Can You Sand Parquet Flooring? Everything You Need to Know

Parquet flooring is known for its elegance, timeless patterns, and rich character. But over time, even the most beautiful parquet can show signs of wear—scratches, fading, dullness, or damage. The good news? In many cases, parquet floors can be sanded and refinished to restore their original beauty.

However, parquet sanding isn't as straightforward as sanding standard floorboards. Because of its unique patterned design—often with pieces laid in different directions—it requires a more delicate and skilled approach. In this article, we’ll explain which types of parquet can be sanded, what to expect during the process, and whether it's a DIY-friendly task or best left to the pros.

Types of Parquet That Can Be Sanded

Not all parquet floors are created equal—some are made from solid wood, while others are engineered or veneered. Knowing what type of parquet you have is crucial before attempting to sand it, as each has different limits in terms of how much wear it can withstand.

Here’s a breakdown of parquet flooring types and their sanding suitability:

Solid Wood Parquet: These are made entirely of hardwood and can typically be sanded multiple times over their lifespan. This is the best candidate for full restoration.
Engineered Parquet: This type has a real wood top layer (usually 2–6mm) over a plywood base. It can be sanded once or twice, depending on the thickness of the wear layer. Always check specifications before proceeding.
Veneered Parquet: These budget-friendly options have an ultra-thin wood veneer, often less than 1mm. They cannot be sanded without damaging the surface, and should only be cleaned or replaced.

If you're unsure what type of parquet you have, consult your flooring supplier or a professional before sanding. You can also browse our range of parquet flooring to see the difference between solid and engineered options.

When Does Parquet Flooring Need Sanding?

Parquet flooring is designed to be durable, but like all wood surfaces, it can lose its finish over time, especially in high-traffic areas. Sanding becomes necessary when the top layer of protection (oil, lacquer, or sealant) begins to wear off, exposing the bare wood to scratches, dirt, and moisture.

Here are common signs your parquet floor may need sanding:

Visible scratches or scuff marks
Areas of discolouration or uneven sheen
Peeling, flaking, or worn finish
Stains or water damage that cleaning cannot remove
A dull, lifeless appearance even after cleaning

If you notice any of these issues, sanding and refinishing your parquet could bring it back to life, without the need for costly replacement. It’s especially worth considering if your parquet is solid wood or engineered with a sufficiently thick top layer.

Challenges of Sanding Parquet Flooring

While sanding can dramatically improve the appearance of a parquet floor, the process comes with unique challenges that require extra care and experience. Unlike straight-laid planks, parquet consists of small wood blocks arranged in complex patterns, such as herringbone, basketweave, or chevron, which present sanding difficulties that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Common challenges include:

Cross-grain sanding: Since the wood blocks face different directions, sanding across grains can lead to uneven abrasion, scratching, or tearing of the wood.
Edge damage: Parquet edges are more delicate, especially if the adhesive has weakened. Aggressive sanding can cause lifting or splintering.
Uneven surfaces: Older parquet may have shifted slightly over time, making the surface uneven and requiring careful levelling with fine grit pads.
Pattern distortion: Inconsistent sanding pressure or technique can distort the look of the parquet pattern or make certain sections appear duller than others.

Because of these complexities, parquet sanding typically requires specialised equipment like a multi-directional rotary sander and the steady hand of a trained professional.

DIY vs Professional Parquet Sanding

While some homeowners may be tempted to sand their parquet flooring themselves, it’s important to understand the risks before jumping into a DIY project. Parquet sanding is not as forgiving as sanding standard wooden planks, and even small mistakes can result in costly damage or a patchy, uneven appearance.

DIY sanding may be suitable if:

You have experience with floor sanding tools
Your parquet layout is simple and uses click-engineered boards
You’re performing a light surface buff, not deep restoration

Professional sanding is recommended when:

You have a traditional pattern like herringbone or chevron
The floor has deep scratches, uneven boards, or loose blocks
You want to apply a specific finish or stain evenly

Experts use specialised equipment and techniques to sand parquet floors in multiple directions while maintaining the integrity of the pattern. This ensures consistent results without damaging the delicate edges or over-sanding specific areas.

For more technical guidance on parquet preparation, visit our article on How to Install Parquet Flooring, which covers surface condition requirements.

Sanding Process Overview

Whether you hire a professional or attempt it yourself, understanding the steps involved in sanding parquet flooring helps you prepare properly and know what to expect. The process varies slightly depending on floor condition, wood type, and desired finish, but the general flow remains consistent.

Here’s how the parquet sanding process typically works:

Inspection & Preparation: The floor is checked for loose blocks, damage, or unevenness. Any necessary repairs—like gluing down loose tiles—are done before sanding begins.
Initial Sanding: A coarse-grit pad is used to remove old finishes and level the surface. For parquet, sanding is often done diagonally across the pattern to balance out the wood grain directions.
Intermediate Passes: Finer grits are used in successive stages to smooth the surface and eliminate sanding marks. Edges and corners are handled carefully with edging sanders or hand tools.
Cleaning & Dust Removal: After sanding, the entire area is vacuumed and cleaned thoroughly to ensure no dust interferes with the finishing process.
Finishing: A protective coat of oil, lacquer, or hardwax is applied to seal the wood. You can also stain the floor for a darker tone—see our article on staining wood floors if you’re considering a colour change.

With careful execution, this process restores the parquet’s natural beauty and protects it for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can parquet flooring be sanded?

Solid wood parquet can usually be sanded 3–5 times over its lifetime. Engineered parquet depends on the thickness of the top layer—typically 1–2 times if it's at least 3mm thick.

Can I sand engineered parquet?

Yes, but only if the top layer is thick enough (at least 2.5–3mm). Always check the product specifications before attempting to sand engineered floors.

Will sanding remove deep stains or gaps?

Light stains and surface damage can often be removed. However, deeper stains may remain visible, and gaps between parquet blocks may need to be filled with a matching wood filler before sanding.

Is parquet sanding very dusty?

While sanding does generate dust, professional machines often have built-in dust extraction systems that keep the area relatively clean. You should still protect furniture and electronics or remove them from the room entirely.

Should I sand my parquet myself or hire a professional?

If you're dealing with a patterned floor, aged wood, or significant damage, professional sanding is strongly recommended to avoid costly mistakes and get the best results.

Alternative Restoration Methods

In some cases, full sanding isn’t necessary to revive a parquet floor. If the surface is only lightly worn or dull, there are gentler restoration options that can refresh the appearance without removing any wood.

Consider these alternatives:

Buffing or Screen-and-Recoat: This involves lightly abrading the top layer to remove surface scratches, then applying a new coat of finish. It’s quicker, cleaner, and ideal for floors with minimal damage.
Deep Cleaning and Re-Oiling: For oiled parquet, thorough cleaning followed by reapplication of maintenance oil can revive the colour and lustre. Explore our range of hardwax and oil finishes.
Spot Treatment: Small scratches or dull areas can often be addressed locally using repair kits or refresher oils without disturbing the rest of the floor.

These methods are particularly useful for engineered or thin-veneer parquet floors that can’t withstand full sanding, or when you want to delay a full restoration until it’s truly necessary.

Bring Your Parquet Floor Back to Life

Sanding parquet flooring is a great way to restore its natural elegance when done correctly. Whether you're working with solid wood or engineered parquet, knowing your floor's structure and using the right method is essential to achieving a smooth, long-lasting result.

Explore our range of parquet flooring options and professional sanding products to help with your restoration project. For minor wear, you may also want to browse our cleaning and maintenance solutions.

Need expert advice before starting? Don’t hesitate to get in touch or visit our showroom in London for tailored support on sanding, finishing, and maintaining your parquet floor.