Do you have to sand floorboards before varnishing?

Any other previous finish (varnish, wax, oil, polish) needs to be completely removed before varnishing so that the timber is free of dirt, wax, polish and grease etc. Once the old finish has been removed, the floorboards will need to be sanded and, if required, stained.

Do new floorboards need sanding?





If you’re painting floorboards, either with a stain or paint, you may need to sand them first. If there’s a stain on the boards, you’ll need to sand them back with a floor sander, but if they’re untreated, you may be able to sand them by hand or with a power tool to clean them up before painting.

How do you match old and new floorboards?

The way to get the match as close as possible and the only way we recommend matching existing flooring is by re-sanding the older floors to bring them back to as close to their original colour as possible. The entire floor is then coated with the same finish.

Can you sand and varnish floorboards?

The process is always the same – empty the room, make sure your floorboards aren’t damaged and that the floor is safe and secure, sand the main surface of the room with the drum sander, use an edging sander for the outer edges of your room, clean and varnish, oil or paint when you’ve finished.

How do you prepare floorboards for varnishing?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Before you start varnishing clean the surface by wiping the floor boards with methylated spirit or cellulose thinners. Make sure you open any windows and a wearing a mask this stuff is pretty potent.

How much does it cost to sand and refinish hardwood floors UK?





Wood floor refinish cost



Refinishing wooden flooring aids in the maintenance of the flooring for the future, and helps in restoring the wood back to its original look and feel. On average, a sanding and refinish will cost £25 – £30 per m2 and will cost between £100 – £200 in labour costs.

What do you put on newly sanded floorboards?

You can use a clear or tinted varnish to seal sanded floorboards. Put on three coats to get a really hard-wearing finish and make sure your brush is completely clean before you start.

Should I wax or varnish floorboards?

Floor wax penetrates wood pores when its rubbed onto the surface and buffed to a sheen. It gives wood floors a natural look; when you touch the floor, you’re touching the wood, not a coating. It’s not as durable as varnish but protects against water and some wear. It’s simple to touch up using a rag and fresh wax.

How many times should you varnish floorboards?

mop and let it dry thoroughly. Whether you’re using a brush, cloth or pad, apply two to three coats of varnish with adequate drying time in between – check the tin for the manufacturer’s recommendations.

How do you sand and varnish old floorboards?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Start by aligning the machine diagonally to the floorboards raise the drum. And when it reaches full speed lower it and start sanding. The purpose of this stage is to smooth any irregularities.

How long after varnishing a floor can you walk on it?

24 hours

How long before I can walk on my refinished/finished hardwood floors? On average, you can walk on the floors 24 hours after the application of the final coat. We recommend you wear socks only.

How long does it take to sand and varnish a floor?



Typically, a fairly standard room of 20 sqm will take about one day to sand and varnish properly, using fast-drying water-based finishes plus another 12 hours for the varnish to cure properly.

Can you stay in your house while floors are refinished?

If your hardwood floors have been sanded and finished with Bona Mega Clear HD, it is safe to sleep in the home about 2-3 hours after the project is finished, but again, only if there are other rooms that have not been robbed of their furniture – furniture should stay off floors for at least 24 hours after ANY project

How long do you have to stay off hardwood floors after refinishing?

How long do I have to wait to use my room after my floors are refinished? We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on.

Can you sleep in house after polyurethane?

No, it is not recommended, and you shouldn’t take chances. Polyurethane will be off-gassing heavily for the first 24 hours, even for the water-based type. It is worse if you use oil-based finishes: it’s highly toxic and can cause several health problems.

How many coats of polyurethane should you put on hardwood floors?



We recommend at least 2 coats of oil based polyurethane + a lacquer sealer coat as a minimum for hardwood flooring. Extra coats = extra protection, but only one coat of oil based polyurethane may be applied per day, as it needs 24 hours to dry before applying another coat.

How long until polyurethane smell goes away?

Top factors that determine how long the smell will linger around include the number of polyurethane coats applied and the weather conditions. Ideally, it should dissipate fully after three to six weeks. But the house can be habitable in 10-12 days if your family and pets aren’t allergic to such strong fumes.