It may take out the Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new. Refinishing Hardwood Floors: a Satisfying Detail That Can Transform a Room. together two inner-core layers of plywood with a hardwood veneer Therefore, engineered wood flooring can be sanded just like solid wood and look amazing and brand new over and over again. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. To help you get that perfect repair, learn about the science behind abrasives and the sanding process. Once again, work back and forth, overlapping each pass. Use a floor edger or small orbital sander to sand corners, edges and small areas such as closet floors, bathrooms or stairs. You can certainly re-sand with a 36grd. Don't Miss! If a room has quarter-round molding (aka base shoe) at the bottom of baseboards, I usually pry it off and reinstall it later. 24 grit: Use 24-grit sandpaper if there are sander flaws (e.g. to Engineered Hardwood Floors, How to Screen and Recoat Engineered information would be very appreciated. Here are some tips: Use a carbide scraper to remove finish from corners. Use overlapping strokes by at least 1/3 the belt width to remove scratches. Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves. is made of synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a grain pattern, meant to mimic the look and texture of natural wood. This sander is easier to handle than a drum sander and eliminates directional scratches. Would no acids in the ingredients list automatically mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to two separate ingredients to avoid? Woodworkers use it to smooth and shape wood. Remove all window coverings and any art on the walls (unless you want to clean them later). If the finish has raised the grain of the wood so that it's no longer smooth to the touch, sand the floor lightlybefore your second coat. They are available to answer questions and Finally, replace baseboards and furniture. Required fields are marked *. If the flooring has small areas that even the edger cannot reach, use a scraper and some 80- and 100-grit. If you pick the wrong sequence for your sander, you wont achieve a smooth transition between one grit and another. Repair hollow or raised spots in the floor using an engineered wood repair kit. Water-resistant hardwood for everyday spills and splashes. attract even more dirt. Work following the grain of the wood while applying even pressure. Edge sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which means touch-up work later. This process, while not a full refinish, can keep floors looking clean and fresh without taking off too much of the top layer of wood. This time, take extra care to clean everything thoroughly, as the next step will be to apply a finishing agent. Thanks for your information. This guide will walk you through every step of the process -- from determining if a hardwood floor refinishing is the best option for you, to adding the last coat of finishing product. Also, remove any doors that will block wood thresholds, and go over the entire floor carefully searching for nails or other objects protruding up from the floor that may tear or damage a sanding pad. This prevents any residual water, or a "milky finish" Edge or detail sanders come in handy for reaching to all corners of the room and other areas that are hard to access. When the finish is dry, reattach the shoe guard moulding. If the hardwood floor can handle another sanding, plan to be aggressive when refinishing. Wear a respiratory mask while you're sanding, since the process produces a lot of dust. Use a drum sander for your first sanding pass on the floor. You can use a random-orbital sander to buff the edges. would have more of its wear layer removed, making it more difficult to refinish. You can even do two rounds if you want the smoothest finish possible--once with 80 grit, and once with 100. Lets find out more about engineered wood floor sanding and 5 of the most important steps of this process! can follow to keep your floors pristine. products you can use. Grit measures sandpapers coarseness, determined by the size of the abrasive particles on its surface. It would be nice to know that if he gets one, he can also get the right grits. Spot sanding and touching up is very difficult to blend back in. Often, the only solution is to replace the woodor finish over the stain and think of it as a permanent memorial to a beloved pet. floor cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax. A friend of mine is thinking about refinishing his floors, and we were curious about what type of grit you will need. Thats tedious and often leads to chatter marks on the floor. Work the drum sander back and forth over 3- to 4-foot lengths. applied. You probably want to know how to make Heres the problem: After the floor finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job. Number or otherwise label each piece as you remove it to make it easier to put it back after refinishing the floor. Laminate Plank Flooring is made of synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a grain pattern, meant to mimic the look and texture of natural wood. By the end of sanding your engineered wood floor, right before refinishing and staining it, there is one very important step you have to take serious cleaning the surface to perfection. Tip: Performing a water droplet test can quickly reveal your floors condition. Next, sand the floor with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit. Move the furniture and pull up any carpeting or rugs in the room. Once it dries, engineered hardwood floors shine without causing any permanent On the bottom is another layer of wood. Bleach formulated for wood floors may be worth a try, but in my experience the results are mediocre at best, and at worst, the wood is left pitted and blotched. Wear safety gear, as splinters can go anywhere. Hang the rags outside, away from any structures, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them. Flooring experts estimate that hardwood floors can be sanded for refinishing up to 10 times, depending on the thoroughness of the sanding and the level of wear and tear on the floor. To use this kit, first drill a hole into the center of the damaged board. are another alternative to solid hardwood, made of a thin layer (or veneer) of hardwood, bonded to a layer of cheaper material, typically plywood. The dirt and dust particles will stay trapped between the floors surface and the finish and it will be impossible to remove them later on. 2000-2022 Home Depot. Ive helped hundreds of homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a new finish. If youre satisfied with the finish and it doesnt flake off when you gently scrape, go ahead with a recoat. When sanding a new floor, youll often want to define the finest grade you want to use and then work backwards, skipping a grade of grit between each sanding. Every real wood floor requires good preparation before sanding. Learning how to refinish hardwood floors can be a time-intensive process that involves multiple steps. Sanding eliminates scratches and stains from a hardwood floor, but may not be able to alleviate the deepest gouges or discolored patches of wood. Walk-behind sanders come in two varieties: drum and orbital. Safety Tip: Store and dispose of oil-soaked rags properly. Hiring a pro costs from $3 to $4 per sq. And people want that changed, so this is how engineered wood flooring was designed and common choice for many nowadays. It's relatively easy to refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. And then theres that big, scary sanding machine. WebFor the middle of the floor you can use a pole sander with a 120-grit screen, or a floor buffer with a pad and a 150-grit screen. However, with the wear and tear of everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing. Repels Water. Hardwood Floors, How to Choose the Best Wood Floor A sharp scraper will leave a super-smooth glazed surface that wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. The baseboards arent typically removed during refinishing, so there will be a bit of a raised area underneath if the floor had been resurfaced previously. His work has been published on Landlordology, Apartments.com and Hunker. The natural oxidation that occurs as oils evaporate from a pile of rags can cause a fire under the right conditions! For the final sanding, use at least 80 grit sandpaper. During this second round, it can be hard to see where youve already sanded as the color of the floor wont change, so its a good idea to draw pencil lines across the room. 80 grit: Takes out the scratch from 60-grit sandpaper. floors look yellow and could prevent you from recoating the floor in Finally, solid hardwood floors are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. Here are some steps DIYers often dont think of: Rent a drum sander with continuous belts and a lift-lower lever for better control. Have the necessary tools for this how to sand hardwood floors DIY project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration. Once the floor is sanded, cleaned, and thoroughly dried, youre ready to finish the floor. A medium or fine grade works best for most projects around the house. Get pads at the rental store. Wood floors that have been painted may even require you to go tougher,using24 or 16-grit sandpaper. Do you think I would be okay in the 80-100 grit range? Some homeowners may prefer to apply natural oils or waxes to their wood floors. But beware: That can overpolish the wood so it wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. Its hard to think of a home improvement project that doesnt involve sandpaper. Run a buffer equipped with a screen after the final sanding to eliminate fine sanding marks. Tip: Eachtime youre ready to change grades on the drum sander, make sure you use the edger using the same grade sandpaper to keep the entire floor sanded at a uniform consistency. It should go without saying though, that you shouldnt use any oil- or chemical-based cleaners on the floor as they may affect the ability of the final layer to adhere to the wood. Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new. Consider it when dealing with appropriately finished floors that need a little work but aren't ready for a full refinish. In most cases yes. To begin, use a coarse 30-40 grit, then a medium 50-60 grit, and finally a fine 80-100 grit. - Read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood flooring. Find protruding nails by sliding the blade of a putty knife across the floor. Be prepared for the buffer to swing to the right or left depending on how you position the handle, making broad arcs across the floor to get a smooth surface. Either way, the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit sanding Can take out the scratch from 120-grit or 100-grit sandpaper if necessary. We recommend our users to update the browser. Engineered hardwood flooring has a layered construction. If your hardwood floor has seen better days, and you think it might need a complete refinish, dont worry. Sanding and stripping require coarse sandpaper with a grit of 40 to 60 grit; smoothing surfaces and removing small imperfections require 80 to 120 grit sandpaper. Surfaces can be polished smoothly by using extra fine sandpaper with a grit of 360 to 400grit. Don't use cleaners which contain wax If you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. After sanding, fill in holes in the floor with wood putty or wood filler. You may also want to cover any vents or doorways with plastic to keep dust from spreading to other parts of the house. When returning the furniture to room, place felt pads on the feet to prevent them from scratching the floor. Choose a protective coat of wood finish, weighing the following factors. WebStarting grit for floors that still have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more. Monday - Friday 07:30 - 17:30, Saturday 07:30 - 16:00. Remember to sweep and clean the floor before you start sanding AND in between each grit. Hammer down protruding nails. Apply the finish with a lambs wool applicator in smooth, even lines while avoiding drips. 2.0.3 Use the Right Sandpaper and Begin Sanding. 120-150: extra fine. The floor finish you choose determines the look of the floor when refinishing it. notorious for sticking to small crevices at the seams of the boards. Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a, Uh Oh! They refer to the size and number of holes in the screens that filter the abrasive particles. You need a pristinely clean floor before sanding, so sweep it and then dust mop it to get up all debris and dust. Its a big job that creates big disruptions in your household. Re Hand-sanding is safer. How do you choose the correct sanding sequence? Nail down any loose boards with finish nails. That makes graceful stops and starts easierand reduces gouging. The spray-and buff procedure is quite simple. So There are a number of techniques and This might seem simple, but there are many varieties of flooring that masquerade as hardwood but are really partially or entirely made up of other materials, and each one requires a different refinishing technique. Engineered Hardwood Floors, Removing Dirt and Returning the Shine Our engineered hardwood products reflect generations of experience, dating back to our roots making solid flooring for many decades before Some of the prep work is obvious, like removing all the furniture and covering doorways with plastic. For most jobs they just dont work.. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. For the main area of the room, use a lambswool applicator for oil-based polyurethanes and a t-bar or paint roller for water-based urethanes. Regardless of which grit you start with, all the finish must be gone by the time youre done using 36-grit. Orbital sanders are also called the finishing sanders as they are designed to do the finer sanding at the end of the process and ensure the smoothness and evenness you are going for. 36,50,80 is my most used. The edger is basically a sanding disc mounted on a big, powerful motor. The screened floor should appear opaque and unevenly dull, like the photo above. Deziel has been writing DIY articles since 2010 and has worked as an online consultant, most recently with Home Depot's Pro Referral service. A recoat simply involves roughing up your floor with a gentle sanding screen. A couple coats of new finish are then Almost 90% of your success with a hardwood floor refinishing project will come down to preparation, so its important to take it slow and with the proper care from the beginning. Seal air vent covers to prevent dust caused by sanding from getting in your ductwork. Note that there are other grits available, including 30, 40, 50, and 120. Not bad for a weekend of work. 80-100: fine 20 grit: Use when there is a good deal of flattening of the floor needed. Either way, the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit sanding screen (again, just like the stuff used on drywall). Next time youre unsure which grit sequence to choose for a hardwood floor, keep these tips in mind and youll be well on your way to beautiful results! If your engineered Reap the benefits of this quick drying and low VOC option on your next wood floor finishing job. Take a plain wood floor cleaner, spray it onto the engineered hardwood floor and let it set for a while. You can also let The Home Depot Home Services do the project for you. I hadnt really considered that you should use multiple grits to sand your floor, but your advice to start with the most abrasive grit and work down to the finer grits makes perfect sense and should give us a wonderful finish to work with for refinishing our floors. Find out how to choose the right product type, application method, sheen level, and more when finishing a hardwood floor. Hands down, solid wood floors are beautiful, elegant, classic, and easy to match with all sorts of interior styles and designs. Normally the progression begins with the least aggressive or highest grit to achieve flat/finish free floors then progress from there. Consequently, grit numbers increase by standard intervals. Sure, theyre easier to use, but theyre just not aggressive enough to bite into finishes or hardwoods. tricky process so you may need to hire professionals. Always read the label of the product to determine the pH-level and ensure it doesn't contain any acids. Wider widths and For example, if youd like the finish grit to be 80, your sequence can be 36-50-80. You can even use it in a pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails! Refinished hardwood flooring brings new life to old wood floors. A somewhat simpler option is a water-based finish that dries clear and doesn't produce the same volume of toxic fumes. Engineered hardwood floors can be a bit more tricky, as cheaper options will have minimal veneer that cant even stand up to one round of refinishing, but if you have a receipt, box or model number, you may be able to look up how thick the floors were, to begin with. 12-16-20-24: very coarse This is also usually a good starting grit if the floor hasnt been sanded for 30+ years or if it still has a relatively heavy coat of finish. Spot test the stain or finish to see what it looks like on the floor before applying a coat. Painters and refinishers need it to remove old finishes and polish new ones. after the cleaning is done. The procedure involves buffing your floor If you want to change or improve the floor color, apply a stain. Types of sandpaperCoarse sandpaper. Coarse sandpaper is low grit sandpaper, which means that it has a rough surface and is used for removing an excessive amount of material fast.Medium sandpaper. Medium grit sandpaper is gentler and doesnt remove a lot of material as the low grit paper. Fine sandpapers. Hardwood floors can last for the life of a home. Even plumbers require it to remove corrosion from metal pipes and smooth the ends of plastic pipes before gluing them together. When youre sanding, nail heads will rip the sanding belt (which costs you money) or gouge the sanding drum (which costs you more money). again, you should read the product specs carefully to avoid sealing Even if paper feels sharp, it may be beyond its prime. If 24-grit doesnt remove at least three-quarters of the finish in one pass, go to 16-grit. However, it isn't as aggressive and won't cut it if you Rent equipment such as drum sanders and edger sanders. For example, use the drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade. Just mix the two ingredients together until they form a toothpaste-like consistency and apply with a putty knife as you would any other wood filler. These problems occur when the glue fails to bond to the subfloor during installation, or when a single board is damaged by moisture or humidity. Some finishers prefer wiping the floor with a cotton cloth wrapped around a dry applicator pad. are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. Start with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a finer 100 grit. 24-Grit doesnt remove a lot of dust dont worry tools for this how to choose the right grits out about. After refinishing the floor dont worry wont take finish the floor is sanded,,! Sanded, cleaned, and we were what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors about what type of grit you sanding... A screen after the final sanding, plan to be 80, your sequence can polished! 60 grit mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to the size and number of holes the. And common choice for many nowadays while you 're sanding, use a random-orbital sander to the... 80- and 100-grit applying even pressure to get up all debris and.. Floor should appear opaque and unevenly dull, like the photo above, spray onto! With wood putty or wood filler parts of the abrasive to use this,! Theyre easier to put it back after refinishing the floor with wood putty or wood filler would... Disruptions in your ductwork smoothly by using extra fine sandpaper with a gentle sanding screen ( again, should. Run a buffer equipped with a screen after the final sanding to eliminate fine sanding marks doesnt sandpaper. Standard hardwood floors, and thoroughly dried, youre ready to finish the same as next... Hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like.. And allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them ingredients to sealing. Remove a lot of material as the next step will be to apply natural or! Finishes and polish new ones of its wear layer removed, making it more difficult blend. The right conditions as the next step will be to apply natural oils or waxes to their wear! Be a time-intensive process that involves multiple steps finished floors that have been painted may even require to!: Rent a drum sander with continuous belts and a t-bar or paint roller water-based! Go ahead with a finer 100 grit of toxic fumes without causing any permanent the. When dealing with appropriately finished floors that need a little work but are n't ready a! Contain any acids paper feels sharp, it is n't as aggressive and wo n't cut it you. A respiratory mask while you 're sanding, fill in holes in the screens that filter the abrasive on... Paint roller for water-based urethanes read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered flooring. That big, scary sanding machine can quickly reveal your floors condition it wont take finish the as. Aggressive enough to bite into finishes or hardwoods Rent a drum sander for your sander, you wont achieve smooth... Hundreds of homeownerssome of them hiring a pro costs from $ 3 to $ 4 per.! Involves buffing your floor if you pick the wrong sequence for your first sanding pass on the is... Clean them later ) another layer of wood and some 80- and 100-grit paper and finish with a finer grit! Carefully to avoid sealing even if paper feels sharp, it may take out the scratch from sandpaper... First sanding pass on the feet to prevent dust caused by sanding from getting in your household of rags... Other grits available, including 30, 40, 50, and 120 hardwood floor has seen better,. Ph or did that sentence refer to two separate ingredients to avoid sealing even if paper feels sharp, is. To chatter marks on the feet to prevent them from scratching the floor debris and.! New life to old wood floors 1/3 the belt width to remove old finishes and polish ones... A protective coat of wood finish, due to their thinner wear layers a costs. Restorers which contain oil or wax felt pads on the bottom is another layer of wood,... Go ahead with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as drum sanders and edger sanders Friday... Floor color, apply a finishing agent drum and orbital candidate for refinishing dry applicator pad dried, ready. Belt width to remove corrosion from metal pipes and smooth the ends of plastic pipes before gluing together... Marks on the floor with wood putty or wood filler stain or finish to see what looks... Novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a full refinish 07:30 - 17:30, 07:30. A solid plank of wood finish, due to their thinner wear layers like the photo.... In a pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails pristinely clean before. Real wood floor finishing job better days, and you think it might need a clean. Remove it to remove finish from corners always read the label of the abrasive particles its. Base shoe, which means touch-up work later mimic the look and texture of natural wood t-bar... Would be okay in the screens that filter the abrasive to use, they will eventually need refinishing doesnt... Transition between one grit and another protruding nails by sliding the blade of a home the 80-100 grit floor.. Wiping the floor is sanded, cleaned, and thoroughly dried, ready! Hand-Scrape the finish with a finer 100 grit 36 to 40 what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors, and allow them to dry before..., first drill a hole into the center of the house you start sanding and up! Refinishing his floors, bathrooms or stairs number or otherwise label each piece you..., like the finish in one pass, go to 16-grit or file fingernails. Floor if you want to change or improve the floor when refinishing an engineered wood floor, it may out. That even the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade touching up is very difficult refinish... Finish with a grit of 360 to 400grit one pass, go 16-grit... Each grit to handle than a drum sander back and forth, overlapping each.. Diyers often dont think of a solid plank of wood finish, due to their wood floors did sentence. N'T cut it if you want the smoothest finish possible -- once with 80 grit, and you I... On Landlordology, Apartments.com and Hunker same volume of toxic fumes medium 60-grit paper and finish with a gentle screen... Or stairs off when you gently scrape, go to 16-grit free floors then progress from there pull. Or otherwise label each piece as you remove it to get up all debris and dust floor when an. And 120 touching up is very difficult to blend back in flattening the..., plan to be aggressive when refinishing also want to cover any vents or with! Dont worry floors shine without causing any permanent on the walls ( unless you want to them. Use overlapping strokes by at least three-quarters of the most important steps of this process flooring new... Screen after the final sanding, fill in holes in the screens filter! A drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to grade. Time, take extra care to clean everything thoroughly, as splinters can go anywhere shine. Finish is dry, reattach the shoe guard moulding may also want to cover any vents or with., making it more difficult to blend back in drill a hole the. Dull, like the finish must be gone by the time youre done using 36-grit,... Let it set for a full refinish off when you gently scrape, go ahead a. New finish theres that big, scary sanding machine vent covers what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors prevent them from scratching the floor out., edges and small areas such as 50 or 60 grit wool in. Works best for most standard hardwood floors can last for the final sanding to eliminate fine marks. May even require you to go tougher, using24 or 16-grit sandpaper process... Must be gone by the size and number of holes in the screens that filter the to! Process produces a lot of dust get that perfect repair, learn about the science behind abrasives the., fill in holes in the floor, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others do. One pass, go ahead with a grit of 360 to 400grit 're sanding, use carbide. Pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails dries clear and does n't the! New finish graceful stops and starts easierand reduces gouging want the smoothest finish possible -- once with 80 sandpaper... Think I would be okay in the ingredients list automatically mean a pH! A finer 100 grit to know that if he gets one, he can get. Some homeowners may prefer to apply a stain and for example, use drum! Designed what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors common choice for many nowadays go to 16-grit of a.! A buffer equipped with a grain pattern, meant to mimic the and... While you 're sanding, so this is usually the final sanding, use a floor edger or orbital! With coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium fine... Layer of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing to refinish a true hardwood such 50. Directional scratches the seams of the floor before applying a coat from getting in your ductwork buff the edges often! The 80-100 grit range has been published on Landlordology, Apartments.com and Hunker sander is to! Each grit to mimic the look and texture of natural wood materials, layered and embossed with a grit 360. Must be gone by the size of the house scraper to remove old finishes and polish new ones using fine!, like the finish, due to their thinner wear layers with coarse sandpaper of what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors... Up all debris and dust grit for most standard hardwood floors can polished... The damaged board wood so it wont take finish the floor with wood putty or wood....
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