Gap Filling
Resin or timber-sliver gap filling for warmer, cleaner floorboards.
Most period floors develop gaps between the boards over time. They can cause draughts, trap dirt and look untidy once the floor is sanded. 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. This lets us sand the filler flush before finishing.
Resin or slivers?
Resin and sanding dust
Small gaps are filled with a resin mixed with your floor’s own sanding dust for a close colour match. It is quick and neat, and suits floors that do not move much.
Timber slivers
For wider gaps, we glue tapered pine slivers into place and plane them level. Timber moves with timber, so slivers cope better with wider gaps.
A note on floor movement
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. Gap filling is therefore excluded from our service guarantee. The sanding and finishing on the same floor is still covered by our 3-month guarantee.
Warmer rooms with fewer draughts
Stops dust and crumbs collecting
Gives a more uniform look
Is gap filling right for your floor?
Gap filling is optional. 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.
Timing
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. In most rooms it adds around half a day.
Our article on resin or sliver gap filling explains the pros and cons. 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
Will filling gaps stop draughts?
It usually makes a real difference. Open gaps between boards let cold air up from the void below. Filling them makes rooms cosier and stops dirt collecting between boards.
Can old pine floorboards be restored?
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.
Are your oils and lacquers pet-friendly?
Yes. We use low-VOC oils and water-based lacquers that are safe for families and pets once cured. Keep pets off the floor for the first 24 hours, and trim claws to help the finish last.
Resin or slivers — which is better for gaps?
Smaller gaps are filled with resin mixed with fine sanding dust, so the colour matches. Wider gaps get thin pine slivers glued in and sanded flush. Our gap filling guide compares the two.
Do I need to empty the room?
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.
Is gap filling covered by your guarantee?
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 choose the method that suits your floor best to keep this to a minimum.
What our customers say
Kitchen worktops restored
“The wooden worktops around our sink were black and stained. They sanded and re-oiled them in a day. Much cheaper than new worktops.”
Weybridge
Pet-friendly finish, lovely result
“We wanted something that would cope with a lively dog. They recommended a hard-wearing lacquer and it has held up brilliantly so far.”
Guildford
Engineered floor rescued
“A dropped radiator left a nasty dent in our engineered floor. They checked the wear layer first and sanded and refinished the whole room. Looks perfect.”
Dorking