Sanding floors is a laborious process. It takes multiple days to complete most projects, but the results are worth the effort.
One of the most common questions we hear is, “how long does it take to sand and polish floors?” We’ll answer that question in this article, and explain some of the factors that can extend the timeframe of your project.
How Long Does it Take to Sand and Polish Floors?
It takes 4-5 days to sand and polish timber floors in a typical 3-bedroom family home. This allows us to complete all necessary steps, including the initial sanding, clearing dust and debris, final polishing and curing.
The time it takes to refinish timber floors depends on these factors:
- Size of the area – Larger areas take longer to refinish.
- Your choice of finish – The type of finish you choose can add time to the project.
- Condition of the floors – Flooring with extensive damage may need repairs before we can begin sanding. Some types of finishes take more work to sand off, especially if there is glue residue from removing old carpet or vinyl.
- The weather – Timber floor finishes dry slower in colder, winter months, and we may not be able to apply finishes on days where the humidity is too high.
You can also expect a 2-4 week waiting period between booking with Quicksand Flooring and commencement of your project. This period may be longer during our busy summer months or the Christmas season.
These times are approximate and it’s best to get in touch with us to request a quote based on your specific needs.
The Sanding and Polishing Process
Day 1 – Rough Sanding, Scraping, Punching and Filling Nail Holes
We do the bulk of the prep work on Day 1. That includes punching nails to make sure they sit below the surface of the timber, filling nail holes and completing the first sanding pass.
The first sanding is done at 40-60 grit to remove the old coating and any imperfections in the floor. Areas that can’t be sanded are hand scraped to remove the old finish.
Things to watch out for: If we find any major damage at this stage (such as cracked, splintering or rotten timber boards), they’ll need to be repaired before we can move on.
Day 2 – Second and Third Sanding, Buffing and Vacuuming
On Day 2, we come back to finish the sanding process. We typically sand floors in 3 passes to refine the finish.
Finally, we’ll buff the floor and then thoroughly vacuum to remove any dust that would contaminate the finish.
Day 3 – First and Second Coat of Finish is Applied
Day 3 is where we apply the 1st and 2nd coats of finish.
Day 4 – Buffing and Third Coat of Finish
On Day 4, we’ll buff the floor and do a quick vacuum. Then we can apply the final layer of finish. All that’s left is to allow your new floors to cure!
Day 5 – Drying and Curing Time for the Finish
On Day 5, we recommend allowing your floor to cure before walking on the surface. We’ll provide instructions on how long it takes for your floors to dry and how they can be used during the next few days.
It’s generally safe to walk on your floor while wearing socks. You should avoid replacing furniture or using the room at this point.
Things to watch out for: It may take more than 1 day before your floors can be walked on and used. The curing time depends on the finish you chose, the number of coats, the weather and humidity. Quicksand Flooring will let you know when it’s safe to use your floors again.
Day 6 – You Can Move Back Into Your Home
That’s it! You can move back into your home and continue life as normal.
You should go easy on your floors for the first 10 days or so. This allows the coating to cure fully. During the first 10 days, you should avoid:
- Putting rugs or carpets on the floor
- Moving/dragging furniture
- Wearing shoes inside the house
- Cleaning or mopping the floor
- Applying protective products to the floor
- Spills and other damage
Quicksand Flooring uses non-toxic and low VOC products. It’s safe to move back into your home while our coatings are curing.
Get An Accurate Estimate of How Long Your Project Will Take
Having your floors sanded and polished is a great way to breathe new life into your home! Timber floors look fantastic with a fresh coating, and it helps protect your home against wear and tear.
Quicksand Flooring offers floor sanding services throughout Melbourne. At Quicksand Flooring, we strive for quality and efficiency in all our jobs, ensuring your floors look their best in the shortest possible time.
The good news is you can usually stay in your house while we work!
Quicksand Flooring is known for delivering excellent floor sanding and polishing services. Our customers often ask us how long it takes to sand and polish floors, and we can give you an accurate estimate as part of your quote.
Talk to our team to find out more, or call us for a FREE estimate!
With over 25 years of experience, Clinton Tracy is a Melbourne timber flooring expert dedicated to delivering exceptional results. He and his team constantly test new products and finishes to ensure the highest quality.
Clint’s commitment to excellence includes traveling to Europe to stay updated with the latest industry trends and best practices, ensuring every project meets the highest standards.