Time on site: 5 days | Area: 60m2
This project involved renovating a 60m² solid oak floor in a Frome home that had lost its shine after years of everyday use. The floor runs through a large open-plan kitchen and living space, with a vaulted beamed ceiling and a full-length skylight above it. In other words, this is the kind of room where every dull patch and worn area shows up as soon as the daylight hits it.
The starting point
The oak boards were still in good condition and there were no major structural issues, but the finish was looking tired. The heaviest wear was through the main walkway between the kitchen and the garden doors, and the overall colour had gone flat, losing the warmth and depth you expect from oak. A simple reseal would only have locked that patchy look in, so the client wanted the floor properly brought back to life rather than just topped up.
Preparation
The room was cleared and the floor was checked over for movement, loose boards, and anything that needed attention ahead of sanding.
How we got the sanding right
We used our Lagler and Bona sanding systems to take the floor back through a full grit sequence: 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120. This removed the old finish and the built-up wear evenly across the room, leaving clean bare timber ready for colour.
How to find the right tone for your floorboards
Rather than choosing a colour from a sample board and hoping it worked, we tested several options directly on the client’s own floor, in the room’s natural light. That way, they could see how each tone looked in the actual space before making a decision. Getting the colour right took time, and a good part of the five days on site went into this stage. We do not rush clients into choosing a finish; it is always better to take a little longer than leave someone with a colour they are not completely happy with.
After testing, we settled on a bespoke Treatex Colour Tone blend: Medium Oak and Spruce mixed at 16:1. It gave the floor enough warmth without making it too dark. Once the colour had cured, we applied two coats of clear Treatex Matt hardwax oil to protect the timber and leave a durable, low-sheen finish.
The result
The finished floor now has a warm, even tone that works well with the natural light from the skylight. The old flat, patchy finish has been replaced with a look that brings out the character of the oak without overpowering the room. It is also protected for everyday use in a busy kitchen and living area, and because the client saw the colour on her own floor before we committed to it, there were no surprises at the end.
Thinking of sanding your oak flooring?
We have over 20 years experience sanding and maintaining oak flooring in Frome, Somerset, and the South West.
Contact us today for a free quote.
Unsure whether sanding is the right option for your floor? Read our guide on Is floor sanding worth it or should I replace my floor?