Timber floors produce elegant aesthetic appeal in any living room, but they start to look timeworn and dull over prolonged use. If you're hosting a party at your home, chances are you're worried about the look of your timber floors. You certainly don't want your guests to judge the way you maintain your home, do you? This actionable guide aims to help you polish your living room timber floors in preparation for a party in your home.
Get Your Supplies Ready
You will need a floor sander, an edge sander, heavy grit sandpaper, soft-grit sandpaper, medium-grit sandpaper, timber filler or putty, a paintbrush and polyurethane coating. These supplies are easily available at any local home improvement store. You can hire the floor and edge sander from a hardware store instead of paying for new equipment.
Start Sanding the Timber Floors
Sanding is usually undertaken to remove the oil from your timber floors. A floor sander will sand your timber floors, while the edge sander tackles hard-to-reach corner spots. For a smooth finish, floor sanding requires a few steps. Start with heavy-grit sandpaper for heavier sanding and gradually move to medium-grit sandpaper to remove smaller imperfections. End with soft-grit sandpaper to finish off the surface smoothly. Remember to sand in the same direction as the grain to emphasise the natural beauty of timber.
Fill Up Exposed Holes
Check for exposed holes before you finish sanding with soft-grit paper. If you notice any exposed holes in your timber floors, be sure to fill it up using timber filler or putty in the same colour as the floor wood. Let this sit for a few hours before the final sanding process. Keep in mind that any exposed holes should be filled after the coarse sanding and before the smooth sanding. Mop the floors with liquid detergent and warm water before polishing.
Polish Your Timber Floors
A water-based polyurethane floor sealant is highly popular for timber floor polishing because of its quick drying, non-toxic and stench-free features. You can choose between matte, glossy and semi-gloss finishes. Keep in mind that high gloss finishes look good, but they are not conducive to high-traffic floors because they highlight imperfections and scratches easily. Apply the coat of polyurethane with a paintbrush or roller by following the grain. The first coat will raise the wood grain. Let it dry for a few hours before using medium-grit sandpaper to eliminate the roughness caused by the raised grain. Clean residue and apply the second coat. Let this dry overnight and apply the last coat.
Timber floor sanding and polishing typically takes a few days, so you'll want to undertake this task a few weeks before your party. Once you finish, your timber floors will look good as new –– just in time for your get-together. For more information, contact companies like Parquetry Flooring Co Pty Ltd.
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