Restoring Parquetry Flooring in a School Kindergarten - Warranwood

Refreshing a Well-Worn Timber Floor for Everyday Use

School flooring takes on more wear and tear than most homes ever see. In this kindergarten project, we were tasked with refreshing an area finished in very thin parquetry timber flooring. Over the years, the floor had already been sanded many times, and with children playing, wearing shoes indoors, and carrying sand from the large outdoor sandpit, the floor finish had reached its limit.

Usually, this kind of parquetry is maintained with additional coats of Rubio Monocoat oil, but the surface damage this time was too severe for a simple recoat. The only solution was to sand the parquetry carefully, then apply fresh Rubio oil for protection.

Parquetry timber flooring in the kindergarten showing heavy wear from daily use and sand abrasion.

Parquetry timber flooring in the kindergarten showing heavy wear from daily use and sand abrasion.

Parquetry timber flooring in the kindergarten showing heavy wear from daily use and sand abrasion.

Parquetry timber flooring in the kindergarten showing heavy wear from daily use and sand abrasion.

Parquetry timber flooring in the kindergarten showing heavy wear from daily use and sand abrasion.

Parquetry timber flooring in the kindergarten showing heavy wear from daily use and sand abrasion.

Parquetry timber flooring in the kindergarten showing heavy wear from daily use and sand abrasion.

Parquetry timber flooring in the kindergarten showing heavy wear from daily use and sand abrasion.

Before Sanding – A Floor Under Pressure

The kindergarten’s parquetry was showing clear signs of stress. Layers of Rubio oil finish had worn thin, scratches were visible, and areas near the sandpit entry were heavily abraded. The constant combination of foot traffic and sand acting like an abrasive made the timber appear tired and dull.

Thin parquetry carefully sanded back to bare timber, revealing the natural parquetry pattern.

Thin parquetry carefully sanded back to bare timber, revealing the natural parquetry pattern.

Thin parquetry carefully sanded back to bare timber, revealing the natural parquetry pattern.

Thin parquetry carefully sanded back to bare timber, revealing the natural parquetry pattern.

Thin parquetry carefully sanded back to bare timber, revealing the natural parquetry pattern.

Thin parquetry carefully sanded back to bare timber, revealing the natural parquetry pattern.

During and After Sanding – Careful Preparation

Because the parquetry was very thin, we had to use a careful timber sanding process to avoid over-sanding and damaging the blocks. Once the floor was brought back to bare timber, we could see the natural parquetry pattern revealed again.

After sanding, the floor was evenly prepared for a fresh application of oil.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Completed Finish – Rubio Monocoat Oil Restoration

With the parquetry ready, we applied Rubio Monocoat penetrating oil, which restores colour depth and protects the floor while maintaining a natural look. Given the punishment the floor takes daily, this was the most practical solution to extend the life of the parquetry without replacing it.

The plan is to return in a few months to add another coat of Rubio, ensuring the surface remains protected against the heavy use that comes with a kindergarten environment.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Restored parquetry flooring with fresh Rubio Monocoat oil, ready for high-traffic school use.

Key Points

• Parquetry timber floors in schools require careful sanding due to their thin structure.

• Heavy use and sand exposure can quickly wear down traditional finishes.

• Rubio Monocoat oil provides a natural, protective solution that can be reapplied as needed.

• Ongoing maintenance ensures longevity for school timber flooring under high-traffic conditions.

What it could look like with children furniture back on the fresh timber floor, using our interior furnishing Ai tool.

What it could look like with children furniture back on the fresh timber floor, using our interior f

What it could look like with children furniture back on the fresh timber floor, using our interior f

Disclaimer on Parquetry Maintenance

Parquetry timber flooring is sometimes thinner than standard solid timber, which means it can only be sanded a limited number of times. While sanding and re-oiling with Rubio Monocoat can refresh the surface, high-traffic areas such as schools and kindergartens require ongoing maintenance. Regular re-coating is essential to protect the timber, especially in environments where sand, shoes, and constant activity act as abrasives against the finish.