If you are planning to get started on a DIY floor sanding project it is advisable to arm yourself with the appropriate tools of the trade.

This is a job that can be undertaken using two very different methods - although more than likely you will choose to incorporate both techniques depending on the type of area you are looking to make smoother.

For large open spaces such as the dining or living room you might want to rely on power tools rather than spending hours on your hands and knees while working tirelessly to get results with sandpaper and a block.

You can hire a belt sander for the hard slog of getting the floor's mid section nice and even. What this unit lacks in small-space precision it more than makes up for in efficiency.

When it comes time to access corners and crevices beyond the capabilities of a belt sander, you will need to rely on the specially-designed pointed tip of a detail sander.

And finally, use the traditional block and sandpaper method to give those intricate areas the hands-on attention they need.