Solid Oak Floor Sanding and Oiling in Pratt’s Bottom

We recently completed a solid oak floor sanding and oiling project in Pratts Bottom, South London, restoring a 17-year-old oak floor that had faded into an unappealing yellow-orange shade. The transformation revitalised the flooring, erasing years of wear and restoring its original beauty.

Side-by-side comparison of an oak floor restoration in Pratts Bottom, South London. The left image shows the worn, faded oak floor before sanding and oiling, while the right image displays the revitalised, rich-toned oak floor after restoration.

Home>Portfolio>Solid Oak Floor Sanding and Oiling in Pratt’s Bottom

Evaluating the Challenges

Upon inspection, the dining area exhibited heavy scratches and wear from foot traffic and furniture movement. The oak had developed an aged yellow-orange tint, far removed from its original natural charm. To facilitate the restoration, all furniture was removed from the space. Where this wasn’t feasible, we strategically divided the room into sections, ensuring a uniform finish.

Products usedWater-based gap filler, Magic Oil 2K

LocationPratts Bottom, South London

Client TypeResidential

Service ProvidedOak floor sanding, gap filling, and oiling

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The Restoration Process

The sanding process was essential for eliminating scratches, evening out worn areas, and preparing the wood for treatment. We incorporated sawdust from the existing floor with a high-quality water-based filler to ensure seamless repairs. This method maintains the authenticity of the wood while reinforcing its structure.

Products usedOak sawdust for gap filling

Service ProvidedFloor sanding and oiling

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Oiling for Long-Term Protection

The final step involved applying Magic Oil 2K, a two-component oil that deeply penetrates the wood, offering enhanced durability and a breathable finish. Unlike lacquer, this oil preserves the wood’s natural aesthetic while providing long-lasting protection.

A Successful Transformation

The restored floors looked as if they had been completely replaced, all at a fraction of the cost of new flooring. With just four hours of drying time, the floors were ready for foot traffic, and within 12 hours, they were fully cured, allowing the client to enjoy their refreshed space without delay.

Products usedMagic Oil 2K

Service ProvidedOak floor oiling and buffing

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The Importance of Sanding in Wood Floor Restoration

Sanding is a crucial step in wood floor restoration as it removes surface imperfections, old coatings, and deep scratches. Without proper sanding, new finishes will not adhere correctly, reducing durability and overall appearance. High-quality sanding ensures a smooth, even surface that enhances the natural beauty of the wood grain.

Oak Floor Scratch Removal and Refinishing Techniques

Oak flooring often develops scratches and wear patterns over time. Professional sanding can remove deep scratches and uneven wear, while gap filling with water-based fillers and fine sawdust ensures a seamless finish. Once sanded, applying a protective oil like Magic Oil 2K enhances durability and keeps the floor looking fresh.

Why Magic Oil 2K is Ideal for Oak Floors

Unlike traditional lacquers that create a surface layer, Magic Oil 2K penetrates deep into the wood, strengthening it from within while maintaining a natural, matte appearance. This two-component oil provides long-lasting protection, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas while allowing easy maintenance and spot repairs.

Oak Floor Oiling and Its Quick Curing Time

Magic Oil 2K dries significantly faster than traditional finishes, requiring only four hours before light foot traffic and 12 hours for full curing. This rapid drying time makes it ideal for busy households, allowing homeowners to enjoy their beautifully restored floors with minimal downtime.

Oil vs Lacquer: Choosing the Right Finish for Your Oak Floor

Oil finishes penetrate the wood, enhancing the grain and allowing the surface to breathe, making it easier to maintain and repair. Lacquer, on the other hand, creates a harder, more resistant surface but can be difficult to spot-repair. Oiled floors are preferred for their natural look and ease of maintenance, especially in homes with pets or heavy foot traffic.

Best Practices for Maintaining Oiled Oak Floors

To keep an oiled oak floor in top condition, regular dry sweeping and damp mopping with pH-neutral wood cleaners are recommended. Avoid harsh chemicals that strip the oil finish. Periodic re-oiling every 12-24 months helps maintain protection and enhances the floor’s durability. Small scratches or worn areas can be buffed and re-oiled without needing a full resand, making oil finishes a cost-effective solution.

FAQs

How did you restore the original colour of the oak floor?

We sanded the floors to remove the yellow-orange tint and applied a natural-toned Magic Oil 2K to restore its authentic look.

Does oiling provide better protection than lacquer?

Yes & No, Magic Oil 2K allows the wood to breathe, preserving its natural feel while offering excellent durability and easy spot repairs. The 2k system is a big step from the 1k oil, which requires periodical reapplication.

Can you refinish a floor without moving all the furniture?

Yes, we can divide the room into sections, allowing us to work efficiently while keeping part of the space accessible.

How often should I maintain my oiled oak floor?

We recommend light maintenance every six months and re-oiling every few years to retain its protection and beauty. Although this very much depends on daily maintenance and traffic.

Is Magic Oil 2K environmentally friendly?

Yes, it is a low-VOC, eco-friendly finish that enhances wood’s durability while being safe for indoor air quality.

Still have questions?

Happy Customers

Customer testimonials

Read what our satisfied customers have to say

Good experience from beginning to end .Good communication workman attended on time and the end product was excellent.

Frances Begyinah

Wood Floor Fitting, London, Orpington

Fantastic service. Punctual, professional and explained the entire way through. Would recommend

Robert Dyan

Limestone Polishing, London, Finchley

We had a great experience with Silver Lining Floor Care Company. First of all, they came to see me the same day I contacted them to show how the floor sanding would work and also apply a couple of coloured varnishes to appreciate what the final effect would look like. Once selected, they have shared the most professional quote I have seen in my life, with a clear Video explanation that takes you through the quote line by line. Additionally, they have great customer care - they are always available over the phone, whatsapp and email to really address any query you have. Cherry on the cake, they have delivered a very good job, respecting their promise. I would highly recommend.

Barbara Colombo

Oak Floor Sanding and Staining, London, Kensington

Excellent job done cleaning and polishing wooden floor. The team was very helpful and professional. Great communication too. Highly recommended!

Marianna C

Wooden Floor Polishing Hackney, London

First time using Silver Lining. Absolutely excellent job done cleaning our lounge rugs and carpets, and also our whole hallway and stairs by their cleaner Mick using a truck-mounted cleaning system. Will definitely be using them in the future.

Simon Rossi

Carpet Cleaning, London, Hither Green

Super results, pleasant and professional workers, constructive and flexible process. Big thank you to the team! Got the floor of one room, which was very worn and damaged, sanded down, re-stained and lacquered. Particular challenge was trying to match the rest of the flat's flooring, which I didn't know what products had been used on it. The team was super engaged in trying to work this problem, and the results were fantastic.

Charlie McNelly

Floorboards Sanding and Staining, Lodnon, Lower Clapton

Silver Lining Floor Care did an outstanding job sanding and oiling the floors in my new flat. They successfully removed all stains and scratches, leaving the floor looking brand new. The team was very professional throughout the process, providing a detailed quote before starting and offering various options to suit my needs. Their expertise and attention to detail really stood out. I couldn’t be happier with the results, and I feel like I got great value for money. If you're looking for reliable, high-quality floor care, I highly recommend Silver Lining Floor Care!

ADB

Antonio Di Buono

Wood Floor Sanding & Oiling, London, Bermondsey

Johnny and the team were very professional. We had lots of calls to discuss reconditioning our Reclamed Burmese teak parquet floor. We planned the dates for when we went away on holiday. His team were trustworthy reliable with great communication! when we came back from holiday the floor was completed and the treatment is holding up well two months later, much better than the original treatment which was a hard wax oil that only lasted 2 years! it was applied by general builders with no expertise in wood floor treatments. This time we went with a lacquer with hardener, we have a big Labrador dog and we still have no visible scratches on the surface and we look forward to seeing how it holds up with the test of time!

I Tols

Wood Floor Sanding & Lacquering, London, Balham

Excellent service, quick and easy clean. Very knowledgeable.

Dev Mepani

Limestone Polishing, London, Knightsbridge

Great service. Proactive , pleasant comms with Johnny. Finished result is excellent, highly recommend!

Joanna Gardiner

Worktop Sanding & Oiling, London, Shoreditch

I'm extremely happy with the result. Johnny was incredibly helpful in answering all my questions. Dean and Tommy did an outstanding job. They are both friendly and professional. Highly recommended!

S Li

Wood Floor Sanding & Oiling, London, Wandsworth

Silver Lining Floor Care conducted some Victorian Tile restoration and cleaning for me. A day after the initial visit some white residue came to the surface due to moisture in the air. On calling Silver Lining Floor Care to tell them this they returned and rectified immediately. An excellent job and will be using again. I can recommend.

O Bidder

Victorian Tiles Restoration, London, Kensigton

Silver Lining Floor Care refinished our existing floorbaords and installed new engineered oak in the remainder of our flat. They are an extremely professional and efficient business to work with. Johnny was very responsive throughout the scoping and quoting process and recommended an engineered oak floorboard that was both higher quality and cheaper than the boards I'd been looking at. Peter first leveled our floors before installing the new boards to ensure a very professional fit. He was easy to communicate with and sent photos throughout the installation as we were not around to see it in person. We have worked with lots of contractors for the renovation of our flat and been dismayed at how so many companies leave the property in a total mess. Silver Lining Floor Care have been the only company to take good care of the property and leave it in perfect condition. Very happy with the finished product and would definitely recommend them.

Lisa Fox

Wood Floor Fitting, Sanding & Oiling, London, Clapham Common

Johnny, Peter and Milosz did a great job on our floors. The quote was provided promptly and we were kept informed at all times of appointments and next steps. When the carpet was taken up prior to work, this showed that some floorboards needed to be repaired. Milosz did a very thorough job in repairing these, removing gaps, strengthening the existing boards and taking a great deal of care to make the floor look as good as possible. I would recommend Silver Lining Floor Care.

Stephen Rice

Floorboards Sanding and Lacquering, London, Finsbury Park

An excellent service and friendly people

Whitney McVeigh

Wood Floor Sanding & Lacquering, London, Queens Park

Johnny and his team has been very reliable. Great work. I was touched to learn about Johnny's story and his journey in the floorcare industry. Yes they are perhaps not the cheapest company but by far the best one to choose if you want a good job done. Love the fact they use the Pallmann range of products - Great reliable Quality

PdW

Pierre de Wet

Wood Floor Sanding in London, Chelsea

Good job done on our floors in both centres, clarity, information and proper planning executed before, during and after the project. Education links Academy

Resin Floor Restoration, London, Stratford

After 10 years or renting out our flat the floors were looking tired and scuffed Very happy with the service from silver lining with the floors now looking like new again

Robert Hurst

Wood Floor Sanding & Fishing with Raw Wood Effect Lacquer

We had new doors on the back of the house which meant we needed the floor lifted and taken to a new border point. Small job but as time consuming as a new floor. Team were amazing and cut out the old boards and put in the new ones so everything fitted flush with a great trim border they made out of a spare board. Really nice people, clean and tidy and would highly recommend.

jim steven

Wood Floor Repairs, London, Ditton Hill

The team did a great job sanding and oiling our fairly old floor which had a lot of stains - it now looks new!

Trina

Sanding and Oiling Wooden Floors, London, Highbury

I love my newly sanded and stained floors ! Johnny was extremely helpful and responsive as well as very open and honest on their approach and price point. The service is worth the investment and Martin was extremely competent and efficient in the sanding and staining process . The floors look beautiful !

Ruth Hutchison

Wood Floor Sanding, Staining and Lacquering, London, Bushey

Efficiency

Easy Booking Process

Effortless scheduling and premium results – we make it simple to book expert floor care that’s done on time, every time.

Professional Staff

01.

Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back

Timely Completion

02.

We complete projects on time, every time

High-Quality Results

03.

We deliver exceptional quality for every project

Guaranteed satisfaction

Unparalleled Service That Puts You First

At Silver Lining Floor Care, we prioritize your satisfaction above all else. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing unparalleled service that exceeds your expectations.

Always provide a courteous and professional service.
Start and finish on time as agreed with the customer.
Apply our expertise at all times.
To protect your property and leave it clean.
Offer a full follow up service should you need it.

Expertise

Your Complete Floor Care Specialists

Craftsmanship, Care, and Trusted Service Since 2004

At Silver Lining Floor Care, we bring experience and precision to every surface we treat. Our comprehensive services are designed to restore, clean, and protect all types of flooring—helping you maintain lasting beauty, hygiene, and value. Whether it's natural stone, hardwood, or soft furnishings, we've got it covered:

Whether you need a full transformation or regular upkeep, we’re here to help. Explore all our services and see how we can bring your floors back to life.

Four-way composite showing restored wood flooring, polished marble, deep-cleaned Victorian tiles, and a freshly cleaned decorative rug

Transform Your Floors with Us

Are your floors in need of professional care? Look no further. Our team of experts is here to help you. Whether you need floor restorations, commercial services, or soft furnishing care, we've got you covered. Get in touch with us today for a quote or more information.

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