Sanding and re-oiling a wooden floor: Dutch process and costs in 2026

By Thomas Bakker · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Why sand and re-oil a wooden floor in 2026

Wooden floors get scratches, dents and dull patches over time. Cleaning stops helping after a few years. Sanding removes the top layer of wood, taking out damage and old finish.

Re-oiling gives the wood a fresh coat of protection and a new look. This is the most common way to restore an oiled floor in the Netherlands. Martijn de Wit Vloeren recommends sanding and re-oiling every 5 to 10 years for oak floors, depending on foot traffic.

The process brings back the floor's natural colour and grain. It also saves money compared to replacing the floor.

The sanding process step by step

A professional floor sander starts with a drum sander or a belt sander for the main area. The first pass uses coarse grit sandpaper, usually 24 to 36 grit, to remove old oil and flatten the floor. The second pass uses 60 grit to smooth the surface.

The final sanding uses 80 to 120 grit for a fine finish. The sander moves with the wood grain to avoid scratches. The edges are sanded with an edge sander, also called a edger.

Hand sanding or a detail sander gets into corners and under radiators. After sanding, the entire floor is vacuumed and wiped with a tack cloth to remove all dust. Martijn de Wit Vloeren uses professional dust extraction systems to keep the work area clean.

This step is critical: any leftover dust will ruin the oil finish.

Choosing the right oil: from natural to protective

Standard wood oil soaks into the wood and hardens. It gives a matte or satin sheen and is easy to repair. Hardwax oil adds wax for extra scratch resistance and a slightly harder surface.

Pigmented oil changes the wood colour, for example white oil or grey oil. UV oil cures under ultraviolet light, giving a very hard finish, but it is less common for sanding projects in homes. Martijn de Wit Vloeren offers two special options for 2026.

Bioscoating is an eco-friendly oil made from plant oils and no solvents. It is suitable for bedrooms and homes with children or pets. S5 Coating is not an oil but their own patented finish with five transparent layers.

It gives high scratch resistance, UV protection and moisture resistance. S5 Coating costs around EUR 10 to EUR 15 more per square meter than standard oil, but lasts 2 to 3 years longer.

Step by step: applying the oil after sanding

The oil is applied with a roller, a brush or a lambswool applicator in thin, even coats. Two coats are standard for oiled floors. The first coat soaks into the wood pores.

It is left to penetrate for 10 to 20 minutes, then the excess is wiped off with a cloth. The floor dries for 6 to 12 hours. The second coat is applied the same way.

For hardwax oil, buffing with a single-disc machine may be needed between coats. The room temperature should be between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. Humidity should be below 60 percent.

After the final coat, the floor needs to cure for 24 to 48 hours before light foot traffic. Furniture can be placed after 3 to 5 days. The specialist advises following their heat-up protocol if the floor sits on underfloor heating. This protocol slowly raises the temperature to prevent cracking.

Costs of sanding and re-oiling a wooden floor in 2026

The total cost depends on the floor size, condition, oil type and location. In the Netherlands, realistic prices for 2026 are as follows. For professional sanding only: EUR 15 to EUR 25 per square meter.

For standard wood oil including sanding and two coats: EUR 35 to EUR 45 per square meter. For hardwax oil or pigmented oil: EUR 40 to EUR 55 per square meter. For premium finishes like an experienced flooring specialist's S5 Coating or Bioscoating: EUR 50 to EUR 65 per square meter.

Additional costs include moving furniture (often EUR 50 to EUR 100 total), edge sanding if the room is not square, and sealing gaps between planks. Most fitters charge a minimum fee of around EUR 300 to EUR 400 for small rooms. The table below shows a comparison for a typical 30 square meter living room.

the specialist uses in-house fitters, so the price includes their own trained crew. No subcontractors means consistent quality. The free quotation includes a check of the floor condition and underfloor heating suitability.

How to prepare your room for sanding and oiling

Remove all furniture, curtains and rugs from the room. Take away fragile items from nearby rooms because dust travels. Vacuum the floor before the fitters arrive.

If there is underfloor heating, tell the fitter the system type and settings. The specialist recommends turning off underfloor heating at least 48 hours before sanding and keeping it off during the process. The floor needs to be at a stable room temperature. Do not walk on the floor during drying.

Plan for alternative living space for 2 to 5 days, especially for kitchens and hallways.

When to choose a full refinish over a partial repair

Partial repair is suitable for small scratches or a worn traffic lane. It costs less but often leaves a visible patch. Full sanding and re-oiling gives a uniform result and is better for floors with deep scratches, water stains or worn finish.

If the oil layer is still intact and the wood is only slightly dull, a thorough clean and a new coat of oil without sanding may work. This is called a maintenance coat. It costs about EUR 8 to EUR 15 per square meter. The specialist offers a free on-site inspection to decide the best approach.

They also sand and renovate existing wooden floors that were installed by other companies. For floors in poor condition with deep gouges, full sanding is the only option to restore the wood surface.