Get New Floors And Save A Bundle When You Do It Yourself

After years of use, your floor will need to be refinished and that can cost over $1000 for just one room! But if you want to put in a little time and elbow grease, you can refinish the floor yourself and have the beautiful look of warm wood in your home for a fraction of the cost.

Contrary to what you may have heard, the finish doesn't take weeks to dry. It's quite simple actually. You can get the supplies for sanding at your neighborhood home improvement store. You'll need a drum sander and a belt sander. They will be able to advise you on the sandpaper you need, how to use the machine and what kind of stain and finish you'll need to finish off the floor. Sanding creates fine particles of dust that will get everywhere and on everything so you may want to pick up some dust masks and drop cloths while you are at it.

The first thing you'll want to do when refinishing your floor yourself is to learn how to run the sander. The key to stripping a floor is learning how to get the sander working smoothly. The sanders are very easy to use. But they're a bit on the loud side. The key is to keep it moving at all times. The sander gets very hot and if you stop in one spot for any length of time, you run the risk of burning or denting your floor.

Running the sander is the fun part of refinishing, but you must be cautious as the machine is self propelled. You may feel like a Zamboni driver smoothing ice after you get the hang of it! When you start it up, hold on firmly and make sure you keep it in control at all times.

After the old finish is removed, you need to apply the stain and new finish. Think of this as the same as doing your nails ? first you remove the old finish, then basecoat, color and topcoat. Sometimes you don't want color on your nails so you skip that part. In your floor you might also skip that part (the stain) but you still want to use a finish to protect the floor.

When it comes to the finish you have 2 choices ? oil based or water based. Oil-based is available in a satin, semi-gloss or gloss finish. Satin works well on a hardwood floor because it will bring out the natural glow of the wood without too much of a shine as well as help hide any flaws. Oil-based also produces a warm amber look that gives you the traditional glow of wood floors. Water-based polyurethane dries clear and resists yellowing. Water-based also dries quicker.

Either way, make sure you let each coat dry thoroughly before applying the next. Follow the manufacturers instructions on the product for drying times. Give your floor at least 24-36 hours before moving furniture back on it. It will continue to harden in the first couple of weeks.

Refinishing your floor is simply a set of tasks which can be done easily if you take them one step of a time. Your flooring can get a whole new look for less when you refinish it yourself ? you'll save over 80 percent of the cost.

Lee Dobbins is a contributing writer for home improvement resources such as Refinishing-Hardwood-Floors.com. Visit our site and learn more about Refinishing Old Hardwood Floors.

---

Building a Garage Addition to Your Home

One of the most rewarding home improvements I made to... Read More

Make Your Home Secure

The following list offers some inexpensive ways to make your... Read More

Dining Rooms: Designing for Your Emotional Well-Being

I read an interior design book last night. Since I... Read More

Mahoganys Beauty and Durability Makes it Ideal for Deck Construction

A couple of years ago I had the chance to... Read More

Vintage Labels on Marble Tiles

It's refreshing to note that gone are the days that... Read More

Bathroom Designs Idea - Can I Design My Own Bathroom?

A bathroom designs idea -- can I really design my... Read More

Strongly Scented Candles: Use your mouth, nose and eyes to tell

Triple scented, heavily scented, strongly scented - these are all... Read More

Allow Me to Introduce You to the Fungus Family

What exactly is mold? There are over 100,000 different kinds... Read More

New Tax Breaks for Energy Efficient Home Improvements

If you would like to make your existing home more... Read More

Seven Energy Conservation Tips to Help Homeowners Save Money

In an effort to help consumers in the Atlanta area... Read More

Light Up Your Kitchen with the Right Lighting!

The proper lighting in a room can make or break... Read More

Home Sweet Home

All of us live in houses but how many of... Read More

Roof Cleaning - Making Your Old Roof Look Like New!

Many Florida residents that have come from the North are... Read More

Hand Hooked Rugs

Hand hooked rugs are a great way to add splendor... Read More

Glass Sinks ? 4 Unbreakable Rules of Buying a Glass Vessel Sink

1. Know your sinks How durable are these sinks? These... Read More

Why Are There So Many Different Light Bulbs?

There are many different types of light bulbs. Each has... Read More

Single hung aluminum window glass repair

Let's talk about repairing broken glass in an aluminum frame... Read More

Replacement or Retrofit Style Frame? Which is Right for You?

Last week I told you how to measure for your... Read More

Eclectic Patio Furniture Shows Your Style

Your home's interior is exquisitely decorated in your favorite style;... Read More

Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?

You have your 3 quotes from each potential builder so... Read More

Electrical Home Inspection: What You Need to Know!

Whether you're buying a home, or just moving in to... Read More

Electric Radiant Floor Heating

Electric radiant floor heating systems are heating systems designed for... Read More

The Art of Power Washing Siding

Some of the most common mistakes to avoid made by... Read More

Remodeling Your Kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best investments a... Read More

Worktops and Countertops for Kitchens - Buyers Guide to Materials

Worktops and Countertops for Kitchens - Buyers Guide to MaterialsThe... Read More

What to Know Before Signing a Home Improvement Contract

It is important to be a very careful consumer when... Read More

6 Saving Tips When Moving

Moving households, whether it is due to a job transfer... Read More

How to Keep Your Tools Useful for Every Season

You don't want to keep your useless tools in your... Read More

Simple Way to Get More Heat from Your Fireplace

For some people, a fireplace might as well be a... Read More

Aluminium Conservatories

The conservatory is a popular addition to homes around the... Read More

The Smart Way To Look At Home Improvements

What home improvements really pay off when the time comes... Read More

Use Air Filters and Common Sense for Allergy Relief

Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? If you are... Read More

Light Up Your Life With Feng Shui

Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the... Read More