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Sanding parquet floors - how is it different?
When it comes to sheer style, parquet floors are hard to beat. They simply look great. However, the sheer number of panels in these floors can mean that sanding them is a different process. We can still do a great job on any floor, of course, but you have to manage a parquet design in a different way.
So how does the sanding process change with this type of aesthetic?
The first thing to consider is the grain of the wood. Because all solid wooden panels comprise fibres strung together, it’s natural that the strength travels one way. That’s why wood workers are talked about as going with (or against) the grain.
If you sand against the grain, you’re going to naturally pull and tear at these fibres more than you would by going with it. It’s certainly a faster process, but it’s also more aggressive. You’ll naturally strip away the wood faster this way. Interestingly, it’s exactly the same principle as shaving your face or your legs; going against the grain is more painful.
In an ideal world, of course, the grain of the whole floor would head in one direction, and you’d always sand with the grain.
Which brings us to a parquet floor, where the panels are often heading in multiple directions. If you tried to simply sand straight along the panels, you’d inevitably end up with an uneven finish; you’d be working with the grain on some panels and against them in others.
The solution, then, is to sand both ways. First straight and then across. This ensures that all the panels are sanded with the same degree of aggressiveness, giving a far more even finish in the long run. It’s also worth noting that the sanding drum will never be sat on a single block, which is a risk with parquet flooring.
If you complete the sanding in five grits, for instance, you would do straight, across, straight, across and finally straight again, using finer grits each time. The result would be a balanced, flawless finish on even the fiddliest parquet floor.
Get in touch
If you’ve got a parquet floor and you want to avoid an uneven, poor finish, give us a call. We’re specialists in getting outstanding results for all kinds of wooden floors, and we’d love to help you achieve the same stunning finish so many of our customers have enjoyed.
