How To Refinish Hard Wood Floors

How To Refinish Hardwood Floors

Refinishing hardwood floors is a great way to update the look of your home and increase its value. It can also be a daunting task, but it's definitely doable with a little planning and elbow grease. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Gather your materials. You'll need the following supplies to refinish your hardwood floors:

Orbital sander or drum sander
Sandpaper (60-grit, 80-grit, 100-grit)
Edging sander
Tack cloth
Wood filler
Polyurethane
Foam roller or brush

2. Prepare the floor. Move all furniture and remove any rugs or carpets from the floor. Sweep and vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.

3. Sand the floor. Start by sanding the floor with the 60-grit sandpaper. Use an orbital sander or drum sander, making sure to follow the grain of the wood. Sand until the floor is smooth and even, then switch to the 80-grit sandpaper and sand again. Finally, sand the floor with the 100-grit sandpaper to remove any remaining scratches.

4. Fill in any gaps or holes. Use wood filler to fill in any gaps or holes in the floor. Allow the wood filler to dry completely, then sand it smooth.

5. Apply the polyurethane. Use a foam roller or brush to apply the polyurethane to the floor. Apply thin, even coats, following the grain of the wood. Allow the first coat of polyurethane to dry completely, then sand it lightly with the 100-grit sandpaper. Repeat this process with two or three more coats of polyurethane.

6. Let the floor dry. Allow the floor to dry completely for at least 24 hours before walking on it. Once the floor is dry, you can replace your furniture and rugs.

Refinishing hardwood floors can be a lot of work, but it's definitely worth it. With a little planning and elbow grease, you can have beautiful, new-looking hardwood floors that will last for years to come.