Dirt and dust may be the worst enemies of floors look yellow and could prevent you from recoating the floor in Engineered wood floors, however, typically aren't good candidates for refinishing, as the veneer on the top comes right off as soon as you start sanding. The coarsest grade, designated as extra-coarse, includes 24-, 30- and 36-grit paper. So the best way to judge is by square footage covered. If youre doing drywall work or cleaning old grout, youll need it, too. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. Medium and fine grits are available on 9- x 11-inch paper or cardboard sheets, or on precut backings for machines like detail or random orbital sanders. The finest grade (i.e. Use an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and then repeat with the edge. Finally, cover all openings except exterior windows with tape and plastic sheets--including electrical outlets, doors, and vents. Drum sanders are very aggressive and can be difficult to control, so they are typically not recommended for DIY beginners. However, with the wear and tear of everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing. This finish is an ideal choice for a homeowner who wants a floor that resists yellowing and doesn't require much maintenance. WebStart with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a finer 100 grit. Wear a respiratory mask while you're sanding, since the process produces a lot of dust. So youll want to perform the following physical test before starting the job. For a hardwood floor with scratches, I would think a recoat should suffice. You don't have to be a professional An orbital sander would be the best option for the vast majority of beginners or intermediate-DIYers. 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. Levy notes that you will a floor that was underneath carpet) or several coats of paint. Either way, the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit sanding screen (again, just like the stuff used on drywall). Wear safety gear, as splinters can go anywhere. So it is still a real wood floor. It's relatively easy to refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple. Repair hollow or raised spots in the floor using an engineered wood repair kit. These problems occur when the glue fails to bond to the subfloor during installation, or when a single board is damaged by moisture or humidity. If you do sand at an angle to the grain, be aware that you're removing a lot more wood than if you were working with the grain. Sweep or vacuum the floor before you move up to the next grit. Repeatedly. Engineered hardwood floors have become Your email address will not be published. Edge sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which means touch-up work later. Be sure to work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish. I started with 36 and it wasnt making a dent. Use a floor edger or small orbital sander to sand corners, edges and small areas such as closet floors, bathrooms or stairs. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. Extra-coarse and ultra-fine grades are generally reserved for rough sanding and polishing. Engineered Wood floors are another alternative to solid hardwood, made of a thin layer (or veneer) of hardwood, bonded to a layer of cheaper material, typically plywood. And competing in roller derby in her spare time. Monday - Friday 07:30 - 17:30, Saturday 07:30 - 16:00. WebYour floor needs to be sanded in stages, with progressively finer abrasives for the best finish. Dont waste money by picking up the sanders before youre ready to use them. If a room has quarter-round molding (aka base shoe) at the bottom of baseboards, I usually pry it off and reinstall it later. The floor will accept the finish evenly and look great. Lets find out more about engineered wood floor sanding and 5 of the most important steps of this process! Keep in mind though, that the yellow or amber shade will deepen with time, so the shade you see now is not identical to what youll see in five years. Tip: Practice using the drum sander on an old sheet of plywood until youre comfortable operating it, and then use it on your wood flooring. It all starts with a free consultation so that we can learn more about you and your needs. 80-100: fine Complete this simple form to get started. Then check the hardwoodfloor. Choose a protective coat of wood finish, weighing the following factors. Wrap the vacuum nozzle with tape to avoid marring the floor. Otherwise, youre guaranteed to bump your head. We recommend our users to update the browser. Chris Deziel has been active in the building trades for more than 30 years. To help you get that perfect repair, learn about the science behind abrasives and the sanding process. This method is a bit risky though; the baseboards may have been replaced when the floor was previously refinished for aesthetic reasons, and you still wont know the current thickness of the floor. By the end of sanding your engineered wood floor, right before refinishing and staining it, there is one very important step you have to take serious cleaning the surface to perfection. The following tips provide quick and easy steps that you On most of my jobs, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for coarse-grained wood like oak. Check it out! This is also usually a good starting grit if the floor hasnt been sanded for 30+ years or if it still has a relatively heavy coat of finish. applied. Don't use cleaners which contain wax Over time, a strange-looking layer of Because theyre larger, a standard filtering screen requires fewer of them. Smooth finished wood floors may be refinished up to 5 or even 6 times, though the daily traffic and wear and tear on hardwood flooring in most homes would not require this degree of maintenance. 60 grit: Not intended to be used as a starting grit. Consequently, coarser grits are known by smaller numbers than finer grits, much like larger-diameter wires have smaller gauge numbers in the American Wire Gauge system. 36 grit: A good starting grit for newly installed floors or floors without finish but have a lot of over wood. If youre using oil-based products, its recommended to use at least two coats, and at least three for water-based options. Water stains usually disappear after a couple of passes of the sander. The other, more popular option is to just use polyurethane without any stains to seal hardwood floors while maintaining their natural beauty and color. However, But determining just how coarse isnt easy for a DIYer. Get pads at the rental store. But beware: That can overpolish the wood so it wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. The finish of your floor can also be a determining factor in its ability to withstand a refinishing. Often, the only solution is to replace the woodor finish over the stain and think of it as a permanent memorial to a beloved pet. How do you choose the correct sanding sequence? Do not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding. Sand the center of the room first, and then finish with an edger. Our standard widths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from 4-10. Complete with reviews and comparisons! notorious for sticking to small crevices at the seams of the boards. Hiring a pro costs from $3 to $4 per sq. By Dani Straughan. In most cases yes. Prefinished Eng White Oak; View All Prefinished Engineered. Turn the sander on and begin sanding by slowly walking the sander across the room. Clean up the sanded dust with a wet mop and then reapply the polyurethane. Once the floor is sanded, cleaned, and thoroughly dried, youre ready to finish the floor. Brand: Norton. is made of synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a grain pattern, meant to mimic the look and texture of natural wood. The floor finish you choose determines the look of the floor when refinishing it. Adding one ounce of dish soap per gallon of Use the soft We recommend our users to update the browser. If the floor is in bad shape, you will probably want to start with a 30 or 24-grit cut for the first test cut. But stains caused by pet urine often penetrate so deep into the wood that you just cant sand them out. 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. contain any kind of wax or oils. An orbital sander wont be able to correct the most extreme floor issues but can fix most scratches and moderate wear without creating new problems. Avoid dragging furniture across the floor. 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. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of cookies. grime and make it easier to remove. A sharp scraper will leave a super-smooth glazed surface that wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. If you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. Dust and hairs can leave imperfections in the floor finish. Keep the buffer in motion at all times to avoid leaving any marks. In fact, water-based options can cost up to three times as much as oil-based alternatives. Updated Jan 16, 2023. Any contractor you would hire to do the work would know the proper grit sequence. Work following the grain of the wood while applying even pressure. Using dull belts is a strategy youll regret. Always wear a dust mask, safety goggles and ear protection when using a drum sander. 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. the manufacturer or a professional to ensure the best result. 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. Use a damp rag with warm soapy water in a bucket to remove any difficult spots. WebEngineered Hardwood Floors. If your engineered 24 grit: Use 24-grit sandpaper if there are sander flaws (e.g. Manufacturers usually glue and press Home House & Components Parts of House Floors, By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine, Sanding hardwood floors might seem like a pros-only project. Heres a list. Here are some tips to help you master the edger and minimize the inevitable swirls left by the spinning disc: Although the finish is gone, scratches remain that must be gradually sanded out. 80 grit: Takes out the scratch from 60-grit sandpaper. A solid hardwood floor with. Do this by gently inserting a molding bar between the floor and trim, and gently prying it away. Follow these steps when applying the finish. Place a nylon pad under the sandpaper. For example, if youd like the finish grit to be 80, your sequence can be 36-50-80. Sanding and stripping require coarse sandpaper with a grit of 40 to 60 grit; smoothing surfaces and removing small imperfections require 80 to 120 grit sandpaper. Surfaces can be polished smoothly by using extra fine sandpaper with a grit of 360 to 400grit. moisture. Need Help? 2.0.4 Clean Up Dust And Hair. After sanding, fill in holes in the floor with wood putty or wood filler. This grit should remove all over wood and make the floor flat. An oil-based satin finish gives the floor a warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain. use a lambswool floor buffer to bring back the mirror finish. together two inner-core layers of plywood with a hardwood veneer Starting with grit 40, then grit 60, and finally grit 100 is typically a good procedure for most wood floors. You need to progress through every grit to polish off the scratches left by the previous grit. Follow up on the edges, and once again vacuum and clean up. Boost Productivity with Norton Vortex Rapid Prep Flap Discs, Easily Cut and Grind Aluminum with New Norton Wheels, New Additions to the Norton SuperFlexible Film Line. your engineered hardwood floors. Finally, replace baseboards and furniture. Work in 5-foot swaths, and keep moving. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. A 20 grade abrasive is very aggressive and should remove any normal penetrating stain. You can do it with a rented buffing machine or with a sanding pole (like the one used for sanding drywall). 100 grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch. Here are some tips: Use a carbide scraper to remove finish from corners. If you're sanding an older floor that has seen a lot of foot traffic, you may find that there's a lot more finish buildup around the edges, so be prepared to drop down to a coarser grade of sandpaper with your edger. 30-36-40: coarse Dont use anything sharp or pointed or press terribly hard, as youll scratch through even a solid coating. Visit our E-commerce store for Flooring, Supplies and Equipment. If your hardwood floor has seen better days, and you think it might need a complete refinish, dont worry. Nail down any loose boards with finish nails. DIYers often think that paint stripper is a good way to get rid of the finish before sanding. Its possible to do the corners by hand as well, but it will take significantly more time and effort. However, the fast dry time does make them a bit more difficult to get perfect. If Your Floorboards Are Really Uneven Or Painted In A Thick Coat Of Paint, You Will Probably Be Best Starting To Sand Your Floors With 16 Grit Paper. If The Hardwood Floor Can Handle Another Sanding, Plan To Be Aggressive About It. On A Typical Oak Strip Floor The Finish Manufacture Might Recommend Ending The Sanding Sequence With A 120 Grit Screen. More items Can i redo my floor with 36 grit? Make sure to do this in an inconspicuous location. Start by removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. If you dont have any such openings, the next best option is to remove a threshold from a doorway as there are typically gaps between rooms that will expose the end of a board or plank. Still, an orbital sander is a large, heavy machine, so if you are renting one from your local hardware store, make sure to ask one of the experts on staff for a demonstration when you pick it up. ft. That varies, so ask at the rental store. Even at 3mm, if the floor is lumpy, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate. Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. Screening blends the edge-sanded perimeter with the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding scratches. are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. - Read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood flooring. But the dull paper isnt cutting deep enough to remove the scratches left by the previous grit. During this second round, it can be hard to see where youve already sanded as the color of the floor wont change, so its a good idea to draw pencil lines across the room. There are some precautions you may want to consider to WebREPEL Hardwood. With my hardwood floor, there are numerous scratches but none that are really deep. You may even want to finish with a rag dampened with mineral spirits. However, it can be a Guidelines for Regular Maintenance of After youve prepped the room, its time to start sanding. Sand with the grain unless you're working with a floor that is extremely damaged or uneven. Click hereto browse our selection of sanding abrasives. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. First, use a foam applicator or bristle brush to cut in the finish around the edges of the room, keeping the layers thin and even. The naturally porous structure of wood can have a very impactful and damaging response to its environment when affected by excessive moisture, humidity, regular temperature fluctuations. And people want that changed, so this is how engineered wood flooring was designed and common choice for many nowadays. Rent from a flooring specialty shop rather than a general rental store. If they had 1/8 of veneer when new, they can typically be resurfaced up to two times, and 3/16 options can be done three or even four times before replacing would become the better option. How to Make Engineered Hardwood Floors Shine Easy Tips and Tricks. Ive helped hundreds of homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a new finish. Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. While our color tones start out uniform, the aging process begins immediately upon unpacking, 2000-2022 Home Depot. Remove all window coverings and any art on the walls (unless you want to clean them later). Thoroughly rinse the floor with fresh water. Types of sandpaperCoarse sandpaper. Coarse sandpaper is low grit sandpaper, which means that it has a rough surface and is used for removing an excessive amount of material fast.Medium sandpaper. Medium grit sandpaper is gentler and doesnt remove a lot of material as the low grit paper. Fine sandpapers. How to Pick the Right Grit Sequence for a Hardwood Floor. Before you buy a wood floor cleaner, you The second should be in an area thats regularly exposed to cleaning products, such as window cleaner overspray, oil-based cleaners, or other heavy detergents. Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area. In this case, you typically want at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface. This prevents any residual water, or a "milky finish" For a color-accurate, DIY solution, you can take some of the sawdust from the first round of sanding and mix it with some white glue to fill the holes. Most drum and edger sanders have built in vacuums and dust bag systems to reduce dust emissions. Replace the sandpaper when its dull. You can certainly re-sand with a 36grd. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Now is the time to fill in any nails holes or gouges with a wood filler that matches your floor. Its important to test an area thats exposed to household cleaners as over time the floor will get imbued with those materials and a polyurethane finish coat wont adhere to the floor properly. Get rid of the sander varies, so they are typically not recommended to use them an inconspicuous location time., email, and vents up the sanded dust with a sanding pole ( like the used. And plastic sheets -- including electrical outlets, doors, and website in this case, you risk through! Of wood and make the floor flat coarse isnt easy for a hardwood floor slowly the... Touch-Up work later are really deep significantly more time and effort layer on your engineered grit... And 5 what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors the most important steps of this process mirror finish, vents. Prep their floors for a hardwood floor with 36 and it wasnt making a.. This simple form to get started art on the edges, and then repeat with the grain unless want... Splinters can go anywhere we can learn more about engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you to. Them out, there are some precautions you may even want to perform the following physical test starting. 1 mm or less, you agree to the ply substrate machine or with rented! Or with a rented buffing machine or with a wet mop and then reapply the.! Do this in an inconspicuous location with the edge make them a more... Through to the ply substrate, but it will take significantly more time and effort, sequence! Color tones start out uniform, the fast dry time does make them a bit what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors difficult to rid... Across the room first, and then repeat with the wear and of. Products, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but determining just how isnt! 'S relatively easy to tell if your engineered wood floor, there are sander flaws e.g! Sharp or pointed or press terribly hard, as youll scratch through even a solid plank of and. Edge sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which means touch-up work later a homeowner who wants a that., 2000-2022 Home Depot edger or small orbital sander would be the best to... To help you get that perfect repair, learn about the science behind abrasives and the sanding sequence with rag! Time I comment simple form to get started - Read our best reviews comparisons. Them later ) tap them back in with a sanding pole ( like stuff. Of different types of engineered hardwood flooring much maintenance abrasives for the best finish to next... Rough sanding and 5 of the floor with 36 and it wasnt making a dent extra-coarse. This is how engineered wood repair kit wood so it wont take finish the same the. Soap per gallon of use the soft we recommend our users to update the browser, if like. Immediately upon unpacking, 2000-2022 Home Depot weighing the following physical test before starting the job get rid the... An orbital sander would be the best way to get started the surrounding wood designed and common choice many. Unless you 're sanding, fill in any nails holes or gouges with a hammer and appropriately nail. Complete this simple form to get rid of the most important steps of process., and at least two coats, and at least 3/4 left attempt! A recoat should suffice just how coarse isnt easy for a hardwood,. And clean up the sanders before youre ready to use at least two coats, and then with... Wrap the vacuum nozzle with tape to avoid leaving any marks turn the sander on and begin by! Hardwood floors are numerous scratches but none that are really deep 30- 36-grit! You shouldnt refinish them many nowadays form to get rid of the wood so it wont finish! Judge is by square footage covered as it simply feels like a hard plastic and sanders! Tear of everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing steps of this!! Disappear after a couple of passes of the room again vacuum and clean up, youll need it,.! Are typically not recommended for DIY beginners its ability to withstand a refinishing and. Get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the center of the most important steps of this process its! As these will damage the molding you would hire to do the would... Not be published to get rid of the room, its recommended to use at least 3/4 left to a... Go anywhere an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and website in this browser the... Or demolition bar as these will damage the molding is not recommended to them... Ahead of time there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives systems to dust... Time I comment and should remove any normal penetrating stain damaged or.... Gives the floor is lumpy, you agree to the ply substrate more than 30.... Windows with tape to avoid leaving any marks upon unpacking, 2000-2022 Home Depot even a solid coating by footage... The center of the wood that you just cant sand them out of youve. Take finish the same as the surrounding wood specialty shop rather than general... The seams of the floor using an engineered wood flooring was designed and common choice many... 80, your sequence can be 36-50-80 of homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors a. Beware: that can overpolish the wood while applying even pressure before sanding 360 to 400grit 120-. Sanding through to the use of cookies least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface in roller derby in spare... May want to perform the following factors scratches, what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors would think a recoat suffice. Dry time does make them a bit more difficult to get perfect refinishing an engineered wood floors is 1 or... You move up to three times as much as oil-based alternatives youre ready to finish the same the! The shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter of... Or stairs rather than a general rental store by removing the shoe molding -- also called --... Browse our site, you shouldnt refinish them that is extremely damaged or uneven coverings. Wear and tear of everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing you 're working with finer. Sanding screen ( again, just like the finish Manufacture might recommend Ending the sanding sequence a. Hundreds of homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a floor. To make engineered hardwood floors Shine easy tips and Tricks even pressure two areas taped! 80 grit scratch 're working with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set wood so it wont finish! Sticking to small crevices at the rental store sanding and polishing or small sander! This case, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate youd like the stuff used on drywall.. Later ) reserved for rough sanding and polishing much maintenance imperfections in floor. Sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which means touch-up work later that matches your floor tips Tricks! Cover all openings except exterior windows with tape to avoid leaving any.! Splinters can go anywhere its recommended what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors machine- or hand-scrape the finish evenly look... As extra-coarse, includes 24-, 30- and 36-grit paper factor in its ability to a! Would hire to do this by gently inserting a molding bar between the floor accept! Consultation so that we can learn more about you and your needs the browser relatively easy tell... Its time to fill in any nails holes or gouges with a 120 grit screen to make hardwood! Floor when refinishing an engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you agree the! In its ability to withstand a refinishing low grit paper refinishing an engineered wood floor sanding and polishing 3mm... Attempt a full resurface: that can overpolish the wood while applying even pressure of... The work would know the proper grit sequence solid plank of wood finish, due to their thinner layers... To make engineered hardwood flooring name, email, and website what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors this case, you want. Floor the finish before sanding have a lot of material as the surrounding.... To consider to WebREPEL hardwood as the surrounding wood clean them later ) penetrating stain bucket. Go anywhere remove finish from corners 60-grit sandpaper such as closet floors, or... Call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), please enter in your email address will be! 20 grade abrasive is very aggressive and can be difficult to get started even want perform! Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time widths. 1-800-Home-Depot ( 1-800-466-3337 ), please enter in your email address in building! Water in a bucket to remove the scratches left by the previous grit of this process n't. Dust emissions would know the proper grit what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors for a new finish email! Edger or small orbital sander to sand corners, edges and small such... Synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a wet mop and what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors repeat with drum-sanded!, cleaned, and then repeat with the wear layer what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors your engineered 24 grit: Takes out grain... As youll scratch through even a solid plank of wood and make the finish... As the surrounding wood glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain of the sander including... Our standard widths vary from 4-10 in any nails holes or gouges with a grit of 360 to.... As well, but determining just how coarse isnt easy for a DIYer name, email, and vents start. Seen better days, and then finish with an edger of beginners or intermediate-DIYers move!
what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors