Still love your floorboards — but worried sanding will ruin them?
You wouldn’t be the first.
Couples often tell us they’ve left their original wood floors untouched because they’re afraid of losing the very thing they love: the texture, the tone, the soul of the space.
And we get that. You’ve lived with those floors for years — maybe even bought the home because of them.
But the truth is, many of the things that stop people from restoring their floors aren’t quite true anymore. And in some cases, they never were.
Let’s walk through the five myths we hear most — and gently clear the air around what sanding really involves.
Myth 1: “Sanding ruins the original character.”
This is by far the most common concern. But when it’s done right, sanding doesn’t erase charm — it enhances it.
Professional sanding isn’t about creating a flat, factory finish. It’s about removing the tired outer layer and revealing the natural variation beneath. The grain becomes more visible. The colour deepens. Even slight undulations in older boards can be preserved.
Character isn’t lost — it’s quietly brought forward.
One couple recently told us, “We thought the boards would look too new. But actually, it brought the warmth back. You can still feel the age of the house — just without the dirt and dullness.”
If you want a peek at how that might look, here’s our gallery of real home transformations from across Cambridgeshire.
Myth 2: “We’ll end up with a shiny orange finish”
A completely fair fear — especially if you’ve seen floors treated with cheap varnish or gloss in years past. But today’s finishes are a different world.
At Floor Sanding Cambridge, we use finishes designed for subtleness and tone — not shine. Soft matte lacquers, breathable oils, and satin options that complement period properties and modern interiors alike.
The goal is always to protect without overpowering. So, if you’re picturing that thick, reflective surface from a sports hall or school assembly room — you won’t find that here.
“Now the floor feels like part of the house again, not something added to it,” said one client recently. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Myth 3: “It’ll be dusty and chaotic”
This myth lingers — but it’s decades out of date. With modern equipment and preparation, floor sanding today is quieter, cleaner, and far more contained than most people expect.
We use dust-extraction systems that remove particles at the source, meaning you won’t be vacuuming behind radiators for weeks. Doorways and furniture are sealed off, and we plan the work so that you’re never fully displaced.
In fact, most of our clients stay at home while we work — perhaps in another room or popping out for a few hours. The sanding itself is often quieter than a standard ho over, and we finish most spaces in a day or two.
You won’t find dust clouds, shouted conversations, or unexpected surprises. Just steady, thoughtful progress — and a clean finish at the end.
Myth 4: “We’re better off replacing the floor”
We hear this more than you’d think. But sanding isn’t just a lower-cost option — it’s often the better one.
Original wood floors offer grain, tone, and integrity that modern products rarely match. Replacing them means losing not just material — but also the embedded story of the house.
Sanding, on the other hand, extends the life of what’s already valuable. It also avoids waste, fits seamlessly with skirtings and thresholds, and maintains the proportions of a period room.
If you’re weighing the options, this House & Garden feature offers some inspiring examples of how original floors are being celebrated in both traditional and contemporary homes.
Myth 5: “One wrong step and it’s ruined”
It’s easy to imagine sanding as a gamble — especially when someone once told you, “You only get one chance.”
But with the right team, it’s a measured, reversible process. We typically sand less than 2mm from the surface — enough to remove wear, not strength. Most floors can be restored more than once in their lifetime.
Before we begin, we’ll check board depth, past treatments, and any areas that need careful handling. Then we guide you through finish options based on your space, light, and feel.
It’s not rushed. And it’s never done without your input.
“It was far gentler than we expected,” said a recent client in Ely. “They took their time — and it shows.”
Still unsure? That’s completely fine.
If you’ve held off sanding your floors because of one of these concerns, that makes sense. These myths are common — and they’ve stuck around for good reason.
But they don’t have to hold you back forever.
When sanding is done with care, it doesn’t strip away your home’s personality — it settles it more deeply into the space.
Next step
If you’d like to explore what’s possible — or just ask a few quiet questions — we’re happy to help.
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just clarity.
Start here, if you like: floorsandingcambridge.co.uk
