CM17 · M11 J7 · 22 mi from central London
Old Harlow's restoration Supply & Fit Team
We restore more Victorian and Edwardian floors than we fit new ones. The original timber is almost always worth saving. Our restoration crews cover Old Harlow on a regular schedule — CM17 sits about 1 mile from the Harlow hub, just off M11 J7. Historic village pre-dating the 1947 new town.
From £28/m² · 1–2 weeks lead time · 10-year workmanship warranty
Old Harlow — local facts that shape the spec
Postcode
CM17
Ward / area
Old Harlow
Nearest station
Harlow Mill
Distance to central London
22 miles
Distance to Harlow
1 mile
Main road access
M11 J7
Council
Harlow District Council
Typical stock
period properties
- Historic village pre-dating the 1947 new town
- Conservation area around the High Street
Why Old Harlow clients choose us
- Lead-paint testing and disposal where boards pre-date 1980
- Regularly fitting in CM17 — local references on request
- Dust-extracted Bona belt sanders — 95% dust capture
- Lead-paint testing and disposal where boards pre-date 1980
Why we recommend restoration here
Old Harlow's period properties make restoration the right tool. Historic village pre-dating the 1947 new town, and that shapes the build-up we quote.
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 Old Harlow
- 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.
Materials & finish notes
For period properties like much of Old Harlow's Old Harlow pocket, we'd usually spec Reclaimed strip oak in a hardwax oil (bona, osmo) finish.
Most London period floors are pitch-pine — sands beautifully, takes whitewash and oil exceptionally well.
Bona Traffic HD is our default for high-traffic family homes — 2-pack lacquer, 10-year warranty.
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
Nearby CM areas we also cover
We're regularly on the M11 J7 route — these neighbouring pockets sit within a few miles of Old Harlow:
Old Harlow restoration FAQs
- How long does a restoration take?
- 1 week for a typical reception room; 2 weeks for a full ground floor including finish cure time.
- Whitewash, dark stain or natural?
- We sample 3 options in your room before deciding. The same boards look very different under different finishes.
- 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.
Summary
From the M11 J7 access to the period properties we'll be fitting onto, every restoration job in Old Harlow starts with a proper survey. That's the only way to get a price that doesn't change once the boards arrive.
Talk to a restoration specialist — Old Harlow, CM17
Direct line to the team — no sales script. Covering Old Harlow and nearby Church Langley, Harlow Town.
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