Sanding.
Initial sanding is done with a large floor sander using progressively finer grits for a smooth finish. Edges of the floor are sanded with a rotary edge sander and sometimes with a 4" belt sander. Corners are often scraped and sanded by hand. The overall floor may be finished with a large rotary floor sander. The modern machines have good dust extraction and keep the site reasonably clean. Sanding between coats need only be sufficient to flatten any raised grain and remove any nibs. This can be done with a hand held orbital or finishing sander for small areas or a large upright orbital/finishing sander or rotary sander as dictated by area.
Sealing.
Sealing is essential to protect the floor and permit easy maintenance. The type and grade of sealer is dictated by the end use and amount of traffic. We use mostly water based lacquers which are safer to use and comply with current safety regulations. In addition they are faster drying - about 1 to 2 hours between coats, easy to apply and extremely tough and durable. Oiled finishes are also available.