Wood Floor Sanding & Restoration

Floor sanding removes the worn-out top layer of a wood floor, eliminating scratches, stains, and imperfections. It restores the wood’s natural beauty and prepares it for a fresh finish, enhancing both appearance and durability.

Our modern floor sanding equipment with built-in dust extraction system significantly reduces the mess, often capturing up to 99% of the dust. This makes the process much cleaner and more manageable, leaving less to clean up afterward.

This will off course depend on the size and specification of your project, however as a rule of thumb to follow; 1 room per day if a basic specification is followed, if this one room requires gap filling, repairs or colouring then allow 2 days per room.

It’s best not to walk on a freshly sanded floor immediately. While sanding removes the top layer and smooths the surface, the wood is vulnerable to scratches and damage until a protective finish is applied. After sanding, wait until the finish or sealer has fully dried.

This drying time can vary based on the type of finish you have chosen, but it’s generally recommended to avoid walking on the floor for 24 to 48 hours after finishing. We provide specific drying and curing times to all our customers for the best results.

Will vary from £25 – £50sqm

Start by removing all furniture, properly inspect the floor and check for screws and nails, repair damaged boards, gap filling if necessary, and clean the floor properly to ensure a smooth, efficient sanding process and better final results.

Wood floors typically need sanding every 7 to 10 years, depending on the amount of foot traffic and wear they experience. High-traffic areas may require more frequent sanding, while less-used spaces can go longer. However, light maintenance such as polishing or buffing can help extend the time between full sandings.

Sanding too often can reduce the thickness of the wood, especially with solid hardwood floors, so it’s essential to assess the condition before proceeding. For engineered wood floors, the frequency depends on the thickness of the top veneer, as they can only be sanded a limited number of times.

After sanding, we have several finish options to protect and enhance your wood floors:

1. Lacquer/Polyurethane: Provides a durable, glossy, matt, extra matt or silk finish. Water-based is clear and fast-drying, while oil-based gives a warm amber tone.

2. Hardwax Oil: Offers a natural, matte look with good water resistance and easy maintenance.

3. Oil-Based Finish: Deeply penetrates the wood, enhancing the grain with a warm glow but requires regular upkeep.

4. Wax: Provides a soft, low-sheen finish but needs more frequent maintenance.

5. Stain and Seal: For color change, stains can be applied before a protective sealer.

Each finish varies in appearance, durability, and maintenance needs.

Depending on if your choice is lacquer or oil, this may vary however. lacquer- 1/2 hours per coat. oil- 4/6 hours per coat.

If you choose to have your wooden floor coloured then I will put down samples of different colours directly to the wooden floor so you can decide properly.

If you have victorian pine boards then we will use pine fillets and adhesive to fill them the proper way, there are cut off and then sanded back to leave a flush surface of pine where your gaps were.

If you have a hardwood that we are sanding and you have natural seasonal movement that has formed small gaps around the floor, we use a mastic filler that we will try to match close as we can to your floor. 

Again if you have many gaps around a herringbone floor then we will mix the sawdust with a resin that is spread across the floor numerous times to sink into the many gaps, then sanded and finished.

Sourcing identical boards if you have an old floor is very hard to do, so I will always try to source some boards from hidden locations such as cupboards or under stairs, cut and fix into place then sand & fill. 

The most common mistake in floor sanding is not sanding evenly. This happens when too much time is spent on one area, causing uneven spots, grooves, or dips in the wood. Other frequent mistakes include:

• Skipping grits: Using coarse sandpaper and jumping to a fine grit too quickly can leave scratches or an uneven surface.
• Failing to prepare the floor: Not removing nails or screws can damage the sanding machine or create bumps.
• Not cleaning between sanding passes: Dust left behind between sanding stages can get trapped under the finish, affecting the final result.

Proper preparation and consistent, even sanding are crucial for a smooth, professional finish.

The golden rule of floor sanding is to sand with the grain of the wood. Sanding against the grain can create visible scratches and damage the wood’s appearance. This ensures a smooth, uniform finish, avoiding grooves and imperfections. Additionally, using the proper grit sequence, starting coarse and working towards finer grits, is crucial for an even and professional result.

After sanding your floors, maintaining them is key to preserving their finish and durability. Regular care ensures your newly sanded floors remain in excellent condition for years. I provide my customers with tailored guidance for their floors.