Absolutely, can one sand laminate wood flooring?
In the world of home interiors, laminate flooring has become a popular choice due to its durability and affordability. Here, we delve into the best practices for maintaining, refreshing, and repairing laminate flooring, drawing on expert advice from Christoph Wellekoetter, Head of Product Management at Parador, a global leader in flooring production.
Regular maintenance is key to keeping laminate flooring looking good for longer. A specialist cleaner and reviver are essential tools for this task. However, it's important to remember that replacing a single laminate wood plank can be tricky, as matching the current floor can sometimes prove challenging.
When installing new laminate flooring, using leftover flooring from the same batch is advisable to avoid a mismatch. If you don't have leftover flooring, taking the existing flooring with you when shopping for new flooring can help ensure a good match.
Parador's laminate wood flooring boasts a complex structure of protective layers, with the top protective layer made of melanin resin, offering high protection against everyday wear and tear.
For refreshing laminate flooring and removing superficial scratches, a 240-grit sandpaper is a suitable choice. However, sanding laminate wood flooring comes with a caveat: it removes these protective layers, potentially weakening the flooring. Fine-grit sandpaper, typically between 120 and 150 grit, is recommended for sanding laminate wood parquet to avoid damaging the laminate surface while smoothing it.
If sanding isn't enough, repairing or replacing old laminate wood flooring is an alternative. It's also possible to paint old laminate flooring to give it a new lease of life, but proper preparation and the right paint are necessary for a good-looking, durable finish. A more abrasive sandpaper like 120-grit can be used to aid adhesion when painting.
After sanding, it's recommended to use a laminate cleaner and/or a laminate reviver to add a new protective layer and restore the laminate. A corded, compact hand sander, equipped with a selection of different grit sanding pads, is ideal for getting into corners.
Lastly, using a scented concentrated floor cleaner can clean all types of floors, including laminate. Always remember, maintaining, refreshing, and repairing laminate flooring requires careful consideration and the right tools to ensure it continues to serve as a beautiful and durable addition to your home.
