Floor Sanding Services | Professional Wood Floor Sanding | Creative Oak Floors
Essential Refinishing Step

Floor Sanding Services

Professional sanding removes scratches, dents, and old finish to reveal smooth, beautiful wood. Dustless sanding systems minimize mess. Expert techniques ensure even results. The critical first step in every refinishing project.

What Is Floor Sanding?

The foundation of beautiful refinished floors

Precision Sanding for Perfect Results

Floor sanding is the process of using specialized equipment to remove the existing finish and a thin layer of wood from your hardwood floors. This eliminates scratches, stains, dents, and discoloration while creating a smooth, level surface ready for staining and finishing.

Professional sanding requires skill and experience. We use a progression of sanding grits—starting with coarse grits to remove old finish and major imperfections, then moving through medium and fine grits to create a glass-smooth surface. Each pass must be perfectly even to avoid waves, dips, or sanding marks.

Our dustless sanding systems capture 95-99% of dust at the source, protecting your home and air quality. Combined with NWFA-certified techniques and 38 years of experience, we deliver flawless sanding that sets the stage for stunning refinished floors.

Professional floor sanding equipment in action

Why Professional Sanding Matters

Expert sanding makes all the difference

Removes All Imperfections

Deep scratches, dents, water stains, and discoloration are completely removed, revealing fresh wood underneath.

Creates Level Surface

Professional equipment removes high spots and fills low areas, creating a perfectly flat surface for optimal staining and finishing.

Dustless Technology

Our vacuum-sealed sanding systems capture dust at the source, keeping your home clean and air quality safe throughout the project.

Smooth Finish Prep

Multiple grits create a glass-smooth surface that accepts stain evenly and showcases the natural wood grain beautifully.

Prevents Future Issues

Proper sanding removes all traces of old finish, preventing adhesion problems and ensuring your new finish lasts for decades.

NWFA Standards

We follow National Wood Flooring Association best practices for sanding patterns, grit progression, and quality control.

Professional Sanding Process

Multi-step approach for flawless results

1

Inspection & Preparation

We inspect floors for protruding nails, loose boards, and damage. All furniture is removed and the space is sealed to contain any dust.

2

Coarse Sanding (36-40 Grit)

Heavy-duty drum sander removes old finish, deep scratches, and significant imperfections. Levels uneven areas and removes old stain.

3

Medium Sanding (60-80 Grit)

Second pass removes marks from coarse sanding and begins creating a smooth surface. Prepares wood for fine sanding.

4

Fine Sanding (100-120 Grit)

Final drum sanding pass creates a smooth, uniform surface. Removes all previous sanding marks and prepares for edge work.

5

Edge & Detail Sanding

Edger sands perimeter and tight spaces. Hand sanding in corners and around obstacles ensures every inch is perfectly smooth.

6

Screen & Final Prep

Buffer with fine screen (150 grit) creates glass-smooth surface. Thorough vacuuming and tack cloth removes all dust before staining.

Expert Sanding Craftsmanship

38 years of sanding expertise in Sonoma & Marin County

NWFA Certified

Rick Lachmiller's certification ensures industry-leading sanding techniques, proper grit progression, and quality control standards.

38 Years Experience

Since 1986, we've sanded thousands of floors throughout the North Bay. Experience prevents common mistakes like over-sanding or chatter marks.

Dustless Sanding Systems

Professional-grade equipment with vacuum-sealed dust collection captures 95-99% of dust, protecting your home and air quality.

Professional Equipment

Commercial-grade drum sanders, edgers, and buffers ensure even sanding without waves, dips, or machine marks.

Quality Inspection

We check floors at multiple stages, ensuring consistent smoothness and proper preparation before moving to staining and finishing.

Licensed & Insured

CA License #991260, bonded and insured with $1M liability coverage for your complete protection and peace of mind.

Common Sanding Questions

Everything you need to know about floor sanding

How long does floor sanding take?
Sanding typically takes 1-2 days depending on the size of the area and wood condition. Most residential projects are completed in one day. This includes all sanding passes, edge work, and final screening. The complete refinishing process (sanding, staining, finishing) takes 3-5 days total.
Is floor sanding messy?
Our dustless sanding systems capture 95-99% of dust at the source using powerful vacuums and sealed equipment. While some fine dust is inevitable, modern dustless technology minimizes mess dramatically compared to traditional sanding. We also seal off the work area and protect your home.
How many times can hardwood floors be sanded?
Most solid hardwood floors can be sanded 4-7 times over their lifetime, depending on the thickness of the wear layer. Each sanding removes approximately 1/32" to 1/16" of wood. We assess your floors during our site visit to determine if sanding is appropriate.
What's the difference between drum sanding and screening?
Drum sanding removes old finish and wood, ideal for refinishing worn floors. Screening (buffing) only abrades the existing finish for a fresh topcoat—used for floors that just need a refresh without full refinishing. Drum sanding provides a complete restoration.
Can engineered hardwood be sanded?
It depends on the wear layer thickness. Engineered floors with a 3mm+ wear layer can typically be sanded 1-2 times. Thinner wear layers may only allow screening or may not be sandable at all. We'll assess your specific floors during our free site visit.
Do I need to leave during sanding?
You can stay home, but many clients prefer to leave due to noise from the equipment. The work area needs to be vacant, but you can be in other parts of your home. Dustless systems mean the air quality remains good throughout the house.

Ready for Expert Floor Sanding?

Schedule your free on-site estimate. We'll assess your floors and provide an accurate quote for sanding and refinishing services.

Serving Sonoma & Marin County

Professional sanding services throughout the North Bay