Hardwood-Steel Yourself for DIY Floor Refinishing
Do you adore hardwood flooring and are seeking ways to help it regain its old brilliance? If your hardwood floors have seen better days, you are probably also thinking of refinishing them. This will not only restore the shine and charm of your floors but it will also increase the worth of your house. If you are new to doing it yourself or you have been doing this for a while, these tips will help you in the process of refinishing the hardwood floors.
Why Refinish Your Hardwood Floors?
Now let us examine its specific why-s before we plunge into the how-to. Let us first consider the reasons we perform hardwood floor refinishing.
Aesthetics: It removes all the wear and tear of the floor and refurbishes it making it new once more.
Increases Home Value: An impressive living room complemented with hardwood floors has giant chances of increasing the value of the house.
Value For Money: Unlike replacing the whole floor, refinishing is an inexpensive solution.
Strengthens: New finishes get spoilt wood and they protect it from deterioration.
Tools You’ll Need
Let’s make sure that you have the following tools before you begin:
- Sander
- Sand pads
- Vacuum cleaner
- Tack cloth
- Wood stain (Optional)
- Polyurethane finish
- Paint Roller and Brush
- Safety Equipment Used (Mask, Goggle, Glove)
Step By Step Hardwood Refinishing Guide
Step 1: Preparation
Clear the Area: Take off all the items from the area of the floor you are about to refinish. This includes heavy furniture, curtains, rugs and décor to avoid them getting dusty or damaged.
Check for nails sticking up or loose boards because if there are any. Fix them before going any further.
Take care of the dust: Use a broom to sweep the dust in the room and then a vacuum cleaner to suck out all the dirt.
Step 2: Sanding
Choose the Right Sandpaper: Hammer out initial coats using a coarse grade sander paper whilst extensive sanding paper should be used towards the last stage for finish.
Sand Carefully: When it is time to sand the floor use the sanding machine to sand the whole floor. Repeat the efforts and make sure that you are sanding with the grain of the wood.
Vacuum and Wipe Down: Sanding has been completed. Use vacuum cleaner and remove residual dust followed by tack cloth to remove any remaining dust.
Step 3: Staining (Optional)
Test The Stain: Sam is applying for the wood stain. Use the wood stain in an area where it does not show, to see whether the color appeals to you.
Apply Evenly: Stains can be uniformly applied using a clean cloth/brush. Excess stain should be wiped off after a few minutes.
Step 4: Finishing
Apply Polyurethane: Select a polyurethane finish (water-based for short retention time, oil-based for darker shade). Using a roller or a brush apply keeping with the direction of the wood grain.
Allow to Dry: Adhere to the instructions given by the manufacturer as regards the time intervals to be maintained after the application of a coat and before the next one. It is advisable to apply around two to three topcoats for better results.
Final Buffing (Optional): For an impressive finish, an optional buffing step to the floor may be done towards the end of the sanding finish when it is dry.
Refinishing hardwood flooring can be a satisfying home improvement project that rejuvenates any home. By simply following the right steps and having the desired tools, one can produce appealing finishes that will enhance the aesthetics of a home.
Have all the inspiration needed to refinish your hardwood floor now? If yes, bear in mind, you’ll mostly need to be patient and detail-oriented. Have fun renovating!
For more information and advice visit:How Many Times Can You Refinish Hardwood Floors? | Robar Flooring
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