Hardwood flooring is generally one of the most expensive types of flooring. But, there is a good reason for this. It’s durable, will outlast most other types of flooring, and it looks great. Alongside this, hardwood flooring can be refinished to recreate the ‘new’ look.
You simply need to invest in high-quality parquetry floors and know the secrets to get a smooth finish. It takes more than just adding a coat of polish.
The Sanding Technique
Whether you’re laying a new hardwood floor or bringing an old one back to life, the best way to get a perfect finish is to use a fine-grade sandpaper.
If you’re refurbishing an old floor then you’ll want to start with a rough sandpaper and cover the entire floor. It’s best to use a dedicated floor sanding machine. This is the most effective way to remove blemishes and stains on your floor.
After you’ve removed all the blemishes you’ll want to clean the floor properly. That means brushing it and then vacuuming it. You can also go over the wood with a damp mop. But, make sure it is only lightly damp, your hardwood floor won’t appreciate being got too wet.
Once you’re ready you can sand the floor again with a lighter-grade sandpaper. This ensures the finish is smooth. Again, a dedicated floor sanding machine is essential.
As soon as you’ve finished sanding you’ll need to clean the floor again. Once the floor is clean and dry you can coat it with varnish.
Let the varnish dry according to the instructions and then using the lightest sandpaper you have, sand the dry varnish. You’ll then be able to clean all the dust off before coating it in varnish again.
Repeat this one more time and you’ll have three coats of varnish and a very smooth floor. You don’t need to sand after the third coat of varnish. Simply let it dry and admire” your handiwork.
Polishing
If your floor is in good condition and you don’t want to risk damaging it by sanding it then you can simply polish the floor instead.
Again, you’ll need to take the time to make sure the floor is clean and dry. This is important as any impurities will get trapped under your polish and ruin the finish of your hardwood floor.
There are many different polishes on the market, select the one that is most suited to your type of hardwood floor and then follow the instructions to apply it. In most cases, you’ll need to rub it on and then buff it off.
It is advisable to use the polish in a test area first, this will ensure it doesn’t damage the floor. In general, the polish will last for a long period but you can add to it as and when needed.
You should note that adding polish to wooden floors can make them slippery. If the floor is walked on often you may need to choose a polish with a non-slip element.
In both cases, you’ll end up with a smooth and attractive hardwood floor.
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