This 1970s sapele parquet floor in a Yeovil home had lost much of its depth and character over the years. The finish was worn, there were visible marks across the surface, and several blocks had come loose. Before any sanding could begin, the floor needed careful repair work to make it stable again.
Time on site: 3 days
Area: Yeovil, Somerset
Floor size: 25m²
The starting point
Parquet floors laid in the 1970s were often fixed with bitumen adhesive. Over time, and after decades of seasonal movement, that adhesive can start to fail. Floors of this age commonly have loose blocks, and this one was no exception.
Repairing the loose blocks
Before sanding, we lifted the loose blocks, cleaned away what we could, and bonded them back down securely. For this type of repair, we used a solvent-based adhesive suited to older parquet floors where historic bitumen adhesive is present.
The sanding process
Once the repairs had cured, we began sanding. We started with the belt sander at P60 to cut through the old finish and level the surface. The edges were then sanded at P60 before we worked through P80 and P120, gradually refining the floor until it was smooth, even and ready for lacquering.
Choosing the finish
The client wanted a hard-wearing finish that would stand up to regular use while keeping the look natural. We applied two coats of Bona Traffic HD, a two-component matt lacquer. It is the same type of finish we would specify for busy commercial floors, so it was a good fit for a well-used home.
The result
The finished floor has a warm, even colour again, with the natural grain of the sapele clearly visible. The parquet pattern now stands out properly, and the new matt lacquer gives the floor a clean, durable surface without making it look overly glossy or new.
Thinking of restoring your parquet flooring?
TFS Flooring have over 20 years experience refurbishing parquet floor in Yeovil, Somerset, and the South West.
Contact us today for a free quote.
Want to know whether restoring your floorboards is possible? Read our guide on Can scratches be removed from floorboards?