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Easy Refinish for Hardwood Floors
by Cynthia Mills
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Overview
Refinishing hardwood floors on your own can seem like a daunting task but it is actually a simple process. Most homes can be completed in one weekend. An added benefit to doing the work on your own is that you will save yourself the expense of hiring a professional to do it for you.
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Preparation
It is important to plan ahead when refinishing your own hardwood floors. Once your time frame is set, call around to local tool rental or hardware stores and reserve a drum sander, belt sander or both.
You will need to sand your floors three different times with three different grits of paper, from coarse (20 to 36 grit) to medium (50 to 60 grit) to smooth (80 to 100 grit). Buy plenty of sandpaper ahead of time so you do not have to stop and run back to the store in the middle of the job. Unused paper can always be returned later.
Sanding is messy and incredibly dusty. To make cleanup easier, remove everything from the rooms being refinished. This includes furniture, drapes and even wall hangings. Seal off air vents and doorways you will not use to prevent the dust from spreading to other parts of the house. Always wear a mask and eye protection while sanding.
Before sanding your hardwood floors, remove baseboards and check for any nails that might be sticking up. Countersink each nail using a nail set and hammer to pound the head below the wood's surface. Fill the depression with wood putty before sanding.
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Sanding
Sand away all existing layers of finish and stain from your hardwood floors. Use a palm sander or sanding block to sand along walls and in corners. Remember to move the sander continuously--you should never hold a sander in one spot or tilt it on its edge while sanding, as doing so will create divots or low spots in the wood.
After sanding, vacuum the room to remove all the dust. Wipe down walls with a damp rag. Any dust left in the room could settle during the finishing process and dull the new finish.
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Finishing
Staining and finishing are completely up to you. You can change the look of a previously stained floor by skipping the staining step and going straight to the finishing coat for a natural appearance. To get an idea of what look you want to achieve, browse magazines or the Internet. Take photos to your local hardware store and ask a sales associate for help in selecting a stain and finish that will work with your type of hardwood flooring.
If you choose to use stain, the easiest way to apply it is to have one person apply the stain while another person follows along, wiping the stain clean. Follow the manufacturer's directions for application instructions and drying times. Once the stain is completely dry, you can apply the finish.
Oil-based urethane, also called polyurethane, is the most common finish used for refinishing wood floors. Slow-drying polyurethane is best for do-it-yourself projects. Apply polyurethane around edges of room with a brush, but switch to a sponge or lamb's wool applicator for the main part of the floor. Sand the floor after each coat of polyurethane has dried. Gently buff after the final coat.
