Surface Treatments & Edges Explained

Surface treatments & Edges Explained

OILS

The quality of the natural material is our pride and inspiration in everything that we do. When creating ‘time’, there is no quick fix. We consciously remain a compact operation, enabling us to focus on individual quality rather than mass quantity.

The Reclaimed Flooring Company continues to air-dry organic oiled finishes for up to 12 hrs between coats, resulting in a more resilient, deeper pore penetration. Unlike the industry norm of UV-drying oils in just minutes to save time, we will never sacrifice quality for speed.

Another disadvantage of UV dried Hard Wax Oil finishes is the tendency for all finishes to remain glossy. More than this, this shiny film that remains on the floor surface appears so thick that it overpowers the natural beauty of the wood below, no matter how lovely the natural material might be. The end result will often not look much different to a laminate floor.

Only air-dried oil coats penetrate the pores deep enough to truly seal the timber. With sufficient air-dried time between coats the second layer acts as a thin protective layer while the wax hardens above the oil. A Hard Wax Oil finish that has been air-dried is by far the most beautiful finish that bears no complicated maintenance.

OIL DRYING TIMES

We are one of less than a handful of UK wood flooring companies that still air dry their finishes between coats. The industry norm is to speed up processing and drying times by UV drying oils within minutes, you will find that 99% of the bigger companies cannot afford to ‘air dry’ their hard wax oil finishes, we can. We air dry for up to 12 hrs between coats. This gives the oils extra time to be absorbed by the pores within the timber, once the oil has hardened the top layers are then applied. The result is a harder wearing finish because the oils have had time to penetrate into the wood.

This gives the oils extra time to be absorbed by the pores within the timber, once the oil has hardened the top layers are then applied. The result is a harder wearing finish because the oils have had time to penetrate into the wood.

BOARD SURFACE CREATIONS

Because of our humble beginnings working only with reclaimed timber surfaces, naturally we have become master finishers and creators of antique and innovative bespoke wood flooring for solid and engineered floor planks, patterns and panels.

Many of the exclusive finishes we create cannot be purchased from any other wood flooring company because they lack the knowledge and experience of working with real, reclaimed timbers.

It has taken years of practice and experimentation to replicate natural surface patina, where we have control over subtle colour variations. This natural passion for innovative, natural surface creation is the fundamental reason why we have become the first port of call for many national and international interior design companies.

We start where other companies quit. Each of our floorboards from the big sellers to the more exclusive ones are all carefully finished by hand and the oils are ‘air dried’, for extra durability. This is indeed a rare feat these days as companies cut corners, time and costs to maximize profits.

• Wire Brushed Face

We use a wire brush to lift out the soft grain of the oak, the grain is then open for colouring. If left natural and unfilled, the grain patterns are also enhanced as natural light bounces across the board surface.

TECHNIQUES:

• Aged Face

Using various techniques and hand-made tools, we treat each board individually as we replicate antique scratches, dents and dings. We never use repetitive machining.

• Hand-Carved Face

We take a good deal of time to evaluate each board and its natural pattern before get to work. With this bespoke finish, the surface is scraped and carved to create deep wear patches often found with heavy worn reclaimed timber surfaces.

• Design

A simple, clean and elegant board face. ‘Design’ is natural and flat with a fine sanded finish

• Storm-damage

Distinct board face roughness, only presently used on a limited number of our trademarked Driftwood surfaces with an almost un-machine surface texture, where pockets of natural oil gather.

EDGES

• Hand-Carved Edge

We carve the wood pieces and shape each edge of the board to reflect natural surface wear and dents.

• Soft Edge

The edges of each board is individually rounded of and hand-sanded to create a softer blended edge between boards.

• Micro Bevelled Edge

All long edges have a clean bevel definition, which helps enhance board edge definition.