Most property owners believe that they need to sand down and restain the floors. While sanding does require time, it doesn’t involve removing any existing finishes or coverings. In fact, most floors can be refinished in one day. While the process is more time-consuming than other DIY home improvement projects, you can complete it with minimal hassle. Here are the steps you need to take to sand down your hardwood floor:
First, prepare your floor by cleaning it thoroughly. Use a 120-grit screen to remove surface scratches. You can also use a brush or vacuum to clean the area. Once you’ve cleaned the floor, sand it again using 80-grit sandpaper. Follow up with a light scraper to lift stubborn finishes. Once you’ve completed all the steps, you can refinish your hardwood floors.
If your floor has moldings, remove them so you don’t damage them. Remove any flooring boards that might be damaged. Replace them before sanding. If you notice any gaps or holes, fill them in with wood filler. Once you’ve finished sanding, you can refinish them. Read further to learn more about affordable floor restoration.
How To Sand Off Old Seal From A Timber Floor
Before you begin timber floor restoration, remember that you can’t sand through the finish layer. If you’re doing a sanding job on an engineered wood floor, be sure to close the doors to the rooms in which you plan to work. If you’re unsure about your skills, you can always hire someone else. However, you should be aware of the risk of damaging the finish layer and the wood itself.
It is important to use proper sandpaper to sand your floors. When sanding, you need to make sure the paper is not too coarse or too fine. You need to use a medium-grit sandpaper to smooth out rough patches. It’s a good idea to sand your floors in a diagonal fashion, but you need to be aware of unevenness.
How To Hand Sand Floors
You should always consider the cost of a hardwood floor refinishing project before you start. Depending on the type of wood flooring, you may need to buy the right sandpaper to match the desired color of the floor. To save money, it is best to hire a professional refinisher. A gallon of polyurethane will cover 500 square feet.
Regardless of the type of hardwood floor you’re considering, you’ll need to know how much time and skill you need. Generally, it takes around four hours to complete the process. It’s better to hire someone who has experience in refinishing floors. If you’re not sure whether to hire a professional, you can read the full disclosure at the bottom of the article.
Can You Repolish Timber Floors Without Sanding
It’s not difficult to sand and refinish hardwood flooring if you know what you’re doing. If you have the right tools, sanding your floors will be much less time-consuming than restoring them. Besides, a professional refinishing will provide a higher-quality finish that is not only more durable but also lasts longer.
The refinishing process requires three coats of polyurethane. The first coat should be applied and allowed to dry for about an hour before the second coat. The third and final coat should be applied and allowed to dry for at least two days. During this process, you may need to hire a professional sander, but you can save up to half the cost by doing it yourself.
Can You Sand Oak Flooring
When refinishing hardwood floors, you will need to sand them. You can sand them yourself or hire a professional. It’s recommended that you have some experience with this kind of work. When sanding hardwood floors, make sure to use a respirator and eye protection. You’ll need to wear protective clothing and goggles to prevent allergic reactions and avoid exposing plywood.
How Hard Is It To Sand And Refinish Hardwood Floors FAQs
What is the average cost to sand and refinish hardwood floors?
Sanding, restaining, and refinishing wood floors cost average $2 to $7 per square foot. Refinishing hardwood stairs ranges from $25 to $85 per step. The cost of redoing and resurfacing wood flooring on your ranges from $600 to $1,100.
Can I sand and refinish my hardwood floors myself?
To refinish floors, both professionals and amateurs utilise the same specialised tools. Don’t even consider using the orbital sander on your workbench; if you want to do it yourself, you’ll need to rent the equipment. Each pass sands the floor as you move it back and forth over the wood.
Is it cheaper to sand and refinish hardwood floors or replace them?
In general, refinishing your hardwood floors will nearly always be less expensive. If you replace them, you’ll have to pay for more wood and the cost of pulling up and carrying away the old ones. Even if you have this, it will be cheaper than redoing the entire floor.
How long does it take to sand and refinish hardwood floors?
Refinishing hardwood floors can take anywhere from two to five days, depending on the type of polyurethane you choose (oil or water-based) and the size and condition of your flooring.
How do you remove sealer from hardwood floors?
Use a liquid stripper applied with a paintbrush to remove only the varnish, not the paint. Because wood is particularly sensitive to saturation, do not pour the liquid straight onto your floor. You may also use a spray stripper, which comes in aerosol cans. This may be applied straight on the floor.
Can I use a hand sander to sand a floor?
To sand a floor by hand, start with 40-grit sandpaper and work your way up to 100 or 120-grit paper to get a fine finish. It is critical to keep any sander moving to avoid digging into or burning the floor. Get a floor sander, or better yet, employ a professional.