Interwar and Victorian boards
The 1930s band is the larger of the two interwar periods here, with about 380 properties. Floors from then and earlier were usually laid in softwood boards that sand back well, though they often have gaps, old stain round the edges where a rug once sat and the odd later repair. Lifting a corner of the carpet is the quickest way to find out what you have.
Later houses are more mixed. Homes from the 1960s onwards may have chipboard, engineered boards or laminate, which can't be sanded in the same way, so Chris checks before anything is quoted.
Front rooms, through-lounges and halls
Terraced houses make up about 15% of the local stock and semi-detached houses 40%. In both, the reception rooms and hall are the usual candidates. Chris runs a belt sander over the main area and an edging sander up to the skirtings, then fills small gaps with the floor's own sawdust mixed with Induro Morrells Mix & Fill.
The finish is Osmo oil, clear or tinted. In Haddenham, near Ely, he used Polyx tint oil in Gold, which you can see on the Haddenham floor job.
Histon & Impington at a glance
- 5 milesby road from our Landbeach base, about 10 minutesOSRM routing
- 10%of properties were built before 1919VOA Council Tax stock
- 14%date from 1919 to 1939VOA Council Tax stock
- 15%are terracedCensus 2021
- 38listed buildingsHistoric England
- 3,747householdsCensus 2021
How we approach floor sanding
We'd check the boards for loose fixings and nails standing proud, then sand through the grades, fill gaps and finish with a Mirka dust-free sander before thin coats of Osmo Polyx oil. If we're decorating the room as well, the floor goes first so our decorators can touch in any scuffs on the skirtings afterwards. The full method, products and FAQs are on our floor sanding page.