Why Wood Floor Sanding Is So Beneficial

You can often hear or read that wood floor sanding is a very important service in the life of a wooden floor and that it should be performed in every building with wooden floors now and then. It is good to know that, however, do you wonder what makes floor sanding/refinishing that important and vital? Today we are going to explain this and comment on all the benefits and advantages floor sanding comes with, so make sure to stay tuned and continue reading!

In case you have ever wondered why wood floor sanding is beneficial, let us tell you – we can leave you with a long list to spend your weekend on. However, this is not the aim and today we are going to comment on the most important, major and life-changing traits that make refinishing one of the best and most popular home improvement services.

What is wood floor sanding?

First things first, to understand the benefits, let’s find out what floor sanding is and how it works. Floor sanding is one of the most popular services in the branch and it is no wonder why so many people find it works like magic.

First of all, let’s explain what happens with wooden floors over time. It is important to mention that wood is naturally a very durable and long-lasting product. Add to it a wood flooring finish and it will get even more hard-wearing and well-protected, so a wooden floor will look and feel amazing for many years if you keep your maintenance and cleaning game up.

However, due to everyday use, high traffic, heavy footfall and some reasons from the surrounding environment, wooden floors tend to start experiencing a certain level of wear and tear. Generally, no matter how regular and proper the cleaning and maintenance is, there is nothing you can do to stop entirely the process of ageing and distressing of wood. Although really nothing so dramatic in most cases, wooden floors start to struggle with imperfections that get even more noticeable and hard to conceal with time, but what is even worse – these have the potential to grow into more serious problems.

The good news is that commonly the wood flooring imperfections such as scratches, dents, stains, discolouration, etc. affect the finish of the floor only and these hardly ever manage to penetrate through the finish and affect the condition and appearance of bare wood. However, once the finish starts experiencing wear and tear and gets distressed or damaged, this pretty much means that its protective power gets weaker and weaker with every day. Since the finish is what protects and preserves wood’s colour, texture and overall condition, you do not want a weakened protective power.

This is when the floor sanding service comes in handy! Wood floor sanding is the process of removing the old finish from the surface of the floor and when needed – a thin layer of bare wood too, in case it is damaged and distressed. Do not worry, the lamella (top layer) of solid wood and engineered wood floors is usually thick enough to "survive" up to 4-5 floor sanding treatments, so you won’t end up with broken wooden floorboards.

Once the finish is removed, you will start noticing that most, if not all of the imperfections are gone and you are left with the bare wood’s "blank canvas". What happens next is the sealing/re-finishing process or the application of fresh new coats of a protective floor finishing product. There are a few kinds of floor finishes offered on the market you can choose from, so make sure to select the best one depending on your lifestyle and visual preferences.

No matter the type of finish you settle on, floor sanding is always recommended beforehand. Floor sanding not only contributes to the apparent improvement of the floor by getting rid of the work patches of finish and other imperfections, which otherwise will be only highlighted if you decide to apply a stain or a new layer of finish but floor sanding also opens the pores of the wood’s structure and that way the protective finishing product soaks into them, adding protection from within and not only on the top.

Reasons why floor sanding is beneficial

Wood floor sanding offers many advantages that go beyond appearance. If you’re still on the fence, here’s a breakdown of the key benefits that floor sanding provides:

Floor Sanding Eliminates Imperfections

Sanding removes scratches, dents, and other flaws, restoring your floor to a flawless, like-new condition. Beyond aesthetics, it prevents minor imperfections from worsening, which saves you from costly repairs or even floor replacement down the road.

Key Benefits:

• Restores the floor’s original beauty
• Prevents further damage and wear
• Saves money by avoiding extensive repairs

By doing so, floor sanding ensures not only an improved look for your floor (often as flawless as brand new) but also minimises the risk of these imperfections growing bigger and getting more serious. This way sanding saves you all the energy, money, time and nerves that come with hardcore wood floor repairs and even changing your floor entirely.

Essential for Preparing Wood Floors for Finishing

Before applying any finish, sanding is crucial. It smooths the surface and opens the pores of the wood, allowing the sealant or finish to penetrate deeply for optimal protection.

Why It Matters:

• Ensures an even, professional finish
• Enhances the durability and lifespan of the wood
• Creates a smooth surface for polish or varnish application

Necessary for a Flawless Staining Process

If you’re looking to refresh or change the colour of your wood floor, sanding is a must. Without sanding, stains will emphasize imperfections rather than conceal them, leading to an uneven and unattractive result.

Benefits of Sanding Before Staining:

• Achieves uniform color application
• Highlights the wood’s natural grain
• Avoids accentuating existing flaws

Wood Floor Sanding is a Repeatable Process

Whether you have solid or engineered wood, sanding can be repeated multiple times over the life of the floor. Each sanding cycle revitalizes the floor, keeping it in prime condition for many years.

How Often Can Floors Be Sanded?:

• Solid Wood: Can be sanded multiple times (up to 10 times for some species)
• Engineered Wood: Depending on the thickness of the wear layer, can be sanded 3-4 times

Engineered Wood Floors Can Be Sanded Too

Contrary to common belief, engineered wood floors can also be sanded. With a solid hardwood top layer, they can be refinished multiple times, just like traditional wood flooring.

Key Points:

• Not Laminate: Engineered wood is often mistaken for laminate, but only engineered wood can be sanded.
• Durability: Extends the life of engineered wood floors.

Modern Floor Sanding is Cleaner and Less Disruptive

In the past, sanding could be a messy and time-consuming project. Thanks to advances in technology, modern sanding equipment is virtually dust-free, and the process is faster and far less stressful.

What to Expect:

• Minimal mess with advanced dust containment systems
• Quicker completion time
• Less disruption to your home life

Now that you have a better understanding of how beneficial floor sanding can be, it’s time to consider this rejuvenating treatment for your wooden floor. However, always remember that wood floor sanding is a complex process and should be handled by trained professionals to ensure the best results.