Gap Filling
Resin or timber-sliver gap filling for warmer, cleaner floorboards.
Over the years, floorboards shrink and gaps open up between them. They let in cold air from under the floor, collect dust and can spoil the look of a freshly sanded floor. Gap filling is a simple way to make a room more comfortable.
Gap filling is normally done alongside floorboard restoration and our wider floor sanding service. This lets us sand the filler flush before finishing.
How we fill gaps
Resin filler
Small gaps are filled with a resin mixed with your floor’s own sanding dust for a close colour match. It is quick, neat and ideal for stable floors.
Timber slivers
For wider gaps, we glue tapered pine slivers into place and plane them level. Timber moves with timber, so slivers cope better with wider gaps.
A note on floor movement
Timber floors move — they swell in damp months, shrink when the heating is on, and flex with the structure of the house. Because of this, filler can crack or work loose and slivers can open slightly over time. Gap filling is therefore excluded from our service guarantee. The sanding and finishing on the same floor is still covered by our 3-month guarantee.
Warmer rooms with fewer draughts
Stops dust and crumbs collecting
Gives a more uniform look
When to fill gaps
Gap filling is optional. Some people prefer the authentic look of open gaps, others want a sealed, even surface. Very wide gaps are sometimes better solved by re-laying the boards. We will talk you through the choices during the free survey. If draughts are your main worry, we can also discuss other ways to reduce them.
When we fill the gaps
Gaps are filled after the first sanding pass, once the boards are clean and the true width of each gap is visible. Once set, everything is sanded level with the boards before finishing. It usually adds half a day to a typical room.
Our article on resin or sliver gap filling explains the pros and cons. Badly damaged boards are best replaced via our floorboard repairs. Prices are listed on our prices page.
Guide prices
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Floor sanding & oiling
Dust-free sanding back to fresh timber, finished with two coats of hardwax oil.
from £22 per m²
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Floor sanding & lacquer
Full sand and three coats of hard-wearing water-based lacquer.
from £24 per m²
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Parquet sanding & finishing
Multi-direction sanding for block and herringbone floors, with your choice of finish.
from £28 per m²
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Gap filling
Resin filler or reclaimed pine slivers between floorboards.
from £6 per m²
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Floor staining
Colour samples on your floor and an even stain before finishing.
from £5 per m²
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Stairs stripping & restoration
Paint and varnish removal, repairs and finishing of treads and risers.
from £45 per step
Guide prices — we confirm a fixed price after a free survey.
Questions about gap filling
Why is gap filling not guaranteed?
Gap filling is excluded from our service guarantee. Wooden floors expand and shrink with the seasons and with movement in the building, so filler can crack or work loose over time. We choose the method that suits your floor best to keep this to a minimum.
Does gap filling make a room warmer?
Yes, noticeably. Gaps between floorboards let draughts rise from under the floor. Filling them makes rooms feel warmer and helps keep dust out.
How are your prices worked out?
The cost depends on the size of the floor, its condition and the finish. Our price list shows typical starting prices, and the free survey gives you a fixed written quote.
Are my original floorboards worth sanding?
Usually, yes. Period pine boards sand up beautifully. We knock down protruding nails, replace split boards and sand back to fresh timber. Read our guide to Victorian floorboards for the full process.
How do you fill gaps between floorboards?
We fill narrow gaps with a resin and wood-dust mix that matches the boards. Larger gaps are best filled with tapered pine slivers, glued and planed flush. Our gap filling guide compares the two.
Are the finishes safe for children and pets?
Yes. We use low-VOC oils and water-based lacquers that are safe for children and pets once fully dry. We suggest keeping pets out of the room for the first 24 hours, and keep claws trimmed to help the finish last.
What our customers say
Engineered floor sanded beautifully
“We were told our engineered oak would need replacing. These guys checked the wear layer and found plenty to work with. It looks brand new.”
Chislehurst
Pleased with the floor
“Our lounge floorboards came up really well. It took a couple of days to get the quote back, but on site they were efficient and tidy.”
Chislehurst
Good decking job
“The deck looks warm and rich again. We had to rebook once because of rain, which is understandable, and they rearranged quickly. Would use again.”
Beckenham