Restoring Antique Wooden Floors in Brisbane: Issues and Solutions

Antique wooden floors are a timeless charm that adds character to modern homes. Old houses have floors made of 100% pure wood. You can tell the floor is antique by the large planks and intricate patterns of some old houses. However, maintaining and restoring these floors poses unique challenges to Brisbane homeowners.

The comprehensive guide below will discuss the restoration and maintenance steps for antique floors.

Knowledge Of The Timber Type Of Antique Floors

Antique floor restoration requires adequate knowledge about the type of wood it is made of. Floors in Brisbane’s historic homes are usually of species like Oak, maple, jarrah, spotted gum, or blackbutt. Identifying these species is essential for sourcing suitable replacement boards or matching finishes.

Estimation and Restoration Of The Damaged Floor

The first step in antique floor restoration is its assessment. Our professionals will look for dents, scratches, and stains on the floor and determine if the floor requires minor touch-ups or extensive treatments. Floor assessment identifies:

• Unevenness due to prolonged use or subfloor issues
• Surface alignment issues.
• Damaged, missing, or loose boards.
• Deep stains from water or drink spills or discoloration from sunlight.
• Termite or borer damage.

Dealing with Subfloor Issues

Timber stumps and joists in older Brisbane homes weaken over time due to moisture damage and termite infestation. Assessment of the subfloor is a crucial step before floor sanding. Issues in the subfloor can lead to instability, reducing the lifespan of the restoration.

Subfloor issues can be handled through:

• Installing moisture barriers like plastic sheets above the ground and below the subfloor to prevent water damage
• Fill the gaps and repair or replace the damaged planks.
• Hire professional pest control services to eliminate termites.

Floor Levelling

Cupping, crowning, and warping are common issues on antique floors. These surface-level changes cause uneven alignment and irregularities. To address the floor depression, apply a self-leveling compound and insert thin wedges under the subfloor to raise the area. For raised planks, slight sanding is sufficient to level the surface.

Surface Damage

Over many years, untreated antique timber floors get deep scratches and gouges. Sanding removes shallow scratches, while wood fillers fix deep dents and scratches.

Stains from water damage, spills, and discoloration from sunlight exposure are common traits of old timber floors. Wood bleach can help restore uniformity for minor stains and in severe cases, sanding and polishing are required.

Termite Treatment

Termite grows between the floorboards in humid environments. Old floors serve as a favorable habitat for the growth of termites. It forms holes in the boards and makes them brittle.

During the restoration of antique floors, applying a termite-resistant treatment or using treated replacement boards can minimize the risks. Termite treatment is a detailed procedure and requires proper knowledge and professionalism.

Sanding Antique Floors

Older timber floors often have delicate top layers. Multiple sanding in the past makes them susceptible to damage. These floors should be sanded carefully with precision as excessive sanding risks exposing sublayers or weakening the boards.

Specialized equipment with adjustable pressure settings like drum sanders or orbital sanders can prevent uneven sanding.

Restoration do’s and don’ts

Old floor restoration requires using finishes that match that era’s tradition. Popular antique finishes are Shellac and Oil-based finishes.

Blending old finishes with modern ones like polyurethane can enhance durability and protect against Brisbane’s environment.

Sourcing rare wood species is a difficult task. Replace damaged floorboards with reclaimed wood from authentic suppliers.

Antique wooden floor restoration requires a deep understanding of timber, skills, and the environment. Budget Floor Sanding specializes in bringing old floors back to life while maintaining their value and charm.

Contact Budget Floor Sanding for expert advice and tailored solutions for restoring antique wooden floors.

Call us now to get a free quote at 0418 882 678.