Floor Sanding & Restoration Exeter
Tired wooden floors sanded, repaired and refinished with a low-dust process.
- Full floor sanding with low-dust machinery
- Edge sanding included as standard
- Repair of damaged boards and gap filling
- Staining: wide range of tones available
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About this service
Why choose us for Floor Sanding & Restoration in Exeter?
Exeter's older Victorian and Edwardian properties are often sitting on original hardwood or softwood floorboards hidden under carpet for decades. When those boards are uncovered, they're typically in far better condition than expected: a few scratches, some gaps, a rough and faded surface, but structurally sound and absolutely worth restoring. Our floor sanding service removes splinters, staining, and years of wear, bringing back the natural beauty of the timber. We use low-dust machinery throughout, sand and repair damaged boards, fill gaps where needed, and finish with the oil or lacquer of your choice: matt, satin, or gloss. Engineered wood floors can often be lightly sanded and refinished rather than replaced, which saves significant cost. We assess your floor honestly during the free home visit and tell you exactly what is and isn't possible before any work begins. If the boards are past saving, we also supply and fit new wood flooring.
What's included
- Full floor sanding with low-dust machinery
- Edge sanding included as standard
- Repair of damaged boards and gap filling
- Staining: wide range of tones available
- Oil or lacquer finishing (matt, satin, or gloss)
- Suitable for hardwood, softwood, and parquet floors
- Engineered wood floor refinishing where appropriate
- Professional advice on the right finish for your lifestyle
- Free home visit and floor assessment
- Competitive, transparent pricing
Repairs before sanding
A good sanding job starts with the repairs. Before we sand, we:
- Re-fix loose and creaking boards
- Replace broken, rotten or badly damaged boards, matching the width and timber as closely as we can
- Punch down nail heads so they don't catch the sanding belt
- Fill gaps between boards where it suits the floor, or leave them open on period floors where the gaps are part of the look and need to move with the seasons
- Re-glue loose parquet blocks and replace missing ones
We'll talk you through which repairs your floor needs on the free visit, so there are no surprises on the day.
Low-dust sanding with Bona FlexiSand
We sand with a Bona FlexiSand machine connected to dust extraction. It isn't dust-free, and no sanding is, but it keeps far more dust out of the rest of your home than an old drum sander. It's also gentler on the boards, so we take off as little wood as possible, which matters on older floors and engineered boards with a thin top layer.
Oil, lacquer or colour?
- Lacquer gives the hardest-wearing surface and is the easiest to clean. It's a good choice for busy hallways and family rooms. It comes in matt, satin or gloss.
- Oil soaks into the wood and gives a more natural, low-sheen look. If an oiled floor gets scratched, that area can be touched up without redoing the whole floor. We use Treatex oils.
- If you want to change the colour, we can tint the floor before finishing using Saicos products, from a subtle white or grey wash to a deeper, darker tone. We'll test the colour on a small area of your floor first, because every floor takes colour differently.
Exeter & Devon
Book your free home visit today
We bring samples to your door, advise on the best option, and give you a clear, no-obligation quote.
Our process
Our Process From First Enquiry to Finished Floor
Simple and stress-free from enquiry to installation.
01
Free Home Visit
We look at your existing boards: check for damage, depth, gaps, and any repairs needed before sanding starts. You get an honest assessment upfront.
02
Your Quote
Fixed price for sanding and your chosen finish: oil, lacquer, or stain. No hidden add-ons.
03
Sanding & Finishing
Boards sanded back to bare wood using low-dust equipment. Finished in your chosen stain, oil, or lacquer.
04
Final Inspection
Floor checked in good light. Edges and corners finished by hand. Space left clean.
Customer reviews
What our floor sanding customers say.
Hear from homeowners across Exeter and Devon who've had their tired wooden floors restored to like-new condition. Rated excellent on Google, Facebook and Yell.
“
Todd has repaired, sanded & oiled our oak floor and it looks like new! Thank you for being so professional & easy to work with.
Judith Harris-Deans
“
Had our old wooden floors sanded and refinished. The difference is incredible. They look brand new. Todd clearly takes real pride in his craft.
Fiona B.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
How disruptive is floor sanding?
We use low-dust equipment throughout, which significantly reduces mess compared to older sanding methods. You'll still want to remove furniture and cover items in adjacent rooms as a precaution, but the process is much more contained than many people expect. Most rooms can be used again within 24 hours of the final finish being applied.
How many times can a floor be sanded?
Solid hardwood floors can typically be sanded five to eight times over their lifetime, depending on board thickness. Softwood floors can also be sanded, though they're softer and more prone to indentation. Engineered wood floors with a thicker veneer layer (4mm or more) can often be lightly sanded once or twice. We assess your floor during the visit and give you an honest appraisal of what's possible.
Can you repair damaged or missing boards?
Yes: minor repairs, board replacement, and gap filling are all part of the service. We use a range of filler colours and techniques to minimise the visible difference between new and existing timber. Where boards are significantly damaged or missing, we'll source matching timber where possible and advise on the best approach during the initial assessment.
How do I know if my floor is worth sanding rather than replacing?
In most cases, sanding is considerably more cost-effective than replacement, and for older character properties in Exeter, the original boards are often more attractive than modern alternatives. We'll assess the condition of your boards when we visit and give you an honest recommendation. If the floor genuinely isn't worth sanding, we'll tell you so and discuss alternatives.
What's the difference between an oil and a lacquer finish?
Lacquer sits on the surface and is the hardest-wearing and easiest to clean. Oil soaks into the wood for a more natural look and can be repaired in one spot if it's scratched. We'll recommend one based on how the room is used.
How soon can we walk on the floor after sanding?
It depends on the finish and how many coats it needs. We'll tell you when the floor can take light foot traffic and when furniture can go back, and plan the work so you're never shut out of the house for longer than necessary.
Where we work
Floor Sanding & Restoration across Exeter and surrounding areas
We carry out floor sanding and restoration throughout Exeter and the surrounding area. We're particularly busy in the older parts of the city (St Thomas, Heavitree, Polsloe, Topsham, Pennsylvania, Alphington, and Newtown) where period properties are most likely to have original hardwood or softwood boards beneath carpets. Many of Exeter's Victorian and Edwardian terraces have floors that haven't been touched in decades, and a proper sand and finish can make them look like a different floor. We also cover Exmouth, Dawlish, and Teignmouth. If you've recently lifted a carpet and found boards underneath, get in touch for an honest assessment.
Areas we cover
No travel surcharge across our full service area.
Explore more
Other flooring services in Exeter
Get in touch
Get a free Floor Sanding & Restoration quote in Exeter
Why us
Why choose Todd Smith Carpet & Flooring Co.?
Free Assessment Visit
We visit, assess your existing boards, and give you an honest view of what's achievable, before you spend a penny. No obligation.
Fixed, Upfront Pricing
Full cost of sanding, staining, and finishing agreed before we start. No add-ons, no surprises on the day.
5-Star Rated
Customers regularly say the restored boards looked better than they expected. Original timber brought back to a finish that outshines modern alternatives. Rated excellent on Google and Facebook.
Experienced Floor Restoration Specialist
Low-dust sanding, skilled staining, quality oil or lacquer finishing. One specialist handles your floor from start to final inspection.
Exeter & Devon
Ready for your new floor?
Book a free home visit. We bring the samples to you, measure up, and give you a clear, no-obligation quote.