Published on 1 July 2025
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Sanding your floors can make a huge difference to the overall look and feel of your home or commercial space. If you’re restoring original floorboards, preparing a parquet surface for refinishing, or tackling high-traffic wooden flooring, choosing the right tool is crucial.
Hiring a floor sander is often a smarter choice than buying, especially if you’re taking on a one-off DIY project. You save up on upfront costs and also get access to professional-grade floor sanders that are maintained, powerful, and ready to deliver a flawless finish.
Let us help you figure out which floor sander to hire based on your floor type and project size.
When browsing for floor sander types, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Each machine is designed with a specific purpose in mind, and knowing the difference can save you time, effort, and potential damage to your floors.
Let’s break down the five key floor sanders you’re most likely to encounter when looking at floor sander hire options.
Bona Sanders are ideal for levelling wooden floorboards and removing tough finishes quickly. Due to their high efficiency, they’re often preferred over conventional belt sander hire or drum models.
What’s more, many Bona floor sanding machines are compatible with sander vacuum systems, which help capture dust as you go.
The Buffer Floor Sander, also known as a finish sander, is best used for the final stage of sanding. If your surface is already mostly level or pre-sanded, the buffer adds that smooth, polished touch.
As the name suggests, dust-free sanders are designed to keep your workspace clean and your lungs healthy. These systems typically use a built-in or external sander vacuum that captures airborne particles before they settle.
Dust-free setups can be used with machines like the Bona Floor Sander or Trio Sander, and they’re a must-have for indoor projects, especially in furnished homes or commercial spaces where cleanliness matters.
Edging floor Sanders are designed to get right into those tricky spots that bigger machines can’t reach, like along skirting boards, into corners, and on stairs.
Compact and easy to handle, an edging floor sander is the perfect companion to your main sander. Think of it as the fine brush to your paint roller.
The Trio Floor Sander is a powerful, 3-disc orbital floor sander that’s as versatile as it is precise. Its circular motion makes it ideal for both preparation and finishing stages, particularly on parquet, patterned, or delicate wooden floors.
Low in vibration and high in precision, the Trio is great for DIYers and professionals alike. It’s also compatible with dust-free sanding equipment.
If you’re trying to figure out which floor sander to hire for your home or commercial project, then the answer depends entirely on the type of floor you’re working with. Here’s a breakdown of the best floor sander for each floor type.
Recommended: Bona or Trio Floor Sander
When you’re working with solid hardwood floors, especially those that are scratched, cupped, or have layers of old varnish, you’ll need a bit of muscle. The Bona Floor Sander is a fantastic choice for aggressive sanding, capable of levelling and restoring even the most worn boards.
If you’re after slightly more finesse without sacrificing power, the Trio Floor Sander is also a great option. Its orbital action gives you a smooth, even finish while still tackling tough surfaces.
Recommended: Trio or Buffer Floor Sander
Parquet floors are beautiful, but they can be tricky to sand. Their patterned, multi-directional grain is more prone to damage if the wrong tool is used. That’s why the Trio Floor Sander, with its gentle 3-disc orbital action, is ideal. It allows for even sanding without cutting across the grain.
Alternatively, a buffer floor sander is perfect for light preparation or between-coat sanding when you’re applying finishes to parquet.
Always follow the natural grain direction (where possible) and avoid heavy pressure, especially near intricate joints.
Recommended: Buffer Floor Sander
If your floor is lightly worn or made from a softer wood, you won’t need aggressive sanding. The buffer floor sander shines here, offering light abrasion that’s perfect for surface prep or finishing.
Recommended: Edging Floor Sander
No matter how good your main sander is, it simply won’t reach into corners or along the skirting boards. That’s where the edging floor sander comes in. Compact and powerful, it’s designed specifically to finish off the edges and tricky spots.
Recommended: Bona or Trio + Dust-Free Options
Commercial spaces like offices, studios, or rental properties demand powerful, reliable machines. The Bona Floor Sander is built for heavy-duty performance and is well-suited for open-plan or large areas.
For businesses looking for a smoother finish with less vibration, the Trio Sander is another excellent choice.
Both can be paired with dust-free sanding equipment, which is especially useful when workspaces need to stay clean and operational.
Recommended: Trio Floor Sander + Vacuum Attachment
Areas like hallways, reception areas, or retail spaces see a lot of footfall, so they need a floor finish that’s smooth, consistent, and durable. The Trio Floor Sander can achieve this due to its high polish and orbital sanding motion, which is perfect for achieving just that.
It also prepares floors for finishes like oils and lacquers that protect against wear and tear. For best results, pair it with a vacuum attachment to minimise airborne dust and ensure that the final coat goes down without imperfections.
In most cases, no. A buffer sander (or finish sander) is designed for light sanding and polishing; it won’t cut through thick layers of varnish or stubborn finishes. If you need to remove old varnish or paint, you’ll want something more heavy-duty like the Bona Floor Sander. It’s specifically built for aggressive sanding and works brilliantly on worn or uneven boards.
Yes, absolutely. Each floor sander, whether it’s a Trio, Bona, Buffer, or Edger, uses a different type and size of abrasive. You’ll also want to choose the right grit depending on the job: coarse for stripping, medium for smoothing, and fine for finishing.
For edges, corners, and tight spots, like around skirting boards or stairs, you’ll need an edging floor sander. These compact machines are designed to complement your main sander and are essential for a clean, consistent finish.
Always follow the grain direction when sanding near edges to avoid scratching or damaging the timber.
It depends on a few factors:
On average, a standard-sized room can take 3 to 6 hours to sand thoroughly, especially with the right tools and a bit of planning. Using professional-grade floor sanders with dust-free attachments can help you move quickly and cleanly.
Looking for reliable, affordable, and user-friendly floor sander hire in London? You’re in the right place.
We offer a wide range of professional-grade floor sanding equipment for hire, suitable for everything from DIY home improvement projects to commercial renovations. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned tradesperson, our machines are easy to use, well-maintained, and ready to deliver high-quality results.
All of our sanders are designed with ease of use in mind. Even if it’s your first time using a floor sander, we’ll guide you through it so you can get started with confidence.
We stock a full range of sanding consumables, including:
Moreover, our floor sanding bundles include a set of floor sanding equipment suitable for your project so you can get started straight away.
Call us on 020 8427 6604 for expert advice and availability, or fill out our quick enquiry form, and one of our friendly specialists will be in touch to help you choose the best floor sander for your project.
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