Table of Contents
Can I sand my floors myself?
Sanding wood floors is a time consuming but relatively easy procedure. Sanding wood floors & refinishing yourself will definitely save money, and even an inexperienced homeowner can likely do a better job than the lowest bidding handyperson who quotes on it.
How hard is it to sand your own floors?
There’s really no getting around it – sanding your floors is hard work and physically tiring. Mostly, this is down to the floorboards not being completely flat which means that the drum of the floor sanding machine won’t be able to reach all areas of the floorboards in one go.
Can I use a hand sander to sand a floor?
The process for sanding a floor by hand would be, as a general rule, to start on a 40 grit sandpaper and work your way up to 100 or 120 grit paper to leave a fine finish. It is important to keep any sander moving so it does not dig into or burn the floor. Get yourself a floor sander, or better still hire a pro.
Can you sand and refinish floors yourself?
Do you fill gaps in floorboards before sanding?
Filling with a mix of resin and sawdust is the optimal choice for gaps between planks of up to 6mm. The resin and the dust are mixed in a bucket and applied with a filling knife or spatula. Any excess material is then sanded before the finish is applied.
What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?
Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.
How much does it cost to get floors sanded?
Sanding costs $0.50 to $3.00 per square foot to sand hardwood floors. An average 12 x 14 foot room would cost $80 to $500 depending on how many passes it needs and the area you live in. Regardless of condition, you’ll always want to start by sanding.
Does sanding floors make a mess?
Yes, when you are sanding the floors, dust is created. That is just part of the process and there is no way around it. It takes care of most of the dust, but you will still need to dust (using either method). The particles are so fine and released into the air.
What is the best sander for sanding a floor?
Top 5 Best Sanders for Floors Makita 9403 4″ x 24″ Belt Sander. Bosch 1250DEVS Random Orbital Sander. Clarke Ez-8 Floor Drum Sander.
What kind of sander is best for floors?
If you need to screen a floor in preparation for a new top coat of clear finish, an orbital sander is the right machine. These sanders typically have a rectangular sanding surface, so they’re better able to get to the edges of a floor and into corners than drum sanders.
What is the best time of year to refinish hardwood floors?
If I had to pick an ideal time, I would say spring or fall when the indoor temperature is most consistent with outdoor temperature and it’s often easy to open the windows (after the work is complete) to help air out the smell faster. But, really, sanding and refinishing hardwood can take place any time of year.
How long does it take to sand floor?
How long does it take to sand a floor? It can take 1-5 days for a professional and 2-15 days for a DIY enthusiast, depending on the size and condition of the floor. For planning purposes, it would take 1-day per room for a professional and 2 days per room for a homeowner doing DIY.
How much does it cost to refinish $1000 square feet of hardwood floors?
Cost per square foot to refinish hardwood floors: Flooring square footage Average cost 751 – 1000 sq. ft. $2,100 1001 – 1500 sq. ft. $2,350 1501 – 2000 sq. ft. $3,500 2001 – 3000 sq. ft. $5,000.
What to fill gaps between floorboards with?
Filling large gaps with natural-fiber rope is a traditional method commonly used on wide plank floorboards in very old homes. While the rope doesn’t look like wood, you can stain it to blend with the floorboards, and the filled gaps will be much less noticeable than the dark, empty gaps.
Should I leave gaps between floorboards?
When installing a wooden floor, the main things to remember about expansion gaps are: They should be at least 12mm wide. Leave the gap the whole way around the edge of the room – the floor should not be touching any walls woodwork or pipes. Remember to leave an expansion gap in between doorways.
How do you clean dust after sanding floors?
How to Clean Dust from a Sanded Hardwood Floor Sweeping compound. Applying an oil based sweeping compound on the surface helps attract and absorb dust. Dust mopping. Dust mops are the best for cleaning dust on unfinished hardwood floors. Vacuuming. Mineral spirits.
Can you refinish a wood floor without sanding?
The best way to refinish wood floors without sanding is to use a technique called screen and recoat. This involves scuffing up the finish with a floor buffer and applying a refresher coat of finish. The former is a proven floor restoration method, while the latter is the “Hail Mary” pass of floor care.
Is it worth refinishing hardwood floors yourself?
If you only have some minor scratches and dings or a dull finish, you might be able to simply buff and add a new coat of varnish. But, even if your floors need a complete makeover, refinishing hardwood is a very manageable and rewarding do-it-yourself job that can save a lot of money.
How can I restore my hardwood floors without sanding?
3 Approaches to Refinishing Hardwood Floors Without Sanding Use a store-bought chemical abrasion kit. Buff and recoat floors with polyurethane. Use a revitalizer.
