Having a parquet floor can be a two-edged sword. Some people may think it’s pretty, while others will consider it outdated. Using decorative hardwood floors may not be for everyone. Therefore, many are looking for ways to modernize or refinish it.
But that leads to other questions about modernizing it without spending too much money. As you know, the parquet is still a solid hardwood. One misstep, and you may need to change the whole floor.
Can parquet floors be sanded?
Yes, you can sand the parquet floor. This is because a parquet floor is a slice of hardwood cut into tiles-sizes for easier installation. That means the floor is highly durable and can stand your sanding and buffing process.
However, you need to know the damages your floor sustained all these years. It varies from massive discoloration, bad dent, and some heavy scratches. But the first thing to do is clean your floor of furniture.
Knowing the damage will tell you how to sand the floor properly. As you know, sanding will expose more of the damage it has. And if that happens, you may need to expand your budget for a new floor altogether.
How to sand parquet floor
Sanding procedures and techniques:
Sanding solid parquet floors is a little different from sanding any other kind of furniture.
- Experts say sand at a 45-degree angle instead of going straight with the wood grain. This is because the way the parquet pieces are put together can be different, and the grooves between them can make it hard to get a good finish. But try to figure out how it works best with the model of a floor sander you will be using.
- Before turning on the sander, lift the mechanism slightly so you don’t damage the power site.
- Floor sanders move around, so you shouldn’t stay in one place for a long time.
- It’s best to make more than one pass over the parquet until the damaged top layer is gone.
- You can start with 30 grit for the parquet’s main body and 40 for the corners and edges.
- Check the condition of the sandpaper so that you don’t burn the wood as you sand.
- remove changing the grit of the sandpaper to get rid of the marks slowly.
- If you sand the joints with 60-grit sandpaper, you can use the same sawdust to fill the gaps.
- Use 100 or 120-grit sandpaper to finish.
- As you get to the end of sanding, you can speed up the sander to cover the parquet more quickly.
- Clean and vacuum the walls, doors, ceilings, and floors before using chemicals on the wood floors.
When should the parquet be sanded?
This method of taking care of and restoring your parquet doesn’t have to be done all the time since it can end up going bad. Because of this, you only do it when you have to and have no other choice.
When the sun’s UV rays have damaged the varnish that covers the parquet, it is best to poke holes in it. When the soil changes tone or color, you can see that the soil is getting worse. On the other hand, the glue that holds the boards together loses its strength over time, so the boards tend to come loose and peel off.
Moisture stains can also happen when water or grease gets on the parquet and stays there for a long time.
People walking on it, pets scratching it, and grooves made when moving a piece of furniture are all bad for the parquet, which ends up with scratches.
Even when putting in a brand-new hardwood floor, sanding the surface is still a good idea to eliminate any bumps. Use sandpaper that gets finer with each pass to get a smooth, polished finish.
If you want to take care of the parquet, don’t use regular cleaners because they can damage the wood. Many of these products are not good for wooden floors and make them worse, so you will have to sand them again.
Tips for Parquet Sanding
If the project is to fix up a large area of parquet, it is best to sand each area separately so that the exposed wood doesn’t get damaged.
Protect the sanded wood from water and sun, and don’t take too long to finish the chemical process so that the wood’s pores don’t get dirty and need to be cleaned again.
Any sanding needs to take into account how thick the parquet is. Parquet floors can cause problems, so you should be careful about what kind of parquet you use.
Staying hydrated and working in short spurts will help you see how the sanding is going. You will be proud of what you have done when you are done.
After sanding, you can use different products to seal and shine the wood. In our Wood Painting section, you will find everything you need to give your floor the finish you want.
How do you refinish old parquet floors?
Most people don’t know that they can refinish an old parquet floor. They need to do it carefully not to ruin the wood. It means they can do the same for a parquet floor.
But unlike a solid hardwood floor, you may need to worry about the pattern. One of the main appealing points of a parquet floor is the decorative pattern.
Surely this will change as the floor ages. But you don’t have to worry. If the floor is still in good condition, you can always refinish it immediately.
The first thing you should do is inspect the floor for any damage. Including if the floor is uneven, chipped, or even missing some tiles. You may need to replace the parquet tile or find a way to hide the missing pieces. Then you can refinish it as usual.
Don’t forget to use the wood grain as a guide on applying the finishing layer. It will highlight the pattern and help you on arranging the parquet tiles.
Refinish the parquet floor after sanding
Since sanding shows any imperfection and damage on your floor, you can tell which finishing you can apply. The most popular one is the varnish to create a protective layer. This will help protect your parquet floor from external scratches and bad dents.
But of course, you also can use an oil finish that will protect your wood from within. It also will give a much more natural look to the floor. But it’s far less durable than the varnish.
The final option is using wax oil. It’s fairly recent, so you won’t know how durable it is. Many homeowners claim that they rejuvenate an oil parquet floor with wax oil. And it’s working great as a finish. But still, it’s too early to tell. A good finish will need to work for at least two decades.
How much do parquet floors cost to refinish?
If you’re not careful, you may spend the same amount, if not more, on installing a new floor. Some people may think it’s much easier that way.
But in general, refinishing is not that expensive. You can push the cost lower by doing most of the things yourself.
You sure have read or heard about making your finish. But unless you’re a flooring expert, you shouldn’t think about it. Choose some technique that you already know and are familiar with.
If you hire a professional, you may need to spend up to $8 per square foot for refinishing. The average price is between $3 to $5 per square foot. That may not sound much, but the number can add up if you have a large space and are not careful.
Of course, you can always refinish it yourself. The first thing you should do is inspect the floor for any damage.
How to restore parquet flooring without sanding
Yes, you can rejuvenate your parquet floor without sanding. This method works when you need a quick change on the floor. This method essentially skips sanding and uses buffing instead.
But of course, you need to know the wood species you have as floor and the finishing method. This information will help you determine the best approach to make parquet floors look modern.
The first option is using a chemical abrasion kit. This is a very straightforward job when you only need to apply the abrasion kit to remove the previous finish. Once done, you can re-apply the coat or get a new finish for the floor.
The other option is to buff the floor and apply a polyurethane coat on your floor. Some people prefer buffing, even though it has more steps, because it’s gentler on the wood.
Prevent parquet deterioration
It’s pretty easy to keep the parquet from getting worse, and if we take care of it and clean it with tools made for parquet that protect and preserve the wood, we’ll have to sand the floor and re-varnish it less and less often.
Simple things like putting a doormat at the front door, rugs in the places where most people walk inside the house or felt pads on the legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture will help your wooden floor last longer. Also, people shouldn’t wear thin heels around the house because they can leave marks.
When it comes to cleaning, you should always use products made to take care of wood and avoid things like wax or greasy products that can hurt the varnish and wood. Since wood is a living material, environmental changes cause it to shrink and grow.
This can be seen as the seasons change, and hot and cold weather come and go. We should try to keep the humidity in our homes at the right level so that it doesn’t get too dry in the summer or too wet in the winter.
Also, keep direct light from shining on the parquet by using curtains, lowering blinds, rugs, etc.