Wood Floor Staining
Change the colour of your wooden floor with stains tested on your own timber before we commit.
Colour makes a big difference to how a wooden floor feels. Darker shades feel rich and traditional, while lighter and grey tones feel airy and contemporary.
We stain floors once they have been sanded through our floor sanding services. The stain goes onto clean, bare timber and is then sealed with protective coats.
Samples on your own floor
Every timber reacts differently to stain — pine, oak and maple can look completely different with the same product. That is why we always lay out sample patches on your floor before we start. For more ideas, read our guide on choosing a stain colour.
Colours we often use
Raw and natural tones
Light oak and honey shades
Rich walnut and smoked oak
Grey and white-washed tones
Deep ebony
What can be stained?
Most solid, parquet and engineered floors take stain well. Pine boards restored through our floorboard restoration service often look best in warmer shades. Parquet sanded through our parquet floor sanding service can be stained too, with extra care at block edges.
How we stain a floor
After sanding, we raise and cut back the grain so the stain absorbs evenly across the whole floor. We apply the colour in sections and work it in to avoid streaks and overlaps. Once dry, it is sealed with two or three coats of oil or lacquer. Oil-based colour products are also available, combining stain and finish in one.
Because stain must go on bare wood, it is best done alongside sanding. It typically adds half a day to a day to the project. We will also explain how different shades wear in family homes with children and pets.
Aftercare for stained floors
A stained floor is cared for in the same way as any finished floor: sweep or vacuum regularly and clean with a damp mop and a suitable floor soap. Felt pads under chairs and tables protect the finish. Oiled and stained floors can be refreshed with a re-oil when they start to look dull.
Stained and finished floors are covered by our 3-month service guarantee. Guide costs are 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 wood floor staining
Why do you test stain colours on my floor?
Oak, pine and other woods all react to stain in their own way. A colour that looks warm on a card can turn out much darker on pine, so testing on your own boards is the only reliable way to choose.
How should I clean an oiled floor?
Vacuum or sweep regularly and mop with a damp, well-wrung mop and a pH-neutral wood soap. Avoid steam mops and bleach or multi-surface sprays. Read our care guide for a simple routine.
What does floor sanding cost per square metre?
Prices depend on the floor area, condition, repairs needed and the finish you choose. Our price list shows typical starting prices, and the free survey gives you a fixed written quote.
Can you stain a floor darker or lighter?
We do. After sanding we apply test patches on your timber so you can see how each shade looks in the room before we commit. Find out more about wood floor staining.
What do you need from us on the day?
We need access to a standard power socket and, ideally, parking near the property. Everything runs from your normal sockets, and we bring all tools, materials and dust sheets.
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.
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