If you’re like me, you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about floor sanding and polishing. That’s why I was shocked when my sister-in-law suggested that she could do it herself! After all, how difficult could it be? The answer: not very. Sanding and polishing are essential elements of any remodeling project.
However, if you don’t know what you’re doing or use the wrong equipment, things can get messy very quickly. In this article we’ll cover some basic information about floor sanding—what it is, why it’s important and how to do it right—as well as provide tips on choosing the right tools for your needs (and budget).
What is the difference between sanding and polishing?
Sanding is used to remove material, while polishing is used to create a smooth surface. Polishing can be done by hand or with a machine, but both methods use finer grit sandpaper than sanding does.
For example: If you have a piece of furniture that needs to be refinished and you want it to look like new again, you would start by removing any old finish using 220-grit sandpaper (the highest number on most rolls).
Once the wood has been stripped down and thoroughly cleaned off, you would use 150-grit paper for the next step in preparing your project for staining and sealing with polyurethane varnish or another protective coating.
The benefits of professional floor sanding and polishing
While there are many benefits to doing the job yourself, professional floor sanding and polishing is more expensive than DIY.
The cost of hiring a professional will vary depending on the size of your home and its location. If you live in an urban area with a lot of competition, then you may be able to find someone who offers cheaper rates than what’s available in rural areas.
In addition to being more expensive than doing it yourself, professional floor sanding also takes much longer than DIY projects–about 10 times longer!
This means that if you’re trying to save money by doing this project yourself (and let’s face it: who isn’t?), then you’ll need some patience while waiting for all those coats of varnish or polish to dry between steps before moving onto another one.
Why is it important to choose the right sandpaper grit?
The first step in choosing the right sandpaper grit is to determine what type of finish you want. There are two main types of finishes: a smooth and glossy surface, or a rough and textured one. If your goal is to achieve a smooth and glossy look, then you’ll need to use fine-grit sandpaper (80-120).
If, on the other hand, you want something with more texture that shows off the wood grain better than smooth surfaces do–without being so rough as to scratch furniture or floors–then medium or coarse grits (60-80) will work best for this purpose. Remember that different species of wood have different natural textures too!
For example: walnut has coarser grains than maple; oak has a very distinct grain pattern as well; cherry wood tends toward fine pitting rather than large ridges like mahogany does.
How to choose the right floor sandpaper grit for your needs
You might be wondering what grit is, exactly. It’s the measurement of how fine or coarse a sandpaper is. The lower the number, the coarser it is; higher numbers mean that the sandpaper will leave a smoother finish on your flooring. For example:
- If you want to remove scratches from your hardwood floors and get them looking like new again, you’ll want to use an 80-grit paper in order to smooth out all those imperfections in their surface.
- If you just want some light scuff marks removed from your laminate flooring so that it looks shinier and newer than before, then 40-60 grit should suffice for this task as well.
Conclusion
We hope that this Floor sanding and polishing article has helped you understand the difference between sanding and polishing and how it can benefit your home.
It is important to note that if you have any questions about any of the information we have covered here, feel free to contact us – Prestige Floors. Experience luxury beneath with us where impeccable craftsmanship meets exquisite style, stunning designs, exceptional durability, and unmatched quality that will enhance the ambiance of any room.