Do-It-Yourself Hardwood Floor Staining

One of the best things about a hardwood floor is how well it can endure over time. Many homeowners choose hardwood floors in Toronto because its ability to withstand the test of time. However, even the most beautiful flooring can get beat up over the years. Regular care is required in order to keep hardwood looking beautiful. Re-staining your floor can refresh its appearance and even improve the value of your home. Find out if do-it-yourself hardwood floor staining is right for you.

Sanding

There are several basic steps involved in staining a hardwood floor. The first step is to sand the floor. Sanding will remove the old finish from the wood. This is necessary in order to make the wood porous. If you don’t properly sand the floor it will be impossible to get a good stain. That is because it will not be able to penetrate through the multiple coats of finish on the floor. You will need to purchase or rent the right equipment in order to complete this step. Once the floor is sanded you will also have to vacuum it clean in order to remove the dust.

Conditioning

The next step is to condition or treat the wood. Conditioning the wood will prepare it to accept the stain. Use a damp cloth or mop to rub against the grain of the floor boards. Once this step is performed, you should wait for the water to dry before applying the stain.

Staining

Applying the stain takes precision and patience. Always apply it with the grain instead of against the grain. Take care to apply it evenly. A thin coat of stain is preferable to a thicker coat. You will want to frequently change your sponge or rag so that any excess stain does not accumulate.

Pros

The clear benefit of doing your own staining is the cost. The price to have your hardwood floors professionally stained can vary greatly. Factors that impact the cost include the level of difficulty involved and the square footage needing to be covered. Having your hardwoods stained by a professional can be expensive, based on these determining factors.

Cons

One of the most difficult aspects of refinishing a floor is the sanding portion. You can even permanently damage your flooring. If sanding is not done correctly you can end up with an uneven result. This can leave your newly stained floors looking as though they have multiple colors of stain applied. If you don’t have any previous experience with sanding, you can practice before using the machine on your floor. Try out your new skills on scrap lumber in order to get comfortable with the process.

Hiring A Professional

If you decide that you would rather hire a professional, it is important to check out their reputation. If you don’t use a reputable professional you can end up with a terrible result. It is important to hire someone with a proven track record. Contact a hardwood flooring installation professional in Toronto for recommendations.

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