Wood floor refinishing costs and current price in London
Wooden floors add warmth and elegance to any interior, but over time even the most durable flooring needs renewal and repair. In London, where historic houses and apartments with wooden floors are ubiquitous, the question of repair costs is particularly relevant. Understanding what factors affect prices and knowing current price quotes can greatly help in planning your renovation budget.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at what costs can be incurred for wood floor repairs in London. We will discuss what the renovation process involves, what materials and services may be needed, and how to choose the best option based on your needs and finances. You will learn about average prices for different types of work and get useful tips on choosing contractors to make your wood floor shine again, and the renovation go without hassle and unexpected costs.
Types of wood flooring
Parquet
Parquet is one of the most popular and refined types of wood flooring. It consists of individual wooden slats that are laid in various patterns such as herringbone, wicker or checkerboard. Parquet floors are characterized by high strength and durability, while they give the interior a unique style and charm. One of the main advantages of parquet is the possibility of multiple restoration by grinding and polishing, which allows you to maintain its pristine appearance for decades.
Laminate
Laminate is a multi-layered flooring that mimics the appearance of natural wood. It consists of a fiberboard, a decorated layer with a pattern, and a protective top layer. Laminate is popular due to its affordability, ease of installation and variety of designs. It is resistant to wear, moisture and mechanical damage, which makes it an excellent choice for rooms with high traffic. However, unlike parquet, laminate cannot be restored, and in case of significant damage it must be completely replaced.
Planks
Solid wood plank floors are a classic solution that always remains relevant. Such floors are made of solid wood and are highly durable and resistant to wear and tear. The planks can have different widths and lengths, which allows you to create unique flooring. They are easy to repair and restore and have excellent thermal insulation properties. Plank floors fit perfectly into both modern and traditional interiors, giving them a cozy and natural warmth.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors are an elite flooring that is extremely durable and luxurious in appearance. They are made using high-density wood species such as oak, ash, beech or teak. Hardwood has unique texture and color characteristics that make each floor unique. These floorings can last for decades or even centuries with minimal maintenance. Hardwood floors can be restored multiple times, allowing them to retain their pristine beauty for years to come.
What goes into the repair
Wood floor repair may include the following steps:
- Subfloor Inspection and Identification of Problem Areas: The initial step involves a detailed inspection of the floor subfloor to identify damage, defects, and problem areas.
- Removal of the subfloor: Removal of the existing floor covering to access the subfloor and joists.
- Inspection of the joists: Checking the condition of the joists (beams) that support the flooring for damage, rotting or warping.
- Removal of old insulation: If there is old insulation, it should be removed, especially if it is damaged or has lost its insulating properties.
- Complete or partial removal of joists: Depending on the condition of the joists, they may need to be completely or partially removed and replaced.
- Slab surface cleaning and inspection: Thorough cleaning of the slab surface and assessment of its condition to identify possible defects and damage.
- Installation of a new joist system or installation of a dry light screed: Installation of a new joist system to support the flooring or use of a dry light screed as an alternative.
- Installing new flooring: Installing new flooring, whether parquet, laminate, planks or hardwood.
Waterproofing materials and insulation may also be required, especially if the apartment is on the first floor, to prevent moisture penetration and provide additional insulation.
When wood floor repair is needed
Determining the need for repair of a wooden floor without a thorough inspection is difficult. Before proceeding to major or cosmetic repairs, it is necessary to diagnose the condition of the floor. Certain signs will help you understand if the floor needs repair and what actions should be taken to restore it.
- Sound when inspecting the floor: Tap the floor with a hammer and listen to the sound. A muffled sound indicates that the wood has started to rot or is already rotten and needs to be replaced.
- Nail condition: Check the nails in the floor. In areas where the boards are affected by rot, the nails will be rusty due to the rotting processes taking place next to them.
- Condition of the joists: Inspect the joists by probing them with an awl along their entire length. The tool should not penetrate the wood easily. If the awl penetrates easily, it means that the joists are rotted, especially at the beam ends, where the wood is often the softest.
- Odor: If there is an unpleasant odor coming from under the floor, it is likely that the boards and joists are rotting. If such an odor is present, it is advisable to disassemble the floor to find out the cause.
- Condition of the floorboards: If the floorboards are sagging, creaking, badly warped or crumbling, the floors definitely need repair.
These signs will help you determine the need for repair and plan the necessary steps to restore your wood floor.
Price for wooden floor repair in London
Floor Sanding Cost Per Square Metre
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Floor Sanding | From 25 £/m² |
| Floor Sanding and 4 coats of extra strong clear lacquer | From 29 £/m² |
| An extra coat of lacquer | From 4 £/m² |
| Upgrade to high-performance commercial grade lacquer | From 3 £/m² per coat |
| Floor Sanding and 2 coats of clear or colored hard wax oil | From 45 £/m² |
| Floor Sanding and 2 coats of wood floor oil | From 35 £/m² |
| Underfloor acoustic insulation | From 69 £/m² |
Stairs and Banisters Sanding
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Stairs Sanding: strip, sand and seal | From 44 £/step (depends on condition, size, and layers of paint) |
| Carpet removal and disposal | From 8 £/m² |
| Furniture* | From 100 £/room |
| Additional labor | From 49 £/hour |
Floor Repair
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Fireplace / concrete hearth removal | From 350 £ (depends on size and type) |
| Floor replacement | From 19 £/linear meter |
| Fix Squeaky Flooring | From 9 £/m² |
| Gap filling 1: Sawdust and resin | From 9 £/m² per coat (for gaps < 3mm) |
| Gap filling 2: Reclaimed pine slivers | From 29 £/m² (for gaps > 3mm) |
| Gap filling 3: Flexible gap master | From 29 £/m² (for gaps 3–9mm) |
| Cosmetic gap-filling | From 5 £/m² (for small cracks, old cuts, and nail holes, etc.) |
Floor Restoration
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Fireplace | From 350 £/m² |
| Floorboards restoration | From 19 £/linear meter |
| Reclaimed pine floorboards replacing | From 19 £/linear meter |
| Fix Squeaky Flooring | From 9 £/m² |
Floor Installation
| Flooring Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Laminate | From 19 £/m² |
| Parquet | From 39 £/m² |
| Boards | From 29 £/m² |
| Artistic design wood floor | From 49 £/m² |
Victorian Pine Flooring
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Sanding | From 29 £/m² |
| Gap filling | From 9 £/m² |
| Staining | From 9 £/m² |
| Slivers | From 29 £/m² |
Floor Staining
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Floor Staining /dyeing | From 9 £/m² per coat |
| Lime washing/liming/whitening | From 9 £/m² per coat |
| Gap filling 1: Sawdust and resin | From 9 £/m² per coat (for gaps < 3mm) |
| Gap filling 2: Reclaimed pine slivers | From 29 £/m² (for gaps > 3mm) |
| Gap filling 3: Flexible gap master | From 29 £/m² (for gaps 3–9mm) |
| Cosmetic gap-filling | From 5 £/m² (for small cracks, old cuts, and nail holes, etc.) |
| Fireplace / concrete hearth removal | From 350 £ (depends on size and type) |
| Reclaimed pine floorboards replacing | From 19 £/linear meter |
Is it worth turning to professionals?
Wood floor repair is a task that requires professional skills, experience and precision. Self-performance of this work can lead to undesirable results and additional costs to correct mistakes. Turning to professionals guarantees quality and durable results, saving time and money. In our company you can order a service to repair wooden floors, and our experts will perform all the work at a high level. Trust us, and your floor will look like new!
