Wooden flooring has been used for millennia as a sturdy and solid foundation to homes of old. Not only because it is a naturally occurring material, but also because of its longevity and durability. Even now, with the advent of new technology and the creation of some sturdier materials, wooden flooring still has its place in the market as a sought-after option for homeowners and designers alike. With its hard-wearing features and wide variety of hardwood strengths and finishes, there’s something beautiful in finding the perfect timber flooring that suits your home and your personal style, even with imperfections and characteristic grain.
But as with any investment, it’s always a good idea to look into how to maintain it before you take the plunge. And with wooden flooring, its allergy-friendly qualities as well as its elegant ageing goes hand in hand with its customisation options and ability to be refinished in order to look as good as the day the floorboards were installed. This is done through processes called polishing and sanding.
What is Floor Polishing and Sanding
There are two specific techniques used when it comes to restoring hardwood floors. Usually these are done when the top layer, or the surface, has become marred with scratches and stains over years of heavy use, but these two techniques address different things depending on your floor’s condition, as well as what you want to do with your flooring. In general, you can actually use them together, or separately, too!
Polishing
This is a surface-level technique that creates a sheen on your flooring by means of buffing wax, polish, or varnish into your floors as a treatment. Keep in mind that because this only affects the surface of your floors that this is most suited to flooring that is already in good condition and just needs a bit of a boost.
Sanding
Got heavily damaged floors? Sanding is the way to go, as it strips the top layer of the timber and therefore removes the existing heavy scratches or marks on the surface. With the removal of the unhealthy wood above, the healthy timber underneath can show through, and when treated with a varnish or a stain, can look brand new, especially when combined with a beautiful polish.
What To Look Forward To With Polishing and Sanding
Fresh-looking floors
Depending on your requirements and budget, getting either or both techniques done with your wooden flooring can actually rejuvenate the look of your floors. High quality wooden floors have the right thickness to the top layers to withstand sanding processes, whether it’s hardwood or engineered wood, so it’s important to choose the right floorboards when installing. Most often, people choose pre-finished boards when installing, so you get that gleaming, newly put down timber look that’s hard to replicate. By using sanding and polishing to revive your floors, it’ll look like they were installed just yesterday!
Minimised allergic reactions
The appeal of wooden floors to most homeowners is that it is easy to clean, and is inhospitable to allergens that would otherwise cause flare-ups for those with sensitivities to bacteria or mould. However, a compromised upper surface with deep scratches, especially when combined with prolonged moisture contact, can be the breeding grounds for unwanted pollutants. Refinishing your flooring not only makes it look new, but it also seals off the wood and helps protect against dust mites and other nasties that could affect you and your family’s health.
Increased longevity of flooring
Wooden flooring is known to last for generations. This is through regular cleaning and maintenance, but also from sanding and polishing, too. By ensuring that the topmost layer is sealed properly, and buffing and sanding away the deep gouges, scratches, or moisture stains, the integrity of the floorboard is maintained and prolonged, ensuring that it lasts for the years to come.
Reduced wear and tear now and in the future
It is easier to damage materials that have already been marked or scratched beforehand. That is because there are already weak points in its surface that when more pressure, moisture, or additional abrasive surfaces are added into the mix, leads to deeper damage that’s harder to repair. Instead, preventative measures such as sanding and polishing not only reveal an undamaged surface underneath, but when sealed properly and taken care of in the right way, reduces the wear and tear from daily life both now and in the future.
Protection from stains
By sanding and polishing your existing flooring, not only will you be removing marks and scratches, but you’ll also be strengthening your floor’s protection from future stains. For example, using a polyurethane or acrylic polish can actually help to minimise moisture damage from spills and stains, which is handy to fight against unforeseeable accidents in certain areas of the home.
Increased property value
There’s no denying it: homes with wooden flooring are perhaps the most sought after in the market. Everyone knows that with its durability, easy care, and elegant look, that having timber floors is the dream. And even moreso when it’s taken care of and refinished to remove unsightly deep scratches and marks. If you’re looking to sell your property, this is a worthwhile factor to consider.
Customisation
Refinishing your floors gives you ample opportunities to try new colours with different finishes and polishes. If you’re tired of your cream flooring, for example, timber floor sanding and polishing can give you a different tone, depending on your aesthetic. Don’t underestimate how the shade and shine of your floors can affect the rest of your interior design!
Sanding and polishing is a worthwhile investment when you’re wanting to take care of your hardwood flooring. Whether you’re after a new look, a refresh, or even to boost your home’s resale value, this is a simple yet effective way to shake things up in your interiors.
