Timber floors are durable and age beautifully, however there will come a time when you’ll want to refresh them. Sanding, polishing and even staining your flooring is a great way to breathe new life into a room.
Here in Melbourne, we are often tasked with polishing timber floors – everywhere from traditional workers cottages, Victorian renovations and modern apartments. There are a few factors to consider when it comes to polishing your timber floors when it comes to polishing options, work required and cost.
Do my floors need to be sanded first?
Polishing your timber floors can add fresh colour and warmth to your home. How they are polished will vary depending upon the timber used, the age of the flooring and its exposure to the elements. Here at ITB we understand that each job is unique, so there is no one size fits all solution.
Polishing floors alone can even out the appearance and improve imperfections. While this can work to revive your floors in the short term, it doesn’t address issues like scratches in the long term.
We always sand timber floors before polishing, even for newly installed floors. This process removes the top layer of the timber and the current finish, so it can be replaced with a new stain or varnish for a better long-term result.
ITB can sand and polish your flooring, saving you the hassle of hiring trade equipment and having to do the work yourself. Often it is necessary to navigate awkward spaces and to be careful of architraves, skirting and cabinetry.
For floors that need extra TLC, your floors may need to be repaired or restored.
Types of timber floors that can be polished
Most types of hardwood floors can be polished, but it’s vital to know what kind of material and construction you’re dealing with first to avoid damaging your floors.
Timber flooring – Classic timber floorboards are perfect for sanding and polishing, with many options available to reach your desired finish.
Engineered flooring – High-quality engineered timber can be sanded and polished, as long as its surface is made from hardwood veneer. Professional sanding will gently remove a very thin layer from the surface in preparation for polishing. If you have queries about your engineered floors, get in touch with ITB Floors for expert advice.
Parquetry flooring – Parquetry floors can be sanded and polished, however there are some caveats due to the intricate design. The small pieces of timber are arranged in various geometric patterns, care needs to be taken to avoid cross-grain scratching. Sanding against the grain of the timber can shorten its lifespan, so it’s worth hiring professionals to keep your floors looking beautiful. When we are tasked with rejuvenating parquetry flooring, they are sanded finely and trawled with putty to fill all gaps before two coats of polish are applied.
Floating Floors – Floating timber floors remain a popular choice for homes and businesses around Melbourne. It’s important to know what material your floating floors are before attempting to polish them, as they are sometimes made from synthetic materials rather than real hardwood.
Tools and materials required to polish timber floors
An electric drum sander is required to sand timber floors, with a variety of grits and sizes depending on the condition of the floor and the shape of the room.
When it comes to polishing floors, here at ITB Flooring we use three different materials:
Solvent-based polish – The longest-lasting finish, Solvent-based polish can last for up to ten years without re-coating. It contains hazardous chemicals, so you’ll need to to be out of your house for at least two days after the polishing work is completed.
Water-based polish – We use either LOBA or BONA brands for water-based timber floor polish, which are the best two available on the market. These polishes are less harmful to the environment and humans than solvent-based polish, and do not discolour the timber flooring over times. Using a water-based polish allow timber flooring to retain its natural look. Often, you can stay in your house while the work is being completed
Wax – Natural wax is a hard-wearing coating that retains the natural look of the timber floor. It contains no harmful chemicals, which means you can remain in your home while the work is conducted. It’s important to note that wax polish requires more frequent maintenance than water-based and solvent-based polishes.
Time needed to polish timber floors
The time taken to sand and polish your timber floors largely depends on the size, type of flooring and room layout of your home or business.
In an average open plan home with three-bedrooms, we allow around five days to sand and polish, and two days drying time.
The cost of polishing timber floors
To hire professional contractors like ITB Flooring to sand and polish your floors, the cost is dependant on a number of factors, including the flooring material, flooring construction, room size, room shape and desired finish.
Our services include providing tailored advice and a detailed consultation with one of our informative flooring experts to determine the cost of your project.
For further details about polishing your timber floors in Melbourne, contact our team of friendly flooring professionals at ITB Floors today.
