Gap Filling
Gaps between floorboards in Cobham filled with resin or reclaimed pine slivers to cut draughts and dirt traps.
Over the years, floorboards shrink and gaps open up between them. They let in cold air from under the floor, collect dust and can spoil the look of a freshly sanded floor. Gap filling is a simple way to make a room more comfortable.
Gap filling is normally done alongside floorboard restoration and our wider floor sanding service. That way the filled gaps are sanded flush with the boards before the finish goes on.
How we fill gaps
Resin and sanding dust
For narrower gaps, we mix a resin with fine dust from your own floor so the colour blends in. It is quick and neat, and suits floors that do not move much.
Timber slivers
Wider gaps are filled with thin strips of reclaimed pine, glued into one side of the gap and planed flush. Slivers move with the boards and generally last longer than filler in wide gaps.
Important: gap filling and our guarantee
Timber floors move — they swell in damp months, shrink when the heating is on, and flex with the structure of the house. This natural movement means that filled gaps can crack or reopen. For that reason, gap filling is excluded from our service guarantee. The sanding and finishing on the same floor is still covered by our 3-month guarantee.
Reduces draughts and heat loss
Fewer dirt traps between boards
Gives a more uniform look
When to fill gaps
Not every floor needs it. Some people prefer the authentic look of open gaps, others want a sealed, even surface. Very wide gaps are sometimes better solved by re-laying the boards. We will talk you through the choices during the free survey. Underfloor insulation is another option if draughts are the main concern.
When we fill the gaps
We fill gaps part-way through sanding, after the old finish is removed. The filler or slivers are left to set, then sanded flush during the final passes so the floor is smooth. It usually adds half a day to a typical room.
Read more about the options in our guide to resin or slivers. Badly damaged boards are best replaced via our floorboard repairs. Prices are listed on our prices page.
Guide prices
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Floor sanding & oiling
Dust-free sanding back to fresh timber, finished with two coats of hardwax oil.
from £22 per m²
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Floor sanding & lacquer
Full sand and three coats of hard-wearing water-based lacquer.
from £24 per m²
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Parquet sanding & finishing
Multi-direction sanding for block and herringbone floors, with your choice of finish.
from £28 per m²
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Gap filling
Resin filler or reclaimed pine slivers between floorboards.
from £6 per m²
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Floor staining
Colour samples on your floor and an even stain before finishing.
from £5 per m²
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Stairs stripping & restoration
Paint and varnish removal, repairs and finishing of treads and risers.
from £45 per step
Guide prices — we confirm a fixed price after a free survey.
Questions about gap filling
How do you fill gaps between floorboards?
We fill narrow gaps with a resin and wood-dust mix that matches the boards. Wider gaps get thin pine slivers glued in and sanded flush. Our gap filling guide compares the two.
Does gap filling make a room warmer?
It usually makes a real difference. Gaps between floorboards let draughts rise from under the floor. Filling them makes rooms feel warmer and helps keep dust out.
Can you restore boards that have been painted?
Yes — original boards often hide beautiful timber under old paint and varnish. We punch down nails, replace split boards and sand back to fresh timber. Read our guide to Victorian floorboards for what to expect.
Do I need to empty the room?
Empty the room where possible and take down curtains that reach the floor. If you need help with heavy pieces, let us know when booking. Our preparation checklist has more tips.
Can I get a price without a visit?
Often, yes. Photos of the floor plus rough measurements let us give a guide price within a working day. We confirm it with a short visit before work starts, so the final quote is fixed.
Why is gap filling not guaranteed?
Gap filling is excluded from our service guarantee. Wooden floors expand and shrink with the seasons and with movement in the building, which can open small cracks in the filler. We use the most suitable method for your floor to keep this to a minimum.
What our customers say
Floorboards transformed
“From the survey to the final coat the team were punctual, tidy and genuinely cared about the result. There was virtually no dust and the floor looks incredible.”
Weybridge
Professional from start to finish
“The team fitted the work around our weekly bookings, finished on schedule and left the hall spotless. The hall feels bright and welcoming again.”
Stoke d'Abernon
Herringbone hallway looks stunning
“Our 1930s herringbone hallway had years of grime and old varnish. Three days later it is flat, smooth and glowing. Visitors always comment on it now.”
Claygate