When it comes to refinishing a hardwood floor, even the most experienced DIYers might feel a little overwhelmed. The process isn't necessarily complicated, but it does require patience, effort, and—of course—the right tools. Refinishing a hardwood floor has the power to transform any room in your home while extending the life of its flooring.
If you’re considering doing the job yourself, you’ll want to know what to expect before taking on such an involved task.
In this article, we'll take you step-by-step through every phase of refinishing a hardwood floor so that you're well-equipped for success. From gathering the necessary supplies to preparing for sanding and staining, we'll share our best tips and tricks for getting the most out of your refinishing project.
Preparing the Floor for Refinishing
The first step in refinishing a hardwood floor is to prepare the floor. This involves removing any existing furniture, rugs, and other objects from the area, vacuuming up dust and debris, and making sure that the floor is clear of any dirt or stains.
When you are ready to begin, it's important to start with a light sanding of the floor. This will smooth out imperfections and help prepare the wood to accept the new finish. Sanding also helps remove any previous finishes that may still exist on the wood surface.
In most cases, a two-stage sanding process is recommended for refinishing a hardwood floor; a coarse grit followed by a fine grit. Once you've finished sanding with both grits, you'll need to vacuum up the dust before going on to apply a coat of finish.
Applying a Stain to the Floor
The second step in refinishing your hardwood floor is the application of stain. The kind of stain you select will depend on the desired look of the finished product; you can opt for a light, natural color that enhances the existing wood grain or go with a deep, rich hue to create an entirely different feel.
The key to success when applying stain is to ensure that you are following the proper technique so that the end result is even and consistent. You'll need to start in one corner and work your way out toward the center of the room, using a brush or roller to evenly distribute the stain across the entire area. Once stained, allow for adequate time for the flooring to completely dry before moving on to your next step.
Sealing and Finishing the Floor
Now you’re ready to seal and finish your hardwood floor. Before you begin, make sure you have a ventilator or fan to keep your work area well-ventilated.
Step 1: Apply the Wood Sealer
A wood sealer is a protective coating that works its way into the pores of your hardwood floor. Start by mixing the sealer with a paint roller and apply a thin, even coat onto the entire surface of the floor, making sure there are no clumps or pooling spots. Allow it to dry for 8 to 10 hours before proceeding.
Step 2: Sand and Clean the Floor
Once the sealer is completely dry and cured, you’ll need to take some sandpaper and lightly sand the entire surface of your hardwood floor. This helps remove any imperfections from your initial application, as well as create an even, textured canvas for the finished product. After sanding, use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust particles left behind from sanding.
Step 3: Apply Finish
Using either oil-based or water-based polyurethane, apply two thin coats on each section of the floor using a paint roller or brush. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying another coat (allow at least 4-6 hours of drying time). Make sure each layer is applied evenly and free of clumps or pooling areas—this will help ensure an even finish over the entire surface of your hardwood floor.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Refinished Hardwood Floors
Now that you’ve gone through the steps of refinishing your hardwood floors, it’s important you know how to properly clean and maintain them. With proper care and maintenance, you can extend the life of your floors and make sure they stay looking their best.
Regular Cleaning
To keep your refinished floors looking glossy and gorgeous, sweep them or vacuum them regularly. You’ll also want to use a damp mop to get deep down into the wood grain. One trick is to add a few drops of essential oils to your mop water—it will make your living room smell delightful and help protect from dirt.
Avoid Heavy Cleaners
Although it can be tempting to use heavy-duty cleaners on your hardwood floors, this is one thing you should avoid. The chemicals in these cleaners can strip the protective coating off your hardwood, causing irreversible damage over time.
Taking Preventative Measures
The single best way to care for a refinished hardwood floor is with preventative maintenance such as using door mats, felt furniture pads, and other floor protection items at places where people frequently walk or set items down like in entryways or around chairs in family rooms. These items are cheap investments that will pay off by helping protect the wood from dirt, dust, and scratches over time.
Alternatives to Refinishing a Hardwood Floor
Maybe you don’t need a full refinishing job, but you’d like to freshen up your hardwood floors. There are a couple of alternatives that might make more sense for your situation.
Screening and Recoating
Screening and recoating is a lot less work than full refinishing. Instead of sanding everything down, you just lightly sand the surface layer of your floor to create a smooth finish, then apply several layers of finish. This process will bring back the shine on your floor without damaging the wood or taking too much time.
Refreshing with Chemical Stripper
Using chemical strippers can help get rid of any discoloration or damage that has built up on top of your floors over time. All you need to do is apply a chemical stripping product, and then wipe away—this way, you can remove the dirt and grime without sanding down the actual wood.
Common Mistakes When Refinishing a Hardwood Floor
When you're refinishing a hardwood floor, it's important to be aware of common mistakes. Unfortunately, these can ruin your project and cost you a lot of time and money. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when refinishing a hardwood floor.
Not Cleaning Any Residual Coatings
The first step of the process is cleaning off any residual coatings before you start sanding. If you don't do this properly, any residual coating will remain in the crevices and be worked into the new finish which will lead to an uneven surface.
Using Drum Sanders Incorrectly
It's essential to learn how to correctly use a drum sander in order to get the best results. For example, if your sander is too heavy it can cause your wood to start splintering because it's not evenly distributing weight across the wooden planks.
Not Buffing the Floor Correctly
Once you've finished sanding and applying new coatings, it's important that you buff the floor correctly. This will help provide an even finish on your hardwood floor and also ensure that no dust or debris from previous steps remains in between planks.
Conclusion
Refinishing a hardwood floor is not a job for the faint of heart. It takes time, elbow grease, and an eye for detail if you want your hardwood floors to look their best. However, if you are patient, methodical, and meticulous, you can refinish your hardwood floors and make them look as good as new. The process may seem daunting when you first start, but if you take it one step at a time, anyone can learn and master the process. Happy refinishing!
Further Reading:
How to Make Your Hardwood Floors Shine
Finding the Perfect Fit: How to Choose the Best Laminate Floor