Floor Sanding Frequently Asked Questions

Start by prying off one of the boards in the closet. Then, put a pocket mirror into the gap between the floor and the wall to get a sense of how thick the veneer is. If you can see nails, do not worry because it doesn’t necessarily mean that the floor cannot be sanded. If the nails have been driven through the faces of the planks and are sticking out from the top, they can be driven further down using a nail punch before we sand. The holes will be filled before sanding as well.

Yes, you can. It is a common misconception that engineered wood flooring cannot be sanded like solid wood floors. However, if both floors are grooved and tongues (which most floors are nowadays), then you can only sand down to the tongue so that there is no discernible feature that prevents your engineered wood floor from being sanded. Please note, the number of times you can have your engineered wooden floor sanded will depend on the thickness of the veneer, but on average it is usually a maximum of twice.

The short answer is that you can decorate whenever you prefer. However, we recommend tackling messy jobs like stripping wallpaper before having your floor sanded.

Most houses have bricks at the ground floor level, which causes draught beneath the floor of your house when an old fitted floor is removed. Having the gaps between floorboards filled is a great idea because it eliminates draught. Gap filling also improves the aesthetic appeal of the floor, as a gap filled floor has a seamless finish.

Although hiring a specialist to sand your floor is the more expensive option, it will guarantee that your floors are finished well and within a short amount of time.

The amount of time the sanding process takes will differ from project to project, and it is based on a couple of factors. For instance, if your floor is old, poorly varnished, or damaged, we would have to thoroughly clean it and fill in the gaps first; this will prolong the time spent on the project. On the other hand, if your floor is only 10 years old and fairly clean, the time frame will be much shorter. Ironically, larger rooms can sometimes be finished faster than smaller rooms. The smaller the job, the longer it will take. As an example, between a team of two, we had a 120 square meter community hall sanded and finished in two days, but a small hall lounge and dining room of 30 square meters could take two to three days. On average, a domestic job of about 20 square meters that is straight forward should be sanded and finished in one day. However, if there are a lot of repairs to be done or if the floor is thick with an old finish, it could take as many as three days to complete.

This will depend on the type of varnish used. On average, it takes about 14 days. We recommend that you do not move your furniture back into the room until the varnished has cured completely.

A parquet floor is made using geometric mosaic wood pieces in order to produce a decorative effect. Parquet floors are not just hardwood floors, they are also living, breathing works of art. They carry centuries’ worth of tradition in a contemporary design that takes ancient patterns to a whole new level.

At Brighton Floor Sanding, the process is virtually dust-free because we use equipment with sophisticated filtration and extraction systems. With this tool in our arsenal, we can deliver a dustless floor sanding process. When we sand your wooden floor, dust particles are sucked straight out of the sanding machines and transferred outside, leaving behind no mess and no fuss; you are left with a dust-free home and a beautifully refinished floor.

If the floor has layers of old finish or severe damage, 24 grit is used as a starting grit. 36 grit is the starting grit used if the floors have minimal damage or fairly worn finish. 60 grit is used to even out scratches that the 36 grit can’t. 80 grit is used to even out scratches following the 60 grit; for some wood floors, this is the final grit phase. 100 grit is used to even out scratches from the 80 grit or as a final grit for some floors.

Rest easy, old wood floors typically look far worse than they actually are. It will interest you to know that if your floor has layers of old paint and varnish on them, which protects the wood itself. Once we begin the sanding process, the beauty of the natural wood will come through very quickly, and any repair work, such as repairing dents or spot-sanding, will be done following the main sanding. The end result is a floor that looks like new.

Wood floors are often the choice of homeowners because they are cost-effective, durable, and add a classic look to any space. Unfortunately, they scratch and scuff. This is where sanding comes in; you can easily bring them back to life by sanding and polishing them.

An oil finish penetrates into the wood flooring and is absorbed by the timber; this gives it a natural gloss-free looking finish. We usually use oil-finished when we are trying to refinish only parts of the wooden floor.
On the other hand, a lacquered finished floor is done using lacquer, which seals the surface of the wood and gives it that glossy look. Lacquered wooden floors cone in silk, satin, or matt finish.

Most of our screeds can withstand light-foot traffic after four days and regular foot traffic after seven days. We advise you to stick to the exact drying time of your concrete floor. Screed or concrete flooring should not be forced dried so that the strength of the floor is not compromised. This can happen if the moisture in the mixture evaporates too quickly.

Floor screed is predominantly used to level out a concrete sub-base, especially when it is uneven. It is also used to make a concrete surface more tolerant to the application of sensitive floor finishes.

A floor screed is a cementitious material made from a mixture of either a 1.3 or 1.4 ratio of cement to sharp sand. It is typically applied to a precast concrete floor unit or a solid concrete ground floor.

Yes, you can. Why paint your wood floor when you could have it sanded and varnished to show off its natural beauty? A proper sanding with a few coats of a good gloss or satin eggshell varnish (like our polyurethane floor varnish) will do the job. In our opinion, it produces a much better, natural finish.

Yes. Concrete can be sanded to produce a smooth and seamless surface. Typically, large surfaces are sanded using a handheld or a walk-behind concrete sander. Small diamond sandpaper is also used for small or complex surfaces.

The choice between wet or dry sanding and polishing is completely dependent on your personal preference. Some individuals choose to do a bit of both by starting with wet and switching to dry; however, we do not recommend this because the slurry created by wet sanding consists of abrasive particles that affect the process. Plus, you’ll still have to clean up the slurry in between the sanding and polishing stages which prolong the timeframe of the project. Not only will it take more time and effort, but you won’t end up with the same high standard finish.
Thankfully, with the advancements in technology, there is no longer an advantage to the wet process.

Paint drips are a valid concern, whether you have previously finished the floor or not. The best way to make sure that your wooden floor stays clean is to avoid paint spills. For this, we recommend painting your walls before having your floor refinished.

The main reason laminate flooring cannot be stained is that it is finished with an aluminum oxide coating. This coating protects the laminate from all types of stains.

Even though engineered wood floors can last for generations, an engineered floor that is well cared for will last longer than one that isn’t. Regardless of how well you’ve maintained your floor, age will have an impact on your floors, meaning they’ll need to be treated and refinished. The best time to have your engineered wood floor refinished is when it begins to look dull and worn. When the time comes, you’ll have to choose between two different treatment options: recoating or refinishing.

Recoating is a one-day process that involves buffing your floor and reapplying a layer of floor sealer. If your floor has only small scratches or has lost its shine, a simple recoat will be enough once or twice a year. Refinishing is a much bigger task than recoating, and it will be a couple of days before you can fully use your room. Refinishing involves the sanding of the finish and the top surface of the wood, followed by the reapplication of several layers of finish.

Yes, you can. Having your laminate floor painted is a great way to freshen up its look.

The major difference between the two is that veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood that is applied to a less expensive material such as plywood. On the other hand, laminate is a printed imitation wood surface, which is made of plastic and glued to a composite base.

This would depend on the type of wood being used. If your floor is made with a wood effect, laminate, or wood effect vinyl, the only option would be to have it replaced. There are different types of laminate floors, but they are all made the same way: using a wood effect print on either an MDF or plywood board and sealed with lacquer. Attempting to sand it will ruin the print and the floor as well.

No. Engineered wood flooring isn’t made of fake wood. This might come as a surprise, but it is made using 100 percent wood. The major difference between its fabrication and that of solid wood is that it is not homogenous. It is made up of thinly sliced layers of hardwood placed over a plywood base. This is why engineered wood is cheaper than solid hardwood and can be quickly installed on any surface type.

Solid hardwood floors are made from planks milled from a single piece of timber because solid hardwood floors were initially designed to be used for structural purposes only. This means they are installed perpendicular to the wooden support beams of a building. Today, solid wood floors are still popular because they have a thicker wear surface, can be sanded, and can be finished more times than an engineered wood floor.

Yes, we do. At Floor Sanding Site, the goal is to make the entire process stress-free for you. We’ll guide you through the choices we have available and offer an estimated time frame for delivery; the timeline will vary for custom flooring. When it is ready, we will deliver and install your new floors at any time you prefer, including weekends and evenings.

Yes. We offer several types of bamboo flooring that are suitable for underfloor heating.

Both flooring options are great. When it comes to selecting one for your building, where and how you want to use the wood flooring should be major considerations.

In most instances, an engineered floor with glueless locking joints can be installed over underfloor heating. However, you need to make sure the underlay is compatible with the existing underfloor heating system.

Engineered hardwood floors are made using HDF or hardwood plywood (for the core) and a top layer of hardwood veneer that is glued on top of the core. This creates floorboards with the natural characteristics of select wood grains. Engineered wood is designed to be used in areas where heat or moisture pose problems.

Yes, we do. Our job doesn’t end after the purchase of your floors. We can help you with the fitting and installation of your new floor. Our fitting services covers the installation of solid wood, along with all the necessary steps like moisture testing and damp proofing for concrete subfloors. We also offer glue down flooring for solid bases and secret nail fitting for timber subfloors.

Engineered wood flooring offers many benefits; it can be used anywhere and has dimensional stability. Its patented installation systems make installation faster and replacement of boards easier. Engineered wood also makes it possible to have a floating installation done, where the planks are not affixed to the subfloor but to each other. In addition, engineered floors work well with radiant and underfloor heating systems.

Screeding gives a smooth and even surface to a sub-base that would otherwise be uneven and unsafe. According to industry standards, the level of a concrete floor surface should not be more than 5mm over the space of three meters, and a properly laid screed can ensure this.

A properly maintained floor will last for a long time. Thankfully, cleaning and maintaining wooden floors doesn’t require more effort than vacuuming carpet or mopping a vinyl floor. For the first two weeks, while the floor is still curing, try to be gentle when moving furniture back into the room. Use felt protectors under all furniture, and wait till the floor is fully cured before replacing area rugs. While it cures, avoid any cleaner or using water. After your floor has cured, you can vacuum or dust weekly. We recommended floor cleaner for spills and general clean up on floors if it has a polyurethane, non-waxed, or Swedish finish.

Glossy floors look great, but stain finishes have been growing in popularity, especially in households with small children. Unlike their glossy counterpart, satin-finished floors are more slip-resistant.

The major factor that influences the cost is the size of the floor. The price per square foot will vary depending on regional labor costs, whether it is a residential or commercial space and if you will be refinishing stairs. In addition, a floor that is in good condition will typically have a lower cost per square foot than an older floor with heavy wear because it will need more preparation. Other factors that influence the overall cost include subfloor repairs or surface repairs that would need to be performed before the floor is refinished or if an old carpet has to be removed from on top of the hardwood floor.

There isn’t a lot of difference between the two as their protective qualities are pretty much the same. However, oil and varnish finishes require different types of maintenance. To get the most out of your floors, your decision should be based on the amount of wear and tear the floor receives.

Using a wooden floor varnish requires less maintenance, but you’ll need to have the entire floor resanded back to bare wood to replace the varnish when it eventually gets damaged. How long this takes would depend on the type and quality of the varnish and how much wear your floor is subjected to. It could be every year if you have pets, visitors, and kids running in and out all the time. It could be every five years or more if your home life is a lot quieter or if your floor is covered with rugs.

Yes, it can. You can have the colour of your hardwood flooring changed when you refinish your floors. You can go light, dark, or anywhere in between.

We begin by preparing the flooring surface for sanding by punching down all the nails that are above the panels and wooden boards. Then, we remove the old coating to make the whole floor flat. After this, we use adhesives like grit paper to properly fill all the holes and level any uneven surfaces. After we are done sanding the floor surface, we’ll carefully apply new layers of sealings (oils or lacquers).

We recommend you do so before the fitter arrives. This will save you both money and time. If your fitter arrives and has to clear out a room before starting the job, this task will be added to the labour time in your bill.

The cost of restoring the wooden floor will depend on the condition of the wood, the complexity of the job, the number of floors to be restored, and how long the project will take.

Laminate flooring typically requires minimal care; a light sweep or vacuum followed by a slightly damp mop will do the trick. Make sure you wipe spills as soon as they occur, and if there is any water, you should have the affected boards replaced. Even though laminate floors are durable, they can still be scratched, so lift furniture! Don’t drag and sweep up any debris that can cause damage over time.

If you intend to use it in the bathroom, any of the waterproof varieties would be suitable; be sure to check compatibility for use before you buy. If you intend to use it with underfloor heating, chose a laminate floor that can handle that too. The thickness of the laminate flooring system ranges from 6mm to 12mm. You can choose a design that has an easy fit system if you’re installing it yourself. Finally, consider underlay, since using the right underlay will make your floor more comfortable to walk on; it will absorb shock, absorb noise, and help to insulate it. This will also help trim your energy bills.

To keep your wooden floor looking great, we recommend having it refinished every 10 to 12 years and every 15 years for low-traffic areas. Please note, areas that see a lot of sunlight may need refinishing more frequently.

We do not recommend this. It is not a good idea to apply a stain to an existing wooden floor that has been lacquered or waxed without sanding it first; this is because the stain won’t penetrate into the wood.

There are several factors that affect the overall cost of a sanding project, such as the number of materials needed, the number of gaps to be filled, the size of the floor, the type of wood to be sanded, and so on. The only way to get an exact cost estimate is to schedule an on-site inspection from a specialist. We offer this service free of charge at Floor Sanding Site.

Although concrete and screed are made up of cement aggregate and water, the screed is a smoother more free-flowing mixture made with finer aggregate. On the other hand, concrete is much coarser with more hardcore aggregates. It is the extra aggregate in concrete that gives it additional strength and durability.

Typical concrete screed is not designed to be a final surface; it is created to be covered by surfaces like carpet, laminate, and so on. However, if you are looking to use screed as your final floor finish, choose Epoxy resin screeds. Epoxy resin screeds come in various colours and finishes. Epoxy is hard-wearing and suitable for heavy-duty wear.

Screed typically dries out at a rate of 1mm per day if it has a thickness of 40mm. Fortunately, new additives are regularly introduced to the market that can help reduce the curing time.

We’ll provide larger samples. We can either put the stain samples directly on your floor (after sanding a portion) or make you some large portable sample panels. You can move the sample panels around the house to see what the colour would look like in various areas of your home, for example against kitchen cabinets,
around your furniture, and so on. They are pretty life-like because we coat them using the same finish system we intend to use on the floor, so the colour isn’t distorted.

You don’t need planning permission to have your wooden floor sanded. However, if your house is listed, you may have to adhere to certain regulations. Please contact your local planning authority to find out what those rules might be. If you live in a building with multiple occupants like a block of flats, you may be restricted as well. Refer to your tenancy agreement to see if you can have your floors sanded.

Yes, the smell will be heavy in most instances. Waterborne finishes are the only finishes that do not produce a lot of odour; they are also the most environmentally friendly. Other finishes will typically require you to be in a well-ventilated separate area if you intend to stay in your home while the floor is drying. Do not hesitate to get in touch with any of our specialists to discuss your specific requirements.

We recommend painting your skirting boards after the flooring project is finished because skirting boards can get marks from the edge sander and during the staining stage.

To sand and seal a 25m2 room, it would usually take one day if the area is free of furniture when we arrive. Please note, this is only an estimate. To get a more specific time frame for your flooring project, please contact a member of our team to discuss the specifics of your project.

Yes, it is. The floor sanding machine makes a lot of noise, especially during the preparation phase. However, the noise is tolerable with the door closed.

Typically, yes. At Brighton Floor Sanding, we understand our customers don’t want their rooms covered with dust during the floor sanding process. This is why we use high-quality dust extraction machines, which ensure very little dust is left behind after we are done.

Replacing your floors should always be the last resort. If your floor is looking dull because of scratches and marks, this doesn’t mean it is damaged. Having your floor refinished will give it a facelift. In fact, it is recommended that you have your hardwood floors refinished once every 10 years or every five years, depending on the amount of traffic your floor sees.

If you’re looking to save money by doing things yourself, you will have better luck painting and installing tile or even installing hardwood flooring. Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors is not as easy, as it requires special skills. Sanding is a very difficult skill to learn; it takes around two years for a professional to refine his/her skills.

In addition, professional sanders do this all the time, so they are more skillful at this job and can do it much faster. They also have more powerful machines. Typically, most crews can sand and refinish around 1,000 square feet per day. It will take a homeowner about two to four times longer to cover the same area.

This would depend on the existing finish. With certain finishes, we can screen it (very light sanding to roughen it slightly) and apply a fresh new finish over the old coat.

This is completely dependent on the type of hardwood you have. Apart from bleaching whitewashed finishes, the lightest we can go is natural, which means no stain, by covering the hardwood with a polyurethane coat; polyurethane is a clear coat with a slight tint.