Parquet floors often need more than surface sanding alone. Problems commonly include:
- scratched and uneven finish wear
- loose or lifting blocks
- gaps between blocks
- failed adhesive beneath the parquet
- damaged or missing sections
- old residues from previous finishes or repairs
Before sanding begins, the floor needs to be assessed so that repairs and preparation can be carried out properly and determine if a full parquet floor restoration is necessary. If you are unsure whether your parquet floor is worth repairing, restoring or replacing, our guide is-parquet-floor-restoration-worth-itIs Parquet Floor Restoration Worth It? explains how floor condition, missing blocks, loose sections, moisture damage and realistic expectations affect the decision.
Many homeowners assume damaged parquet flooring needs replacing, but this is often not the case. Loose blocks, missing sections, worn finishes and minor movement issues can frequently be repaired before sanding and refinishing take place. Whether restoration is possible depends on the condition of the blocks, the stability of the subfloor, previous repairs and the amount of usable timber remaining. Parquet floors should always be assessed individually, but in many cases restoration allows the original flooring to be preserved while improving both appearance and performance.
Loose parquet blocks must always be dealt with before sanding begins. If sanding is carried out over unstable blocks, the machine can catch edges, worsen movement and create an uneven result. If you want to understand why this stage matters, see our guide; whether loose parquet blocks should be fixed before sanding
Our repair process includes:
- checking for movement across the floor
- re-securing loose or lifting blocks
- allowing curing time before sanding continues
This preparatory parquet floor repair work helps ensure the floor remains stable after refinishing.
Where parquet blocks are cracked, heavily worn or missing entirely, selective replacement is often possible. Rather than replacing the whole floor, damaged sections can be carefully removed and replaced with matching or close-matching blocks before sanding begins as part of our parquet floor restoration services. Check our guide here for a more detailed explanation of matching, sourcing and restoring damaged and missing parquet flooring, whether it’s herringbone, mosaic or basket weave doesn’t matter.
This approach helps preserve the original parquet floor and allows repairs to blend more naturally into the final finish.
Over time, parquet floors can develop small gaps due to age, shrinkage or movement. Where appropriate, gap filling can improve appearance and reduce dirt build-up between blocks.
However, parquet floors still need to move naturally, so mass gap filling should be assessed carefully. The aim is to improve the overall finish without creating brittle filler lines that crack later.
Parquet floors require a different repair approach due to their block construction and patterned layout.
Loose parquet blocks are a common issue, particularly where original adhesives have broken down over time. Repairs may involve re-securing blocks, replacing missing sections, or stabilising larger areas. Find out more about detailed recommendations for repairing loose parquet flooring before sanding
As with floorboards, replacement blocks depend on what matching material is available. Due to natural variation in timber and ageing, replaced blocks may not perfectly match the surrounding floor, although they can usually be blended effectively during sanding and finishing.
Parquet floors benefit from controlled finishing equipment that keeps sanding even without damaging edges or flattening the pattern.
Professional parquet sanding may involve:
- controlled sanding equipment for patterned floors
- finishing sanders for smooth final passes
- edge sanders for detailed perimeter work
- dust-controlled systems for cleaner working conditions
This helps achieve a consistent, uniform surface while preserving the sharp lines of the parquet design.
Please check out our professional floor sanding video below to see our parquet finishing sander in action.
Parquet floor sanding is typically more involved than standard floorboard sanding due to the patterned layout, additional preparation work and specialist techniques required.
Patterned floors such as herringbone and block parquet need to be sanded at multiple angles, and repairs are often required before sanding can begin. Loose or missing blocks, movement within the floor, and areas of instability must be addressed to achieve a consistent result.
As a general guide:
Parquet floor sanding and refinishing:
£35 – £50+ per m²
This reflects the additional time required for:
- patterned sanding techniques
- careful edge work
- securing loose blocks before sanding
- more controlled finishing
Parquet floors are always assessed individually to determine the most appropriate approach and the level of preparation required. Where repairs are needed, these are usually priced separately following inspection.
Factors that influence parquet sanding costs include:
- the stability of the blocks and amount of repair work required
- the complexity of the pattern (herringbone, block, mosaic)
- the condition of the existing finish
- the size and layout of the area
- the type of finish selected
For general pricing ranges and a full breakdown of what is included, see our floor sanding prices.
The finish you choose affects both the appearance and the durability of the restored floor.
Lacquer Finishes
Finishing wooden floors with lacquer is a durable, low-maintenance option that protects the surface well and is a popular choice for busy homes.
Oil Finishes
Refinishing floors with Oil gives a more natural look, enhances grain and can often be spot-repaired more easily over time.
Colour & Specialist Finishes
Parquet floor staining is possible, but a lot trickier than plank floors and often requires specialist finishes and techniques to successfully refinish the floor to the beautifully elegant state it should reach with the correct processes.
Can all parquet floors be sanded?
Most solid parquet floors can be sanded, depending on the thickness of the wood and the overall condition. A professional inspection will confirm whether sanding is suitable and how much material can be safely removed. However, it’s not always possible and sometimes major repairs are needed beforehand to replace entite sections, and in some rare cases the entire floor!
Do you repair loose blocks before sanding?
In many cases, yes. Damaged or missing blocks can often be replaced with matching or close-matching timber before sanding. While exact matches are not always possible, replacement sections can usually be blended effectively during finishing.
Can you replace missing parquet blocks?
Yes. In many cases damaged, loose or missing parquet blocks can be repaired or replaced before sanding begins. Matching timber is selected where possible and replacement blocks are blended into the surrounding floor during sanding and finishing. While exact colour matches are not always possible, most repaired areas become far less noticeable once restoration is complete.
Do parquet floors need gap filling?
Some parquet floors benefit from gap filling, particularly where small gaps affect appearance or collect dirt. However, because parquet needs to move naturally, gap filling is assessed carefully to avoid future cracking.
Why do parquet blocks come loose?
Parquet blocks can become loose for several reasons, including ageing adhesive, movement in the subfloor, moisture changes, previous water damage or general wear over time. Loose blocks should normally be repaired before sanding begins, as unstable parquet can affect both the sanding process and the final finish.
Should parquet floors be repaired before sanding?
Yes. Any loose blocks, damaged sections, movement issues or significant gaps should be assessed before sanding starts. Carrying out repairs first helps create a stable surface and improves the quality and longevity of the finished floor.
If your parquet floor is worn, scratched, dull or uneven, professional sanding and refinishing can often restore it beautifully without replacement.
