The quality of the wear layer determines frequency of refinishing of hardwood floors. Poor quality products can not withstand being refinished even once. The thicker the wear layer, the more refinishing it can withstand. Good quality engineered flooring can be refinished two or three times depending on subfloor’s smoothness and experience of refinisher.

Refinishing a hardwood floor is a time consuming process and requires the proper techniques, tools and patience for the best results. The process consists of three stages: sanding, staining and finishing. You can rent a floor sander from a home improvement store or flooring company. It is a heavy equipment you may need assistance in using it. Remove any nails, staples or tacks from the floor to prevent tearing the sand paper. Use 20 grit sandpaper in the sander. Make sure that sander follows wood grain direction instead of across the grain. If the machine is switched on, it should not remain static. After sanding entire floor, replace 20 grit sandpaper with 100 grit paper to remove lines and scratches on the floor. The room should be well ventilated while sanding, and it is important to wear a dust mask.

After sanding, you may either stain your floor it or leave as it is. Sweep sawdust after sanding is completed. Fine dust can be removed with shop vacuum. If you choose to stain your floor, apply stain in the corner to see whether it is of your choice or not. With the help of brush apply stain in the room. Then you can even it with rag. If required, coat once more after the first coat dries. Let the floor dry completely. Then go for the finish. Work area should be ventilated properly as vapors in the finish are harmful to your health. Mix the finish well in the container. Use a brush or roller to apply the finish. Drying may take over three hours. Apply second coat which should be left and least overnight, and up to three days, for drying.

Refinishing is a means to increase durability of the floor and enhance its appearance, and is a three-stage process of sanding, staining, and finishing.

Hard Wood Floors provides detailed information on installing, cleaning and refinishing various types of hardwood floors, including engineered, solid, long-strip, exotic, pre-finished, and cheap hardwood floors. Hard Wood Floors is the sister site of Bamboo Flooring Web.

Refinishing hardwood floors is something that you can do yourself without paying professionals high amounts of money to do it for you. However, you do need to have time to spend on your refinishing project to make sure that you end up with the effect you want to achieve. Many places that rent equipment have the heavy-duty sander that you need for the refinishing job. To start to refinish hardwood floors, you first have to move all the furniture and take up any rugs or mats that you have on the wood floors. You also need to wear a dust mask so that you won’t breathe in the dust when refinishing hardwood floors.
Older wood floors can be restored to their former glory when you find out how to refinish hardwood floors. There are many books you can buy on the subject of refinishing hardwood floors and you can also get valuable information when you search online. You do need to have a heavy- duty sander that you move gently back and forth over the wood floors. It is best to move in a straight line with the pattern of the hardwood boards instead of going across, especially if the hardwood has a bevelled edge with small grooves. You also have to be mindful not to apply more pressure in one place that in another because you could take gouges out of the floor.
Once you have the initial finish sanded off, you have to sweep or vacuum up the dust and give the floor a light washing. This is an important part of refinishing hardwood floors because the least little bit of dust and dirt will show up when you apply the stain and finish. In the information you have about how to refinish wood floors, you will find out that you should only use a damp mop to wash up the floor. Excess water, especially on the sanded hardwood, will cause stains in the floor.
When you dry the floor, then you are ready for the next stage of refinishing hardwood floors. You can choose to stain the wood floor in different colors suited to the type of wood. You may want to leave the wood in its natural color, but when you read about how to refinish hardwood floors, you will also learn about the need for a protective coating. The polyurethane coating adds protection to the floor. You can choose a coating that will give you a gleaming floor or one that has a low lustre. When refinishing wood floors, it is essential that the first coat is dry before you apply another coat. The more coats you put on, the shinier your floors will be.
Refinishing wood floors is a time-consuming project. However, it does not mean that you have to move out of the home until you complete the refinishing. The coatings for refinishing hardwood floors do not have any strong fumes that may be dangerous for anyone with respiratory problems. The only thing you have to remember is not to walk on the floor until the finish is dry. If you do, your refinishing project will have your footprints all over it – in more ways than one.

To find out more about Wooden Flooring visit Peter’s Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Refinishing Hardwood Floors and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring and Bruce Hardwood Flooring.