Sydenham Floor Sanding

3 top tips for sanding a bamboo floor

Bamboo flooring is becoming more popular in the UK now and with good reason. It is a hard-wearing material that not only looks great but will last a long time too. It really does give a different effect to hardwood or softwood flooring which sets it apart. 

If you have a bamboo floor or are thinking of buying one, you may be wondering if you can sand it and when you may need to do so. For brand new bamboo flooring, sanding is a good option if it is not pre-finished so you get the look you want. In the case of existing flooring, you will want to sand it when it appears dull or blemished.

Here's three things to bear in mind when sanding bamboo flooring:
 

1. It is a grass, not a tree!

Although fairly obvious, this is probably worth pointing out anyway. Bamboo is actually classed as a grass so will feel different than wood to sand and work on. They come in a vertical, horizontal or strand woven finish depending on which you prefer for your project. 

While the various types of bamboo flooring will feel different to work on than wood, the tools and processes you need to use are the same. A great tip is to use a professional grade floor sanding machine that will keep the dust levels given off when sanding down to a minimum. Bamboo flooring can kick up a lot of dust when sanded so this is a wise idea.

2. Bamboo is softer than hardwood

As you would expect, bamboo is softer than most hardwood species and this needs to be taken into account when floor sanding this material. The main point to bear in mind is around the sandpaper you use to do the job on your floor sanding machine. Use a finer grain of sandpaper to account for this and you will be fine.
 

3. Buff and seal after floor sanding

When sanding bamboo floor, it is not just the floor sanding to think about solely. Once the sanding is done, it is best to buff and then apply sealant also. The buffing will smooth the floor off and the sealant will protect it along with giving the required finish. 

Bamboo can be a tricky material to work with so if you need expert help, let the floor sanding specialists help out. We can use our years of experience in all areas of floor sanding to make sure your home looks perfect so call today!