Finishing Your Hardwood Floors

The task might sound too daunting to pull off yourself, especially if you've never tried it before. But finishing your hardwood floor isn't the impossible challenge one might initially consider it.

Preparation

However, the job will require some equipment and supplies that you may not already have access to or own, particularly if you are trying to refinish an old floor. If this is the case, the first step in the process is to buy, rent, or borrow a power sander and you will need the appropriate brushes for applying your finish. Consult the label on the finish to find out what kind of brush you will need. You will then want to completely sand the floor and then wipe away any debris from the sanding. Go over it once with a broom and maybe even by hand with a rag to insure that there are no excess particles left on the floor. Once you have a clean slate of floor to work with, you have the option to use a surface finish or a penetrating finish. A surface finish will require later coats of polyurethane while a penetrating finish will penetrate the wood and a wax will then need to be applied to give it sheen.

Surface Finishes

There are three major types of surface finishes, including: oil-based urethanes, water-based urethanes, and moisture-cured urethanes.

Oil-based urethanes often require two to three coats and around eight hours of drying time between each coat. While oil-based urethanes can yellow over time, water-based urethanes do not, and dry more quickly. Water-based urethanes also do not require as much ventilation as oil-based urethanes.

Moisture-cured urethanes are more durable than water-based and oil-based varieties. As a result, they are often used for commercial and industrial purposes. These are best left to be used by professionals.

Once your surface finish has had the appropriate number of coats and dried, you can start applying coats of polyurethane that will help protect the floor. Each time a new coat is added, allow enough time for the polyurethane to dry completely before gently sanding over the floor with sandpaper -- do not use a power sander. There is no limit to the number of coats of polyurethane you can apply, but anywhere from three to five coats should get the job done.

Penetrating Finish

A penetrating finish will penetrate the wood for protection. Once the finish has soaked into the wood and dried, a floor wax should be applied to give the floor sheen. This wax should be applied regularly over time to maintain the floor's shine and add extra protection.