Refinishing hardwood floors

Since buying and installing hardwood flooring is a substantial investment, it is important that the quality of workmanship meets the highest standards and that proper care is taken to extend the life and beauty of the wood.  The following tips and instructions will help simplify the installation and maintenance of your wood, hardwood, or floating floors.

Step one: preparation – sanding, stripping

First and foremost, make sure there are no traces of paint or varnish on your hardwood floors. If this is not the case, proceed to strip and sand the surface. This task can be made a lot easier by using products specifically formulated to strip wood. The wood must then be sanded so as to remove any imperfections and irregularities. If you are sanding a large area of flooring, an electric sander can prove to be quite useful. For best results, always sand in the same direction as the wood grain.

Step two: applying the stain

Now that you have a bare wood floor, make sure the surface is clean and dry. It is recommended that you test the stain on an inconspicuous area of the floor to verify the desired color. You are now ready to apply the stain to the wood. Apply the stain evenly with a sponge designed for this purpose (available at hardware stores and paint dealers), wiping the excess off with a rag. Let dry.

N.B. In most cases, only one coat is needed when using a quality water-based stain. 

• Quick links:
• refinishing hardwood floors |
• cleaning laminate floors |
• cleaning hardwood floors

Step three: applying varnish

The third and final step is to apply varnish on the previously stained floor. The choice of varnish depends on the desired finish (gloss, semi-gloss, satin, or matte). Although rather simple to implement, this step is essential as the varnish will protect your floors against wear, scratches, and damage caused by UV rays, and will also help preserve the original color of the wood.

N.B. For greater protection, two coats of varnish are recommended.

On a final note, it is clear that using wood floor cleaner specifically formulated for hardwood and laminate floors simplifies care and maintenance and prolongs the beauty and appearance of the wood.