There are many advantages of using hardwood floors over other types of flooring. They are highly durable, timelessly beautiful and can be paired with almost any home décor. Even when the hardwood floor gets old and worn, you will not have to replace it. You can just refinish it. But how to refinish your hardwood floor.
Refinishing your hardwood floor can be a difficult task. If you make any mistake, it will easily show. But if you can do it well, it can bring unmatched beauty to any room. Hiring a professional for the task can cost a lot. But using the following tips, you can do the job yourself.
Finishing Process
You will first sand down the floors to bare wood. The task will involve the use of increasingly finer-grit sandpaper which will help create a smoother surface. It is recommended to use a sanding machine that can simultaneously vacuum off all the dust. But make sure to close all the doors to keep the dust from entering other parts of the house.
Application of Filler
Staining – During this process you can just leave the floor natural or get the color or shade of your choice. Staining involves multiple applications and sanding between different coats.
Finishing Coat – This step will involve application of multiple coats but you will have to give enough time between coats for drying. There are different types of finishes. If you to use an eco-friendly and low-odor option, water-based finishes are the ideal choice. But they are not as durable and long-lasting. But polyurethane finishes are the most commonly used options. You should use this type of finish in areas that receive high traffic. They are also perfect for use in the kitchen. But if you want an even tougher finish it is recommended to do an acid-cured finish. Because it has faster drying time, it is possible to apply multiple coats the same day. Choose an acid that doesn’t emit much odor.
Floor Buffing
If the topcoat of your hardwood floor has worn out, you will have to buff it. The process involves renting a buffer and using polyurethane floor finish. It is recommended to first test the procedure in a relatively hidden area. Buff out the worn out area and apply a single coat. If the fresh coat dries off and remains in place, you can apply it to other places too. If you find any problem with the coat, just clean it off with a cleaning product. You may also use a mixture of ammonia and water.
Hard Finish Floors
Your hardwood floor may have a very hard finish such as those with aluminium oxide compounds. Removing these finishes could take some time and effort. In this case, start with smaller-grit sandpaper and use sandpaper with progressively heavier grits. Begin with a medium grit sandpaper to break down the outer layer and move to heavier grit for removing the finish and flattening the floor.
Using these methods you can sand and finish your hardwood floor and achieve a fresher look.
0 Comments