Question 1

What is floor sanding and polishing?

Accepted Answer

Over the years, timber flooring degrades from exposure to UV rays, scratches, harsh cleaners, liquid stains and so on. Sanding removes the damaged upper layer and exposes the fresh timber beneath.

Polishing comes afterwards, and involves covering the exposed wood with a protective layer. This layer protects the surface from external contaminants, thus improving its longevity while creating a smooth sheen that beautifies your home.

Question 2

How much does it cost to polish a floor in Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

The costs of professional floor polishing in Brisbane range from $20 to $60 per m2, depending on the condition of the surface, its material, and other additional work required. A routine service, with minimal repairs required, should cost no more than $35 per m2, whereas severely damaged or sunken timber will entail a higher price.

Should you attempt to DIY it, you must consider the cost of renting a sander, purchasing sufficient polish for 3-4 coats, along with other supplies. That’s not to mention the costs of treating damaged surfaces, filling in holes with putty, and other necessary steps before actually protecting the timber. Moreover, any mistakes made could potentially result in double the price. At the end of the day, it’s much cheaper and less stressful to enlist the professionals.

Question 3

How long does it take to sand a floor with a floor sander?

Accepted Answer

How long this takes will heavily depend on the size of the area and the condition of the surface. It can take anywhere from 5 to 24 hours for a timber floor sanding professional in Brisbane to treat a living room.

Refinishing and polishing, on the other hand, may take up to 5 days before you can step foot in the room. You can expect a DIY project to take double that time, so approximately 10 days from planning to completion.

Question 4

Are my floorboards suitable for sanding?

Accepted Answer

Most floors can be sanded, whether it’s natural stone, concrete, solid or engineered hardwood, or even bamboo. However, the way you need to treat each surface will vary, as different surfaces require different treatment methods to get the best results.

Question 5

Can I sand my floors myself?

Accepted Answer

You could, but only if you possess the proper materials, tools, knowledge and techniques. The process itself is not difficult, but knowing how to achieve the best results requires finesse. As mentioned, different materials have their respective methods. The wrong procedure may cause further damage and, in turn, result in higher costs.

Question 6

Is it cheaper to refinish or replace hardwood?

Accepted Answer

It’s always cheaper to refinish than to replace hardwood surfaces, no matter how damaged they are. Replacing the hardwood involves buying new planks on top of sanding, polishing, and other labour fees.

Even if a section is severely damaged, it’s best to replace that segment and refinish the rest. This way, you can minimise costs while making your worn-out hardwood look brand new again.

The only times where replacing hardwood is cheaper is when the timber is more than 50+ years old and has been refinished several times, or when the timber is unstable and bouncy.

Oil Based Alkyds		Composite
Tung Oil	Linseed Oil Based Varnishes	Oil Modified Urethanes (OMU)	Urethane Oil/Alkyd ‘Tung Oil’
Less wear resistant finish requiring more frequent maintenance Unlikely to edge bond boards
6-24 hour drying by solvent evaporation Some tolerance to waxes Moderate to strong odour on application Avoid inhalation and contact
Matt to gloss levels Darkens with age
Generally ready for use 2-5 days from completion*

Solvent Based		Water Based
2 Pack Polyurethane	Single Pack Polyurethane (Moisture Cured)	Polyurethane/Acrylic	Polyurethane (Single and Two Pack)
High wear resistant finish May edge bond boards#. There is a reduced risk of edge bonding when applied over an appropriate sealer		Moderate to high wear resistant finishes Unlikely to edge bond boards# when applied over an appropriate sealer
1-4 hour drying by chemical reaction Not tolerant to waxes Strong odour on application Avoid inhalation and contact		2-4 hour drying by evaporation and reaction Not tolerant to waxes Minimal odour on application Avoid inhaling cross-linkers and hardeners
Matt to very high gloss levels Darkens with age		Matt to gloss levels Less darkening with age
Generally ready for use 2-3 days from completion *		Generally ready for use 2 days from completion *

Services

What to Expect with MJS Floorsanding

What We Can Do for You

We Sand and Polish Or Stain:

Products We Use

Timber Floor Finishes

No floor sanding job is too large or small