Bespoke Rustic Reclaimed Chevron Flooring Case Study
Ground Floor
We were asked by our discerning client to present to them a bespoke reclaimed floor that would create a unique talking point for their home. We presented various options but our exclusive solid reclaimed Ultra Rustic French Carriage Oak laid to a chevron pattern won them over. This flooring was to be laid over their newly installed Under-floor Heating system (UFH) so we first had to kiln dry the floor to the correct moisture content prior to installation. The floor was dried (to around 8% MC) and then cut to a size of 18mm thick x 150mm wide 1100mm long. We are one of the only flooring contractors in the country with the experience and expertise to be able to offer solid reclaimed flooring laid over UFH system and still offer a warranty!
Prior to fixing these reclaimed chevrons, we had to hand sand each batten in our factory to give a smooth finish to the board surface and bevel each longitudinal edge. This ensures the removal of all possible wood splinters whilst still retaining the unique features and undulations of this type of reclaimed timber.
We then had to bond this floor to their UFH and plywood subfloor by using adhesive specifically designed to accommodate solid wood flooring over UFH systems.
Upon completion of above and once the boards were fixed, we then had to supply and fix hardwood plugs to infill the bolt holes left over from the original usage of this timber, (i.e. the sides of a railway carriage). These can be removed prior to installation but this particular client wanted them left in as a unique feature. Once the plugs were fitted we then had to sand these level and fully prepare the installed floor ready to receive the new floor finishes. To do this we simply buffed the entire surface area with a fine paper grit (as most of the sanding works was completed in our factory prior to installation) and applied a floor stain and coloured floor wax, once dried we buffed to the required sheen level.
This type of floor is truly unique in every sense of the word and is an acquired taste but as you can see from the photos, looks absolutely stunning once finished. We install many rustic reclaimed floors to various designs and locations but this one is truly beautiful and is a testament to the skills of our labour force and design team and also to the courage of our clients to proceed with such a marvellous floor.
Basement
This very large basement area was to be used an office and studio and the client wanted something very rustic in softwood but with a contemporary finish. We supplied and laid reclaimed original surface finish softwood with the existing tongue and grooves, all of which had to be hand scraped prior to fitting, to ensure a snug and exact fit. The floor was 27mm thick x 166mm wide and supplied in random long lengths, we also had to kiln dry it prior to installation to ensure there would be no shrinkage over time.
Once bonded to the subfloor, using a very special adhesive designed to allow solid timbers to be glued over concrete subfloors, we were asked to hand sand the floor in situ to retain most to the original floor surface but prepare it ready to receive a new finish. So we hand sanded the floor and then brushed the entire surface with wire brushes to raise the grain and give the floor its rustic salvaged authentication. Then we used special bespoke finishing techniques to bleach the timber and give it a “washed-out” look that we call an “Old London Soap Finish”.
The results are startling and give the entire basement that lived-in “Manhattan Loft” appearance whilst still remaining practical and user friendly as an office and studio.
First Floor, Second Floor, Third Floor and all Steps, Risers and Landings
For these areas the client left their existing Victorian floor boards in place and we were asked to renovate them in situ to retain most to the original floor surface but prepare it ready to receive a new finish. So we hand sanded the floor and then brushed the entire surface with wire brushes to raise the grain and give the floor its rustic authentication. Then we used special bespoke finishing techniques to bleach the timber and give a wash out look we call an “Old London Soap Finish”, which matched all the other floor in the house into to the reclaimed flooring in the basement.