Floor Sanding and Varnishing. Methods applied by Painters and decorators at Painting In Dublin.

There are a number of finishes that can be applied on wooden floors such as Painting, Varnishing, Waxing… we will explore the Varnishing of wooden floors in detail as done by Professional Painters and Decorators at Painting In Dublin.
Say you have an old wooden floor that has seen brighter days and you would like it to look a little bit younger than it does… so you decide to sand it down and give it a face lift. If you’re not a professional Painter and Decorator and do not sand and varnish floors on a regular basis then you may find this article useful as we explore the different stages that Professional Painters and Decorators undertake when sanding and varnishing the wooden floors.
Inspecting the floor.
First thing Painters and Decorators do when asked to sand and varnish a wooden floor is inspect the floor in a bid to spot any problems that may affect the outcome of the job like oil stains and other problems like recent floor repairs which could become problematic when newer wood planks are used to repair the floor. The above two would not allow the floor to be varnished in a clear varnish which is ideal for floors because of the tear and wear of the new floor which will be more noticeable with a stained varnish finish. The job would be even trickier if a bad repair job was done on it and the owner does not even know about it because the floor may be covered with carpet… therefore it is very important to inspect and detect any such problems before planning to get the floors sanded and varnished.
Sanding floors
Sanding Floors is hard work and Painters and Decorators often hire big commercial sanders to do the job quicker. If you have a domestic sander and intend to sand a floor with it then allow plenty of time and a lot of endurance because it will take you a very long time. Painters and Decorators have not got the time to mess around there for hiring the machine will save them time even if it means to spend on hiring, the benefit over weights the loss. One thing to remember when sanding with any type of sander is not to try to save sanding paper! Change the sand paper belts as soon as you see a drop in performance, this will save you considerable time and improve the result greatly. Start sanding the bulk areas with the big sander and doo the edges with a smaller one that is meant for this purpose. Evidently the sanding should begin with rougher sand paper and gradually switching to finer one as you progress. Painters and Decorators usually go through 3 grades of sand paper when sanding floors depending on each floor requirements. Wear protective gear like face mask and glasses, gloves, year plugs… remember: safety first! Sweeping the floor between different rounds of sanding is strongly advisable.
Varnishing the floor.
Professional Painters and Decorators only begin varnishing after ensuring the floor surface is sanded to an acceptable level and the surface of the floor is dry, clean and dust free. To achieve this you have to hoover the freshly sanded floors and wipe it with a damp cloth, allow to dry. Once sure that the above steps are taken you can proceed with varnishing. Floor varnishes range in shade, finish, and consistency. That is: Clear or stained; mat or glossy; water based or solvent based… You can find out more about these from your painter and decorator or the paint shop assistants in your local paint shop. Regardless of the characteristics of the varnish application is very similar. It is advised that floors to be varnished with clear varnish to minimise the effect of tear and wear from walking. Floor varnishing is done by Brush or roller ensuring an even spread over the surface. Painters and Decorators always sand the floor lightly between coats. Usually 2 coats are sufficient but at times a third coat may be required. After the floor has dried it is suitable to use as normal. Depending on the varnish you choose the effect may vary… with clear varnish the main difference between water based and oil based varnish is that the oil based varnish will give the floor a golden hue while the water based one will preserve the floors original colour…ask your painter and decorator for advice if in doubt.
Now that we covered all the above on sanding and varnishing wooden floors as done by professional Painters and Decorators you can easier start planning your floor varnishing that will give your floors a boost and protection for a while to come.


Petru Ciubeico
Painting In Dublin
Painters and Decorators