Renovate Old Pine & New Spotted Gum Floors with Bleaching and Liming - St.Kilda

Lucas Lee
Apr 4
3 min read

Introduction/Summary

Working with familiar builders on a new project is always a pleasure, especially when it involves transforming a St. Kilda gem. This recent renovation presented a unique challenge: uniting the rustic charm of old Baltic Pine at the front with a new Spotted Gum extension at the back. Discover how MyFlooring expertly handled the unique characteristics of each timber – including Baltic Pine's movement and Spotted Gum's hidden green tones – to deliver a beautifully unified, modern, and light aesthetic.

Baltic Pine's Unique Demands: Flexibility is Key

For the Baltic Pine, our process began with careful sanding to prepare its surface. Rather than bleaching, we applied a beautiful limewash, followed by a durable water-based polyurethane finish. A crucial aspect of working with Baltic Pine is understanding its inherent movement.

Baltic Pine is known for its significant expansion and contraction due to changes in humidity and temperature. This natural characteristic means that traditional, rigid gap fillers often crack or detach over time. To address this, we sealed the gaps with a flexible putty. This flexible solution accommodates the timber's movement, preventing unsightly cracks and ensuring the longevity and seamless appearance of the floor, unlike less forgiving fillers used for other, more stable timbers.

The Spotted Gum Challenge: Battling the Unexpected Hue

The new Spotted Gum presented its own set of complexities. To achieve the desired lighter aesthetic that would complement the modern interior, the timber was initially bleached. While timber floor bleaching effectively removed much of the inherent redness, a surprising issue emerged: certain pieces of the timber developed a distinct green tint. This green tone wasn't noticeable when the timber was its original red, but it became apparent after the chemical wood floor lightening process.

This unexpected colour shift required an intelligent solution during the limewash stage. Our expertise in wood floor lightening treatment came into play as we carefully formulated the limewash to specifically counteract this green hue, subtly throwing the colour in the opposite direction to achieve a more neutral, balanced tone. This meticulous adjustment ensured the overall consistency and warmth of the bleached hardwood floors, proving that a professional wood floor lightening process often involves nuanced problem-solving.

The Unified Outcome: A Modern Oasis

Despite the unique challenges posed by both the Baltic Pine and the Spotted Gum, the final result was a resounding success. Both timber types were finished with a high-quality water-based polyurethane, known for its durability and clarity, allowing the newly achieved colours to shine through without yellowing over time.

The client was absolutely delighted with their revitalised interior. The shift from the previously dominant red tones created an immediate sense of spaciousness, modernity, and a far more sophisticated aesthetic that perfectly complemented their St. Kilda home. This project beautifully showcased how expert timber care, combined with tailored solutions, can overcome inherent timber quirks to deliver a truly harmonious and stunning finish.

Ready for Your Timber Floor Transformation?

Whether your St. Kilda property has old Baltic Pine, new Spotted Gum, or other unique timbers, MyFlooring has the expertise in how to bleach hardwood floors safely and refine them for a truly stunning outcome. We specialise in lightening dark timber and providing comprehensive timber floor bleaching services.