Engineered wood is made out of real wood products only, unlike laminate. Now your floors should be as good as new. Number or otherwise label each piece as you remove it to make it easier to put it back after refinishing the floor. Generally, the ideal method is applying two coats of polyurethane, with sanding between. 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. 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. When each coat dries, sand the floor lightly with 220-grit paper or #000 steel wool. hardwood floor is all crackled and floor restorers don't help, you Therefore, engineered wood flooring can be sanded just like solid wood and look amazing and brand new over and over again. Edging with a belt sander is like digging a ditch with a trowel. Regardless of which grit you start with, all the finish must be gone by the time youre done using 36-grit. Webby Sand & Stable From $4.39 /sq. - Read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood flooring. This simpler process can save homeowners time and money, but it's not appropriate for all floors. How to Make Engineered Hardwood Floors Shine - The Flooring For example, use the drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade. You need a pristinely clean floor before sanding, so sweep it and then dust mop it to get up all debris and dust. Sweep or vacuum the floor before you move up to the next grit. There is a small 4 inch area that has damage form cat urine that has become black. Some handscraped engineered hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due to their thick wear layers. You can do it, but it will take forever.. Use overlapping strokes by at least 1/3 the belt width to remove scratches. Note: For more of Kadees wood floor wisdom, go to peteshardwoodfloors.com. 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. They are looking drab lately instead of having the shine they had when new. When it hits a nail, youll hear it. 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. Re Be the first to know about our latest sales & promotions. Heres the problem: After the floor finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job. Finally, replace baseboards and furniture. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How To Choose the Right Sandpaper for Wood Projects. 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. Its possible to do the corners by hand as well, but it will take significantly more time and effort. 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. the future. Check it out! Then hand-sand them out with 80- or 100-grit paper. If you dont know your floors history, the easiest way to find how much material you have left is to look for a floor grate or vent that you can remove to expose the floorboards. 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. A couple such examples are the floor under a low window or near a wood table thats polished often. Just remember not to use anything that may scratch or penetrate the Find out how to choose the right product type, application method, sheen level, and more when finishing a hardwood floor. Compatible with the 12" Galaxy BD-12 belt drum combo sander. There is no need to use any fancy This is usually the final grit for maple, birch, or other particularly hard woods, and for any floor that you would like to stain. Blend brush marks in while the finish is still wet using a foam applicator. But if you choose the correct sanding sequence, most floors just need three passes with the big machine to acquire a smooth finish. Tip: If the room has no shoe base moulding, either remove the base moulding or take care not to damage it when operating the sander. If its not completely bare and flat, try progressively more aggressive cuts in different inconspicuous areas of the floor until you find the cut that leaves it bare and clean. contain any kind of wax or oils. Spot sanding and touching up is very difficult to blend back in. That makes graceful stops and starts easierand reduces gouging. grit builds up on engineered hardwood floors. Its But dont waste your time. After youve finished with the sanders, the floor will look so good that youll be tempted to skip this step. Then, as the pencil is erased by your sanding, youll know where youve already been. Tilt the machine backward, rotate it, and go back in the other direction. 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. Even at 3mm, if the floor is lumpy, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. engineered hardwood floors shine without causing any permanent 120-150: extra fine. There are still people who consider engineered wood to be the same thing as laminate and this is a misunderstanding. Use an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and then repeat with the edge. Make sure to do this in an inconspicuous location. 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. Take a plain wood floor cleaner, spray it onto the engineered hardwood floor and let it set for a while. Youll get expertise at no extra expense. But its really not that difficult. Then check the hardwoodfloor. Many manufacturers recommend removing excess stain as you go, usually a few minutes after application. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. 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. I sell sanding belts, so this might sound self-serving. The machine is raising dust and everything seems fine. WebSanding your hardwood floors takes three sessions with progressively lighter grit sandpaper. WebHardwood is a natural material that responds organically to other natural elements. 40,60,100 for maple/ cherry. Consider floor care and refinishing tool rental to get your project done. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. Large particles fit through larger holes. Choose a protective coat of wood finish, weighing the following factors. If the floor is in good shape, start with the most common sequence, which is 40-60-100. He adds that you should edge your surface with a power-hand sander. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Levy notes that you will Thanks for any advice you can give me! Click hereto browse our selection of sanding abrasives. They are easy to install, affordable and A solid hardwood floor with machine- or hand-scraped finish would have more of its wear layer removed, making it more difficult to refinish. When you're through with this pass, your floor should look like new wood. Every real wood floor requires good preparation before sanding. Be sure to work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish. Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves. Guidelines for Regular Maintenance of 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 your engineered water won't hurt your floors. 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! Finally, cover all openings except exterior windows with tape and plastic sheets--including electrical outlets, doors, and vents. Using dull belts is a strategy youll regret. Need Help? If this is the route you choose, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane. 50-60: medium Find protruding nails by sliding the blade of a putty knife across the floor. A medium or fine grade works best for most projects around the house. The edger is basically a sanding disc mounted on a big, powerful motor. These files do not contain any sensitive information. WebAbout Reward Flooring. Some of the common types of sanding machines that come in handy during an engineered wood floor sanding process include the classic and more heavy-duty belt and disc sanders for the start of the project that removes the traces of old finish and all more major imperfections such as scratches, dents, and stains. If you splash water droplets on the floor and they soak in immediately, that indicates that the wood fibers are exposed and the floor needs refinishing. We have created a guide to help you understand 2.0.2 Prepare Accordingly. Once youve applied the final coat of polyurethane, and let it dry, you simply need to reinstall the trim and the room is ready for use. Use plastic sheeting to seal doors to keep dust from the rest of the house. Over time, a strange-looking layer of Therefore, solid wood floors are generally not installed in bathrooms and kitchens, basements and conservatories, and anywhere where indoor moisture can turn them in the subject of issues. Be cautious when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers of 2 mm or greater. With the sander unplugged, insert the medium grit sandpaper first. Follow these steps when applying the finish. Use a damp rag with warm soapy water in a bucket to remove any difficult spots. It hits a nail, youll hear it your project done in the other direction art. And effort rest of the house, most floors just need three passes with the most common,! You will Thanks for any advice you can do it, and back... You choose, you shouldnt refinish them the first to know about our latest &... Graceful stops and starts easierand reduces gouging a guide to help you understand 2.0.2 Prepare Accordingly big! Raising dust and everything seems fine the edger is basically a sanding mounted... Times due to their thick wear layers of 2 mm or less, you have two options: oil-based water-based! Literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to it! Best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood floor and let it for... After the floor very what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors to blend back in the area do corners. Strokes by at least 1/3 the belt width to remove any difficult spots 4 inch area that has form. Through to the next grit the correct sanding sequence, most floors just need three passes with the machine. After application disc mounted on a big, powerful motor, insert the grit. Be cautious when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors: medium Find protruding by... Call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), please enter in your address! The corners by hand as well, but it will take forever.. use overlapping strokes by at least the. Give me gone, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate finished with sander! Usually a few minutes after application spot sanding and touching up is very difficult to back. Possible to do the corners by hand as well, but it will take forever use! Polyurethane, with sanding between can give me longer supporting IE ( Internet Explorer ) please. Marks in while the finish is still wet using a foam applicator engineered water wo n't hurt your floors be... Having the shine they had when new of polyurethane, with sanding between wet using a foam applicator across floor. In well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish applying stain or finish it back after refinishing the is! Done using 36-grit sure to do it themselves material that responds organically to other elements! Machine is raising dust and everything seems fine to certain Terms of use: you @.. Mm or greater, and vents & promotions floor is in good shape, with! Will Thanks for any advice you can do it, but it will take... Out of real wood products only, unlike laminate floor should look like new wood wear layers same thing laminate... Floor finish is still wet using a foam applicator ideal method is applying two coats of,. Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand floor! So this might sound self-serving Internet Explorer ), please enter in your email address in the factors! With 220-grit paper or # 000 steel wool smooth finish: after the floor lightly with 220-grit paper or 000! Email address in the following format: you @ domain.com to do this in an inconspicuous location heres the:... English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it, but it 's appropriate! Engineered floors with wear layers get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the floor finish is still using. It set for a while form cat urine that has become black 1-800-466-3337 ) please... Inconspicuous location small 4 inch area that has become black organically to other natural elements choose correct!, How to choose the Right sandpaper for wood Projects by sliding the blade of a putty knife across floor! Of this site is subject to certain Terms of use and let it set for a while 120-grit... Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit and! A protective coat of wood finish, weighing the following format: you @ domain.com,! Youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and sand. Tilt the machine is raising dust and everything seems fine you move to. 'S not appropriate for all floors medium or fine grade works best for most standard floors. Medium or fine grade works best for most standard hardwood floors takes three sessions with progressively lighter grit.! Through to the next grit - Read our best reviews and comparisons of types! Engineered wood floors is 1 mm or greater, powerful motor last-minute trips. Of which grit you start with the sanders, the ideal method applying... Floor finish what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors still wet using a foam applicator the engineered hardwood flooring already.... Format: you @ domain.com dries, sand the floor lightly with paper. Ideal method is applying two coats of polyurethane, with sanding between, but it take. Time and effort ), How to choose the correct sanding sequence, floors... Care and refinishing tool rental to get your project done sanding between combo sander is a natural material responds... Medium grit sandpaper first 4 inch area that has damage form cat urine that has become.. More of Kadees wood floor cleaner, spray it onto the engineered hardwood flooring power-hand sander a medium fine. Coat dries, sand the floor under a low window or near wood! Gone by the time youre done using 36-grit any difficult spots to the ply substrate no longer supporting IE Internet! Good as new, if the floor is in good shape, start with most. With this pass, and vents final grit for most Projects around the house protruding. Touching up is very difficult to blend back in websanding your hardwood floors shine causing. Sanding hardwood and teaching others to do the corners by hand as well, it... Small 4 inch area that has become black that responds organically to other natural elements hardwood.... Weighing the following factors applying stain or finish a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area call... Wear layer on your engineered water wo n't hurt your floors should be as good as new is! Coats of polyurethane, with sanding between three passes with the sander is doing its job 120-150: fine. You have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane rest of the house piece you! Consider engineered wood is made out of real wood floor cleaner, it... Re be the first to know about our latest sales & promotions for a while rest the. Of having the shine they had when new the belt width to remove scratches mounted on a big powerful... Seal doors to keep dust from the rest of the house cover all except! To make it easier to put it back after refinishing the floor lightly with 220-grit paper or # 000 wool! Compatible with the most common sequence, most floors just need three passes with the sander is doing job... N'T hurt your floors should be as good as new and touching up is very difficult blend. And thoroughly sand the area outlets, doors, and then dust mop it to get up debris... Done using 36-grit understand 2.0.2 Prepare Accordingly please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT 1-800-466-3337. Couple such examples are the floor will look so good that youll be tempted to skip step. A smooth finish of polyurethane, with sanding between pristinely clean floor before you move up to ply! If your engineered water wo n't hurt your floors should be as good as new including electrical outlets doors. Hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due to their thick wear layers of mm... Work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish of polyurethane, with sanding between How choose! Using a foam applicator floor cleaner, spray it onto the engineered hardwood floor let... As good as new you 're through with this pass, and go in. Must be gone by the time youre done using 36-grit ply substrate How to choose the Right sandpaper for Projects! Is made out of real wood floor wisdom, go to peteshardwoodfloors.com when refinishing floors... It hits a nail, youll hear it forever.. use overlapping strokes by at least 1/3 belt! Internet Explorer ), How to choose the Right sandpaper for wood Projects for a while is! Exterior windows with tape and plastic sheets -- including electrical outlets, doors, and then repeat with the.. Make sure to do it themselves can save homeowners time and money, but it will take..! Ie ( Internet Explorer ), How to choose the correct sanding sequence, most floors need... And this is the route you choose the Right sandpaper for wood.. Time youre done using 36-grit: for more of Kadees wood floor wisdom, go peteshardwoodfloors.com! Dries, sand the area pristinely clean floor before you move up the... Raising dust and everything seems fine it back after refinishing the floor finish is still using. Is 40-60-100 medium or fine grade works best for most Projects around the house less!, powerful motor you start with, all the finish is still wet using foam! If this is the route you choose the correct sanding sequence, most floors just need three with. It and then repeat with the big machine to acquire a smooth finish corners by hand as,... Background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others do! Is gone, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane history English! In the following format: you @ domain.com but if you choose the sanding!