Hardwood Flooring Kenya | Lawrence Hardwood Flooring – Nairobi’s Floor Sanding Experts

Blog Single

Hardwood Floor Costs in Nairobi

How to Maintain and Refinish Your Parquet Floor for Long-Lasting Shine

Introduction: How to Maintain and Refinish Your Parquet Floor for Long-Lasting Shine – Keep Your Floors Beautiful for YearsHow to Maintain and Refinish Your Parquet Floor for Long-Lasting Shine

A well-maintained parquet floor can last for decades, sometimes even generations.

How to Maintain and Refinish Your Parquet Floor for Long-Lasting Shine but without the right care, scratches, fading, and dull finishes can appear sooner than expected.

At Lawrence Hardwood Flooring, we’ve helped hundreds of Kenyan homeowners and businesses restore their wooden floors to their original beauty.
In this guide, we’ll share professional maintenance and refinishing tips to keep your parquet or hardwood floor shining for years, the same techniques our experts use on projects in Nairobi, Kiambu, Thika, and Machakos.

1️⃣ Regular Cleaning, The Foundation of Maintenance

The easiest way to protect your floor is through consistent, gentle cleaning.
Wood is durable, but it’s sensitive to moisture and abrasive cleaning methods.

Do This:

  • Sweep or vacuum daily with a soft-bristle attachment

  • Wipe spills immediately to prevent staining

  • Use a damp (not wet) mop, avoid soaking the floor

  • Apply a wood-safe cleaner monthly

Avoid:

  • Harsh detergents or bleaching agents

  • Steam mops (they can loosen adhesives and warp wood)

  • Dragging furniture without felt pads

💡 Pro Tip: Place floor mats near entrances to trap dust and grit before it reaches your parquet.


2️⃣ Protect Against Scratches and Wear

Everyday movement; shoes, furniture, pets, can gradually dull your finish.
Luckily, small changes in behavior make a big difference.

Simple Protection Tips:

  • Use felt pads under chairs and tables

  • Trim pet nails to avoid surface marks

  • Avoid high heels on polished wood

  • Rearrange furniture occasionally to prevent uneven wear

💡 Bonus Tip: Add area rugs in high-traffic spots like hallways and doorways to preserve the varnish layer longer.


3️⃣ Understanding Floor Finishes – Know Your Protection

Your parquet floor is sealed with a finish that protects it from damage and gives it that signature sheen.
The two most common types are:

  • Oil-based varnishes: Deep color, traditional look, longer drying time.

  • Water-based finishes: Eco-friendly, quick-drying, lower odor, and less yellowing over time.

Every 2–4 years (depending on usage), floors benefit from a recoat, applying a new finish layer without sanding the wood completely.

💡 Lawrence Tip: We recommend a full refinishing every 5–7 years for homes and 3–5 years for commercial floors.


4️⃣ When to Refinish Your Parquet Floor

You’ll know it’s time for refinishing when your floor looks dull, scratched, or uneven in color.
But don’t panic, refinishing can restore it to like-new condition.

Signs It’s Time to Refinish:

  • Grey or dull patches even after cleaning

  • Noticeable scratches or gouges

  • Discolored areas near doors or windows

  • Water spots or peeling finish

Refinishing involves:

  1. Sanding to remove the old finish and level the surface

  2. Filling small gaps or cracks

  3. Applying fresh coats of varnish or polyurethane

At Lawrence Hardwood Flooring, we use dust-minimized sanding machines and eco-safe finishes, ensuring your home remains clean and safe throughout the process.


5️⃣ Professional Sanding and Polishing – The Lawrence Way

DIY floor sanding is risky, uneven sanding can ruin your parquet pattern permanently.
That’s why most Nairobi homeowners trust professionals for this delicate process.

Our expert sanding and polishing process includes:

  • Detailed inspection and repair of damaged wood

  • Three-stage sanding with progressive grits

  • Fine dust extraction for a clean environment

  • Application of high-quality sealants and finishes

💡 Why Choose Us: Our sanding process restores natural wood tone and grain, not just the shine.


6️⃣ Choosing the Right Varnish or Finish

A good varnish isn’t just about appearance, it determines durability and maintenance needs.

Common Finish Types We Recommend:

  • Matte: Natural look, hides scratches well

  • Satin: Balanced shine, perfect for homes

  • Gloss: Elegant high-reflection finish, ideal for offices and showrooms

Each is available in oil- or water-based formulas, and we’ll guide you to the best option based on your space, lighting, and traffic levels.

💡 Note: All our finishes are low-VOC and eco-friendly, safe for kids, pets, and sensitive environments.


7️⃣ Routine Maintenance After Refinishing

Once your floor is refinished, protect it with good habits:

  • Wait 48 hours before moving furniture back

  • Avoid wet mopping for 7 days

  • Add felt pads under all furniture

  • Reapply a polish layer every 12–18 months

A little care goes a long way, your floor will stay shiny and resilient for years.


8️⃣ Why Professional Refinishing Pays Off

While DIY kits are tempting, professional refinishing ensures:

  • Even, scratch-free sanding

  • Long-lasting coatings

  • Proper curing and finishing

  • Protection of your investment

Our clients often report that professionally refinished floors increase property value and instantly refresh the entire interior.

💡 Extra Value: We also provide floor re-coating and maintenance plans for homeowners who want yearly upkeep without hassle.


9️⃣ Optional: Combine with Door Refinishing

Want a completely new look?
We can refinish or replace your interior wooden doors to match your floor’s tone, achieving a unified, luxurious appearance across rooms.

Available door styles include:

  • Panel doors

  • Flush doors

  • French doors

  • Custom wooden designs

All supplied and fitted on request.


10️⃣ Let’s Restore Your Floor – Get a Free Quote

Your parquet deserves expert hands.
Whether it’s a full sanding job or a simple recoat, Lawrence Hardwood Flooring guarantees precision, quality, and reliability, backed by over 10 years of experience.

📞 Call / WhatsApp: 0727 434 557
✉️ Email: info@lawrencehardwoodflooring.co.ke
📍 Visit: Naivasha Road, Kikuyu, Nairobi

We’ll inspect your floor, recommend the best refinishing plan, and provide a quote, free of charge.