood floors we offer including parquet flooring, distressed flooring, end grain floors, engineered floors, strip floors and mosaic floors.
Hardwood floors are beautiful and need to stay that way to give you years of lasting pleasure so how they are sanded down when being restored is vitally important. We only use professional equipment and fully trained staff with a passion and knowledge for restoring the natural qualities of your wood flooring.
Step 4: Staining
Once your floor has been sanded down the next part of the wood floor restoration process is to stain or finish it with an oil or lacquer. Naturally Wood Floors offer all these services once your floor has been sanded down and can advise you on the best choice.
Staining can make a bold statement as the finish for your restored flooring. Stains can either darken or enhance the natural colours of the wood and with wood dyes you can change the colour of the wood altogether.
Our stains come in a variety of colours such as antique pine, ebony, walnut, light and dark teak, brown or red mahogany and light, medium and dark oak. If you have a particular colour you wish to match then we have a fully trained French Polisher who can assist you.
The stain must be evenly applied in order to penetrate the wood completely and then any excess wiped away. It is worth remembering that stains only colour the wood they do not give any added protection and for this you would need to apply a finish.
Step 5: Finishing
There are two main types of finish for a restored wood floor to choose from, oil or lacquer. These can be applied straight to a sanded finish or on top of a stain.
The plus side of an oiled finish is that when any repairs are undertaken then specific areas can be treated without the need to re-finish the entire floor. As with all wood flooring regular cleaning is a must and then a fresh coat of oil every 1 to 2 years will keep your wood floor looking beautiful. If you try and minimize the risk of heavy scratches then there should be no need to have the flooring re-sanded again. The oil we use, Osmo hard wax oil, is long lasting and hard wearing.
With a lacquered finish again we recommend regular cleaning and a new coat every 1 or 2 years to refresh the surface. Unfortunately with lacquer it is difficult to carry out repair work on single areas so the whole floor will need sanding again if patches of wear and tear are too visible and spoil the look of the floor. The two lacquers we use are a Swedish brand called Bona Mega and Bona Traffic and they are tough and durable so little maintenance is needed.
Additional Products and Services
In addition to restoring your floor we can also supply you with any relevant floor care products. These will help you to prolong the life of your wooden floor.
We can also carry out Concrete Hearth Removal and Restitch. This is when an existing concrete fire heath needs to be removed by chasing it out. Next we remove any surrounding flooring and then replace the area with reclaimed floorboards that match your existing wood floor.
Wood Floor Restoration - click here for full information on our wood floor refurbishment service.
Wood floor restoration will keep a wood floor in the best possible condition so you can enjoy the look of it for many years to come. Solid wood floors often experience a lot of wear and tear from every day use so it’s important to protect them. Keeping your solid wood correctly looked after with wood floor restoration means that visitors to your home get a good first impression and you benefit from truly beautiful surroundings.
As well as enhancing the look of your home, solid wood floors can increase it’s value too so making sure you keep up to date with any wood floor restoration is well worth doing. If you are thinking of selling your house then doing any wood floor restoration before hand can only increase your chances of selling.
In this guide we will introduce what the main aspects of wood floor restoration are including replacing damaged areas, removing dents and scratches, removing stained areas, filling gaps, sanding and finishing.
Wood Floor Restoration - click here for full information on our wood floor refurbishment service.
Our Wood Floor Restoration Process
Step 1: Floor Repairs
There are three main types of common floor repairs that need to be undertaken when you are thinking about wood floor restoration.
Replace Damaged Floorboards
Most types of floorboard or floor block can be replaced, solving a wide range of problems. It does however depend on the type of flooring you have and this is why we always carry out a survey before any work is under taken. We offer a free no obligation survey to inspect your floor and give you our recommendations.
Because we are specialists in reclaimed wood we have access to a large range of floorboards, wood blocks and strip floors and these can all be cut to the correct size. It is not completely possible to ensure an exact match to your original flooring but by using reclaimed wood we try and find as close a match as we can.
Scratches
Any scratches on your solid wood floor can be taken away using fine to medium sandpaper depending on the depth of the scratch. Light scratches can be sanded down and the wood refinished to look as good as new. More serious scratches will need prolonged sanding to expose the bare wood. Only then can the surface be refinished.
The finish on your wood floor will determine whether the scratched and repaired area can be refinished in isolation, or if this patch will stand out too much. If the latter is the case, then for a consistent finish the entire floor will need to be sanded and have the chosen finish re-applied.
Dents
Dents are a problem with solid wood floors and it’s advisable to ask people to remove their shoes before walking on them, particularly high heels. There are two ways to tackle dents in your wood, they can be filled with a wax which will set and go hard or if the floor is being sanded the dent can be filled with a resin mixed with some of the sawdust the sanding has created.
Step 2: Filling Gaps
Gaps between floorboards will naturally occur but some customers prefer for these to be filled. Small items could get wedged or lost between the boards and draughts will come up through the gaps.
Solid wood floors are all susceptible to the seasons and affected by heat and cold. Wood expands during the hot summer months but then contracts during winter when it is colder. This expansion and shrinkage may cause any filler used to try and fill the gaps to split and disappear.
There are three effective ways to fill gaps between floorboards.
The Stopgap method involves placing strips of plastic in between each floorboard. This helps prevent draughts passing through.
For pine floorboards then Pine Fillets can be used. These are wedges of pine that are placed between the floorboards and glued into place.
If your wood floor has been sanded then the resulting sawdust can me mixed with a resin called Lecol 7500 to fill in all the gaps.
Step 3: Wood Floor Sanding
Sanding is not a complicated process but it is a lengthy one, which requires patience, skill, care and attention to detail. How you sand, the grade of sandpaper used and the machinery employed for the task will all affect the finish of your wood floor.
We can sand all the wood floors we offer including parquet flooring, distressed flooring, end grain floors, engineered floors, strip floors and mosaic floors.
Hardwood floors are beautiful and need to stay that way to give you years of lasting pleasure so how they are sanded down when being restored is vitally important. We only use professional equipment and fully trained staff with a passion and knowledge for restoring the natural qualities of your wood flooring.
Step 4: Staining
Once your floor has been sanded down the next part of the wood floor restoration process is to stain or finish it with an oil or lacquer. Naturally Wood Floors offer all these services once your floor has been sanded down and can advise you on the best choice.
Staining can make a bold statement as the finish for your restored flooring. Stains can either darken or enhance the natural colours of the wood and with wood dyes you can change the colour of the wood altogether.
Our stains come in a variety of colours such as antique pine, ebony, walnut, light and dark teak, brown or red mahogany and light, medium and dark oak. If you have a particular colour you wish to match then we have a fully trained French Polisher who can assist you.
The stain must be evenly applied in order to penetrate the wood completely and then any excess wiped away. It is worth remembering that stains only colour the wood they do not give any added protection and for this you would need to apply a finish.
Step 5: Finishing
There are two main types of finish for a restored wood floor to choose from, oil or lacquer. These can be applied straight to a sanded finish or on top of a stain.
The plus side of an oiled finish is that when any repairs are undertaken then specific areas can be treated without the need to re-finish the entire floor. As with all wood flooring regular cleaning is a must and then a fresh coat of oil every 1 to 2 years will keep your wood floor looking beautiful. If you try and minimize the risk of heavy scratches then there should be no need to have the flooring re-sanded again. The oil we use, Osmo hard wax oil, is long lasting and hard wearing.
With a lacquered finish again we recommend regular cleaning and a new coat every 1 or 2 years to refresh the surface. Unfortunately with lacquer it is difficult to carry out repair work on single areas so the whole floor will need sanding again if patches of wear and tear are too visible and spoil the look of the floor. The two lacquers we use are a Swedish brand called Bona Mega and Bona Traffic and they are tough and durable so little maintenance is needed.
Additional Products and Services
In addition to restoring your floor we can also supply you with any relevant floor care products. These will help you to prolong the life of your wooden floor.
We can also carry out Concrete Hearth Removal and Restitch. This is when an existing concrete fire heath needs to be removed by chasing it out. Next we remove any surrounding flooring and then replace the area with reclaimed floorboards that match your existing wood floor.
Wood Floor Restoration - click here for full information on our wood floor refurbishment service.
Wood Floor Repairs
However carefully you look after your wooden floor, wood floor repairs will need to be done occasionally. Common wood floor repairs include the removal of scratches and stains or correcting a badly laid floor.
Many beautiful wood floors are covered by carpet or vinyl but once revealed, with just a few wood floor repairs they can be stunning again. Or perhaps you have recently moved to a house with original wood floors that need some care and attention. The wood floor repairs that need carrying out to a floor could range from sanding down and varnishing a simple stain to replacing whole sections with new wood. If the latter is the case then the job really needs to be tackled by a professional floor layer to get the best results. And that's where we can help!
Wood Floor Repairs - click here for full information on our wood floor refurbishment service.
DIY Wood Floor Repairs
After watching DIY shows on television many people think they can save money by carrying out wood floor repairs themselves. At best this will usually prove to be a false economy, due to the time it takes, the cost of equipment hire and the potential to be unhappy with the result. At worst, you could spend money on materials and equipment to fix the floor and then still have to hire a professional to correct your mistakes! Or you could cause long-term lasting damage to your floor by mishandling machinery, reducing its lifespan by up to 50%
It is therefore much safer and cost effective to hire qualified floor layers from the start, as they will have the expertise and correct machinery for the task. This will prolong the life of your floor and give you a perfect finish.
Wood Floor Repairs - click here for full information on our wood floor refurbishment service.
Common Floor Problems Fixed With Wood Floor Repairs
Here are some of the most common wood floor repairs problems with solutions.
Scratches
Removing scratches is one of the most common wood floor repair jobs and these can often be rectified with a light to medium sanding. Fine scratches are rubbed down with light sandpaper before refinishing the surface. If the scratches are more engrained, then medium sandpaper will be used to take the finish right back down to the bare wood. In most cases only the area affected will need to be repaired but if the finish of the floor makes this patch stand out, then the entire floor may need to be restored.
Dents
Dents are another problem with wood floors, especially those caused by high heels. If the whole floor is being sanded down then any dents can be filled with a combination of resin filler and sawdust. If only the dents need repairing and no other work is being done to the floor then hard wax will bring the surface flush again.
Broken Boards
It is possible to replace broken or damaged floorboards or blocks but it does depend upon the type of wood flooring you have so this is always subject to a survey. A survey of the condition of your wood flooring will determine the degree of work needed.
Stains
If the stain has gone too far down into the grain of the wood then the intense sanding required could mean that section of flooring would not look the same as the rest. Therefore if a floorboard is too badly stained the best solution is to replace it.
Correcting a Badly Laid Floor
A badly laid floor will always need a site survey to ascertain what the actual problems are and where the installation went wrong in the first place. The work required will depend on the type of flooring and the type of repairs needed.
How We Work
Many beautiful wood floors are covered by carpet or vinyl but once revealed, with just a few wood floor repairs they can be stunning again. Or perhaps you have recently moved to a house with original wood floors that need some care and attention. The wood floor repairs that need carrying out to a floor could range from sanding down and varnishing a simple stain to replacing whole sections with new wood. If the latter is the case then the job really needs to be tackled by a professional floor layer to get the best results. And that's where we can help!
Wood Floor Repairs - click here for full information on our wood floor refurbishment service.
DIY Wood Floor Repairs
After watching DIY shows on television many people think they can save money by carrying out wood floor repairs themselves. At best this will usually prove to be a false economy, due to the time it takes, the cost of equipment hire and the potential to be unhappy with the result. At worst, you could spend money on materials and equipment to fix the floor and then still have to hire a professional to correct your mistakes! Or you could cause long-term lasting damage to your floor by mishandling machinery, reducing its lifespan by up to 50%
It is therefore much safer and cost effective to hire qualified floor layers from the start, as they will have the expertise and correct machinery for the task. This will prolong the life of your floor and give you a perfect finish.
Wood Floor Repairs - click here for full information on our wood floor refurbishment service.
Common Floor Problems Fixed With Wood Floor Repairs
Here are some of the most common wood floor repairs problems with solutions.
Scratches
Removing scratches is one of the most common wood floor repair jobs and these can often be rectified with a light to medium sanding. Fine scratches are rubbed down with light sandpaper before refinishing the surface. If the scratches are more engrained, then medium sandpaper will be used to take the finish right back down to the bare wood. In most cases only the area affected will need to be repaired but if the finish of the floor makes this patch stand out, then the entire floor may need to be restored.
Dents
Dents are another problem with wood floors, especially those caused by high heels. If the whole floor is being sanded down then any dents can be filled with a combination of resin filler and sawdust. If only the dents need repairing and no other work is being done to the floor then hard wax will bring the surface flush again.
Broken Boards
It is possible to replace broken or damaged floorboards or blocks but it does depend upon the type of wood flooring you have so this is always subject to a survey. A survey of the condition of your wood flooring will determine the degree of work needed.
Stains
If the stain has gone too far down into the grain of the wood then the intense sanding required could mean that section of flooring would not look the same as the rest. Therefore if a floorboard is too badly stained the best solution is to replace it.
Correcting a Badly Laid Floor
A badly laid floor will always need a site survey to ascertain what the actual problems are and where the installation went wrong in the first place. The work required will depend on the type of flooring and the type of repairs needed.
How We Work
- We offer a complete range of services for wood floor repairs and restoration such as repairing dents and gaps, sanding to take out scratches, replacing floorboards and re-laying floors as well as oiling, lacquering and staining. We can repair all types of wood floors including distressed flooring, engineered floors, mosaic floors, parquet flooring end grain floors and strip floors.
- Our surveys are free and without obligation.
- All of our staff here at Naturally Wood are fully trained and keep up to date with changes in methods and products to give you the best possible service for your wood floor repairs.
- In addition, our state of the art equipment will minimize the production of dust particles during wood floor repairs.
- Whilst our equipment is fully up to date, we work with traditional, time honoured floor laying techniques. We use reclaimed wood to try and find the closest match we can to repair your wood floor, although it is never 100% guaranteed we could ensure an exact match
- Our business is all about the installation and restoration of solid wood floors and it’s a real passion with all our staff.
- We can install, repair or restore all types of wood floors including engineered floors, strip floors, mosaic floors, wood block floors, aged and distressed floors and parquet floors.
- The best materials are used by our knowledgeable and highly experienced team to provide you with the complete flooring package, from supply, design, installation, restoration and repairs
- A high standard of workmanship and the quality of our wood floors is very important to us and we strive to carry on growing our reputation for a fantastic product combined with the best possible customer service.
- Naturally Wood Floors are based in Loughton and work with customers for our complete wood floor installation and restoration packages in London, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Kent, and Suffolk.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)