• Aluminium oxide – cheap, fine for pine, not great for hardwoods. • Silicon carbide – mainly for Granwood floors. • Zirconium – tough, self-sharpening, perfect for hardwoods. • Ceramic – more expensive but outlasts every other type. They also give a much more even finish.

Q: Where do I start? A: Depends how rough the floor is, but typical sequence might run: 16 → 24 → 36 → 40 → 50 → 60 → 80 → 100 → 120 → 150 Never skip more than one grit level above 36 – those scratches will haunt you later.