Sanding floorboards

peabottle

Hello,

I am playing with the idea of sanding my floorboards in the kitchen area. Thinking of the pros and cons of the operation, possibly have to change 1/2 boards? Do I have to seal gaps in the boards also the floorboards themselves, should I use sealant to fill the gaps. Below floorboards preparation, should I insulate, I have 0.8 of a metre working area under the floor. Anything I should be aware of?
Many thanks

MyRealNameToo

If you dont fill the gaps then foodstuffs can fall between the cracks and if you are unlucky can smell over time. Sealant is one option but most would say it looks ugly, many will suggest resin or PVA and sawdust which looks better but will crack over time so isnt a once and done option.

Insulating a suspended floor I believe counts as renovation under Part L of the regs so would be notifiable to building control and be up to the current regs. Most probably won't bother but can be an issue at point of sale. You'd need to make sure you arent blocking any air bricks or similar both in the exterior walls and any sleeper walls with the insulation.

WIAWSNB

Hi Peabottle.

How would you gain access to under the floor to insulate it? Are you entertaining the idea of lifting the boards and relaying them? If so, that might give you the option of relaying the original boards where they are most visible, and the 'new' ones elsewhere, such as under units or appliances?

Is it worth insulating underneath? Almost certainly yes. And also draughtproofing, as that is the main reason for heat loss, especially with bare boards.

Whether to Part L is is your call, but if you tell us whether you plan to lift the boards, folk can advise on insulation options.

peabottle

Hello WIAWSNB

I have 3 sections underneath the floor incorporating 2 honeycomb walls, the underfloor is air vented with air bricks around the house. I intend lifting some boards to gain access, of insulation, in the meantime taking the option to replace as necessary else where as you suggested.

WIAWSNB

So you won't be lifting all the boards, but will enough to gain access under there? Is there room to move around and access all the underside?

peabottle

Yes,it will be difficult but doable,not looking forward to the task,but needs must.

knightstyle

I did this some years ago, I used undamaged boards from bedrooms in one area and replaced with chipboard flooring upstairs. New boards would have been thinner and different colour.

Yes take up and insulate then use cramps to refix boards without gaps and use a punch to drive the nails in below the surface before sanding.

Time consuming, not difficult and well worth it.

peabottle

Good idea using boards from the bedroom, and replacing with chipboard.

I have enough info of the task, thanks to you all.

Eldi_Dos

Once you have got the floorboards repaired to your satisfaction and sanded, before varnishing them get some natural fibre string and place along and in the joins with a pizza cutter then get some plaster of paris and run that along the joins, a bit like doing grout.Then wash off any that has got onto floorboards before varnishing.