The ability of hardwood to be restored to its original beauty is one of its great properties that should be taken advantage of. If it is done properly, you will have a floor that looks just like new. You will want to be prepared before attacking this project. Here are a few tips regarding refinishing hardwood floors.
From beginning to end, refinishing hardwood floor can be broken down into many steps. They are usually spread out over a few days. The work depends on the working conditions and the size of the floor that you need to refinish.
Refinishing Hardwood Flooring – Is the Floor Suitable to be Refinished
First, you will want to make sure you are dealing with true hardwood. And not flooring made from engineered wood. Also, check that there is at least 1/8” of wood above the tongue. You can find out by removing a ventilation grate or threshold from a doorway and inspecting the boards. If this is an old floor which has been refinished many times it is possible that there may not be enough wood left to refinish. If this is not the case, refinishing the hardwood floor here will not be possible. It will have to be left in place or removed. Sometimes a light sanding will do the job if you want to try it yourself. You might not get the brand new look, but it might be sufficient for your tastes.
Refinishing Hardwood Flooring – Tools You Will Need
The tools you will need for the job include a belt sanding machine, edge sander and floor buffer which you should rent or borrow before beginning. Prepare the room
Refinishing Hardwood Flooring – Sanding the Hardwood Floor
Begin sanding the floor along the wood grain in smooth even strokes. Beginning with
Apply Stain
Applying stain and finish are the last steps in refinishing hardwood floor. Ensure the floor is clean and dry before applying your stain. Use a tack cloth to wipe up all of
Allow the stain to dry before applying the well mixed polyurethane finish in the same technique with a brush or roller. The polyurethane finish will protect the floor from scuff marks and other marks from furniture. Apply as many coats as you think are necessary and then you are done.
Let it Dry Thoroughly
Wait until the floor has dried thoroughly. If the humidity is high you may need to wait a few more days or use a dehumidifier to help with the drying. When the stain or the polyurethane finish is still wet avoid causing any dust whatsoever to be in the room. Leave the central furnace fan off and the windows closed until the polyurethane finish is thoroughly dried, then air out the room to get rid of any smell from the polyurethane finish.
When you are ready you can move your furniture back in. You may want to place an area rug on the floor to add decoration and contrast as well. For more tips about do it yourself projects refer to this page, click here.
Please feel free to leave comments about refinishing hardwood floors and your experiences.
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thanks for this post on hardwood floor refinishing. this was a really good summary. we still have a lot of questions, but at least now know all of the questions to ask about hardwood flooring.