Wooden floors look fantastic and they are surprisingly durable. This is because wood is strong and can be repaired. Providing you’re not dealing with a case of termites or similar wood-boring insects, it’s possible to restore any wooden floor.
The traditional option is to sand the floor back, removing all scraps and scuffs in the process. You can then reseal the floor and polish it if necessary to make it look like new. Of course, this is very disruptive and time-consuming.
The good news is that you can refinish your old wood floors without sanding! Of course, the key to getting a great finish is to ensure you have a good quality floor in the first place, such as this herringbone flooring.
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Buff The Floor
Assuming your floor is in fairly good condition without too many scuffs and dinks your main aim is actually to reseal it and restore the shine.
However, you can’t simply put new sealant onto the floor, it won’t adhere properly and will start to peel, making your floor look significantly worse.
Instead, you need to scuff the floor. You can do this with a floor buffer. Simply run the buffer across the floor, your aim is to scratch up the original sealant and create a surface that the new sealant can adhere to. Using a buffer is easier than sanding and doesn’t damage the flooring.
You’ll then be ready to apply the fresh sealant.
However, instead of using a buffer, there is a chemical option which is even easier. All you have to do is apply the chemical to the floor, in the same way, that you would mop it by hand. You’ll need to follow the instructions on the chemical regarding how long to leave it on and how to wash it off, if necessary.
Seal It
Once you’ve prepped the floor using one of the above techniques you’ll need to seal it. This protects the floor and gives it that new shine. Choose the color sealant that you want for your floor and check the instructions. In general, you should paint it on by hand going with the grain of your wood.
You may need to administer a second coat, again, check the instructions on the sealant, it is possible to use a clear finish to get the most authentic look.
Choosing To Sand or Not
Skipping the sanding and going with buffing or the chemical option is a time-saver. But, this is only a valid approach if your floor is otherwise in good condition. Chemical peels and buffing will not eliminate scuffs and other damage, including stains.
If your floor has any of these issues then you’re going to need to sand it first.
You should note that even the best wooden floors can only be sanded so many times, check that you have enough wood to sand before you start.
Choosing either option means some disruption and hard work, especially if you’re doing it yourself. But, the end result is definitely worth it.
