Floor sanding: prices, process and durability
Floor sanding removes the worn surface before a new finish is applied. Our standard price is 175 kr per m2 including VAT for areas of 36 m2 or more, including a standard finish. Standard lacquer, oil, lye and soap treatments do not have different base prices. Smaller jobs use fixed area-based prices.
This applies to classic plank floors, parquet, and other solid wood floors - and the result is a floor that looks like new and will last for many years when treated correctly afterwards.
- 175 kr/m2Including VAT and a standard finish, from 36 m2
- 24 hoursResponse with fixed price
- Workmanship guaranteeOn all work performed
Table of Contents
The most important things about floor sanding
- Price: Standard floor sanding with a standard finish costs 175 kr per m2 including VAT from 36 m2. Fixed prices apply to smaller jobs, and any additional work is agreed in the quotation.
- A solid wood floor tolerates 4-6 full sandings in its lifetime - engineered wood flooring fewer, because the wear layer is thinner.
- A lacquered floor typically lasts about 10 years before it needs re-sanding, while an oiled floor is maintained continuously.
- After sanding, the floor must be treated with lacquer, oil, or lye to protect the wood.
- The sanding itself of a regular floor is often completed in a single workday.
What is floor sanding?
Floor sanding removes a thin layer from the surface of a wooden floor. A floor sander covers the open areas, while an edge sander works along walls and around corners. Sanding removes scratches, dark wear marks, old lacquer or oil and minor surface damage to expose fresh wood.
This method only works on wooden floors - solid plank floors, parquet, and engineered wood floors with a real wood wear layer. Laminate and vinyl cannot be sanded because they have a printed decorative layer instead of solid wood. After the sanding, the floor is left raw and must be treated to protect it again. If you want to read more about when it's time, we have a guide on when a wooden floor needs sanding.
What does floor sanding cost?
Standard floor sanding with a standard finish costs 175 kr per m2 including VAT from 36 m2. Smaller jobs cost 3.700 kr for 1 to 15 m2, 5.700 kr for 16 to 25 m2, and 6.700 kr for 26 to 35 m2, including VAT. Standard lacquer, oil, lye and soap finishes share the same base price. We assess the condition and any additional work before confirming the quotation.
The table below shows illustrative calculations at the current standard rate. For more detail, see our guide to what floor sanding costs.
| Floor | Area | Work included | Illustrative total including VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine floor | 65 m2 | Standard sanding and a standard finish | 11.375 kr |
| Parquet floor | 45 m2 | Standard sanding and a standard finish | 7.875 kr |
| Plank floor | 80 m2 | Standard sanding and a standard finish | 14.000 kr |
You always receive a fixed price before the work begins, so there are no surprises along the way. If you live in an apartment, there are certain considerations regarding access and dust, which we cover in the guide on floor sanding in apartments.
How is a wooden floor sanded?
Sanding a wooden floor involves several passes with progressively finer sandpaper, ensuring a perfectly even surface. A professional sanding machine handles the large areas, while an edge sander tackles edges, corners, and areas under radiators. The actual sanding of a typical room is often completed in a single workday, while the finishing treatment takes extra time due to drying periods.
- Preparation: furniture removed, nails hammered down, and any cracks and holes repaired. We describe the method in the guide on repairing cracks and holes.
- Coarse sanding: the old layer of lacquer or oil and the deepest scratches are sanded off with coarse grit.
- Intermediate and fine sanding: several passes with finer grit create a smooth surface without sanding marks.
- Edge sanding: areas along walls and in corners that the large machine cannot reach are sanded separately.
- Vacuuming and treatment: all sanding dust is removed, and the floor is lacquered, oiled, or lye-treated.
How many times can a wooden floor be sanded?
A solid wood floor typically tolerates 4-6 full sandings in its lifetime, while engineered wood flooring tolerates fewer because the wear layer above the tongue and groove is thinner. Each sanding removes a small part of the wood, so the thickness of the wear layer determines how many times the floor can be sanded down completely.
Therefore, a light refresh is often preferable when the floor is still in reasonable condition - this saves the wood. If you are unsure how much life is left in your floor, the wood type and floor type can give a hint. We have separate guides on sanding parquet flooring and sanding plank flooring that cover the differences.
Should the floor be lacquered, oiled or lye-treated?
After sanding, the wooden floor must be treated, and the choice is typically between lacquer, oil, and lye. A lacquered floor typically lasts about 10 years before it needs re-sanding and is easy to keep clean. An oiled floor needs re-treatment approximately every 1-2 years, but minor damage can be spot-repaired without a full sanding.
Lye provides a light, matt, and natural look, which many appreciate, especially in pine and oak. Drying times vary: oil is often ready for light use after about 1 day, while lacquer requires 1-3 days depending on the number of coats. We compare the options in the guide on lacquering vs. oiling of wooden floors and explain the method in the guide on lye treatment of floors.
Can you sand your own floor?
It is possible to rent a floor sander and sand your own floor, but the result greatly depends on experience. A belt sander or drum sander works quickly, and if it stays in the same spot for too long, it can easily create depressions and waves in the wood, which only become visible once the lacquer is applied. Mistakes on a wear layer that only tolerates a limited number of sandings can be expensive to correct.
Professional sanding gives you an even surface, a suitable finish and a fixed quotation, with a workmanship guarantee on the work. You can contact us for a fixed price and receive a reply within 24 hours, or read more about our floor sanding and treatment.
Get a fixed quotation for your project
Briefly describe the task, and we will get back to you with a fixed price within 24 hours. No surprises along the way.
Frequently asked questions
What does floor sanding cost per sq.m?
Standard floor sanding costs 175 kr per m2 including VAT from 36 m2, including a standard finish. For example, 65 m2 gives an illustrative total of 11.375 kr including VAT. Smaller areas use fixed prices, and any additional work is agreed before work begins.
How long does floor sanding take?
The actual sanding of a regular room is often completed in a single workday. This is followed by drying time for the finishing treatment: oil is typically ready for light use after approx. 1 day, while lacquer requires 1-3 days depending on the number of coats.
How many times can a wooden floor be sanded?
A solid wooden floor typically tolerates 4-6 full sandings in its lifetime. Engineered wood flooring tolerates fewer, because the wear layer above the tongue and groove is thinner. A light refresh removes less wood and extends the floor's lifespan.
Can laminate and vinyl be sanded?
No. Floor sanding only works on wooden floors with solid wood or a wear layer of real wood. Laminate and vinyl have a printed decorative layer that cannot be sanded - they must be replaced if worn.
When should I sand my wooden floor?
You should sand your wooden floor when the surface is visibly worn: many scratches, worn-through lacquer, or grey, dull oil. A lacquered floor typically lasts about 10 years between sandings, while an oiled floor is maintained continuously with re-treatment approximately every 1-2 years.
Should the floor be oiled or lacquered after sanding?
It depends on usage. Lacquer typically lasts about 10 years and is easy to clean, while oil requires re-treatment approximately every 1-2 years but can be spot-repaired without full sanding. Lye gives a light, natural look. We are happy to advise based on your floor and daily life.
Øens HåndværkerCentral
We sand and surface-treat floors, stairs, balconies, wooden terraces, and worktops - based in Aarhus Ø and working nationwide. You get a fixed price before the work begins and a workmanship guarantee on the work performed.
Do you need your floor sanded in Aarhus or Copenhagen? See prices, process, and local references on the pages for floor sanding in Aarhus and floor sanding in Copenhagen.