Wood Floor Sanding Meets NWFA Standards

Wood floors are increasingly popular in homes and commercial settings for their durability, warmth, and timeless beauty. Dedicated wood floor sanding firms have risen to meet demand, but the quality of their work depends on adhering to strict standards and best practices. Membership in the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) is key to these wood floor sanding firms and their clients’ satisfaction.

National Wood Floor Association standards refinishability benchmark is an important standard that helps ensure the long-term viability of hardwood floors. The benchmark is based on the fact that unfinished engineered wood flooring with a real wood wear layer should be able to be refinished at least once, similar to the process of installing site-finished hardwood floors.

Your Local Floor Expert for Affordable Refinishing in Pittsburgh

A good start is essential, which means evaluating the existing coatings on the floor and choosing the right grit for the initial sanding with the big machine. The sanding grit used is determined by several conditions, including the presence of existing coatings such as wax, shellac or oil; the degree to which the floor is uneven; the species of the flooring and whether it has been previously site-finished; and the current condition of the flooring, which may have changed color over time.

Before beginning the first sanding cut with the big machine, vacuum thoroughly to remove dust and debris that could interfere with the finish. Vacuuming also prevents heat from building up on the sanding disc, which can cause burning or liquefaction of the flooring surface. After the sanding cut with the big machine, use a hard plate or multi-disc/planetary to refine scratch patterns and blend the edger’s cuts with those of the bigger machine.