had to remove the carpet from the complete upstairs of my lovely early 17c cottage to find lovely early 20c plywood in the middle section of the floor, so had a new floor cut with exactly the same size boards as the originals from reclaimed pine beams, now about to start to replace. but obviously my 'new' floor is clean and white and what original floor is left is very dark and original-what to do? i cant remove the remaining original as it has built in weardrobes on it.so do i try to strip the old bits of floor or try to darken the new floor? any ideas would be appreciated.
- Thread starter k99mn
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Penners
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One of the joys of conserving and restoring an old house is the reward of seeing your own new work contributing to that of your predecessors in the property, and knowing that your work will help thehouse to stay in good order for the foreseeable future.
So I wouldn't worry too much about the colour difference between your new boards and the old ones.
However, you can make a considerable difference simply by giving the old boards a good scrub with soapy water. Use a moderately stiff scrubbing brush and some warm soapy water, and scrub well along the grain (never across). Try not to get the boards too wet, and have lots of old towels available to dry off the boards immediately afterwards. Change the soapy water regularly.
Ensure that the boards have dried off thoroughly before you walk on them.
I think you'll be surprised at the difference you can make to the grimy old floor.
So I wouldn't worry too much about the colour difference between your new boards and the old ones.
However, you can make a considerable difference simply by giving the old boards a good scrub with soapy water. Use a moderately stiff scrubbing brush and some warm soapy water, and scrub well along the grain (never across). Try not to get the boards too wet, and have lots of old towels available to dry off the boards immediately afterwards. Change the soapy water regularly.
Ensure that the boards have dried off thoroughly before you walk on them.
I think you'll be surprised at the difference you can make to the grimy old floor.
Tom
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Penners said:
Penners, can this method be used on new, untreated Oak boards? Or will I risk raising the grain and b*gg*ring them up? :shock:
Penners
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I've never tried it on new boards, Jaqy, but I suspect that the result will depends very much on how they've been prepared. If they've only been planed, then end-grain raising is probably less likely than if they've been sanded. Although you may still get some grain swelling.DWB said:
I'm not sure why you would want to do this, but if you really do then I suggest you try a test piece before committing yourself too much.
Dry off with towels as quickly and completely as possible afterwards.
Tom
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Thanks, Penners. The boards are just planed but have got dirty with people and animals walking on them :roll: I'll do as you suggest and try a bit inside the wardrobes first...just in case it goes wrong! Thanks again 