Sanding wooden floors: a practical solution for a sleek floor

Do you want to give your wooden floor a fresh look or prepare it for a new finish? Then sanding is the first and most important step. Whether it concerns an old floor full of scratches or a new floor that still needs to be treated: with the right approach, you can start immediately.

Before you begin, it is helpful to have the following ready:

• Parquet sander (for large surfaces)
• Edge sander or hand sander (for edges and corners)
• Sandpaper in three grits: 40 – 80 – 120
• Vacuum cleaner
• Optional: putty, Phillips screwdriver, waste bags

You know it is time to sand when:

• Damage, scratches, or stains are visible
• The floor has been sanded multiple times and looks uneven
• You want to treat a new floor with lacquer or oil
• The floor has discolored or has lost its protective layer

Whether you have an oak floor, parquet floor, or softwood floor – proper sanding significantly extends its lifespan.

Not every floor requires the same treatment. Note these differences:

Softwood floors (pine, spruce)
Due to their open structure, these floors are susceptible to damage. Sanding is relatively fast but requires caution. It is better to use a telescopic sander or an orbital sander than a heavy parquet sander. These floors are more vulnerable to dents and grooves.

Sanding engineered parquet
These floors have a thin top layer of 4–6 mm. Sand carefully with a light machine. You can sand engineered parquet a maximum of 2 to 3 times.

Sanding solid parquet
Very suitable for a thorough renovation. You can even remove deep damage. Small nails may remain; they will be sanded along with the floor.

Sanding oak floors
Ideal for removing old lacquer or oil layers. Oak wood is sturdy and can be treated well multiple times.

Sanding parquet floors
Accuracy is important, especially with herringbone or mosaic patterns. Work with light pressure and finish with finer sandpaper.

After sanding the floor, the floor is bare and ready for a new protective layer. There are various options, but we recommend: Osmo Hardwax-Oil Original
This oil is ideal for sanded floors. The combination of natural oil and wax offers long-lasting protection, is water- and dirt-repellent, and enhances the warm color.

Benefits at a glance:

• Protects from the inside out and on the surface
• Creates a natural, matte wet-look
• Easy to touch up locally
• Environmentally friendly and safe after drying

• Incorrect (order) of sandpaper used
• Not removing dust properly before finishing
• Not performing a test piece on an inconspicuous area
• Sanding in one spot for too long
• Allowing insufficient drying time before treatment

• Always work along the grain
• Start slowly; if necessary, practice on a small area
• Use good dust extraction while sanding
• Check for imperfections after each sanding pass
• Always use the correct grit size: 40 – 80 – 120