Can you sand my wood floor?

Can you sand my floor? This is a question our sales team get asked a lot. It May Seem like a simple question with a simple answer. That’s what I thought, but it’s not!

Knowing if we can sand your wood floor means we need to know what type of wood floor you have. I say this as knowing what kind of wood floor you have is trickier than it seems.

So, I thought I would educate us all on what we can sand and what we can’t sand. Maybe I can save us all some time.

1. What type of wood floors are there: 

There are theoretically two types, solid wood and engineered.

For solid wood, we typically see six different types of wood:

  • Parquet
  • Beech
  • Oak
  • Pine
  • Teak
  • Walnut

Which type of floors can be sanded?

As long as your floor is Solid wood or engineered wood that hasn’t been sanded too many times before. If you have laminate, there is no sanding that. The best thing to do if this is worn and you want a new look is to replace it.

2. How do I know what type of floor you have:

So basically, you have Solid wood floors and engineered wood floors.

  • How do I know if I have a laminate floor?

I’ve already pointed out that laminate is not any form of wood; it is only a picture. To tell if you have laminated, you should be able to see this from the repetitive pattern. It may not be noticeable immediately, but stare long enough, and you will find boards with the exact grain. I remember hearing about a job they once had, where they went out to quote to restore a wood floor. When the technician turned up, it was laminate. As laminate is not wood, there wasn’t anything they could do apart from suggesting a new floor.

  • How do I know if my wood floor is solid wood or engineered:

To explain the difference between Solid wood and engineered wood, I have attached a short video of our all-knowing colleague Pierre, explaining it all much easier than I could write it:  

  • How to tell if you have Parquet:

Parquet is the term given to floors made of inlaid wood and arranged in geometric patterns. Parquet floors can be any wood. An example of parquet flooring:

  • How to tell if you have Beech:

A beech floor typically has a subtle light colour with a delicate grain pattern. Beech is also one of the most durable floorings and has a warm, inviting look. Any wear on this wood is usually even, so it retains its natural look. An example of a beech floor:

  • How to tell if you have oak:

Oak is hardwood, and you can’t damage it very easily. If you push a fingernail into the board if it remains unmarked, it is likely to be oak. A picture example of an oak floor:

  • How to tell if you have pine:

The fingernail rule applies here, too, pine is a softwood, and this technique would leave a dent. Some picture examples of pine:

  • How to tell if you have Teak:

Teak is another hardwood and is harder than oak or even walnut. Its luxurious look of deep brown tones and long grain makes it a very appealing wood. Some examples of tea floors:

  • How to tell if you have walnut:

 It’s not as hard as Oak or Teak but has a beautiful historical look. Walnut is generally a rich dark brown in a few shades, which is why you typically find these floors in big mansions or castles. Some pictures of what a walnut floor would look like: 

To find out how much your beautiful wood floor restoration will cost, have a read of this:

What does floor sanding cost In East Anglia?

Do you want to know what finish is best for your needs, then this is just what you need:

What’s the differences between lacquer and oil?

For further advice or information on our Carpet and Soft Furnishing care, please do not hesitate to contact the Art of Clean team on 01223 901551 in Cambridge. Our services include Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, oriental and area Rug Cleaning, Curtain Cleaning, Patio, and Driveway Pressure washing, Leather Cleaning, Stone and Tile Floor Cleaning, and Wood Floor Sanding and Restoration. We also supply new flooring and carpets through our sister company Art of Flooring. Our Dry-Cleaning service is provided by Farthings Cambridge

Written by Tracey Gilbey, Marketing and Admin Coordinator at Art of Clean.

 

 

 

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