Want to make your floors sing as you welcome guests into your home or business? You’ll want to hire an experienced floor sanding and polishing professional to install, sand, polish and maintain your investment. Here’s what you can expect from a qualified floor sander and polisher.

What does a floor sander and polisher do?

Floor sanding and polishing professionals offer a range of services that include advising you on the best type of flooring material, to preparing the subfloor and everything that follows.

Your hipages hired professional will ensure that the subfloor is level, and any old floor coverings are removed. They can install all types of timber flooring, including solid timber boards, engineered timber and parquetry flooring. Floor sanding and polishing experts can also restore damaged timber floors, including subfloor repairs, damaged board replacements and scratch removal.

Finally, they will be able to provide maintenance services to keep your polished floors looking their best, and give you expert advice about ongoing floor care and why you should have a maintenance plan.

What are the different types of materials a floor sander and polisher works with?

Floor sanding and polishing professionals work with a variety of materials to ensure your floors are always in prime condition. The different types of materials your chosen hipages professional will work on may include:

Solid timber

Solid timber is the most common type of timber used for flooring. It’s a natural product with a unique look and is available in a range of styles. Floor sanding and polishing professionals can work with different types of solid timber, including hardwoods and softwoods, and they will sand and polish your solid timber floors to bring out their natural beauty in a smooth, even surface.

Engineered timber

Engineered timber is made by bonding multiple layers of timber together to create a strong and durable product. It’s available in various finishes, including timber veneers and laminates. Your floor sanding and polishing specialist can work with engineered timber to create a clean finish that looks like solid timber flooring.

Parquetry

Parquetry is made up of small pieces of timber that are arranged in a pattern to create a decorative, eye-catching look. Floor sanding and polishing professionals may be able to work with different types of parquetry, including herringbone, chevron and basket-weave patterns. They can sand and polish parquetry floors to enhance the intricate patterns and maintain a smooth surface.

Jarrah

Jarrah flooring is a hardwood native to Western Australia. It has a rich, red-brown colour and is regarded for its strength and durability. Floor sanding and polishing professionals can work with jarrah to bring out its natural beauty in any part of your home or business.

Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is a sustainable and durable alternative that is made from bamboo grass. Its unique look is gaining popularity and it comes in either a natural or stained finish. Your flooring specialist may have experience working with bamboo flooring, so be sure to ask them about previous bamboo flooring projects if this is your chosen material.

How do you maintain newly sanded or polished floors?

After the floor has been finished, it’s a good idea that you only wear socks on the newly finished surface for at least 48 hours. This is because oils may come off and ruin the flooring surface. Leave at least three to four days after the final coat has been applied before moving furniture back into position – this will help minimise the risk of damage to the floor. Be aware that the floor surface may take up to fourteen days to fully harden. Avoid using trolleys with small wheels as these may damage the finish, and don’t lay any rugs for at least two weeks after the floor has been completed.

Here are some general maintenance tips to keep your newly finished floor looking its best:

• Use mats: As it is possible to track in sand and grit from outside, placing mats at the front of entryways will help minimise this risk. So will using rugs or runners in high-traffic areas.

• Avoid direct sunlight: Direct sunlight will cause fading over time, so it’s a good idea to use curtains or blinds to filter the sunlight coming in through the windows.

• Establish a maintenance plan: Sticking to a maintenance or cleaning plan will go a long way to keeping your floor looking brand new.

• Use an anti-static dust mop: An anti-static dust mop is a better option than a vacuum cleaner as it is much less likely to scratch the floor.

How do you select a floor sanding and polishing professional?

The professional you end up choosing should of course be licenced and insured. However, it’s also important to ask if the work is guaranteed in any way, such as with a dedicated warranty.

If possible, ask to see examples of floors they have completed within the past. Your hipages professional should also be willing to provide you with an obligation-free quote.

How much does it cost to hire a floor sanding and polishing professional?

The cost of floor sanding is generally based on the area of the job, typically quoted per square metre. However, it may also be influenced by the amount of prep work involved. For example, an existing timber floor with raised nails and splinters is going to require considerably more work than a newly laid timber floor. According to Hartnett Flooring, you can usually expect to pay from $22 per m2 for floor sanding, and from $15 per m2 for floor polishing.

Also confirm if the quote from your hipages professional includes any finish or stain required. Staining could add an extra $8 to $15 per m2 to the overall cost.

What to ask when hiring a local floor sanding and polishing professional

If you are looking for a great local floor sanding and polishing professional, make sure you speak to a number of different professionals from hipages and get quotes from each to compare. Also ask them a few important questions, such as:

• What experience and qualifications do you have in floor sanding and polishing?

• What types of floor surfaces have you worked on?

• Can you provide references or examples of previous work you’ve completed?

• Do you have insurance and offer a warranty?

• What’s your timeline for completing the project?

Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.