Wood Floor Staining
Change the colour of your wooden floor with stains tested on your own timber before we commit.
A stain can completely change the character of a room. 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.
Why we always sample
Every timber reacts differently to stain — pine, oak and maple can look completely different with the same product. We apply several test patches to a discreet area so you can see the real colour in your own light. Our guide to choosing a floor stain colour has more tips.
Shades to consider
Raw and natural tones
Light oak and honey shades
Smoked and dark walnut
Soft greys and white-wash
Deep ebony
Floors that suit staining
Most solid, parquet and engineered floors take stain well. Original pine boards from a floorboards restoration look superb in darker tones. Herringbone and block floors from our parquet floor sanding service can also be stained.
Getting an even colour
The floor is sanded to a fine, even finish first, so it absorbs stain consistently. The stain is applied and worked into the timber in manageable sections, avoiding overlaps and lap marks. Once dry, it is sealed with two or three coats of oil or lacquer. Some coloured hardwax oils combine stain and protection in one product.
Because stain must go on bare wood, it is best done alongside sanding. It usually adds up to a day to the overall timeline. 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. See our prices for staining costs.
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
Are your oils and lacquers pet-friendly?
They are. We use low-VOC oils and water-based lacquers that are safe for children and pets once fully dry. We suggest keeping pets out of the room for the first 24 hours, and keep claws trimmed to help the finish last.
Do you need electricity and water?
A normal plug socket and parking close by is all we need. Our machines run on domestic power, and we bring all tools, materials and dust sheets.
Do you offer floor staining?
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 our staining service.
What do I need to do before you arrive?
Please clear the room of furniture, rugs and small items before we arrive. We can help move heavy furniture if we know in advance. Our preparation checklist has more tips.
Can you quote from photos?
For many jobs, yes. A few clear photos and the room sizes let us give a guide price quickly. We confirm it with a short visit before work starts, so the final quote is fixed.
Why do you test stain colours on my floor?
Oak, pine and other woods all react to stain in their own way. Sample cards are only a rough guide, so testing on your own boards is the only reliable way to choose.
What our customers say
Exactly what we hoped for
“The hardwax oil finish in our dining room is beautiful. The only small thing was that they arrived a little later than planned on day one, but they kept us informed and still finished on time.”
Long Ditton
Great work at our school
“They completed our classroom floors in a single half-term week. The team were careful, safe and tidy, and staff were really impressed.”
Hersham
A transformed hall
“They worked around our services and events, finished on schedule and left the hall spotless. The hall feels bright and welcoming again.”
Hinchley Wood