What is the Best Way to Refinish Wood Floors?

Restoring hardwood flooring to a pristine appearance is a task that many homeowners prefer to outsource to a professional flooring company. However, it is often possible to refinish wood floors yourself and still enjoy professional results. All it takes is setting aside some time, acquiring the right tools, and paying close attention to detail as you proceed with the task.

Before you can actually begin the task of floor refinishing, it is important to remove everything from the room. This includes all furnishings as well as any area rugs or carpets in the space. Not only will this protect your furniture from possible damage, it will also make it much easier for you to move freely around the room as you work on the floors.

Next, gather all the flooring tools required before you begin to refinish wood floors in the home. Rent a sander, making sure to choose a model you can handle with relative ease; many people find an orbital sander works very well for home projects. You will also need a hammer, sandpaper, a broom, and a shop vacuum cleaner for the first steps. To complete the job, select the stain you want for the floor, as well as brushes or cloths to apply the stain. Last, you will want some sort of sealing agent and a paintbrush roller to apply the sealant.

To protect yourself, obtain a face mask and wear it throughout the refinishing process. Kneepads will also come in handy as you refinish wood floors in. Remember to turn off ceiling fans and close air vents. You may also want to hang an old bed sheet over the main entrance to the room; this will help contain the spread of dust as you sand the floors.

Your first step in refinishing wood floors is to sand off the existing stain. Use the floor sander for this purpose. It is a good idea to begin the task at the farthest point from the main entrance to the room, and work your way backward. This will prevent you from having to walk through the residue generated by the sanding. Use the sandpaper for any stubborn spots. Once you have completed the floor sanding, sweep the space to remove most of the residue. Finish off with the shop vacuum to leave the floors clean and ready for staining.

It is important to remember that you must prepare the stain before you refinish wood floors in your home. Basically, this means stirring the stain with a stick before applying it to the wood. Stirring will prevent air bubbles from settling into the mixture and leaving a mottled appearance on the stained wood.

Depending on how dark a stain you want on the floor, you can go with lint-free cloths or a brush. Brushes normally make it easier to apply more stain, creating a deeper and darker color. If you want a lighter stain, use clean cloths to lightly coat the top of the wood. In both cases, you will want to move slowly and apply the stain in the direction of the wood grain. As with the sanding, you will want to refinish wood floors by starting at the point furtherest from the main entrance and working your way backward.

Your final step to refinish wood floors in the home is to seal the newly stained floors. Once again starting at a point far from the main entrance, use the roller to apply a thin and uniform layer of sealant to the stained wood. Always apply the sealant in the direction of the wood grain. Take your time and make sure the coat of sealant covers the entire floor. Allow the sealant to dry according to product instructions before moving any furniture back into the space.

If you suspect that it will take more time and effort to refinish wood floors in your home than you are willing to commit, call the various floor services in your town. Don't attempt to take short cuts, as this will often create problems that would require a professional to repair. Chances are you can find someone who will do the job at a price you can afford.