Floor sanding is a key part of restoring hardwood flooring, and if you’re planning to have it done, you’re likely wondering how long the process takes. The short answer is: floor sanding usually takes 1 to 3 days, depending on a variety of factors. However, if you’re including refinishing as well (such as staining and sealing), the full project can take anywhere from 3 to 7 days.
Here’s a detailed timeline breakdown of the process by a floor sanding expert and that of course including what affects the duration and what you can expect each day.
Factors That Affect Floor Sanding Time
Before diving into the day-by-day timeline, it’s important to understand the factors that influence how long floor sanding will take:
- Size of the area – Larger spaces take more time to sand than smaller rooms.
- Floor condition – Floors with heavy damage or multiple layers of old finish may require more sanding passes.
- Type of wood – Harder woods like oak or maple can take longer to sand than softer woods like pine.
- Layout complexity – Open floor plans are faster to sand than areas with lots of corners or tight spaces.
- Equipment used – Professionals using industrial-grade machines may finish more quickly than DIYers with rental tools.
Typical Floor Sanding Timeline
Day 1: Preparation and Initial Sanding
- Time Required: 4–8 hours (depending on square footage)
- What Happens:
- All furniture and rugs are removed from the room.
- Floor is inspected for nails or staples that need to be set or removed.
- Sanding begins with coarse-grit sandpaper to remove the existing finish and level the surface.
- Heavy scratches, stains, and uneven boards are addressed during this phase.
If the space is small (under 500 square feet), the initial sanding could be completed in one day. For larger or heavily damaged floors, it might carry into the next day.
Day 2: Medium and Fine Sanding
- Time Required: 4–6 hours
- What Happens:
- A second pass with medium-grit sandpaper smooths the surface and removes marks left by the coarse sanding.
- A final pass with fine-grit sandpaper ensures the floor is even and ready for staining or sealing.
- Edges and corners are hand-sanded or done with a smaller machine.
- The floor is vacuumed and wiped clean to remove all dust.
If you’re not refinishing the floor (just sanding), this may be the last day of the project.
Optional Day 3+: Staining and Finishing (If Included)
- Time Required: 2–4 additional days
- What Happens:
- If staining is desired, it’s applied after the final sanding and left to dry (typically 24 hours).
- Finish coats (usually 2–3 layers of polyurethane or another protective sealant) are applied.
- Each coat needs time to dry and may require a light sanding or buffing between coats.
- Curing time follows once the final coat is dry.
While not technically part of sanding, most refinishing projects include staining and sealing, which can extend the total time to about a week.
DIY vs. Professional Timeline
- DIY Floor Sanding can take significantly longer—often 3 to 5 days just for sanding—especially if you’re learning as you go or using lower-powered rental equipment.
- Professional Sanding is typically more efficient and cleaner, especially if the contractor uses a dustless sanding system. Most pros can sand a standard room (around 200–400 sq. ft.) in one day and larger homes within 2 to 3 days.
The actual sanding portion of a floor refinishing project usually takes 1 to 3 days, depending on the size and condition of the floor. If you’re also staining and sealing the wood, plan for a full 3 to 7 days from start to finish. Knowing this timeline helps you plan better—whether that means booking time off, staying elsewhere during the project, or simply managing your expectations for when your floors will be beautifully restored and ready to use again.
