Refinishing Hardwood Floors Polyurethane

There is no doubt that hardwood floors are not only beautiful to look at; they are also durable as well. With the right maintenance, these flooring can last for hundreds of years. A hardwood floor that is scratched or dull is due for refinishing. Thankfully, the right tools and the right knowledge is all you need to keep your wood floors looking as good as new.

For refinishing hardwood floors polyurethane (hardwood floors with polyurethane finish), you can use a process known as “screening” – however, the wood floor should not have any deep gouges or scratches.

Screening is a technique that works like the conventional sanding; the difference is that it uses a floor polisher that is much easier to control. Screening hardwood floors with polyurethane finish will rid the floor of the finish without scrapping away any of the floor’s underlying wood.

The screens are sanding discs that are specifically designed to fit a floor polisher that is 16 inches high; the screens are also clog-free. Like sandpaper, the screening discs come in a variety of grits and prices. There is 60 grit, 80 grit, 100 grit and 120 grit.

You can rent floor polishers and screening discs at many equipment rental centers. You can rent a floor polisher for around $25 per day.

Guide to Refinishing Hardwood Floors Polyurethane

First, you will need to prepare the room. Take away every stick of furniture from the room; this includes drapes/curtains and other wall hangings. You will be glad to know that screening is not as messy as conventional hardwood floor refinishing; however, the process still generates a lot of dust.

Close every entryway and ventilation registers with plastic sheets and duck tape or you could wet sheets with water and use them seal all the entryways – this way, you can prevent the dust from spreading. Remove quarter-round molding…temporarily. If it is possible, you should open a window and place a standing fan to direct dust and air outside the room. Use a hammer to pound down on any nails that stick out of the floor’s surface; remove all carpet tacks or staples.

Screening your hardwood floors is pretty simple. You should make sure that you have the proper respiration and eye protection before you start.

Beginning with a 60 grit screening disc; start screening your hardwood floor and ensure that you cover as much floor area as much as you can. Always make sure that work along the direction of the wood grain.

If the screening discs will not reach the along the walls of the room, use a sanding block with matching grade of sandpaper in order sand along these areas. You should screen the whole floor about 4 times, ensuring that you move through each grade of screening disc (from 60 to 120 grit).

When you are done, you should vacuum the entire surface thoroughly – this includes the ceiling and walls – and wipe down the floors using a tack cloth.

Lastly, apply finish. After applying polyurethane finish, you will notice a clear and tough surface on the screen hardwood flooring. Polyurethane finish comes in two kinds: oil based and water based. Oil based finishes takes time to dry and is ideal for beginners, but the water based finishes dry faster. Apply two coats and allow lots of drying time between coats. You should give 24 – 72 hours for the second coating to dry prior to moving your furniture and other stuff back into the room.

For refinishing hardwood floors polyurethane (hardwood floors with polyurethane finish), you can use a process known as “screening” – however, the wood floor should not have any deep gouges or scratches.