Minimal intervention is usually the key to preserving the patina of age that contributes to the character of wooden floors. Even so, the wear and tear of everyday life and damage from rot and infestation can take their toll. Some old floors benefit from sanding and refinishing to bring back their beauty. In other cases, repairs to the subfloor structure might be required.
HOW TO REPAIR
Before starting any work, it's important to establish whether your floor is structurally sound. You may need to lift the floorboards so the subfloor and joists can be repaired. At the same time, a flooring expert will assess the moisture levels and check for woodworm. If the subfloor is too badly damaged, parts can be cut away and replaced. Then the floorboards are replaced, sanded and finished.
Lifting floorboards requires care, especially if they're tongued and grooved or secretly nailed. If you're taking up an old floor you will always need some spare boards because they can be brittle and some are going to split,' warns Andy Walker of Artisan Timber & Flooring.
Most old floors will have gaps between the boards. For gaps up to 4mm, you can fill them with sawdust mixed with resin - ask your tradesperson to mix sawdust from the same floor to match the colour. For larger gaps, reclaimed wood slithers can be glued and hammered in to seal the crevices.
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Country Homes & Interiors.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Country Homes & Interiors.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A day in the country
The TV presenter and author stays close to home in the Wye Valley, walking at dawn and ending the day making supper for friends
MINIATURE MARVELS
Tiny but mighty mini bulbs bring sparks of colour to springtime garden borders and containers
UP THE GARDEN PATH
Affordable and easy to lay, these DIY path ideas will add form and purpose to your garden, providing a fast track to planting, focal points and outdoor rooms
Bring the family
Rediscover the simple life with these gloriously back to nature staycations that kids and adults will adore
'Handmade glass looks watery and beautiful'
As anyone who surfs will know, despite the crash, chaos and roar of the ocean, there is a strange moment of peacefulness when you ride a wave.
Knock on wood
Transform damaged and dingy wooden flooring with expert techniques to return its structure and shine
COLOUR CONFIDENT
Breathe new life into your kitchen with a colourful design from Magnet
STOCK UP
The best ideas for maximising food storage in the kitchen, from walk in pantries to woven baskets-and everything in between
STORAGE STORIES
Faced with cluttered rooms and overflowing cupboards, four homeowners found smart solutions to help them get more organised
Installing fitted wardrobes
Everything you need to know about integrating built-in storage into your bedroom