Hardwood Floor Sanding in Orland Park, IL

Why Sanding Matters So Much

Every finish you see on a hardwood floor sits on top of the sanding underneath it. If the sanding is uneven, the stain blotches and the finish highlights every flaw. If it is done well, the floor looks smooth, the grain shows cleanly, and the finish lasts. That is why sanding is the part of a project we never delegate to chance.

Our owner, Chris Topor, learned hardwood sanding and finishing as an apprentice to one of the most successful floor sanders in the Chicago area. Since 2002 he has built Top Hardwood Flooring, Inc. around that standard of craftsmanship.

How Sanding Works

Sanding is done in stages, starting with coarser grits to remove the old finish and level the surface, then moving to finer grits for a smooth result. Edges, corners, and stairs need separate handling because large machines cannot reach them. Between passes the dust is cleaned thoroughly so it never ends up in your finish.

A good sander also reads the wood. Different species and ages of hardwood respond differently, and gouges, cupped boards, or old patches have to be handled without cutting too deeply. Solid hardwood can only be sanded so many times, so careful sanding protects the future life of your floor.

When You Need Sanding

You need sanding when the finish has worn through, when scratches go deeper than a recoat can cover, when you want to change the stain color, or when new boards have been installed and the whole floor needs to be leveled together. Sanding is usually part of refinishing, restoration, and new installation, and we can quote it on its own if that is all you need.