Natural wood floors are an increasingly popular decorating option, adding not only to the appeal of a home but also to its value as well. This type of floor is where traditional and modern décor meet, equally at home in a Victorian semi or a sleek, futuristic flat. Wooden floors have been around – and have looked much the same – for many centuries. However, the vogue for wall-to-wall carpeting that took over in the latter half of the 20th century pushed wood out of the limelight as home owners opted for predictable, cushy comfort over clean lines and drama. But thankfully this pendulum has now swung back the other way.
Solid hardwood floors can be sanded up to three times. If you don't know the history of your floor, you need to check that there is enough left to sand. Do this by lifting a section and making sure there is at least one-eighth of an inch of flooring left above the tongue. A good power sander will remove most blemishes from floors. Hire a belt sanding machine – they're lighter and easier to control than other power sanders. Ask the rental shop how many belts they would recommend for your size of floor; you will be able to return any that are unused.
Sanding is all about patience. You will need an edge sander and interchangeable discs, plus a floor buffer, ear plugs, dust mask and some vacuum bags for the rest of the job.
To start, remove everything from the room, including the curtains. Cover doorways and vents. Remove any protruding nails as well as the existing varnish from the floor.
Move the sander forward and at the end of the room retrace the same path back – and don't let the machine rest in one spot, as this will lead to an uneven surface.
The second round of sanding will remove the scratches made by the coarse grit belt. This time start sanding at the opposite end of the room. This will prevent grooving at the spot where you started last time. Use the edge sander for awkward corners. Vacuum the floor in between rounds. Repeat these steps and finish with a fine grit belt.
Now comes the fun part – buffing the floor. Move the buffer head slowly back and forth in an irregular pattern and allow a generous overlap. This action will bring up the grain and even out the finish. Keep a tight hold on the buffer as it can be hard to control. Apply tape to the bottom rim of your vacuum cleaner when you vacuum up the dust to avoid scratching the floor.
And finally, there you have it: a beautiful brand new floor!