City Sanders Co.

Gap filling

A gap-filled floor has a pleasing and even look.  It’s a personal choice – and not always necessary. Filling gaps helps to prevent dust build up – and draughts (especially on the ground floor). As the floor is also tightened, timber movement is minimised.

Traditional methods of gap filling include:

 *  resin - mostly used on floors with lots of fine gaps, such as parquet and mosaic. Dust from the floor is mixed with a resin and applied to the gaps with a filling knife.

*  wooden strips - solid fillets of reclaimed pine and other timbers are glued and forced into the gaps, then chiselled back before sanding flat.

Make Citysanders Company your first choice for wood floor repairs

Contact us today for a free assessment and quote.  

COLOUR YOUR FLOOR

Stains are versatile and can transform your floor quickly and at modest cost. Clear natural stains enhance the wood grain. Coloured stains give a new colour to the wood (as in darkening a pine floor).

The modern water-based stains are now of equivalent performance to the traditional oil and spirit-based versions. Being odour-free and completely safe allows them to be used anywhere - valuable where children roam and food is prepared. Their large variety of colours range from the traditional wood colours through to contemporary pigmenting: eg white, red, blue or even pink!

The better quality stains give a more even coating. Some cheaper brands carry the risk of leaving patchy or dull areas.

Although coloured lacquers are available, we recommend staining and varnishing in two distinct stages. The colour of the floor is easier to control and the sealant more durable. As the sealant wears away over time, the underlying coloured stain will remain unaffected. The wearing away of a coloured varnish makes the floor lose its colour.

The floor may also be painted - or a coloured wax (such as lime wax) is a good choice for floors with dull washed colours. It gives an attractive soft tinting effect on the visible wood grain.

Don’t be afraid to ask for an unusual or specific colour. We can create the one you want. We once mixed 75 different pigments to match the floor colour in an ancient castle!

For the full, professional service - contact us today!

WOOD FLOOR SEALING

Lacquer

These artificial products are the most durable of all the sealants - and easiest to maintain. They are suitable for floor areas bearing mid to heavy traffic.

Modern lacquers no longer have the old fashioned glossy ‘plastic’ look of tradtional varnish. Water-based versions are safe and odour-free. They come in a matt, satin or high gloss finish with a pleasing silky sheen. 

A polyurethane lacquer is ideal for general use – it’s highly resistant to wear but may cause some discoloration to the underlying floor.

A part polyurethane/part acrylic floor varnish is a good choice for areas with lighter usage. In no way will this yellow or darken the wood.

Lacquers require three applications - and left to dry for 24 hours.

We will demonstrate the qualities of the various sealants during your free assessment.

for the best sealing for your sanded floors - contact us today!

WOOD FLOORS – WAXING

For a safe, traditional choice, wax remains deservedly popular in the home and commercial settings. It allows your floor to breathe under a soft and mellow finish.

Wax finishes require two applications.

Hard Wax Oil

 This natural product is based on waxes and vegetable oils. Like natural oil, it brings out the colour of the wood – and emphasises its natural grain.

Hard wax oil provides a good balance between natural oil and lacquer. You get the best of both products: a natural look and feel plus improved durability.

Its micro-porous nature means that it does not crack, flake, peel or blister. It can be used in areas of high humidity, as it is more resistant to drying out than natural oil.  

Future maintenance is simplicity itself. Apply more coats of hard wax oil or a thinned down ‘revive coat’.

Let us help you to choose the most appropriate finish for your particular floor. Call us today for your free assessment.

 For the best advice on waxes and oils - call on Citysanders Company

Natural Oil

For the traditional natural look of a wooden floor, choose oil. Although oil tends to dry out in humid conditions, it is very easy to maintain. Just top up the finish with extra coats of oil to cover minor damage.

Along with its water-repellent qualities, oil offers resistance to scuffs and abrasions. It comes in matt or satin finishes - and can take up to 24 hrs to dry.

See for yourself - when we give you a comparison of the properties of natural oils with the various other sealants.

Contact us today for your free assessment and quote. Please phone 020 3369 9858