Wood floors in Lisbon: restore warmth and authenticity
Wooden floors are a constant presence in Lisbon's historic buildings. Native pine, with its warm tone and characteristic grain, defines the character of thousands of apartments in the city. Restoring these floors is preserving a tangible piece of Lisbon's history.
When original floors are worth saving in Lisbon
Not all old flooring deserves preservation, but most does. In Lisbon, we frequently find pine boards over 100 years old that, despite surface wear, maintain excellent structural integrity. Antique wood, denser and more resinous than today's, has developed a patina impossible to replicate. We assess each floor individually, considering residual thickness, stability, and aesthetic value.
Squeaks, warping, moisture: what it means
Occasional squeaks are normal and part of an antique floor's charm in Lisbon. Excessive squeaking usually indicates loose fixings or movement in the joists. Warping and undulation can result from moisture variations or underlying structural problems. Before any floor intervention, we diagnose the root cause — often, the solution lies in the subfloor or space ventilation.
Finish choices: matte vs satin, natural tones
The finish defines the final appearance and durability of the floor. In renovation projects in Lisbon, we prefer finishes that respect antique wood character: natural oils that penetrate the fiber, waxes that allow localized repairs, or low-sheen matte varnishes. We avoid very glossy finishes that create an artificial look incompatible with historic architecture.
Joinery: baseboards, doors, built-ins
A restored floor deserves matching joinery. In Lisbon, many buildings retain tall baseboards, paneled swing doors, and original built-in cabinets. When these elements exist, we seek to restore them; when missing, we can reproduce them following period models. Visual coherence between flooring and joinery is essential for an authentic result.
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