Parquet Floor Sanding
Specialist parquet sanding that respects the pattern and brings the grain back to life.
Parquet is one of the most beautiful floors you can own, but it is also one of the trickiest to sand well. Because the blocks run in different directions, a standard approach can leave cross-grain scratches that become obvious once a finish is applied.
We sand parquet in carefully planned passes, finishing with fine abrasives so the pattern looks crisp and even from every angle. It is part of our wider floor sanding service, tailored to block floors.
Getting the floor sound first
Loose blocks are common in older parquet, especially near doorways and radiators. We lift and re-bed them, and replace missing blocks with matched or reclaimed timber through our parquet floor repairs service. Our parquet restoration guide explains what is involved.
Patterns we restore
Herringbone and double herringbone
Chevron and French-style parquet
Basket weave and brick bond
Mosaic panels and borders
Finishes that suit parquet
Oil gives parquet a soft, natural sheen and can be spot-repaired, while a matt water-based lacquer gives maximum protection in hallways and kitchens. If you would like a different tone, we can add wood floor staining before the final coats.
Why specialist sanding matters
Over the years parquet blocks can lift, dip and wear unevenly, especially in hallways. We start with angled passes to flatten the floor, then work through finer grits until the surface is smooth in every direction. Edges are finished with detail sanders so borders and corners match the centre of the room. The result is a crisp, even pattern with no swirl marks under the finish.
We restore parquet in period houses, flats, schools and church halls across Bromley. For larger buildings, see our public spaces service. Every survey includes a check for loose blocks, so repairs and sanding can be planned together.
Most parquet rooms take two to three days including repairs and finishing. We work with dust-free extraction throughout, so the rest of your home stays clean.
Keeping parquet looking good
A maintenance re-oil every couple of years keeps an oiled parquet floor looking fresh. Every restoration is covered by our 3-month service guarantee. Typical costs are 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 parquet floor sanding
My parquet is stuck down with black bitumen — is that a problem?
Many older parquet floors were laid on bitumen adhesive. It is not a problem for sanding, but loose blocks need cleaning back and re-fixing with a compatible adhesive. We check this during the survey and include it in the quote.
How many coats does a floor need?
Oiled floors normally get two coats, and lacquered floors three. High-traffic areas can have an extra coat for added protection.
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.
How do you sand parquet without damaging it?
Because the blocks run in different directions, we use a multi-direction sanding sequence. A final pass with a fine-grit buffer removes swirl marks and leaves an even surface ready for oil or lacquer.
Do you need to visit to give a price?
For many jobs, yes. A few clear photos and the room sizes let us give a guide price quickly. We confirm it with a short visit before work starts, so the final quote is fixed.
Can old parquet be saved?
Almost always. We re-glue loose blocks, replace missing ones with matched or reclaimed timber, then sand and finish the whole floor so the repairs disappear. Find out more about parquet floor repairs.
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