How long does floor sanding take?

One of the first questions we get asked after a customer decides to restore their floor is:

“How long is this going to take?”

It is a fair question.

Nobody wants their house turned upside down for weeks on end.

The good news is, most floor sanding projects are completed much quicker than people expect.

The honest answer is that it depends on the size of the area, the condition of the floor and the finish being applied.

Here is a rough guide based on what we see across Taunton and Somerset.

For a typical living room or bedroom, floor sanding and finishing can often be completed in:

1 to 2 days

That usually includes:

• Preparation
• Sanding
• Edging
• Filling where required
• Applying the finish

Drying times will vary depending on the product being used.

For a typical downstairs area, including hallways and more than one room, you are usually looking at:

2 to 4 days

Again, this depends on:

• The size of the property
• The condition of the floor
• The finish being applied
• Whether staining is required

Repairs

Loose boards, damaged boards and older repairs can all add time to a project.

Common examples include:

• Replacing damaged floorboards
• Securing loose boards
• Carrying out localised repairs
• Filling larger gaps

The extra time is usually worth it for the final result.

Staining the floor

If you are changing the colour of the floor, it is worth allowing extra time.

Staining involves:

• Additional preparation
• Applying the stain
• Allowing drying time before finishing

Depending on the products being used, this can add a day or so to the project.

Existing finishes

Some older finishes are harder work than others.

Bitumen, old waxes and certain varnishes can take longer to remove than modern finishes.

This is often the bigger consideration.

Most finishes are:

• Dry to touch within a few hours
• Suitable for light foot traffic within 24 hours
• Fully cured over the following days

We will always advise exactly when it is safe to walk on the floor, replace furniture and return the room to normal use.

Can you stay in the house during floor sanding?

In most cases, yes.

Many of our customers stay at home while work is being carried out.

It simply means certain rooms may be out of action for a short period.

We will normally plan the work to keep disruption to a minimum wherever possible

When can furniture go back?

This depends on the finish used, but as a general guide:

• Light furniture can often go back after 24 to 48 hours.
• Heavier furniture may need a little longer.
• Rugs should usually be left off for several days.

We will always give clear guidance once the job is complete.

Is floor sanding disruptive?

Far less than most people expect.

Modern sanding equipment, proper planning and modern finishes mean the whole process is usually quicker and cleaner than homeowners imagine.

In many cases, a tired old floor can be completely transformed in just a few days.

As a rough guide:

• One room: 1 to 2 days
• Typical downstairs: 2 to 4 days
• Whole house: 4 to 7 days

Every project is different, but floor sanding is rarely the long, messy process people expect.

We are based in Taunton and have 15 years experience restoring wood flooring across Somerset.

If you are wondering how long your project might take, send us a few clear photos of the rooms and the floor condition, and we will happily give you honest advice.

Contact us today for a free quote or to pose us a question.

You can learn more about dust-free floor sanding and read about a recent oak floor restoration in Weston-super-Mare where we revived a heavily worn floor back to life.