How to Refinish an Old Floor

If you are considering refinishing an old floor in your home, there are several things you need to know. First, before you get started, make sure you choose a professional contractor in Terrazzo floor restoration Manhattan, NY, with a proven track record in the flooring industry. The first step in this process is to prep the space. Depending on the material of the old floor, this may include sanding, staining, and polishing. Then, read this article to ensure you choose a professional with the right experience and equipment.

Choosing a contractor to restore an old floor

If you’re in the market to renovate your old floor, you’ll need to choose a contractor carefully. The first step in choosing the right contractor is to gather as many references as possible. Hopefully, friends or relatives have used a floor-restoration contractor before. If not, you can always check their reviews and ask for a referral. Choosing a contractor with a good reputation can go a long way in making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Preparing the space

First, prepare the space for the sanding and restoration process. Move away furniture and remove window treatments, light fixtures, and shoe moldings. Cover electrical outlets with drop cloths, and turn off ventilation systems. Make sure to vacuum the space before the sanding and restoration process starts. Use a floor sander and wear protective gear, including a respirator. You can rent one if you don’t want to use a power sander.

Sanding

Many floors in New Jersey are more than 60 years old and have undergone multiple sanding attempts. These floors have seen better days, whether the finish, deep scratches, or character marks. The good news is that you can restore these floors without sacrificing the entire thickness of the floor. To begin, line up the tools that you’ll need. These include a drum sander, buffer, edger, and buffer rental.

Before you sand an old floor to restore it, you’ll want to remove any old rugs, baseboards, and heating grate. Make sure to remove any old carpet tacks, as well. Then, sweep and dust mop the floor to remove loose debris. If there are any cracks, you can fill them with wood putty. Be sure to clean the putty with a tack cloth after 24 hours.

Staining

If you’ve ever wanted to change the color of your floor, you may be wondering how to stain an old floor. Before you begin, you should prepare the floor for staining. Then, before applying stain, you should wipe away any excess stain. You should wait 48 hours for the stain to cure, but it can take as much as 72 hours. If the stain is not dry after 48 hours, it will not look as nice as you’d hoped. Depending on the color of the stain, you may need to apply a second coat.

Afterward, use a lambswool applicator or buffer to apply the stain. Always remember to work in small sections. When you stain a floor, don’t allow the edge to dry before continuing. You can have someone mop the excess stain afterward. Remember to wear a respirator. It is an important step when it comes to staining a floor. A quality stain finish requires thorough cleaning.

Filling gaps between floorboards

The biggest mistake you can make when restoring an old floor is not filling gaps between floorboards. While some gapping is normal, wide gaps can become a tripping hazard. Even if the gaps are only a few inches, they can add up to a foot or more. You will need to follow a few simple steps to fix this problem. 

One way to fill gaps between floorboards is by applying wood putty. Wood putty is a mix of sawdust and glue. You can buy it in various colors or even mix your own. This easy step requires no tools other than your fingers and a putty knife. However, if the gaps are large and you don’t want to use wood putty, you can buy a ready-made wood floor filler. Remembering that you may not get a perfect fit for the gap between two boards is better to purchase a prefabricated wood filler.

Choosing a refinishing product

When restoring an old floor, you have two basic options: sanding and refinishing. While sanding is quick and simple, it may not be suitable for more extensive floors. In this case, you should choose a varnish or oil-based refinishing product to protect the wood. You can also paint the old floor to give it a fresh look.

Choose a polyurethane refinishing product if your floor is made from red oak. This type of refinishing is long-lasting but tends to produce a lot of dust. It would help if you considered covering the floor with a dust-proof material or removing any furniture. Also, ensure to keep any valuable fixtures out of the room during refinishing.