There is a variety of reasons why your wood floors might not be in perfect condition anymore – for example, scratches and surface imperfections, dullness due to sun exposure, or they are simply gathering dust.
In many cases, sanding and refinishing your floors is the easiest, quickest, and most cost-efficient way to get them looking good as new again. But be aware, there are only certain types of wood floors that can be treated in this way – otherwise, you could cause more harm than good.
Not sure if your wood floor is a candidate for sanding and refinishing?
Here are some of the different types of wood floors that can be sanded and refinished.
Wood Floors That Can Be Sanded and Refinished
Generally, hardwood floors are most suitable to be sanded and refinished, as they have been designed to be durable. For example:
Oak
Oak is one of the most popular choices for wood flooring in both domestic and commercial environments. An affordable and versatile hardwood floor, oak is also very enduring – meaning it can be sanded and refinished regularly throughout its lifespan.
Both red oak and white oak can be sanded and refinished when needed, so you
can keep your wooden floor shining for years to come.
Walnut
One of the more unique options on the market, walnut flooring is the ideal choice for anyone who wants to create a luxurious atmosphere. The dark tones and attractive patterns can easily be sanded and refinished without being compromised, so your striking flooring remains the statement of your space and
lasts the test of time.
Cherry
With its warm hues and distinctive deep finish, cherry is the ideal choice to create an inviting interior. Cherry can be sanded and refinished multiple times, and its natural variations in tone make it the perfect choice to brighten up your space with a new stain when you fancy a change – no costly and time-consuming floor replacement required.
Ash
Popular due to its light colour and unique grain patterns, ash is a neutral hardwood floor that compliments a wide variety of interior styles. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, and a new stain can change the whole aesthetic of the environment.
One important point to consider: If your hardwood floor has been sanded and refinished several times over the years, and the wear layer has been significantly reduced, another round of sanding and finishing may not be in your best interests. A professional floor sander will be able to advise on your best course of action.
What about engineered wooden floors?
This is a trickier question. Engineered wooden floors can be sanded and refinished, but your opportunities to do so are much more limited than other types of wood floors.
The reason for this is that the real wood veneer of engineered wood flooring is a very thin layer on top of several layers of either plywood or high-density fibreboard (HDF). This reduces the number of times it can be sanded and refinished, as it won’t take long to wear through the real wood layer.
No matter what, we recommend only sanding your engineered wood floor if it has a top layer of at least 1.5mm. Due to being a more fragile type of wood flooring, we recommend only sanding engineered wooden floors every 10 years or so – more often, and your flooring may need to be replaced sooner than you would like.
Hopefully, this blog post has helped you understand the types of wood floors that can be sanded and refinished. Generally, hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished several times over the years – just watch out for the depth of the wear layer. You will need to be more careful with engineered wood flooring, but sanding and refinishing are still possible.
Our advice, no matter what kind of flooring you have, is to ask a professional before you jump into renovations.
Each type of wood flooring will require a different technique, sander, sealant, and finish, to keep it in good condition and looking at its best. For this reason, it is often best to work with a professional who knows exactly what is required to sand and refinish your floor.
At PA Floor Sanding, we are experts in sanding, sealing, and finishing all kinds of hardwood, and can provide the advice you need to get the job done in the most efficient, cost-effective, and professional way.
Our friendly team would be delighted to get your wooden floors and staircases gleaming again – get in touch today if you would like more information.