Epsom · Herringbone
1930s herringbone parquet
A tired orange finish taken back to clean, even herringbone blocks.
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Wood type
Oak Flooring
Oak is the benchmark for wooden floors – dense, stable and beautifully figured. It sands superbly and takes almost every finish, from extra-matt and oil to deep stains.
Up close
Know your oak
Most of the oak floors we work on across Merton, Sutton and South West London are solid boards, strip floors or modern wide planks. Oak's tight joints mean gaps are usually minimal, so filler rarely works loose, and its grain – with the silvery flecks of the medullary rays – really comes alive under a fresh finish.
Project highlights
- Wimbledon: oak sanded and refinished around a kitchen island
- Raynes Park: wide rustic oak planks full of knots and character
- Battersea: light wide-plank oak through an open-plan flat
Characteristics
- Hard, durable and stable
- Open grain with silvery medullary rays
- Warm honey to golden tones
- Takes stains evenly
Common problems
- Grey, worn traffic lanes
- Black water marks around sinks and plants
- Scratched or peeling old lacquer
- Dull, tired finish
Restoration challenges
- Removing deep grey wear and water marks
- Keeping colour even around fitted units
- Avoiding chatter marks on hard boards
Our methods
- Continuous-belt sanding – no barrel marks
- Detailed edge sanding around units and hearths
- Multi-disc fine sanding before finishing
Recommended finishes
- Extra-matt lacquer for a raw look
- Hardwax oil for depth and warmth
- Smoked, grey or dark stains
Maintenance
- pH-neutral floor cleaner only
- Felt pads on furniture
- Maintenance recoat every few years
Restoration examples
Oak – before & after
Raynes Park · Oak
Paint-splashed boards to light oak
From decorators' mess to a clean, light oak floor.
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Our oak flooring work
Case studies
Oak Flooring projects
BeforeEpsom · Parquet Restoration
1930s Herringbone Parquet, Epsom
Clean, even blocks with the herringbone pattern crisp again across the whole room – right into the window bay.
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BeforeLondon Bridge · Supply & Fit
Dark Wide-Plank Oak, London Bridge
A striking, dark charcoal-toned wide-plank oak floor that gives the apartment a modern, high-end look.
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BeforeRaynes Park · Supply & Fit
Oak Floors, Raynes Park
Light, clean oak floors that suit the new decoration – including wide, characterful rustic oak planks in the living space.
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Oak Flooring questions
How many times can solid oak be sanded?
A typical solid oak board can be sanded many times over its life. Engineered oak depends on the thickness of its top layer, which we check first.
Free quotes · Merton, Sutton, South West London & Surrey
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