Installation
Floor sanding and polishing: what to expect, step by step
Tired timber under old carpet? Sanding and coating can make it look new. Here's exactly what happens and how long you'll be out of the room.
By the Austt Flooring team · · 2 min read
Thousands of Sydney homes built from the 1950s to the 1980s have hardwood floors hiding under carpet. Lift a corner in a wardrobe and you may find blackbutt or brush box that only needs sanding and polishing to look brand new.
The process
- 1Inspection. We check board condition, nails, gaps and any water damage, and confirm the boards are thick enough to sand.
- 2Preparation. Carpet, underlay and tack strips are removed; protruding nails are punched below the surface.
- 3Coarse sanding. A drum sander removes old coatings, stains and cupping.
- 4Edging and detail. Edge sanders reach the perimeter and corners.
- 5Filling. Gaps and nail holes are filled with a colour-matched filler.
- 6Fine sanding. Progressively finer grits give a smooth, even surface.
- 7Staining (optional). Stain samples are applied to your boards so you can choose.
- 8Coating. Usually three coats, with light sanding between coats.
Water-based or oil-modified coating?
| Water-based | Oil-modified | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Keeps timber close to natural | Warms and ambers the timber |
| Smell | Low | Strong for several days |
| Drying time | Fast — hours between coats | Slower |
| Durability | Excellent with quality two-pack products | Excellent |
| Sheen | Matt, satin or gloss | Satin or gloss |
How long will it take?
A typical three-bedroom home takes two to four days to sand and coat. Light foot traffic (socks only) is usually fine within a day of the final coat; furniture and rugs need longer while the coating cures. We give you a day-by-day schedule with the quote.
How to prepare
- Clear the rooms, or ask us to quote for furniture moving.
- Plan to stay elsewhere, or out of those rooms, during coating.
- Turn off ducted air or fans that could blow dust onto wet coats.
- Keep pets out until the final coat has cured.
Once finished, our timber floor care guide will keep the coating looking good for years.
