Homeowner guide · Updated October 2026
Can Your Floor Be Sanded? Parquet vs Engineered vs Laminate
How to tell solid parquet, engineered timber, laminate and vinyl apart, and which ones can be sanded and varnished.
Quick comparison
| Floor type | Can it be sanded? | Best option |
|---|---|---|
| Solid parquet / strip (older HDB, older condos) | Yes, several times | Full sanding and varnish |
| Engineered timber (newer condos) | 1 to 2 times if the top layer is thick | Recoat, or a careful light sand |
| Laminate | No | Repair or replace |
| Vinyl / SPC | No | Repair or replace |
How to check
- Look at the edge of a piece at a door threshold or under a skirting. Solid parquet is the same timber all the way through.
- Engineered boards have a thin timber layer over plywood or composite.
- Laminate shows a printed pattern that repeats exactly.
- Not sure? Send us a photo of the floor and an edge. We'll tell you before we quote.
Why it matters
Sanding removes a little timber every time. Solid parquet has plenty to spare. Engineered timber can only be sanded once or twice, and laminate or vinyl can't be sanded at all.
Related services
Parquet Polishing
Machine buffing plus a fresh coat of varnish in your chosen sheen. Single bedroom from $350.
from $350/roomFull Sanding & Varnishing
For worn-through floors: sand back to bare timber, fill gaps, then a sealer and 2 coats of varnish.
Quoted after inspectionParquet Repair
Loose, hollow or popped-up pieces lifted, re-glued or replaced with matching timber.
Quoted after inspectionStaining & Colour Change
Walnut, ebony, mahogany or a lighter natural look, tested on a patch first.
Quoted after inspectionStaircase Polishing
Every tread and riser hand-sanded and varnished, done in stages so you can still use the stairs.
Quoted after inspectionWater & Termite Damage
Black stains, swelling or termite damage cut out and relaid to blend in.
Quoted after inspectionWant your parquet looking new again?
Send 3 or 4 photos of your floor on WhatsApp and get a price, usually the same day.