A Comprehensive Guide to Sanding and Refinishing Your Wooden Floor

There are few things more elegant and timeless than a wooden floor. However, over time, even the most carefully maintained floors can start to show signs of wear and tear. When your floor loses its original lustre, one of the most effective ways to restore its beauty is by sanding it down and refinishing it. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the basics of sanding a wooden floor and provide you with the information you need to tackle this DIY project with confidence.

1. Assess the condition of your floor.

Before you begin the sanding process, it’s important to assess the condition of your wooden floor. Check for any signs of damage, such as deep scratches, gouges, or warped boards. If your floor is in relatively good shape with only minor surface wear, you may be able to get away with a light sanding or even a screen and recoat, which involves using a floor buffer and a screen disc to abrade the existing finish before applying a new coat of finish. However, if your floor has extensive damage or an uneven surface, it may require more aggressive sanding to restore its beauty.

2. Gather your tools and materials.

To sand your wooden floor, you’ll need the following tools and materials:

• Drum sander or orbital sander (you can rent these at your local tool rental centre).
• Sandpaper in various grits (typically 36, 60, 80, and 100 grit for a drum sander or 60, 80, and 120 grit for an orbital sander)
• Edge sander or hand sander for sanding the edges and corners of the room
• Vacuum cleaner or shop vacuum to remove dust and debris
• Safety gear, such as earplugs, a dust mask, and goggles
• Painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to seal off doors, windows, and vents
• Wood filler or wood putty to fill in any holes or gaps in the floor

3. Prepare the room.

Before you start sanding, you’ll need to prepare the room. This involves:

• Removing all furniture and items from the room
• Taking up any floor coverings, such as rugs or carpets
• Removing any baseboards, shoe moulding, or quarter rounds to allow for sanding close to the walls
• Sealing off doors, windows, and vents with painter’s tape and plastic sheeting will prevent dust from spreading throughout your home.

4. Choose the right sander.

There are two main types of floor sanders: drum sanders and orbital sanders. Drum sanders are powerful and efficient but can be difficult to control, especially for inexperienced users. They can also cause damage to your floor if not used properly. Orbital sanders are more user-friendly and less aggressive, making them a better choice for beginners. However, it may take longer to remove old finishes and smooth the floor.

5. Sanding Process

The sanding process typically involves three stages: rough sanding, medium sanding, and fine sanding.

• Rough sanding: Start with the coarsest grit sandpaper (36 grit for drum sanders or 60 grit for orbital sanders) to remove old finishes and level out any uneven spots on the floor. Sand the entire floor, moving the sander in the direction of the wood grain to prevent cross-grain scratches. Be sure to overlap your passes slightly to ensure even sanding.
• Medium sanding: Switch to medium-grit sandpaper (60 grit for drum sanders or 80 grit for orbital sanders) and sand the floor again to remove any remaining finish and smooth out the surface.
• Fine sanding: Finally, use the finest grit sandpaper (100 grit for drum sanders or 120 grit for orbital sanders) to give your floor a smooth and even finish. This step is crucial for achieving a professional-looking result and ensuring that your new finish adheres properly to the wood.