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How To Sand a Wooden Floor
Wooden floors are a beautiful feature. Read our blog to find out how to sand a wooden floor using sanding machines to get your surfaces looking their best.

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Wooden floors are a beautiful feature. Read our blog to find out how to sand a wooden floor using sanding machines to get your surfaces looking their best.
A well kept wooden floor can be a beautiful feature in any home, and they are much easier to clean than carpets! Though a wooden floor does need some occasional care and attention to keep it in top shape. Sanding a wooden floor using a floor sander and re-coating it with varnish is a great way to get an old, stained wooden floor looking like new. What's more - you don't need to be a professional to do it!
(Tip: Look out for floor sander hire package deals. These packs allow you to hire both the floor sander and edging sander at a reduced rate compared to hiring both separately!)
As the sandpaper spins around the floor sander drum, it removes the old, tired layer of wood from the floorboards. It unveils a beautiful, fresh floorboard below. The wood dust is then sucked up into the dust bag, which you should replace once full with a new bag.
Start with a coarse grade sanding sheet to remove the worst of the stains. Then switch to a medium grade, and finish with a fine abrasion sandpaper.
Don't try to get close to trim, skirting board, doors, walls, etc., with the electric floor sander, as you could damage them. Instead, for the perfect finish, use a floor edging sander to get right up to the edges and finish the floor sanding job off.
For the perfect finish, you need to remove any dust from the floor.
Vacuum the floorboards and wipe over the surface using a cloth dampened with white spirit, to remove any finer dust that could spoil the finish.
Wear soft-soled shoes (or no shoes at all) at this stage to avoid marking the new, sanded wooden floor.
Seal the floorboards with either a clear wood finish or paint. Use a quick-drying acrylic floor varnish if you want to keep the natural grain of the timber visible.
Use a brush or a small foam roller to apply at least two coats (three for hard-wearing areas such as hallways). Start varnishing the floor in the furthest corner of the room from the door, and work back to the door. Leave to dry overnight.
For the best finish, complete the varnishing process in one day.
We have floor sanders and edging sanders available nationwide. We also have a great floor sander package deal. This gives you both the electric floor sander and edging sander at a reduced hire rate compared to hiring both separately! You can book floor sander hire online with our hire team. Once booked, collect from your nearest collection point, or we can deliver to your door!