Gap Filling with Strips

When restoring wooden floors, gap filling is an essential step to ensure both the aesthetic and structural integrity of your flooring. Over time, gaps can naturally appear between floorboards due to changes in temperature and humidity. This is a common issue for wooden floors, as the boards expand and contract throughout the year. Small gaps can eventually lead to larger problems such as draughts, heat loss, and even damage to the boards themselves.

There are different methods to fill gaps, one of which is with reclaimed filler strips. This method not only restores the beauty of your wooden floors but also provides a durable, long-lasting solution that helps maintain the overall quality of your flooring.

a wood planks with white lines

Understanding Gap Filling with Strips

Gap filling with strips is the process of inserting thin pieces of wood with PVA, known as filler strips, into the gaps between floorboards. The primary purpose is to close the gaps and therefore enhance the floor’s appearance and functionality.

This technique is particularly suitable for older or traditional wooden floors, which often have noticeable gaps due to natural ageing and wear. It’s especially appropriate when the gaps are too wide for traditional fillers or when you want a more natural, wood-based solution that fully integrates with the existing floor. Floors made from hardwoods, softwoods, and even parquet floors are all ideal for this type of restoration.

A room with an old wooden floor showing significant wear and gaps between the floorboards. Strips of wood and other materials are scattered on the floor, indicating preparation work for sanding and refinishing.

Benefits of Gap Filling using Reclaimed Pine Strips

Investing in floor restoration gap filling with strips offers numerous benefits:

Durability and Longevity: Filling gaps with wooden strips strengthens the overall structure of the floor, reducing the likelihood of future damage.

Improved Insulation: Gaps in floorboards can lead to draughts and heat loss, particularly in older buildings. By closing these gaps you improve your home’s energy efficiency, helping to reduce heating bills.

Aesthetics: The natural wood strips can be cut from wood that matches your original floorboards, creating a flawless, uniform look that enhances the overall appearance of your floors.

Ease of Maintenance: By adding the wooden strips to your floors they become easier to maintain, as dust and dirt are less likely to accumulate now the gaps have been filled.

A freshly restored wooden floor with a glossy finish, reflecting light from a nearby window. The floorboards have a warm, polished appearance, enhancing the room's natural charm.

Another happy client of Mr Sander.

The process of Gap Filling with Reclaimed Pine Slivers

At Mr Sander, we have a thorough process to ensure high-quality results when filling gaps with strips:

  1. Assessment: The first step is a detailed assessment of your wooden floor, where we inspect the gaps and determine the best type and thickness of wooden floor filler strips.
  2. Preparation: Once we have the necessary measurements, we prepare the filler strips by cutting wood that matches your existing floor in terms of type, grain, and colour. This attention to detail ensures the strips blend seamlessly into the floor once installed.
  3. Fitting: The next step is carefully fitting the strips into the gaps. Our expert team uses specialised tools to secure the strips without damaging the surrounding floorboards.
  4. Finishing: After the strips are fitted, the floor is sanded to ensure a smooth, level surface. We then apply a finish, which could include sealants, stains, or varnishes, to better match the original floor if needed. 
  5. Final Inspection: We carry out a final inspection to ensure that the filled gaps are durable and consistent in appearance.
A close-up image of a wooden floor showing a gap between two floorboards. A hand is holding a ruler to measure the width of the gap, highlighting an issue with the flooring installation or wear. This is part of an inspection for potential floor refinishing by Mr Sander®.

Factors to consider before Gap Filling using Reclaimed Pine Strips

Before opting for gap filling with strips, it’s important to thoroughly assess the condition of your floor to determine whether floorboard filler strips are the right solution. The type of wood, extent of wear, and size of the gaps should all be considered. Alternative methods may be more appropriate for extremely narrow gaps. 

While DIY kits for gap filling are available, achieving a professional, long-lasting finish requires expertise and the right tools. Hiring professionals like Mr Sander ensures a precise, seamless result that enhances the value and appearance of your wooden floors.

Gap filling with strips
A close-up view of a beautifully restored pine floor in a living room. The floorboards are polished and shiny, with sunlight streaming in and casting shadows across the surface.

Gap filling with strips is a highly effective method for restoring wooden floors, providing both aesthetic and practical benefits. From enhanced durability to a flawless finish, this method is the ideal solution for addressing larger gaps in your floorboards.

At Mr Sander we specialise in professional floor restoration, using expert techniques to ensure your wooden floors look their best. Contact us today for a quote.

A happy customer standing in a room with newly refinished hardwood floors in West London, UK, holding a sign that reads "Mr Sander® - We give Mr Sander 5 stars". The room features natural light and simple, elegant decor.

 

FAQs

When should I choose wood strips instead of resin?

Wood strips are ideal for larger gaps, usually anything above 5mm. They work especially well in older London homes where original boards have shrunk over time. Resin may crack in wide gaps, but wood strips stay secure and durable.

What type of wood do you use for the strips?

We match the strips to the closest wood species — often pine or oak — depending on your floor. Once installed, sanded, and finished, the strips blend naturally with the existing boards. You can see examples in our Gallery.

Will the wood strips stay in place over time?

Yes. Wood strips provide a long-lasting solution because they expand and contract more similarly to your floorboards. When installed properly, they stay secure without cracking or loosening.

Does filling gaps with wood strips help with draughts?

Absolutely. Wood strips are excellent for reducing draughts and heat loss because they fully close wide gaps that allow cold air to rise from below the floor. Many London period homes benefit greatly from this method.

How long does gap filling with wood strips take?

Most rooms take a few hours to install the strips, followed by sanding and finishing. For larger or more irregular floors, it may take a bit longer. We’ll confirm timing during your visit — you can book a consultation anytime.

Will the wood strips be visible after sanding and finishing?

They’ll be subtly visible, but they blend very well once the entire floor is sanded and finished. Many homeowners actually like the clean, uniform look it creates — especially in older homes where gaps were uneven.