Important Facts About the Wood Floor Restoration Process

Before we dive in, it's important to clarify that this article is not a step-by-step guide on how to sand your floor. Instead, its purpose is to provide a general overview of the risks and challenges that someone without prior experience in floor sanding may face. Additionally, we'll offer insights into the various stages of the wood floor restoration process, helping you better understand how it all comes together.

Floor Sanding, Refinishing and Restoration. What’s The Difference?

"Wood floor sanding" refers to the process of removing the old, damaged protective coating from your wooden floor using abrasive tools. This top layer, also known as the "floor finish," is stripped away, leaving the bare wood underneath ready for a fresh finish. This entire process is often called "refinishing."

It's important to distinguish these terms, as many people confuse them with "floor restoration." When clients enquire about wood floor sanding, they might assume it only involves sanding the surface and applying a new finish. However, for professionals, sanding is often just one part of a more comprehensive "floor restoration."

Floor restoration goes beyond basic sanding. If your subfloor is uneven, the contractor will address and level it. If floorboards are missing or damaged, they will repair or replace them. Larger gaps between boards will be filled to ensure a seamless finish. In essence, full restoration includes not only sanding and refinishing but also repairing any structural or cosmetic flaws in the floor.

While some companies may take advantage of the confusion between these terms, there are valid reasons for a complete floor restoration. The primary goal of calling a professional is to improve the overall look and durability of your wood floors. A skilled professional can restore your floors to their best possible condition, ensuring long-lasting results with minimal risk of damage.

One important point to remember: sanding unstable or broken floorboards can cause further damage. Ensuring the structural integrity of your floor before sanding is important for achieving the best outcome.

More Isn’t Always Better

Contrary to what some contractors and manufacturers may claim, frequent sanding of your floor isn’t always beneficial. While they might suggest sanding every 2-3 years, this advice is more relevant to high-traffic commercial spaces, not residential homes. In most cases, homeowners only need to sand their floors every five to ten years, depending on foot traffic.

Each sanding session removes a thin layer of wood—typically just a couple of millimetres. Over time, this repeated removal can thin the boards to the point where further sanding becomes impossible. Excessive sanding not only weakens the structural integrity of your floors but can also reduce their lifespan, making them more vulnerable to damage.

While sanding is an effective way to restore and preserve the beauty of your wooden floors, it should be done sparingly. Over-sanding can lead to instability and may even require premature floor replacement. Instead, proper maintenance—including regular cleaning, using protective mats, and addressing minor issues promptly—can greatly extend the intervals between sanding sessions. This approach helps protect the wood and keeps your floors looking their best for years to come.

Dust Everywhere

In the past, when the first drum sanders were introduced, sanding floors left behind a considerable amount of dust. This association with dust clouds still lingers in people’s minds today. However, modern technology has transformed the sanding process, significantly reducing the mess. Modern floor sanding equipment now comes with advanced dust extraction systems designed to capture nearly all the dust produced during sanding. Today’s professionals use cutting-edge machines equipped with powerful vacuum systems and dust containment bags, ensuring a much cleaner and healthier environment. These machines effectively collect the dust during the sanding process, which is then properly disposed of, leaving little to no mess behind.

If you’re worried that sanding your floors will result in a dusty disaster, rest assured that modern sanding techniques are designed to be virtually dust-free. Experts take extra precautions to protect your home, allowing you to enjoy beautifully restored floors without the inconvenience of excessive clean-up. Additionally, many modern sanding services offer eco-friendly finishes and sealants with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This not only minimises the environmental impact but also contributes to better indoor air quality. With these advancements, you can achieve a pristine, dust-free home and a healthier living space for you and your family.

Sanding Isn’t For Everyone

While it’s true that homeowners can rent sanding equipment and potentially save on the cost of professional services, many still opt to hire floor restoration experts—and for good reason. Sanding floorboards is far from an easy or enjoyable task. It’s labour-intensive, time-consuming, and requires a level of skill and patience that most DIY enthusiasts may not have. While reading about the process or watching tutorials can provide helpful tips, nothing fully prepares you for the physical challenges and technical precision involved in floor sanding.

Professionals bring years of experience and specialised knowledge to the job. Achieving a perfectly even finish isn’t as simple as it seems—it requires a steady hand, a deep understanding of the wood, and the proper handling of high-grade equipment. Amateurs may struggle to apply consistent pressure or properly operate the machinery, which can result in uneven surfaces, gouges, or even irreparable damage to the wood.

Even if a DIY attempt seems successful at first, the result often falls short of the flawless finish a professional can deliver. Mistakes made during the process can lead to costly repairs, and in extreme cases, an improperly sanded floor may require a complete replacement.

Another advantage of hiring professionals is their access to advanced, industrial-grade equipment that’s typically unavailable for rent. This equipment often includes more effective dust extraction systems and finer sanding capabilities, ensuring a cleaner and more polished outcome. Moreover, professionals are skilled at identifying potential underlying issues like damaged or unstable floorboards, which could compromise your results if left unaddressed. They can also guide you in choosing the right finishes and offer maintenance advice to extend the life of your newly restored floors.

The Actual Floor Restoration Process

Why is wood floor sanding such a challenging task to tackle on your own? Let's explore the reasons behind this and outline the key stages of the floor restoration process for better understanding. First, it's important to recognise that even professional contractors, who have years of experience, rarely claim that they enjoy the job. It’s hard work—no matter how easy it may seem on paper.

Sanding and restoring a floor is physically demanding and requires a high level of skill and precision. Before undertaking such a project, you need to honestly assess your willpower, patience, and technical ability. While the concept might appear manageable, the actual execution can quickly become overwhelming without the proper tools and knowledge.

Floor Preparation

The first step in preparing for floor sanding is to clear the room of all furniture, rugs, and any floor coverings. Ensuring the floor is free from dirt or debris is crucial, as these can interfere with the sanding process, especially if gaps need to be filled later. Additionally, all screws, nails, and staples should be carefully punched down to prevent damage to the sanding equipment and ensure your safety.

Some professional flooring companies may offer furniture removal services, though it's typically an additional cost. Proper preparation is essential for a smooth, efficient sanding process and to avoid unnecessary complications.

Floor Repairs

Once the room is prepped, the next step is to inspect the condition of the floorboards and identify any that require repair. It's uncommon to find boards completely beyond repair—most can be secured and cracks filled, even if they initially appear damaged. However, floorboards that have been subjected to rot or woodworm infestation may be unsalvageable and will need to be replaced.

A particular challenge arises with older floors laid with bitumen, a material used as an adhesive during the Victorian era. Bitumen is not compatible with modern adhesives and must be completely removed to achieve a stable and durable floor. This removal process can be tedious and time-consuming, as bitumen is difficult to strip away, but it's essential for ensuring the long-term integrity of your restored floor.

Floor Sanding

After the floor has been thoroughly cleaned and all sharp objects, such as nails or staples, have been either punched down or removed, the boards are ready for restoration—assuming they are in good condition. However, floor sanding isn’t as simple as running a machine across the surface. The process is divided into three distinct stages: rough, medium, and fine sanding.

• Rough sanding removes the old finish and levels the boards, preparing them for the next step.
• Medium sanding refines the surface further, eliminating most imperfections left by the rough sanding stage.
• Fine sanding smooths the floor to perfection, making it even and ready for the application of a stain or finish.

Each stage requires precision and care to ensure a flawless outcome, setting the foundation for a beautifully restored wooden floor.

The Equipment

In the flooring industry, various types of sanding machines are available, but the majority of the work is typically carried out using either drum sanders or belt sanders. At our company, we prefer to use belt sanders, as they offer greater control and produce superior results compared to drum sanders. While drum sanders may be more affordable to purchase or rent, opting for them can compromise the quality of the final finish.

When it comes to reliable equipment, Bona and Lagler are the most popular brands in the market. We specifically choose to use Bona's products for their proven effectiveness and quality. For buffing, we utilise Bona's machines, including the FlexiSand and Edge, which are particularly effective for reaching those hard-to-access areas of the floor. This commitment to high-quality equipment ensures that our sanding and refinishing services deliver the best possible results for your wooden floors.

Technique

Each floor is unique, which means there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to sanding. While this topic is quite extensive, it's important to note that sanding engineered or parquet floors is generally more challenging than sanding solid hardwood. The fundamental principle to remember is to always sand in the direction of the wood grain. Failing to adhere to this rule can result in uneven sanding and visible marks on the surface.

Sanding parquet floors can be particularly tricky due to their arrangement in various patterns and directions. This complexity requires a more careful and skilled approach to ensure that the surface remains smooth and free of imperfections. A knowledgeable professional will navigate these challenges effectively, ensuring that your floor is sanded to perfection while preserving its aesthetic appeal.

Gap Filling

There are two primary reasons to consider filling the gaps in your wooden floor. First, filling these gaps enhances the overall appearance of the floor and reduces the accumulation of dirt, making cleaning significantly easier. The second, less obvious benefit is that gap filling helps prevent draughts and minimises heat loss during the winter months, which can contribute to lower heating bills.

Several methods are available for gap filling, but the two most popular are using a mixture of filler resin and sawdust or employing wood slivers. The resin and sawdust combination is particularly effective for smaller gaps, as it helps maintain the wood's colour and texture. On the other hand, wood slivers are more suitable for larger gaps where the resin mix may not provide an adequate solution. By addressing gaps appropriately, you can improve both the aesthetic and functional qualities of your flooring.

Staining and finishing

Staining is a process that allows you to alter the colour of your wooden floor, and it can be quite intricate, often requiring years of expertise to master the art of colour matching. It's important to remember that if the surface isn’t perfectly sanded, any imperfections will become more pronounced once the stain is applied. Currently, popular trends lean towards rich, dark shades or light, white-washed, and grey finishes, which can dramatically transform a space.

When it comes to finishing, multiple coats are essential—typically at least three, although four coats can provide added protection. The finish serves as a protective barrier against potential damage. There are two main types of finishes: surface finishes, such as lacquers and varnishes, which form a protective layer on top of the wood, and penetrating oils that soak into the wood to protect within. While lacquers generally offer superior durability, they can give a plastic-like appearance that may not appeal to every homeowner. In contrast, oils provide a more natural look and feel but require more maintenance and tend to offer less durability.

Conclusion

One of the primary reasons homeowners choose hardwood flooring is its capacity for sanding and refinishing. Our aim with this article was not to deter you from considering hardwood floors but rather to provide you with a clearer understanding of the renovation process that you may encounter if you pursue this option. We hope this insight has been valuable, and if you have any further questions or need clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out. We’re also happy to schedule a no-obligation site visit to discuss your flooring needs.