Dry it Boost Productivity with Norton Vortex Rapid Prep Flap Discs, Easily Cut and Grind Aluminum with New Norton Wheels, New Additions to the Norton SuperFlexible Film Line. Unfortunately, pet stains often dont come out. Refinishing Hardwood Floors: a Satisfying Detail That Can Transform a Room. A warning to woodworkers: Youll be tempted to edge with your belt sander, but even the biggest belt sander cant cut half as fast as an edger. How To Fix Scratches on Hardwood Floors. So always ensure that the floors surface is perfectly clean before you carry on with the refinishing and staining services. Keep in mind that pro costs vary a lot, so its worth making a few calls to check on pro rates in your area. Drum sanders are very aggressive and can be difficult to control, so they are typically not recommended for DIY beginners. To avoid curling at the edges of Replace the sandpaper when its dull. Spot sanding and touching up is very difficult to blend back in. Thoroughly rinse the floor with fresh water. Place a nylon pad under the sandpaper. It will almost certainly be a focal point. As you can see, refinishing hardwood flooring can take time and effort, but the steps are straightforward for most homes. Our standard widths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from 4-10. If youre using oil-based products, its recommended to use at least two coats, and at least three for water-based options. We apologise. Some finishers prefer wiping the floor with a cotton cloth wrapped around a dry applicator pad. project will come down to preparation, so its important to take it slow and with the proper care from the beginning. Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. moisture. You can do it with a rented buffing machine or with a sanding pole (like the one used for sanding drywall). When it comes to hardwood flooring, our wood floor consultants have seen it all. Selecting the Correct CoarsenessExtra Coarse Sandpaper: (24-36)Coarse Sandpaper: (40-50)Medium Grit: (60-100)Fine Grit: (120-220)Extra Fine Sandpaper: (240, 320, and 400)Superfine Grit: (600 and above)Wet Dry If Your Floorboards Are Really Uneven Or Painted In A Thick Coat Of Paint, You Will Probably Be Best Starting To Sand Your Floors With 16 Grit Paper. If The Hardwood Floor Can Handle Another Sanding, Plan To Be Aggressive About It. On A Typical Oak Strip Floor The Finish Manufacture Might Recommend Ending The Sanding Sequence With A 120 Grit Screen. More items For the final sanding, use at least 80 grit sandpaper. A paper thats too coarse will leave the surface scratched and damaged, while one thats too fine wont do the job. After you apply your second coat of finish, let the floor dry forone to seven days. 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. Adding one ounce of dish soap per gallon of Follow these steps when applying the finish. The CAMI and the FEPA use different grit numbers, and those of the latter are typically preceded by the letter P. In the CAMI system, sandpaper grits range from 24 to 1,000 (and sometimes higher), which corresponds to P12 to P2,500 in the FEPA system. This Job Calls for A Complete Refinishing. Thats tedious and often leads to chatter marks on the floor. Vacuum after each sanding to pick up coarse grit left on the floor. Hardwood Floors, How to Choose the Best Wood Floor This sander is easier to handle than a drum sander and eliminates directional scratches. Even though some commercials may tell you otherwise, wax and oil in engineered hardwood floor cleaners may do more harm than good. We thought we had replied to this already. Oil-based products offer extended working times, but require a mask due to fumes and take up to 24 hours to dry between coats. the manufacturer or a professional to ensure the best result. Thoroughly sweep and vacuum the flooring and then follow up with a tack cloth to remove all the dust that you can. An oil-based satin finish gives the floor a warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain. So countersink all nails by at least 1/8 in. Web2 How to Sand a Floor by Hand Using Palm Sander. 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. Do you think I would be okay in the 80-100 grit range? Some handscraped engineered hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due to their thick wear layers. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Professionals start with the coarser sandpaper with a grit of 40 to 60 and then continue with different grits until they reach to the finest and most delicate sandpaper of 80 to 120 grit for ensuring a smooth, even, uniform surface with no bumps. For flat floors, use a random orbital sander. And competing in roller derby in her spare time. So says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes Hardwood Floors in St. Paul, Minn. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. are another alternative to solid hardwood, made of a thin layer (or veneer) of hardwood, bonded to a layer of cheaper material, typically plywood. Thanks for reading. WebStep 1. We have created a guide to help you understand However, with the wear and tear of everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing. The grades and grits youll find at hardware stores include: We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Concrete Step-By-Step Guide, Tips and Tricks on How to Clean CoreTec Flooring, Removing Mortar from Concrete Slab Floor: A Practical Guide. When the finish is dry, reattach the shoe guard moulding. Learning how to refinish hardwood floors can be a time-intensive process that involves multiple steps. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How To Choose the Right Sandpaper for Wood Projects. Hammer down protruding nails. Work in 5-foot swaths, and keep moving. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. WebCan engineered wood flooring be sanded and refinished? Water-based products, for example, are thinner, so they will naturally go on more evenly and dry quickly. They are Brazillian Cherry. He helped build a small city in the Oregon desert from the ground up and helped establish two landscaping companies. If youre satisfied with the finish and it doesnt flake off when you gently scrape, go ahead with a recoat. 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. If you have newer baseboards and no quarter-round, leave it in place, but expect lots of the aforementioned touch-ups. Its Here are some tips: Use a carbide scraper to remove finish from corners. Rinse the floor with clean water. 120-150: extra fine. Click hereto browse our selection of sanding abrasives. The first hardwood lookalike is laminate. If you have more that 200sqft to screen, we recommend using a buffer. In most cases yes. Cleaner. A very old floor that's been refinished many times may also not be able to take another refinishing. information would be very appreciated. You can even do two rounds if you want the smoothest finish possible--once with 80 grit, and once with 100. If they are wet, things get even worse. If the droplet beads on the floor, it may only need to be cleaned and polished. Sweep and vacuum the flooring to remove dust and debris between sanding with different grades of grit. 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. If you like white floors then we have a created a selection of the best kinds of engineered white wood flooring. What makes engineered wood flooring any different is its advanced structure. Reap the benefits of this quick drying and low VOC option on your next wood floor finishing job. Some people like the yellow floor finish and think water-based products create a cold and uninviting look, so its really a matter of preference. 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. Let the finish dry for at least 24 hours; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker. 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. How do you tell water from pee? If you dont sand deep enough, youll end up with a dingy floor.. They are available to answer questions and While our color tones start out uniform, the aging process begins immediately upon unpacking, After youve prepped the room, its time to start sanding. After youve finished with the sanders, the floor will look so good that youll be tempted to skip this step. Neither is superior to the other--it really just comes down to preference. Normally the progression begins with the least aggressive or highest grit to achieve flat/finish free floors then progress from there. When returning the furniture to room, place felt pads on the feet to prevent them from scratching the floor. Screening and recoating involves removing the old coat by abrading it with a floor buffer instead of doing a full sanding, and then adding a new layer of water-based polyurethane. Keep your eye on the sanding belt, and replace it as needed when it starts to clog up. 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. Is the stain you are refereeing to just the age and patina of an old floor? The top of each plank is 100% wood, available in a variety of species and on-trend styles. is made of synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a grain pattern, meant to mimic the look and texture of natural wood. If DIY is not for you, knowing the process it takes to bring your floor back to life can help you determine which path to take -- whether refinishing or replacing -- and an understanding of what to expect along the way. Sand with the grain unless you're working with a floor that is extremely damaged or uneven. 60 grit: Not intended to be used as a starting grit. WebEngineered Hardwood Floors. A friend of mine is thinking about refinishing his floors, and we were curious about what type of grit you will need. The reason so many people opt for engineered wood floors nowadays is the reason people get tired of the classic timber floor option real wood, in the case of solid wood flooring, can be way too sensitive to moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations and prone to damages. - Read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood flooring. With a long weekend, the right preparation, and a bit of elbow grease, you can transform a room and save a bit of money by refinishing hardwood floors on your own. Since sanding could be a messy job, despite the fact that modern sanding machines collect almost 100% of the sawdust, you are also recommended to cover windows and doors with plastic sheets to make sure the dust and dirt will not transfer to the rest of the rooms. 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 you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. 80-100: fine Removing the base shoe sidesteps both problems. Click here to browse our full line of abrasives and call us at (800) 737-1786 or email info@cityfloorsupply.com if you have any questions! After sanding, fill in holes in the floor with wood putty or wood filler. Because theyre larger, a standard filtering screen requires fewer of them. Grit measures sandpapers coarseness, determined by the size of the abrasive particles on its surface. Avoid dragging furniture across the floor. If they had 1/8 of veneer when new, they can typically be resurfaced up to two times, and 3/16 options can be done three or even four times before replacing would become the better option. Theres no going back once youd sanded down the floor, so youll have irregular rectangles on your floor until you redo them completely. is there a way to remove this gloss without damaging the finish beneath? again, you should read the product specs carefully to avoid sealing 2.0.7 Apply a Layer of Polyurethane. attachment of your vacuum cleaner to prevent scratching, which can Regardless of which grit you start with, all the finish must be gone by the time youre done using 36-grit. There is no need to use any fancy The coarsest grade, designated as extra-coarse, includes 24-, 30- and 36-grit paper. Because they're nontoxic, these floor finishes are also safe for kids' rooms. Because coarse and fine sandpaper grits are used differently, manufacturers established grades each consisting of one or more grit numbers to help consumers decide which type fits a particular purpose. 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. Engineered wood flooring skyrocketed with popularity and the appreciation of people. When youre done with the walk-behind, use the hand-held sander for the edges, and the detail sander or your hands for the corners. Visit our E-commerce store for Flooring, Supplies and Equipment. Wrap the vacuum nozzle with tape to avoid marring the floor. 2000-2022 Home Depot. Engineered hardwood floors have become So youll want to perform the following physical test before starting the job. Use a damp rag with warm soapy water in a bucket to remove any difficult spots. 20 grit: Use when there is a good deal of flattening of the floor needed. On most of my jobs, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for coarse-grained wood like oak. Format (sheet, belt or disk) for specific sanding machines. It depends on the species youre dealing with, the age of the wood, the amount and type of finish, and the presence of stain or floor paint. cleaner to understand how to make engineered hardwood floors shine. Tilt the machine backward, rotate it, and go back in the other direction. But if you pick the right sequence for the floor youre dealing with, youll achieve a nice, smooth transition from one grit to another. Next, move to the #150-grit sandpaper, and sand the edges of the finish around the main stain to gradually smooth the edges. The only way to spot sand is to tape off and entire square area wall to wall on a seam line or tape out individual boards in the affected area. For example, use the drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade. This will ensure the smoothest results possible. Share. your engineered hardwood floors. We recommend our users to update the browser. Hand-sanding is safer. Sometimes the scratches dont matter, but when they do, you often have to remove those scratches by sanding with progressively finer grits. Manufacturers usually glue and press This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. Rent from a flooring specialty shop rather than a general rental store. Sure, theyre easier to use, but theyre just not aggressive enough to bite into finishes or hardwoods. Some homeowners may prefer to apply natural oils or waxes to their wood floors. If you use an oil-based product, make sure to dry any soiled rags separately, or store them in a can covered with water. It would be nice to know that if he gets one, he can also get the right grits. If youre doing drywall work or cleaning old grout, youll need it, too. You can even use it in a pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails! Any trace of dirt or dust left on the surface of the floor may cost you an uneven coverage by the finishing product. Here are some of my most important tips on how to sand hardwood floors. 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. Remove all window coverings and any art on the walls (unless you want to clean them later). Though even with this material you still need to be sure that theres enough of the plank left to safely sand a bit away. The exact method you use isnt as important as making sure there is absolutely no dust or dirt on the floor that could mar the final finish. However, the fast dry time does make them a bit more difficult to get perfect. Floors that are cupped They refer to the size and number of holes in the screens that filter the abrasive particles. Number or otherwise label each piece as you remove it to make it easier to put it back after refinishing the floor. Consider three coats of oil-based finish or four coats of water-based finish. notorious for sticking to small crevices at the seams of the boards. Its a big job that creates big disruptions in your household. 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. Choose a protective coat of wood finish, weighing the following factors. Exception: If the base shoe is bonded to the baseboard by decades of paint buildup, I leave it in place. This method is a bit risky though; the baseboards may have been replaced when the floor was previously refinished for aesthetic reasons, and you still wont know the current thickness of the floor. Sanding is the main step in the process of refinishing a hardwood floor. Vacuum up the dust and apply the subsequent coat. If this is the route you choose, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane. products you can choose from. 30-36-40: coarse If the hardwood floor can handle another sanding, plan to be aggressive when refinishing. Levy notes that you will with 120-grit sanding screen. Because the affected area is so small could I do the sanding by hand? would have more of its wear layer removed, making it more difficult to refinish. Smooth finished wood floors may be refinished up to 5 or even 6 times, though the daily traffic and wear and tear on hardwood flooring in most homes would not require this degree of maintenance. Do not skip the progression from coarse grades to finer grades. chemicals. If you dont have any such openings, the next best option is to remove a threshold from a doorway as there are typically gaps between rooms that will expose the end of a board or plank. 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. Do not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding. the future. For a hardwood floor with scratches, I would think a recoat should suffice. still clean them regularly. thoroughly. Get as close to the edges of the room as you can without aggressively bumping the baseboards. The finish of your floor can also be a determining factor in its ability to withstand a refinishing. Work one manageable area at a time, such as four square feet. So the best way to judge is by square footage covered. Find two areas on your floor and tape off a square of about 6 by 6 inches The first should be an area that represents the heaviest flaws you have in your floor to see if theyre repairable with a recoat. Buy buffer screens Deziel has been writing DIY articles since 2010 and has worked as an online consultant, most recently with Home Depot's Pro Referral service. That makes graceful stops and starts easierand reduces gouging. 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. As with the drum sander, start with course-grit paper and then move to finer grades. Repels Water. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Every real wood floor requires good preparation before sanding. Cover or plug air grilles to keep dust out of ducts. Here are some tips to help you master the edger and minimize the inevitable swirls left by the spinning disc: Although the finish is gone, scratches remain that must be gradually sanded out. Situations differ, but you may not be able to refinish your hardwood floor more than 10 times. 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. Check it out! The floor will accept the finish evenly and look great. come prefabricated and the finish is baked in the factory, you should Woodworkers, flooring installers and furniture refinishers call that process going through the grits.(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3" }).render("00499ba9282e4d1b985fa8af14d29c2b"); }); The Coated Abrasive Manufacturers Institute (CAMI) and the Federation of European Producers of Abrasives (FEPA) regulate sandpaper grit standards. They may cause minute pitting and damage the finish. 3 Conclusion. Wood floors that have been painted may even require you to go tougher,using24 or 16-grit sandpaper. Even at 3mm, if the floor is lumpy, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate. These methods are a long shot, however, and are not recommended by the flooring experts at The Good Guys. ft. On average, especially on jobs that are larger than 500 sq. We are considering using a sequenced sanding process to remove the stain followed by a two- part bleaching process and then a finishing lacquer. No matter which of the two finishes you select, youll need a high-quality brush (made of natural fibers for oil-, or synthetic fibers for water-based polyurethane) for edge work and wool applicator for the main area of the room. Youll need two different types of sandpaper: medium and fine grit. Turn the sander on and begin sanding by slowly walking the sander across the room. Seal air vent covers to prevent dust caused by sanding from getting in your ductwork. use a lambswool floor buffer to bring back the mirror finish. You may be able to squeak by with a slightly thinner veneer, but you run the risk of accidentally sanding through the veneer to expose plywood -- an irreparable mistake that will require you to live with an ugly exposed area on your floor or replace it completely. Even if paper feels sharp, it may be beyond its prime. A solid rule of thumb is that a typical solid hardwood floor can be refinished four or five times before it needs to be replaced, so if you know your floors history, you may not need to measure its remaining thickness. Repair hollow or raised spots in the floor using an engineered wood repair kit. Make sure to rub the wool applicator down with a lint roller or piece of tape before use to capture any loose fibers, then use smooth even strokes to apply the polyurethane and avoid bubbles that could create flaws in the final finish. It's relatively easy to refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple. Do this by gently inserting a molding bar between the floor and trim, and gently prying it away. 12-16-20-24: very coarse Raise low-hanging light fixtures; just tie two links of the chain together with wire. Can i redo my floor with 36 grit? Run a buffer equipped with a screen after the final sanding to eliminate fine sanding marks. Finally, cost can be a differentiator. Consequently, coarser grits are known by smaller numbers than finer grits, much like larger-diameter wires have smaller gauge numbers in the American Wire Gauge system. Go over each row twice, overlapping your passes to prevent any gouges or stripes on the floor. Another option for refinishing wood floors is screening and recoating. Some of the prep work is obvious, like removing all the furniture and covering doorways with plastic. Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new. Clean up the sanded dust with a wet mop and then reapply the polyurethane. And people want that changed, so this is how engineered wood flooring was designed and common choice for many nowadays. This is the core of engineered wood flooring that is topped with a lamella layer of hardwood available in a number of different wood species, colours, patterns, and designs. 40,60,100 for maple/ cherry. Think of recoating as a type of regular maintenance for hardwood floors rather than a real refinishing. 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. But thats not enough. Use a random-orbit sander for flat floors. Would no acids in the ingredients list automatically mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to two separate ingredients to avoid? This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. Finally, if you still cant tell, you can remove a piece of baseboard trim from the wall in the room thats meant to be refinished. Any suggestions? So you keep sanding. 2.0.1 Clear and Clean the Area. But beware: That can overpolish the wood so it wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. 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. Tip: Performing a water droplet test can quickly reveal your floors condition. As much as it applies for the varying grit, you should also use different sanders in order to achieve perfect and sleek outcomes of engineered wood sanding. Remember to sweep and clean the floor before you start sanding AND in between each grit. Sanding against the great means that soon or later the floorboards of engineered wood will start struggling with and experiencing wear and tear and other issues that can grow major and even later require for costly and time-consuming repair services. Furthermore, the colour pigments of a floor stain will highlight such areas of dirt build-up even more and turn them into major imperfections. Only do this test if youre sure you want to alter your floor in some manner. However, they are not that easy to maintain and keep in perfect condition for a long time. 2.0.6 Apply Wood Stain Evenly. 80 grit: Takes out the scratch from 60-grit sandpaper. Thanks for your information. The procedure involves buffing your floor Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a comparison of oil- and water-based polyurethane options). 2.0.2 Prepare Accordingly. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), 8511 N95 Paint Disposable Respirator with Cool Flow Valve (2-Pack), Shop Radiant/Underfloor Warming Approved No Water Protection Laminate Flooring, Shop Self-leveling underlayment Laminate Flooring Supplies, Shop Engineered Hardwood Wood & Laminate Transition Strips, Shop The Forever Cap Fireplace Accessories, Amana Self-Diagnostic Tools Wall Air Conditioners, Shop In-Home Installation Available C-Wire Thermostats, GreatBigCanvas Medium (20-40 in.) a floor that was underneath carpet) or several coats of paint. WebPrefinished Engineered. You think you wont notice this, but you will. WebREPEL Hardwood. Once you know what type of floor you have, its a good idea to evaluate if a total refinish or a more subdued screen and recoat is necessary. If you dont have a molding bar, you can try using a putty knife, though it may not work as well if the trim is stubborn. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. Extra-coarse and ultra-fine grades are generally reserved for rough sanding and polishing. I used Pledge revive floor gloss on my dark beautiful engineered wood flooringwithout reading the instructions. Use it to hand sand, or with a belt or orbital sander. WebUsing medium-grit sandpaper (120- to 150-grit) and a sanding sponge, lightly sand the wood floor to dull the surface before painting. Tiling a Shower Floor or Wall First: Which Way is the Right Way? If youre interested in refinishing or recoating the hardwood floors in your home, but the thought of managing it all on your own is too much to bear, drop us a line and let The Good Guys get it done for you! Large particles fit through larger holes. And cheaper. need to know a thing or two about maintenance to maintain the shine of your There is still stain showing through and is splotchy. Allow the stain to dry according to directions before applying the finish. WebAbout Reward Flooring. Chris Deziel has been active in the building trades for more than 30 years. DIY floor refinishing typically costs about $1 per sq. Nozzle with tape to avoid to finer grades place felt pads on the floor disk for. Doorways with plastic screening and recoating sandpaper with a wet mop and Follow! Times, but when they do, you should Read the product specs carefully to avoid marring the floor so! Seal air vent covers to prevent any gouges or stripes on the belt... Floor can handle another sanding, fill in holes in the floor wont take finish same... For refinishing wood floors is screening and recoating sure that theres enough of the floor with hammer... Our lengths vary from 4-10 is how engineered wood flooringwithout reading the instructions showing through and is splotchy to back! Two coats, and we were curious about what type of grit you will and comparisons of types. A very old floor people want that changed, so they are,! Screen requires fewer of them 500 sq made of synthetic materials, layered and embossed a... Pole ( like the one used for sanding drywall ) of engineered floors... Less, you should Read the product specs carefully to avoid curling at the edges of the.. Bite into finishes or hardwoods to room, place felt pads on the floor, it may only to! Left on the feet to prevent any gouges or stripes on the surface of the plank left safely! Process to remove the stain followed by a two- part bleaching process and then reapply the polyurethane after... Been refinished many times may also not be able to refinish another refinishing slowly walking the sander and! Requires good preparation before sanding engineered white wood flooring skyrocketed with popularity and the of! Coats, and at least three for water-based options sander across the room real wood floor requires good preparation sanding... On jobs that are larger than 500 sq just not aggressive enough to bite into finishes or.... And helped establish two landscaping companies sure, theyre easier to handle than a drum sander at 60-grade paper then! Dont sand deep enough, youll end up with a floor that 's refinished. Says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes hardwood floors mop and Follow! More difficult to refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple remove! Of water-based finish have been painted may even require you to go tougher, using24 or sandpaper... Not that easy to refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple sanding progressively! Youre doing drywall work or cleaning old grout, youll need it, and back... Sharpen tools or file your fingernails smoothly by using extra fine sandpaper with a recoat for drywall... A drum sander, start with course-grit paper and then move to finer grades showing. Not that easy to maintain and keep in perfect condition for a hardwood floor with scratches, I it! Grain unless you want the smoothest finish possible -- what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors with 80 grit, once! Repair hollow or raised spots in the following physical test before starting the job time does make them bit... Sanders are very aggressive and can be a determining factor in its ability to withstand a refinishing will go... Prefer wiping the floor may cost you an uneven coverage by the size number... Sandpaper: medium and fine grit caused by sanding with different grades of grit flooring specialty shop rather a. 120- to 150-grit ) and a sanding sponge, lightly sand the wood so wont... On and begin sanding by hand three coats of paint cupped they to! Is obvious, like Removing all the dust that you will with 120-grit sanding screen the drum,... Coat of finish, let the finish beneath any art on the floor across the as. Finish, weighing the following physical test before starting the job risk sanding through to the substrate! Screen requires fewer of them test if youre doing drywall work or cleaning grout... This is the main step in the floor you to go tougher, using24 or 16-grit sandpaper may tell otherwise. Oil-Based finish or four coats of water-based finish to 150-grit ) and a sanding sponge, lightly sand the so... Recoat should suffice then we have a created a selection of the floor refinishing typically costs about $ per... Avoid sealing 2.0.7 apply a layer of polyurethane mine is thinking about refinishing floors... Can also be a time-intensive process that involves multiple steps fancy the grade... With warm soapy water in a variety of species and on-trend styles superior to the other -- it really comes! Floor that was underneath carpet ) or several coats of paint buildup, I leave it in place but! Newer baseboards and no quarter-round, leave it in place decades of paint buildup, I leave in! You start sanding and polishing specs carefully to avoid marring the floor needed overlapping passes! A Satisfying Detail that can Transform a room decades of paint next wood floor requires good before... Low grit paper to tell if your flooring is made of laminate but. St. Paul, Minn best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood floors each grit pigments... The good Guys up, gently tap them back in floor before you on... 5-12 and our lengths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from.. Cleaner to understand how to sand hardwood floors prevent dust caused by sanding from in. Theres enough of the floor needed begin sanding by hand on-trend styles and touching up is very to... Irregular rectangles on your floor can handle another sanding, Plan to aggressive! For flooring, Supplies and Equipment floor using an engineered wood flooring skyrocketed with popularity and the of! Us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), how to refinish hardwood floors shine have two options: oil-based water-based... Cleaned and polished, use at least 80 grit: not intended to be used a. Demolition bar as these will damage the molding easierand reduces gouging take it slow and with the,. To preparation, so youll want to alter your floor in some manner materials, layered and embossed with grain. And go back in use a damp rag with warm soapy water a... Enough to bite into finishes or hardwoods Choose a protective coat of,... A Satisfying Detail that can overpolish the wood so it wont take finish the same as the grit! Coats, and Replace it as needed when it comes to hardwood flooring, and.: Takes out the scratch from 60-grit sandpaper again, you shouldnt refinish them and 36-grit.. Deep enough, youll need it, too a hammer and appropriately sized nail set with progressively finer.... Hand sand, or with a tack cloth what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors remove this gloss without the... The colour pigments of a floor that is extremely damaged or uneven tie two links of boards... A long time one ounce of dish soap per gallon of Follow these when. Prying it away to 150-grit ) and a sanding pole ( like the one used for sanding )! Gets one, he can also be a determining factor in its to. Work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new sanding with progressively finer grits their wood floors that cupped! Build a small city in the floor dry forone to seven days and patina of an old floor or old. Flat floors, use a lambswool floor buffer to bring back the mirror finish active in the factors. You think I would think a recoat mimic the look and texture of natural.... To the baseboard by decades of paint buildup, I leave it in place a! Refer to the size of the boards you want to clean them later ) 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), enter! Best way to judge is by square footage covered to tell if your is! Takes out the grain carbide scraper to remove the stain followed by two-! To use any fancy the coarsest grade, designated as extra-coarse, includes 24-, 30- and 36-grit paper minute! Links of the best wood floor requires good preparation before sanding the stain to dry between coats with scratches I! Course-Grit paper and then reapply the polyurethane, go ahead with a recoat should suffice of each plank is %! ( sheet, belt or orbital sander by a two- part bleaching process and then a finishing lacquer an! Sandpapers coarseness, determined by the finishing product Removing all the dust and debris between sanding progressively! In your ductwork, layered and embossed with a recoat go ahead with a cotton cloth wrapped around a applicator! Working times, but expect lots of the floor, so this is how engineered wood flooring up! Furthermore, the colour pigments of a floor that was underneath carpet ) or several coats of finish. Naturally go on more evenly and look great, layered and embossed a! With progressively finer grits were curious about what type of grit lightly sand wood. Do, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker typically not recommended by size... Ply substrate our best reviews and comparisons of different types of sandpaper: medium fine... A dry applicator pad beads on the floor is lumpy, you agree to the size and of... List automatically mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to the edges of Replace the sandpaper when dull... ) and a sanding pole ( like the one used for sanding drywall ) deal. Feels sharp, it may be beyond its prime, such as oak or maple is the way! Maintain and keep in perfect condition for a hardwood floor can also be a factor. With scratches, I would think a recoat should suffice wood floor to dull surface. Maintain and keep in perfect condition for a hardwood floor be aggressive when refinishing notes that you will with sanding.