Ferny Hills Hardwood timber floors
Nothing quite compares to the organic quality and aesthetic appeal of hardwood timber floors. But like most things around the home, they need regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. In this article, we’ll cover what’s involved in polishing and sanding, how to prepare floors for either process, and whether it’s worth attempting to do it yourself!
When it comes to the maintenance and restoration of hardwood floors, there are two main techniques — sanding and polishing. So when should you use each? It depends on your floor’s condition, and both methods serve different purposes. You can use these techniques together or separately, and there are pros and cons to both.
Polishing is also referred to as “buffing”, and this technique creates a beautiful sheen, however, it’s not the most effective technique as it doesn’t get deep into the timber itself. Instead, it shines whatever wax, polish or varnish you’ve used to treat your floors. It is best done on older timber floors that are in a good condition, because they generally have a well-cured surface that responds well to buffing. Newer floors can be buffed after they’ve been treated, but it should be done just after a new treatment has been applied.
Sanding is the better technique for restoring damaged floors. It strips the top layer of the timber, removes any unhealthy or dry wood to reveal the healthy timber underneath, and is then treated with a varnish or stain.
Both processes can be combined, but it depends on your specific floors. For example, if you sand your floors back to the grain and then apply a varnish or lacquer, buffing will create the best result. However, if you sand your floors back to the grain and then stain them, buffing probably won’t be necessary. This is because stains are absorbed by timber, so won’t create the right surface for buffing. That’s why outdoor flooring — like verandahs and decks — are rarely buffed.
In terms of scratches, it depends on the damage. If it’s just a shallow scratch on the surface, it’s probably only affecting the outer layer of wax, varnish or polish. In this instance, they will probably buff out. But if it’s a deeper scratch that penetrates the timber itself, you’ll need to sand back the timber itself.
Sanding and polishing wooden floors can be time consuming and hard work, and whether you engage a professional or decide to do it yourself it all depends on the state of your floors. Professionals use different sanders according to the type of floors you have and the state they are in.
Different sanders have their own peculiarities and will produce different results, and include:
This is the traditional sander used on floors and consists of a drum (cylindrical wheel) with sandpaper fixed to the outer surface of the cylinder. Sanding is controlled by the operator who brings the sanding drum into contact with the floor, but only when moving the sander forwards or backwards, as this will avoid drum marks. The machine is used throughout the main body of the floor to initially flatten it. It is then also used with finish sanding (see below). It is often referred to as the “big machine”. Common brands of machines include Hummel, Clark, and Galaxy.
This also contains a drum similar to the drum sander but has a small cylinder above which allows a sanding belt to be used. It performs the same task as the drum sander, and is used throughout the main body of the floor.
Due to the size of a drum or belt sander it is not possible to sand close up against walls, so a smaller hand-guided machine is typically used around the main perimeter of the floor. The edger has a rotating disc and is easy to manoeuvre. “Clocking” the edger is a technique of orientating the edger to the wall being sanded up to, to minimise the visual impact of the scratches left by this part of the sanding process.
These machines have a rotating circular base plate and are used for hard plating and the final sanding of a floor. A finer grade of paper is fixed to the plate for the sanding operation. These machines are often referred to by the manufacturer’s name such as “Polyvac” or “Canterbury.”
With heavier machines such as the Canterbury, a less flexible or harder plate that supports the abrasive can be used to enable the floor to be hard plated. This type of machine is also used for “cutting back” between coats (when used with a more flexible base plate or pad), where the coating is mildly abraded to remove roughness and provide a mechanical key for the next coat. Often a fine sandpaper or mesh known as a “screenback” is used for this process. This type of machine may also be used in the application of some stains.
The Trio is a machine produced by Lagler and is a multi-head sanding machine that is ideally suited to hard plating. Whereas a rotary machine has a single rotating disc, the Trio has three smaller rotating discs. Multi-headed base plates are also now available for a variety of rotary machines including those mentioned above.
In sections of the floor that have been edged and areas that are difficult to access (for example, cupboards), a small hand-held random orbital sanding machine is often used to ensure these areas blend smoothly into the main body of the floor.
In areas that are difficult to access and have been hand-scraped (for example, corners and sometimes along skirtings and joinery), a small handheld corner sander is often used to ensure these areas blend smoothly into the main body of the floor.
If you prefer to call in a professional, make sure they have:
Professionals may use a number of techniques to sand your floors, including:
This is undertaken with coarser grades (or grit) of sandpaper with the purpose of “cutting” the boards flat by removing unevenness (or mismatch) between board edges, and any shape deformation (for example, cupping) in the boards.
Prior to the removal of cupping from a floor, it is important to assess the cause of the cupping, and if it is moisture related, the floor should not be sanded as crowning may occur later. The paper grade selected for the first cut will vary from one project to another, and each project should be assessed on its merits to determine the starting paper to be used.
Generally, three passes are made over a new floor involving a large drum or belt sander, with the initial passes over the main body of the floor at an angle to the boards and then in line with the boards. This equipment is unable to access areas close to walls, around doorways or in corners of rooms.
Edging is the process of using a smaller sanding machine to make the boards in these areas flat, and also to provide a smooth surface to the main body of the floor. In areas that are difficult to access, a hand scraper is used and often a smaller sanding machine is used in conjunction with hand sanding. A “pass” refers to sanding of the complete floor surface with a particular grade of sandpaper.
This is the process of taking a floor that has been levelly sanded and bringing it further along the path to the coating stage. The purpose of this stage is to smooth off the coarser sanding marks left by the level or basic sand with finer grade/s of sandpaper. The aim is to reduce the depth of scratching and prepare the floor for the next stage of the process.
When finish sanding is done, the next step is “hard plating” the floor. Although this is not undertaken by all contractors, it should be seriously considered to produce the best possible result. Hard plating is the process of utilising a rotary machine with the sandpaper on an inflexible base plate, and it enables a flat floor surface to be achieved. If undertaken effectively, it will help eliminate minor sanding imperfections left from using the big machine and edger.
After hard plating, the perimeter of the floor is typically sanded with a random orbital sander. The importance of both hard plating and random orbital sanding cannot be overstated to obtain a flat floor surface with little or no variations in the appearance of the finished floor when the perimeter of the floor is compared to the body of the floor.
The final stage is the polishing or buffing of the floor. This is usually carried out with the same rotary machine that was used for the hard plating, but with the sandpaper attached to a more flexible pad on the base of the machine.
This is the final process prior to coating the floor and is designed to produce a uniform scratch pattern across the entire surface. It’s also used as the last checking process prior to the application of the coating.
Each stage of the sanding process is designed to achieve a specific outcome, with the end result being a floor that is flat with a minimum amount of very fine sanding marks, and little visible difference between any areas of the floor.
If you decide to DIY – it, it’s important you do your research. Assess your situation carefully and make sure you have the right equipment on hand before undertaking the task.
In terms of sanding floors yourself, you’ll need assemble some materials beforehand including:
In terms of the sander itself, you will need a Polivac. This is easier to control than a belt sander, and works with a back and forth sanding motion, so it’s lighter and slower for first-timers. If your floor is damaged or has a few layers of finish on it, you will need a belt or drum floor sander. This will require a bit more upper body strength!
Both sanders require the correct sandpaper and your choice depends on the state of your wooden floors. Sandpaper grits start as coarse as 24 and then move up to 40, 80, 120 and then Polyvac 150 grit. If you’re not sure, a 60 grit sandpaper is a good place to start. If your floors are extra rough, you will need something coarser, so a 24 grit may work better. As the process continues, you will need to progress to a finer 120 sandpaper for the finishing touches.
So you have your chosen sander in hand. What now? Both types of sanders are heavy, so you will need your support person to help you lift and kick when you are using it so that you have a firm hold.
There are several stages necessary in the floorboard polishing process and each one serves an important purpose. It is crucial that each stage is done with consideration for your precise requirements and the specific nature of your timber flooring, which is why it is always advisable to contact an expert. This is because the the slightest oversight can have dire consequences on the integrity and durability of your timber flooring.
If you do not have a great deal of experience working with timber floorboards, it can be challenging to accurately gauge the extent to which certain preparatory steps are necessary. As well as this, it is not always easy to select the correct stain for your timber and failing to do so can leave you with inadequately protected timber flooring and potentially compromised its aesthetic appeal.
Different floorboards also degrade at different rates, even within the same house. This is due to a range of factors, including foot traffic, floor plan, humidity and furniture placement.
Essentially, there are certain areas of every home in which your flooring will be subject to more wear and tear on a daily basis. With expert help, it will be easier to not only identify these areas, but also ensure that the correct steps are taken to address any damage and restore the flooring to its perfect condition. Typical steps in the polishing process are:
The first step to restoring your timber floorboards is to prepare. This stage might seem like a relatively straightforward one, however it is always useful to gain the insights of an expert. Professional floorboard experts are familiar with the needs of a wide range of timber flooring solutions and can very easily identify any areas of your floor that require special attention.
The preparation stage is quite consultative and it generally involves inspecting the floorboards and assessing their suitability for a variety of products, before working out what needs to be done to facilitate the restoration of the timber. This will usually entail removing any furniture or carpets from the floorboards so that the polishing process can be done evenly and unimpeded.
The next stage in the floorboard polishing process is to remove any imperfections from the surface of the timber. It is not uncommon for timber floorboards to be scratched over the years and these scratches can compromise the protective layers of the timber and harbour moisture, which might then promote wood rot.
To prevent this, it is necessary to sand the surface of the floorboard back and expose the uncompromised timber beneath. Not only will this address any surface scratches, it will also remove the old varnish or stain and create an even surface upon which new products can be applied. Sanding is an arduous process and requires an extensive knowledge of timber and the right tools. For this reason, floor sanding is best left to the experts.
Following the sanding process, your floor will be ready for its facelift. When it comes to this stage precision is key, which is why this process can also be challenging for those without a great deal of experience in working with timber. It is important that the correct sealant and polish are used at this point, because they will have a direct bearing on the appearance of your timber flooring and the extent to which it is protected. Speaking to an expert will help shed some light on exactly what is necessary and they will have all the knowledge necessary to ensure that you get the best outcome.
In terms of preparing wooden floors for sanding and polishing, you should:
When timber floor sanding and polishing is completed:
All modern floor sanding equipment has dust collection capabilities, however there will always be some minimal dust when stripping back timber floors in preparation for sanding and polishing. However, floor-to-ceiling dust control barriers can also isolate rooms and minimise dust in other areas.
Every floor sanding and polishing job is different, so the time frame will depend on the size and complexity of the job. However, generally most floor polishing and sanding jobs will take between three to four days to complete.
Again, this depends on a variety of factors, including the choice of your timber floor finish, any wood floor repairs and the condition of the existing timber floor. The removal of existing floor coverings will also incur an extra cost. However, as a general rule, it is around $33 per square metre in Brisbane.
In some cases yes. For example, if you are able to live in the area not being sanded and can tolerate the smell and noise of a floor renovation for a few days! However, many people plan ahead and organise their holidays around this time.
Furniture can be replaced after 72 hours, however, all furniture that comes into contact with timber floors needs to have felt pads added for protection. Floor rugs (particularly non-slip underlays) should not be placed back onto the timber floors for a few weeks. This will enable the floor finish to completely cure.
Some stains can, but unfortunately in some cases, animal urine and water stains may not sand out of a timber floor.
Floor board gaps are required for expansion and contraction with seasonal temperature changes experienced throughout the year. For example, in Brisbane, floor board gaps will be more noticeable in our dry winters and will close again in our humid summers. It is not recommended that gaps are filled between wooden floors because expansion and natural shrinking in the timber will cause edge bonding once coated. Filling gaps may ultimately cause cracking in the filler or timber floor.
They can, and many of them will also dispose of them for you, however, it will incur an additional fee.
Yes, most contractors will offer a range of timber floor repair services including sub-floor repairs and floorboard replacement.
Sanding and polishing wooden floors before a kitchen installation is advisable as a completely flat floor is preferred by kitchen installers. It also reduces the likelihood of floor sanding equipment marking cabinetry. Once the kitchen is installed, contractors will generally return to deal with any minor damage incurred during installation and then apply a final coat of timber floor polish.
Chatter marks are fine corrugations left on the surface of a timber floor after sanding and are more noticeable in reflected light. They are not an ideal look aesthetically and generally occur from contractors using inferior sanding machines, including old “drum style” sanders.
Ghosting is a term given to specific “milky-white” marks that appear on floors over time. They are often in the shape of a footprint, however other patterns or smudge-type marks in various shapes are also common. The issue seems to be more prevalent where direct sunlight makes contact with the coating, for example, just inside doorways.
The gloss level of your polished floor is all about personal preference and can impact both aesthetics and the amount of cleaning that will be required daily. The four main types of timber floor coatings are:
References
Blackbutt timber flooring is one of the most popular choices for Australian homes—and for good…
When it comes to protecting and enhancing the beauty of timber flooring—particularly light-hued timber flooring—choosing…
Durable and elegant, Australian hardwood is a premium flooring option with an organic warmth, softness…
Protecting Your Kwila Deck with Aqualis Coating Kwila is one of the most popular decking…
Office Chairs and Timber Floors: Damage Risks and How to Prevent Them Timber floors are…