Giving a second life, repairing rather than throwing away or replacing is not a widespread habit, but it is nevertheless the most appropriate when talking about an authentic floor. Indeed, there’s no need to replace everything if your floor doesn’t have major structural problems. If you simply want to rejuvenate your floor and restore its original shine, sanding and applying a new coat of oil are the two best alternatives to replacement.
Sanding an oiled floor
The cost of replacing a hardwood floor is much more expensive than repairing, sanding, and varnishing it. An eco-friendly option for renovating an oiled floor, sanding is also economical as it allows you to keep your current floor whose structure is still in good condition, for many years to come. This option allows you to enjoy the initial investment in a beautiful wooden floor again and again.
Sanding consists of completely removing the oil from the wood surface to return to the raw material. It’s then a matter of choosing from the different second life options you want to offer your floor: polishing, varnishing, oiled finish, and on most wood species, staining to change the color!
Aesthetically, a well-executed sanding by professionals is like a renovation as it restores your floors to their original shine. If additional repairs are needed, specialists can perform them in addition to sanding. It is notably possible to replace one or more floorboards, correct deep scratches, and precisely adjust the sanding.
How to sand an oiled floor?
To sand a floor, there are currently two different techniques, a classic one and a more recent one. The classic technique that emits dust poses certain health risks. The second technique, which is ecological floor sanding, is safer for your health as it doesn’t emit dust.
These two techniques are carried out in the same way and therefore have the same steps. The first consists of thoroughly cleaning the surface then sanding it and using specific abrasives to remove as much residue as possible. Following the maintenance step, the floor can then be stripped by sanding using a sander, a device that smooths and polishes the wooden floor.
The last step is staining, oiling, or varnishing according to your aesthetic desires. Deep sanding completely removes the previously present oil, which allows you to restore the initial shade of the wood species and proceed with the application of a new stain. You can also simply choose to re-oil your floor.
The most recommended oils are natural oils such as linseed oil and tung oil. They are natural oils that have no negative effects on indoor air quality, unlike some primers that can release chemical vapors and therefore require weeks of ventilation to completely evaporate.
Whether it’s to install a new floor or sand and renovate an old floor, entrusting your project to a reliable specialist will ensure careful and meticulous work.
