CM2 · A12 J16 / A1114 · 31 mi from central London
Galleywood Restoration Installers
Dust-extracted sanding means we leave your house cleaner than most fitters leave it. That's the bar. Surveyors are in Galleywood CM2 most weeks — the A12 J16 / A1114 run from our base puts Chelmsford only 3 miles away. Built on the site of the former Galleywood racecourse.
From £28/m² · 1–2 weeks lead time · 10-year workmanship warranty
Why Galleywood clients choose us
- Essex-based crew, 31 miles from our central yard
- Bona and Osmo finishes only — full manufacturer warranty
- 10-year workmanship warranty including finish adhesion
- Essex-based crew, 31 miles from our central yard
What Galleywood homes actually need
Most restoration jobs we book in CM2 are owner-occupied refurbs. A mix of 1930s semi-detached homes and new-build housing drives the spec — and the restoration answer is well understood.
Galleywood — local facts that shape the spec
Postcode
CM2
Ward / area
Galleywood
Nearest station
Chelmsford
Distance to central London
31 miles
Distance to Chelmsford
3 miles
Main road access
A12 J16 / A1114
Council
Chelmsford City Council
Typical stock
1930s semi-detached homes
- Built on the site of the former Galleywood racecourse
- Modern developments mixed with mid-century housing
Materials & finish notes
For 1930s semi-detached homes like much of Galleywood's Galleywood pocket, we'd usually spec Edwardian oak parquet in a smoked & oiled finish.
Whitewash + hardwax oil is the most-requested finish for period homes — keeps the grain visible.
Edwardian parquet is usually solid oak 22mm blocks — gold-standard restoration substrate.
Materials we stock
Original pitch-pine boards · Edwardian oak parquet · Victorian softwood · Reclaimed strip oak
Finishes we offer
Hardwax oil (Bona, Osmo) · Whitewash & UV oil · Smoked & oiled · Matte 2-pack lacquer
Install methods
Dust-extracted belt sand · Edge-and-corner sand · Gap-fill with resin/sliver · Stain + 3-coat finish
Realistic lifespan
10–15 years between refinishes, board life often 100+ years
Common pitfalls we plan around
Boards too thin to sand
Pre-1900 boards may be sanded to <14mm — we measure before quoting. Some jobs are board-replacement, not restoration.
Lead paint
Pre-1980 painted boards may carry lead. We bag, test and dispose properly — written into the quote.
Hidden nails and screws
Every restoration starts with a punch-down. A missed nail destroys a sanding belt.
Our restoration process in Galleywood
- 01
Survey — board thickness, species, paint history, joist condition.
- 02
Furniture and skirting protection, dust-extraction setup.
- 03
Nail punch-down across the full floor.
- 04
Belt sand 40g → 60g → 80g → 120g, with edge sander into corners.
- 05
Gap-fill with resin and sliver where gaps exceed 4mm.
- 06
Optional whitewash, smoke or stain — sampled in-room first.
- 07
2–3 coat hardwax oil or lacquer finish, 24-hour cure between coats.
Galleywood restoration FAQs
- Does the parquet need lifting?
- Rarely — most parquet can be sanded in-situ. We only lift blocks where there's water damage or movement.
- How many times can a floor be re-sanded?
- Solid pine and oak boards can take 4–6 sandings across their life. We always survey the remaining thickness first.
- Can you fill the gaps?
- Yes — resin and slivers for gaps over 4mm, fine fill for hairline cracks. Result is seamless.
- Will the house smell?
- Hardwax oil has a low-VOC odour for 48 hours. We use water-based lacquers where smell-sensitivity is a concern.
- Is restoration cheaper than a new floor?
- Typically 40–60% cheaper, and you keep the original timber. Greenest option by far.
- How messy is the job?
- Almost dust-free — Bona dust-extracted sanders capture 95%+ of debris. The floor finishes cleaner than it started.
- Can I stay in the house?
- Yes — we work room-by-room. You'll need to avoid the freshly-finished room for 24 hours per coat.
Nearby CM areas we also cover
We're regularly on the A12 J16 / A1114 route — these neighbouring pockets sit within a few miles of Galleywood:
Summary
If you're planning restoration in Galleywood, the brief is simple — survey first, written quote within 48 hours, and an honest answer if restoration isn't the right product for your build. We work CM2 every week from our Chelmsford-area route.
Restore your period floor — Galleywood, CM2
Dust-extracted, hand-finished, 10-year warranty. Covering Galleywood and nearby Great Baddow, Moulsham.
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