Everything you need to know about finding a Floor Sanding Expert

Floor sanding and polishing is a great way to really enhance the look of your timber floors, as well as increasing their durability.  A well-finished timber floor is stylish and complements any style of home.

Services Provided by Floor Sanding and Polishing Professionals

Floor sanding and polishing professionals are able to provide a number of services.  These include:

• Giving advice on all aspects of timber flooring and how to get the look that you want.
  
• Preparation – such as the removal of old floor coverings, leveling the sub floor and rough-sanding
  
• Installation of all types of flooring
  
• Sanding and polishing floors with natural and tung oils as well as different types of polyurethanes
  
• Staining and liming floors
  
• Repairing sub floors, damaged floors, replacing boards and scratch removal
  
• Maintenance of your polished floor.

©Austimber Floorsanding

Maintaining Newly Sanded or Polished Timber Floors

After the floor has been finished, it is a good idea to wear socks on the newly finished surface for at least 48 hours.  This is because oils may come off your feet and ruin the flooring surface.  Leaving at least three to four days after the final coat before moving furniture back into position will help to minimise the risk of damage to the floor.  Be aware that the floor surface may take up to fourteen days to fully harden.  Avoid using trolleys with small wheels as these damage the finish.  It is especially important that you do not lay any rugs for two weeks after the floor has been completed.

There are also some general maintenance tips that you can follow to help keep your newly finished floor looking its best.  Some tips are:

• Use mats – as it is possible to walk in sand and grit from outside, placing mats at the front of entrances will help to minimize the risk.  So will using rugs or runners in areas that are highly trafficked.
  
• Avoid direct sunlight – direct sunlight will cause fading over time so it is a good idea to use curtains or blinds to filter the sunlight coming in through the windows.
  
• Establish a maintenance plan – having a maintenance or cleaning plan will go a long way into helping to keep your floor looking as new.
  
• Use an anti-static dust mop – an anti-static dust mop is a better option than a vacuum cleaner as it is much less likely to scratch the floor.

Selecting a Floor Sanding and Polishing Professional

When selecting a floor sanding and polishing professional, there are some things that you need to consider.  The professional should be licensed and insured.  Ask if the work is guaranteed in any way.  If possible, you should try to see any examples of floors that they have completed in the past.  Finally, the professional should be willing to provide you with an obligation-free quote.

How Much Does Floor Sanding Cost?

Floor sanding cost is generally based on the area of the job, typically quoted per square metre. It will also be influenced by the amount of prep work involved. For example, an existing timber floor with raised nails and splinters is going to require considerably more work than a newly laid timber floor. Also confirm if the quote includes any finish or stain required. Expect prices that range from $28 to $40 per square metre not including stain, which could add $8 to $15 per square metre to the overall cost. These prices are obviously a guide and will vary locally.