Your questions, answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about caring for, sanding, polishing and protecting your timber floors, explained in plain language. Can’t find your answer? Call us on 0425 257 262.
Maintenance and care
Most modern polyurethane coatings are dry enough for light foot traffic in socks after 24 hours. The coating keeps curing for 7 to 14 days, so we recommend carefully placing furniture back 48 hours after the final coat is applied. Following this window lets the finish harden fully and reach its maximum durability.
The best daily care is an anti-static dust mop to remove dust and grit, which can act like sandpaper on the coating. For damp cleaning, use a well-wrung (almost dry) mop with a pH-neutral cleaner recommended for polyurethane-coated floors. Avoid steam mops, abrasive scourers, vinegar, ammonia and wax-based products, as these can dull, strip or damage the finish over time.
Vacuuming is generally not recommended unless the vacuum has a specific hard-floor setting with a soft brush head. Worn or stiff bristles can scratch the coating, and the wheels of some models can leave marks. A soft anti-static dust mop is the safest and most effective daily cleaning tool.
Prolonged direct sunlight causes timber and coatings to fade or discolour over time, particularly lighter species. We recommend filtering sunlight with sheer curtains, blinds or UV-blocking window film, and rotating rugs and furniture now and then so any colour change is even across the floor rather than in patches.
Mats at external doorways catch sand and grit before it reaches the floor, which is one of the best protective measures you can take. Runners in hallways and rugs in high-traffic zones also reduce wear. Don’t place rugs until at least two weeks after the finish is applied, as trapped moisture can stop the coating curing fully and leave a visible outline.
With proper care, a quality polyurethane finish typically lasts 7 to 10 years in a home before it needs sanding and recoating. Busy homes with pets and children may need restoration sooner.
Sanding and polishing timelines
A typical sand and polish takes around 4 days: preparation and sanding on day one, the first coats over the following days and the final coat on the last day, with drying time between each coat. Smaller areas may be finished in 2 days, while large or complex projects, such as homes needing board repairs or staining, can take longer. We give you a clear timeline with every quote.
Light foot traffic in socks is usually fine after 24 hours, but the finish needs 7 to 14 days to fully cure. For the first 7 days, avoid street shoes, pets with long nails and dragging anything across the surface. Light furniture can go back after 48 hours with protective felt pads; heavier items should wait until the full cure period has passed.
It is possible to stay at home, but it isn’t ideal. Sanding produces some dust (even with our dust extraction equipment) and coating fumes can be strong, particularly with solvent-based products. We recommend planning to be away during the sanding and coating days if you can, and keeping the house well ventilated. For clients who must stay, we can phase the work room by room.
Yes. All furniture, rugs and breakables need to be moved out of the rooms we’re working in before our team arrives. This protects your belongings and lets us complete the work efficiently. If you can’t move heavy items yourself, let us know in advance and we can talk through options.
We recommend booking 2 to 4 weeks ahead, particularly in our busy spring and summer months. Larger or more complex jobs may need more lead time. Once your date is confirmed, we give you a detailed timeline so you can plan around the work, including any time you may need to be away from home.
Flooring durability
For busy households, harder species such as Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Ironbark, Brush Box and Tallowwood are excellent choices because they resist denting. Softer species like Baltic Pine or Cypress Pine suit lower-traffic areas, or homes where a rustic, characterful look matters more than maximum durability.
All natural timber will dent or scratch under enough force, and no coating can make timber invulnerable. Harder species resist denting better, and a quality coating gives a protective layer against everyday wear. Felt pads on furniture, trimmed pet nails, door mats and avoiding high heels indoors all greatly reduce marking over time.
Both are available. Solvent-based polyurethane tends to be slightly more durable and develops a warmer amber tone over time, while water-based polyurethane keeps the timber’s natural colour, has less odour and cures faster. Both give excellent durability in a home. We look at your floor, your lifestyle and the look you want, then recommend the best option for your project.
Sheen is largely about the look you want. Matte and satin are the most popular for modern homes because they hide dust, minor scratches and wear far better than gloss, with a natural, low-glare appearance. High gloss is striking and shows off the grain, but it also shows every mark and needs more frequent cleaning. We usually recommend satin for a balance of warmth and practicality.
General and service
Most timber floors can be restored rather than replaced. Solid hardwood can be sanded several times over its life, removing scratches, stains and old coatings to reveal fresh timber underneath. Even floors with damaged boards or gaps can often be saved with selective board replacement and gap filling before sanding. We assess each floor individually and advise whether restoration or replacement is the better value.
Staining applies a coloured pigment to the timber to deepen or change its tone, for example a rich chocolate or walnut. Liming is a specialty finish that fills the grain with a white or pale pigment for a soft, washed look. Both are applied before the protective coating and, with quality products and proper care, the colour lasts the life of the coating, typically 7 to 10 years before a recoat.
Yes. Many clients show us a photo of the look they want, and Raul creates a custom colour to match it on your timber. We confirm the colour depth with you before the whole floor is done.
Yes. Parquetry, whether block, finger or herringbone pattern, can be sanded and refinished just like standard tongue and groove flooring. It takes extra care because of the many grain directions, but the result can be striking, bringing a heritage feature back to its original beauty. We have extensive experience restoring parquetry in Sydney’s period homes.
Yes. We sand and refinish hardwood decks to remove weathering, grey timber and old coatings, then apply a suitable outdoor oil or coating to protect against sun and moisture. Deck restoration brings tired outdoor areas back to life and, with regular maintenance, extends the deck’s life considerably.
Yes. Amaze Floors is fully insured with Public Liability and WorkCover on every job, protecting you from property damage and worker injury risks. We also give a 3-year guarantee on our workmanship, depending on the finish you choose, along with practical aftercare advice to keep your floors in top condition.
We service the whole Sydney metropolitan area, including the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Hills District, Sutherland Shire, South Sydney and Parramatta, as well as the Central Coast and South Coast of NSW. If you’re not sure whether we cover your suburb, call us on 0425 257 262 and we’ll confirm.
You can request a free, no-obligation quote through our online quote request form or by calling 0425 257 262. We visit your property to assess the floor and talk through your preferences, then email you a detailed quote with a clear timeline, so you know exactly what to expect before any work begins.
Floor sanding and finishing is a specialist craft. The wrong grit, rushed coating or poor dust control can leave permanent marks, uneven sheen or early wear. Amaze Floors brings over 25 years of dedicated experience, specialist machinery and a reputation built on quality, so the job is done right the first time with a finish that lasts.