I'm in the process of tearing up some old luxury vinyl planking and discovered I have some amazing hardwood floors underneath, considering their age. I'd like to know the best method to refinish these floors without using a floor planer. Also, I'm thinking about using polyurethane as a sealant. They are pretty dirty, with paint and grime embedded in them, so any tips would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
If you're in an urban area, check out a local wood floor refinishing store. They often rent out tools and even offer classes to help you learn the ropes.
Knowing the type of wood would be useful, but a quick tip: measure the thickness above the tongue of the boards. You can use a vernier caliper to check how much material you can sand off. If the boards are less than 1/4" thick, that could affect how you proceed. Don't forget to check for any exposed nail heads too!
Are you planning to do this yourself or hire someone to help? It can make a big difference in the approach you take!
For those looking for professional help in the DC or Northern Virginia area, I recommend Hardwood Revival. They’ve got great service for refinishing!
They are 2-inch thick oak boards, so I think I’m good there.