TIPS FOR RENOVATING HARDWOOD FLOORING

31 July 2018
TIPS FOR RENOVATING HARDWOOD FLOORING

Renovating hardwood flooring can seem like an intimidating DIY project, which is why most people choose to use a professional hardwood renovation service. If you are thinking of renovating your hardwood floor yourself, make sure to follow these tips to achieve to achieve the best result possible.

WATCH OUT FOR RAISED NAILS
Long before you start thinking about re-sanding your hardwood flooring, you’ll have to prepare the room and the floor. Nails and staples can easily damage sanding and buffing machines so make sure that you countersink any nails that are raised above the surface, to ensure an even finish.

DON’T SKIP SANDPAPER GRITS
Skipping grits or layers of sanding might seem like an easy way of shaving some time off your renovation project but it’s a false economy. Your roughest sandpaper grit will need to completely remove the old finish on the hardwood flooring and flatten the boards to an even surface. To achieve a smooth finish with your lacquer, gradually progress from a rough to a fine grit, to polish off the scratches left by the previous round of sanding.

CLEAN BETWEEN EACH SANDING
Sawdust and powder can quickly build up as you’re sanding so make sure to clean between each round of sanding to cut down on your cleanup time later on. By cleaning as you go, you’ll also make the air in the room less dusty, making it easier to work (but you should still wear protective goggles and a dust mask).

DON’T FORGET ABOUT CORNERS
The drum sander you’ll be using for the majority of your floor won’t reach the edges of a room, which is why you’ll need to make sure that you rent an edger – to ensure your floor has a level surface before applying the varnish. When using an edger, be sure to use the same grit of sandpaper as your drum sander, otherwise, the overall finish of your flooring will look uneven.

RENT EQUIPMENT FROM A SPECIALIST
We have a couple of tips to help you make the most of your equipment rental. First off, rent your sanding and buffing machines from a flooring specialist rather than a generic rental store – this way you can benefit from some expert advice at no extra cost. Another tip is to get all of your prep work done before you rent the machines so that you’re not paying to have them sit around while you clear the room and prep the hardwood floor.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL RENOVATION SERVICE
Although you can renovate hardwood flooring yourself, the best way to ensure a long-lasting and high-quality finish is by leaving the renovation to a professional service. Unlike someone attempting to renovate hardwood flooring for the first time, professional renovators have spent years mastering their craft, which means that they’ll be able to tackle even the trickiest of renovation projects. A hardwood renovation service will also be able to complete the work in less time, minimising the disruption to your home.

Here at Just Wood, we take great pride in our hardwood flooring re-sanding and renovation service. To find out more or book a free consultation, get in touch with us today.