How to Sand Wooden Floors Before Refinishing

Wooden floors endure heavy foot traffic, scratches, and wear. Before refinishing, sanding is essential to remove old finish, level boards, and prepare for stain or sealer. This guide explains how to sand floors correctly for smooth, durable results.

Why Floor Sanding Matters

Floors are large, flat surfaces where sanding flaws stand out immediately. Uneven sanding causes swirl marks, visible scratches, or uneven stain absorption. Proper grit progression ensures smoothness and strong finish adhesion across the entire floor.

Tools You’ll Need

• Drum sander for main floor area
• Edger sander for edges and corners
• Hand sanding blocks for tight spots
• Wet/dry sandpaper sheets (36–220 grit)
• Vacuum and tack cloth

Best Grit Sequence for Floors

• 36 grit: Heavy removal of old finish and deep scratches.
• 60 grit: Refines rough cuts and levels boards.
• 100 grit: Smooths and prepares surface for finish.
• 220 grit: Optional for extra-smooth finish coats.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Wooden Floors

1. Prep the room. Remove furniture, nails, and baseboards to avoid obstructions.
2. First cut. Use 36 grit (25-pack) with a drum sander to strip old finish and scratches.
3. Second cut. Switch to 60 grit (50-pack) to refine surface and blend edges.
4. Third cut. Sand with 100 grit (100-pack) for a smooth, finish-ready floor.
5. Optional final pass. Use 220 grit for ultra-smooth floors before applying finish.
6. Clean thoroughly. Vacuum and tack cloth to remove all dust before staining or sealing.

Special Cases

For parquet floors, use an orbital sander to avoid cross-grain scratches. For engineered floors, sand lightly—veneers are thin and easy to sand through.

Pro Tips

• Always sand in the direction of the wood grain.
• Keep the drum sander moving to avoid gouges.
• Overlap passes slightly for consistent coverage.

Aftercare

• Seal immediately: Apply sealer or stain soon after sanding to avoid dust contamination.
• Maintain floors: Use felt pads under furniture to prevent scratches.
• Re-finish as needed: Light scuff sanding extends the life of topcoats.

FAQs

• Can I sand floors by hand? Not practical—use floor sanders for large areas.
• What if floors are uneven? Multiple passes with coarse grit level boards effectively.
• Do I need to sand between finish coats? Yes, light scuff sanding with 220 grit improves adhesion.

Watch & Learn

Sanding wooden floors properly ensures flawless refinishing. With the right grit sequence and technique, you’ll restore beauty and durability to any floor.