Original parquet flooring only 3mm thick

[ElectronicFur]

In our new old house, built in 1835 we have parquet flooring in 3 rooms. that is only about 3mm thick. I've never seen such thin parquet. The previous owners told me it is original. It certainly looks old. A further oddness is that the parquet goes around the edges of the room, and then in 2 rooms, an edge strip lowers to floorboards, so you have a rectangle in the centre that has no parquet and is just the floorboards. The previous owners told me that their understanding was that traditionally this would have a large rug on it. In the 3rd room, the dining room, the centre rectangle doesnt lower to floorboard, but instead has straight wood planks, the same wood as the parquet. And apparently this would also have a rug on it, but this rug could then be removed for dancing.

Anyone seen or heard of such thin parquet before from that era, or such an arrangement?

Dining:

Other:

Closeup:

Sorry images a bit blurry as the light was fading already.

 

[88v8]

Eighth thick? No. Never seen. Thinnest usually is about 5/16". Presumably it was a retrofit and they didn't want to submerge the skirtings, doors etc.
Nice oak.
Obviously, don't put a power sander on it.

That arrangement with the rug/carpets, absolutely. A Turkey rug will look superb.
These people may be able to help you with the right size, and before you go arrrgh at the prices, remember a good rug will last a lifetime.
https://jenningsrugs.co.uk/

Ivor

 

[Lostgardensof]

We have this in our place. Just been having some quotes to have it restored and apparently it is relatively common in this area in victorian houses. Are you in Yorkshire?

 

[Lostgardensof]

Our house is 1820 but was fully refurbed in about 1905

 

[ElectronicFur]

We have this in our place. Just been having some quotes to have it restored and apparently it is relatively common in this area in victorian houses. Are you in Yorkshire?

No, we're in Monmouthshire. Do you also have some that only goes around the edges of the room?

 

[Lostgardensof]

Ours is boarded over and we haven't quite got to the middle yet but I think it goes all the way cross the floor. It has a fancy boarder and the a plainer but in the middle

 

[ElectronicFur]

When you have been getting the quotes for restoration, what do they suggest, and have they all suggested similar techniques for restoration?

 

[Lostgardensof]

Some have been better than others but the general
is strategy is to carefully remove the nails from the over boarding, replace any missing sections, sand with an industrial sander (wince) and then pour something over it to fill any small gaps and nail holes, coat in osmo wax oil and polish.. I might have hit the filling and wax oil the wrong way round. The quote we have had already is £850 which is less than I was expecting.

 

[88v8]

An industrial sander can easily remove half that thickness. Bonkers.

Send a PM to Toby Newell, it's a bit far for him to travel but he might.

Ivor

 

[Lostgardensof]

We need to replace some sections where the previous owner as cut large floor access panels to put a sink waste in but I think it is going to look good. The top has been lightly sanded so the restoration guy could work out what wood was there.

 

[88v8]

Ooo, and a patterned border.
Imagine when that was new and the colours were bright, it would really have socked you in the eye.
Great.

Ivor

 

[ElectronicFur]

Yes looks nice.

I'm sure that will look great once it's finished. I haven't tackled mine yet, as have been too busy sorting out overflowing/broken gutters, downpipes, and the trees overgrowing the house. But would be useful to know what they treat the floor with after they're done sanding it.

 

[Lostgardensof]

I think the guy is planning to use an osmo product but I am not sure which one. Unfortunately it will be September before he can source the wood for the repairs so, as usual, it has taken longer than expected. Can't wait for it to be done. Will be the first room to be finished.

We have had a lot of tree maintenence too, and still lots more.

 

[Pennyviz]

Is it possible it's been sanded a few times before? Might have shaved off a bit?

 

[Lostgardensof]

Ours hasn't been. There have only been 2 owners plus us since 1905. The most recent ones ignored everything / removed as many period features as they could and the previous owners were the ones who installed it.