Thinking about revitalising your timber floors?
Floor sanding, often referred to as floor polishing in Australia, is a fantastic way to breathe new life into tired, worn-out wood. If you’re searching for information on floor sanding and polishing, this guide covers everything you need to know about preparing, sanding, and finishing your floors. We’ll walk you through the dos and don’ts of the process and show you why Evolution Hardwax Oil is the perfect finish to achieve stunning, long-lasting results.
What is floor sanding?
Floor sanding is the process of removing the top layer of a wooden floor, stripping away old finishes and smoothing out imperfections. This is a key step before applying a new finish to rejuvenate the floor and highlight the wood's natural beauty. Whether you’re looking to remove stains, scratches, or simply give your floor a fresh start, sanding is the essential first step.
Can I sand my floors myself?
Yes, you can handle much of the floor sanding and refinishing process yourself, which can save you a lot of money. However, if you don’t have experience using a floor sander, we recommend hiring a professional for the actual floor sanding. Improper sanding can lead to costly mistakes that are difficult to reverse, and a professional will ensure the surface is perfectly smooth and ready for finishing.
Floor Sanding Equipment and Advice
As we've mentioned, we generally recommend using a professional for floor sanding, but we also understand that some people with practical experience may want to take on the task themselves. If you have a background in DIY, working with timber, or similar projects, you may feel confident enough to hire a floor sanding machine.
If you decide to go this route, here are a few important points to consider:
- Choose the Right Sander: For more information on the different types of sanders, please visit our Choosing the Right Sander page. Here, you'll find details on the various types available, including drum sanders, belt sanders, rotary sanders, vibrating/oscillating sanders, and edge sanders.
Selecting the right sander depends on the condition of your floor. For example:
- An older floor with an existing coating (such as polyurethane) generally requires a heavy-duty drum or belt sander to start, followed by a rotary or oscillating sander for final prep before applying a new finish.
- A new floor may only need a rotary/oscillating sander for a smooth finish.
Additionally, you'll want an edge sander for reaching tight corners and working on stairs. See here for more information on sanders. - Get professional advice: Make sure you know how to operate a sanding machine effectively. We suggest asking the hire company for a 20-minute demonstration (either on-site or at the depot) to show you how the machine works and what to watch out for.
- Manage Dust: Sanding creates a lot of dust, and keeping the area clean can be tricky. Most drum sanders have an in-built vacuum, but these can sometimes be damaged or clogged. If the sawdust isn’t being collected properly, there’s likely a problem with the vacuum, and you should address it before continuing.
- Work Through the Grits: Always work up through the sanding grits (e.g., 80, 100, 120). Each grit removes the scratches from the previous grit. Skipping a grit can leave scratches that will be especially noticeable when you apply a finish, particularly if you’re staining the wood.
- Use Safe, Easy-to-Apply Finishes: For a user-friendly, eco-friendly, and beautiful finish, we highly recommend hardwax oils. They not only deliver stunning results but are also very easy to apply (more details below).
By following these tips, you’ll be in a better position to achieve a professional-looking result, even if you choose to tackle the sanding yourself.
Is floor sanding worth it?
Yes, floor sanding is definitely worth it – just remember the quality of the final finish on your wooden floors depends greatly on the sanding process. Proper sanding ensures:
- A Smooth, Even Surface: Essential for applying finishes like varnishes or hardwax oils.
- Enhanced Natural Beauty: Good sanding highlights the wood grain, making your floors look polished and refined.
- Improved Durability: Correct sanding leads to a finish that lasts longer and stands up better to daily wear.
What is the best finish for sanded floors?
Many traditional professional sanders still rely on polyurethanes or varnishes, which can contain harmful chemicals (like VOCs) that off-gas and pose health risks to people and pets. Additionally, these finishes often have strong odours, requiring you to vacate your home while they dry.
Evolution Hardwax Oil offers a better solution:
- Odorless and Non-Toxic: Safe for people, pets, and the environment, with no harsh smells.
- Natural Ingredients: Made from sustainable raw materials, aligning with eco-friendly values.
- Breathable Finish: Allows wood to breathe naturally while providing protection.
- Durable Protection: Provides long-lasting protection against wear, moisture, and stains.
- Beautiful Aesthetic: Enhances the natural beauty of wood without the plastic-like look of some polyurethanes.
- Versatile Sheen Options: Available in four sheen levels: Matte, Satin, Classic, and Gloss. Learn more about the benefits of Hardwax Oil.
Ready to give your timber floors a stunning finish? You can buy our Evolution Hardwax Oil in all four sheen levels, right from our store.
How do you finish a floor after sanding?
Applying Evolution Hardwax Oil to timber floors is simple and straightforward, making it a great DIY project that saves you money. You don’t need to be a professional to achieve a stunning, durable finish—just follow our easy steps, and you’ll be amazed at the results.
Want to see how it’s done? Check out our popular YouTube video: Applying Evolution Hardwax Oil to Timber Floors. It’s all you need to get started!
If you would prefer written instructions with supporting pictures please click here.
Why Evolution Hardwax Oil stands out
Evolution Hardwax Oil is designed for those who appreciate the natural beauty of wood and want a finish that protects without compromising on health or aesthetics. Our clients, including professional sanders, are often pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to work with our product. Once they try it, they see the difference—and we have testimonials to prove it!
How Much is Floor Sanding?
Floor sanders typically charge between $40 and $60 per square metre for sanding and applying a finish. However, you can save significantly by applying the finish yourself—and with Evolution Hardwax Oil, it’s easy to do!
While it’s possible to hire a sanding machine and do the sanding yourself, this can be tricky, and mistakes will show when the floor is coated, especially if you're applying a stain. For this reason (as already mentioned), we recommend hiring a professional sander for the sanding process to ensure a smooth, even surface. Then, you can take on the finishing step yourself.
With the excellent coverage rate of Evolution Hardwax Oil (approximately 25 square metres per litre), a little goes a long way. For example, a 25 square metre floor would require just 2 litres for two coats, which works out to about $8.50 per square metre. By applying the hardwax oil yourself, you’ll achieve the best value while ensuring a quality finish.
So, for an optimal result at a lower cost, get a professional to handle the sanding, then add the final touch with Evolution Hardwax Oil!
For everything you need to know about using our products on timber floors please download our brochure.
DOWNLOADReady to transform your floors?
Check out our stunning before and after video below to see how Evolution Hardwax Oil can bring your timber floors back to life. With a smooth, properly sanded surface and a high-quality finish, your floors will look better than ever.
To see another amazing transformation please also check out this blog Transforming My 1930s Timber Floors with Evolution Hardwax Oil.
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The Whittle Waxes Story
Most companies go from A to Z. We went from Z (Zimbabwe) to A (Australia). What an exciting journey it has been - and it's not over yet!
Although Whittle Waxes officially launched in Australia in 2004, our journey (and love affair) with timber started a long time before that. Company founder, Giles Whittle-Herbert, grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe, where he inherited a passion for working with wood that goes back generations. For many years he ran a successful carpentry business in Zimbabwe.
On arrival in Australia in 2004, Giles noticed a big gap in the market for natural and safe hardwax oils. He already had an excellent working relationship with an overseas supplier, so all he needed to do was make the Australian market aware of the many benefits of hardwax oils.
20 years later, Whittle Waxes is proud to be leading the way in the supply of natural, high quality finishes in Australian, with satisfied customers across the board, including home renovators, professional polishers, flooring suppliers, timber companies, architects, and designers.
Our Evolution Hardwax Oil continues to exceed expectations and is now a firm favourite all across the country, particularly with those who appreciate a quality finish that is safe, durable and environmentally friendly. Whittle Waxes has introduced a number of other quality products, including colour stains, exterior oils, Wax Polish and Floor Care for easy floor maintenance.
At Whittle Waxes, we genuinely love to interact with our clients so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Thanks for all your support!