Prior to moving into our new home, one of the bigger projects that we opted to tackle ourselves was refinishing the hardwood floors on the main level. We weren't looking to sink thousands of dollars into the project which is why we went the DIY route. The two key factors that went into our decision to refinish them were (1) we weren't crazy about the color, and (2) they had 14 years of love starting to shine through. We were able to complete the project over two weekends which fit in nicely with our moving timeline.
I also feel as though I need to preface this post with the "we are not professionals" language. What we did worked for us, the floors look great and are holding up wonderfully after almost two years of semi-rough use (dragging an 800 pound piano across them, dogs running laps around the house, dropping heavy toys, etc.).
What we bought/rented:
- Drum Floor Sander - $68/day
- Floor Edger - $45/day
- Sanding Belt for Drum Sander (36 Grit, 80 Grit and 100 Grit) - $72 (we needed 9 total)
- Edger Disc for Floor Edger (36 Grit, 80 Grit and 100 Grit) - $5 (we needed 5 total)
- Palm Sander (already had this and purchased this and these x2) - $50
- Tack Cloth - $6
- Swiffer - (already had)
- Paint Roller - (already had)
- Paint Roller Cover - $13
- Paint Tray - (already had)
- Paint Brush - $4
- Applicator (x2) - $25
- Paint Roller Extension (similar) - $14
- Stain -(x2) - $60
- Terry Towels - $30
- Square Buff Floor Sander - $62/day
- Scrubbing Floor Pad (similar x2) - $18 (we bought ours at a local hardware store)
- Polyurethane - $95
Total project cost us: $567
Here are what the floors looked like before we started the project:
First.
We gave the floors a good sweeping and picked up the random odds and ends. We opted to remove our baseboards but that is only because we had plans of replacing the millwork all throughout the house.
First.
We gave the floors a good sweeping and picked up the random odds and ends. We opted to remove our baseboards but that is only because we had plans of replacing the millwork all throughout the house.
Second.
Watch 2,000 youtube videos until you work up the courage to let the drum sander touch the floors. Everyone recommends that you NEVER let the sander sit in one spot for any amount of time and to always keep it moving to prevent it from making stationary marks. We had a few instances where this happened. We started with 36 grit sand paper and worked out way up to 80 grit and then 100 grit. We had to use a palm sander to get some of the hard to reach places and in between some/most of the boards. Be sure to run with the grain.
Watch 2,000 youtube videos until you work up the courage to let the drum sander touch the floors. Everyone recommends that you NEVER let the sander sit in one spot for any amount of time and to always keep it moving to prevent it from making stationary marks. We had a few instances where this happened. We started with 36 grit sand paper and worked out way up to 80 grit and then 100 grit. We had to use a palm sander to get some of the hard to reach places and in between some/most of the boards. Be sure to run with the grain.
Third.
After a grueling day of sanding (which you might think will never end), return the sander, sweep up all the dust and use tack clothes and a swiffer to remove everything you can't see and feel. It's there!
After a grueling day of sanding (which you might think will never end), return the sander, sweep up all the dust and use tack clothes and a swiffer to remove everything you can't see and feel. It's there!
Fourth.
We water popped our floors by dipping a paint roller in a tray of water and then rolling that over the floors right before we stained. This opens everything up and helps condition the floors for a more even look.
We water popped our floors by dipping a paint roller in a tray of water and then rolling that over the floors right before we stained. This opens everything up and helps condition the floors for a more even look.
Fifth.
Use a paintbrush to stain the perimeter of the floor in a small workable section. Once that has been done, apply stain to the floor in a timely manner so that there are no distinct lines. Before we moved onto the next section, we would use terry cloths to absorb and evenly distribute the stain.
Use a paintbrush to stain the perimeter of the floor in a small workable section. Once that has been done, apply stain to the floor in a timely manner so that there are no distinct lines. Before we moved onto the next section, we would use terry cloths to absorb and evenly distribute the stain.
Sixth.
Once the floors have dried (at least a day or two) use a deck sander to ruff them up before poly is applied. If you do not do this, you will get small bubbles like we did. This will need to be done in between each layer of poly. Make sure the poly is completely dry between each layer. Another mistake we made was applying another layer of poly too quickly which made it messy and caused more bubbles. We were able to easily fix that issue by running a deck sander over it after everything had dried.
Once the floors have dried (at least a day or two) use a deck sander to ruff them up before poly is applied. If you do not do this, you will get small bubbles like we did. This will need to be done in between each layer of poly. Make sure the poly is completely dry between each layer. Another mistake we made was applying another layer of poly too quickly which made it messy and caused more bubbles. We were able to easily fix that issue by running a deck sander over it after everything had dried.
Once everything was completely dried, we refrained from walking on the floors for a couple days and did not move anything into the house for a couple of weeks.
I don't have many after photos, but here's a great picture of the dog room with the new floors and trim!
Pictures and a video of the house when we first moved in can be found here!
And here's a shaky video of the adventure!
And here's a shaky video of the adventure!
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