Some floors only need a light refresh. These original Victorian pine floorboards in Clifton, Bristol needed a full restoration. They had never been professionally sanded in more than 150 years, and the amount of repair work required told the story of a well-used period property with real history.
Time on site: 10 days
Area restored: 120m²
Starting point
The boards were original pine and, apart from being lifted over the years by plumbers and electricians, had remained largely untouched since the house was built. Over time, the floor had developed heavy wear, damage and wide gaps. In total, around 100 linear metres of boards needed repairing or replacing across the property. The client wanted the floor restored properly rather than simply tidied up, so the preparation and repair work had to be done with care from the very beginning.
Repairs and preparation
We carried out extensive floorboard repairs using reclaimed pine chosen to sit naturally alongside the age, colour and character of the existing boards. On a restoration project of this scale, getting the repairs right before sanding was essential. It gave us a more level, consistent surface and helped the finished floor feel like one complete, original feature rather than a patchwork of old and new timber.
As with many old pine floors in period homes, movement over the years had left gaps between the boards. To close these neatly, we fitted pine slivers bonded with polyurethane glue. Once sanded back, the slivers created a clean, tight finish that blended with the surrounding timber.
The sanding process
Because the boards had never been sanded before, we started by sanding diagonally to level out more than a century and a half of unevenness. From there, we worked through the full grit sequence – 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 – gradually sanding the surface until it was smooth, consistent and ready for staining.
Choosing the finish
The client wanted a striking, very dark finish that would suit the character of the Victorian home. We used Morrells Classique Wenge stain to create a deep, rich tone, then protected the floor with two coats of Bona Mega in a matt sheen. Building that depth of colour took time and attention, but it gave the pine floorboards the dramatic, elegant finish the client was looking for.
The result
The finished floor has a rich, almost gothic depth that works beautifully with the age and style of the property. It feels authentic, settled and full of character – exactly what you want from Victorian floorboard restoration. Rather than looking newly installed, the floor now looks as though it has always belonged in the home, just properly restored and brought back to life.
Are your Victorian floorboards in need of sanding and restoration?
TFS Flooring have over 20 years experience restoring original pine floorboards in Chard, 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 Should I restore my Victorian floorboards?