Hardwood Floors April/May 2025

AT THE SITE How Many Times Can a Wood Floor be Sanded? (Continued)

Choosing the correct abrasive sequence is essential. As mentioned before, the initial rough sanding should use the finest grit necessary to remove the existing finish and flatten the floor. The final sanding sequence is defined by where the rough sanding left off, and also the species being sanded. When compared to a belt sander with a medium- to fine-grit abrasive on the final cuts, the multi-disc sanders offer greater control over sanding pressure and movement, resulting in a more-refined cut surface with a more-controlled impact on the wear layer. Additionally, effective dust containment systems maintain visibility and prevent over-sanding by allowing contractors to assess progress in real time. High-quality abrasives often are paired with the multi-head sanders. This pairing helps achieve efficient material removal without leaving excessive scratches behind, further reducing unnecessary material loss. RUN YOUR OWN TEST If you are looking to validate the concept of minimizing material removal from your sand jobs, consider conducting your own experiment. Sand one floor using a traditional sanding method with multiple passes from a belt sander followed by a final sanding with either a buffer or a multihead sander. On another floor, use a different approach: one pass with a belt sander followed by multiple passes with a multihead sander. To quantify the difference, you can either take some before and after caliper measurements of the wear layer, or just weigh the dust collected from each process. The dust produced by the belt sander will be more-coarse, while the dust produced by the multi-disc sander will be finer. This simple test can provide valuable insights into which method removes less material while still achieving excellent results.

By using modern sanding equipment, and by following best practices for grit selection and sanding techniques, your sanding process can extend the life of wood floors significantly. Understanding the factors that impact how many times a floor can be

sanded ensures that each refinishing job maximizes durability and aesthetics while preserving as much of the wear layer as possible. With the right approach and the latest technology, contractors can deliver superior results while maintaining the integrity of the wood surface for years to come. Brett Miller is the vice president of technical standards, training, and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis. He can be reached at brett.miller@nwfa.org.

102 hardwood floors hardwoodfloorsmag.com