What you need to know about restoring timber floorboards

Floorboards in old houses can look tired and dull. Gaps may have opened due to shrinkage, and there could be a variety of untidy damage. With a little restoration, however, this weathered look can be an asset. A well-restored timber floor will last for decades and is a great alternative to expensive carpets – especially for anyone prone to asthma or hay fever. So you can’t let these put you off buying the property if your looking to move house soon. With the moving process made easier with a Conveyancing Solicitors London found at links like https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/Conveyancing-Solicitors/Conveyancing-Solicitors-London you can really get on with the renovation as soon as you get the keys.

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Lifting the boards

If boards are particularly grimy or thick with paint, lift them and send them to be dipped. Some paint can be very resistant to sanders and soon eats through your sanding belts. Applying chemical stripper in situ is not recommended, except for small spots, and using a blow torch will leave scorch marks. In any case, lifting the boards is your opportunity to make other improvements.

Insulation

Sound penetrates between floors of bare solid wood flooring; however, a bit of rock wool between the joists can be more effective than carpeting. In flat conversions, acoustic insulation may be required by building regulations. You can also choose a material with thermal qualities that will suppress drafts.

Replacement

Consider replacing badly-damaged boards with new ones. Boards shrunken with age should be refitted closer together to close gaps, which could leave you a row short. Choose new boards the same thickness as the old ones.
Sanding

Before you sand, you should have refitted the boards, filled digs with matching wood filler, small gaps with a bit of carpentry and checked for proud nails, which will rip up your sander.

Hire a drum sander for the open areas and pointed edger to get right up to the walls. If it is not more trouble than it is worth, remove the skirting so that you can sand right into the edges. Take care with drum sanders – they are powerful and if you tilt them carelessly or let go, you will carve a chunk out of the floor. A narrow chisel or screwdriver will be useful to gouge out paint or grime from indents.

Finishes

There are too many ways to finish your restored floor to mention here, but the most popular is to stain and varnish. You will need several coats of each, so allow for this when you cost your materials. Avoid quick-dry varnishes, as they are not as good.