Mar
14
2010
One of the best things about having hardwood floors is the fact that they are able to be sanded and refinished to look new again. One can easily pay someone else to do this, but why hire a professional when it is so much cheaper to do it yourself? The vast majority of people are unaware of how easy and relatively cheap it can be to refinish their own wood floors by using floor sander.
Before the new finish can be applied to a hardwood floor, it must be sufficiently sanded down. Instead of sanding a floor by hand, which is almost always physically strenuous and time-consuming, it is much more efficient to find or buy a sanding machine at a tool rental shop or hardware store. A drum sander is probably the most commonly used type of sander and produces better results than other types.
Once you have your hands on a sander, it is best to begin with either medium or course grain sandpaper. Prior to sanding, examine the floor and look for nailheads that are sticking out or anything else that should be removed prior to sanding, as such objects can have have the tendency to tear up sandpaper, making a sanding job longer and more costly than it needs to be. Making sure that all the nails are indeed flush with a floor’s surface will ensure much smoother and efficient sanding.
Each time you pass around the room, use a smaller sander to reach the edges and corners that are difficult to reach with the drum sander. How much sanding a floor may need before the actual finish can be applied may be hard to judge, but usually a floor is able to be sufficiently sanded with two or three passes of a drum sander, followed by the use of a smaller sander.
The final sanding should be done with fine grain sandpaper. At this point you should easily be able to make out the beautiful natural grain of the wood and should almost be ready to begin to apply the floor’s new finish.
Mar
14
2010
Parquet flooring originated in 1625 in the Baroque era. It was the flooring of choice in illustrious royal homes in France. Parquet flooring is often believed to be problematic to refinish. However, this does not necessarily hold true. When refinishing parquet flooring, the greatest concern relates to the fact that from square to square, the wood grain lies at 90 degree angles and it is the way in which the sanding of these squares may affect the floor’s grain that creates the most concern.
Drum type floor sanders will efficiently sand these squares, however their use creates two potential problems. The first of these problems relates not only to the risk of damaging the grain of the flooring but to making significant gouges in the floor that will not be able to be fixed by sanding. The risk of gouging is decreased if an individual possesses experience in parquet floor sanding. Orbital sanders which can be rented out to homeowners also pose this danger, however they are easier to control in comparison to drum sanders.
An alternative is to adopt the use of a small, handheld orbital floor sander. The use of handheld sanders of this kind would result in the time taken to sand the surface being longer, however the risk of ruining the floor by gouging is much less. By maintaining control over the sander, a better finish will result.
Another alternative for the refinishing of parquet floors requires great patience. Sandpaper of decreasing degrees of grade or grit can be used to ensure a fine finish. The grit that you choose will depend upon the state of your floor. It is recommended that you first use a grit which is fairly coarse. However, if your flooring is deeply scratched, you should start with 20 grit sandpaper.
Following sanding, you may wish to stain your flooring. For the finest results, three coats of polyurethane are recommended. You may even decide upon Tung oil or the use of wax. Once the floor has been sanded, the next steps will seem easy in comparison. The way in which you finish your floor is entirely your choice, but most importantly, you should remember to enjoy your parquet floor’s fabulous new finish!
Mar
14
2010
Refinishing a hardwood floor on your own can prove time consuming and worrisome but on the whole, it will be well worth it. If you hire an expert to refinish your hardwood floors, it will prove expensive. However, it is simple to do yourself using a floor sander if you set aside a little time.
Sanding a hardwood floor is relatively simple if you give it your attention and you have a realistic idea of how long the finish will take to dry. A hardwood floor sander can be rented from a hardware supply store in your area. You will require a drum or belt floor sander or both. Your local store will explain how to use your sanding machine and will advise on the type of sand paper you will need to buy. They will also be able to provide advice on stains and finishes for your floor. Don’t forget to purchase a dust mask as saw dust will be in abundance.
Essential to an adequate finish is the state of the surface. The key when discovering how to operate a sander is ensuring that you get a good feel for it. Sanders aren’t as complicated as you may think. Just make sure that the floor sander is constantly in motion as this will lessen the risk of marring your floor.
A sander is self propelling. This means that it is not difficult to move. However, you should remain in control of the machine at all times. Maintain a strong grip on the machine when you start it up and after several passes, you will find it simple to use. Once the old finish has been removed, a new finish should be applied.
When applying a new finish you should let each coat dry thoroughly before you apply another. Follow the instructions provided so that you don’t occupy the room too soon after applying your finish. You can usually move all items back into the room after 24 hours.