Do you need the timber floors in your new or renovated house?
Such a flooring option looks great, has a lot of advantages however might be losing to cork flooring or bamboo floring in some aspects.
If you are looking to purchase a new property or renovate existing one and can't decide what kind of floors to choose you are at the right place.
Tiles look good but polished timber floors are simply stunning. There is probably not a person who would not be dazzled with properly polished timber floors Timber is not the most practical material for the flooring. The product is prone to damages and requires a regular care. However, the properly maintained timber floor will overshadow any kind of the floor product.
You have a good choice of timber floor types such as:
Your polished floors options are:
The main way to revamp timber floors is through the timber floor polishing.
The method seems straightforward but, in fact, it is more complex than meets the eye.
The aim of the timber floor polishing is not just for that amazing, glossy outlook.
It is also a maintenance mechanism to preserve the wood for years to come.
As with most DIY projects, the first step for the success is the preparation.
In this case, we do not mean having your tools in place (which you should have anyway).
By preparation, we mean a thorough sanding.
The better you sand, the more outstanding will be the result.
The better you sand, the more exceptional will the polished timber floors be.
Here, you should invest into a decent range of sanders.
At the end, you will need to undertake timber floor polishing regularly (probably every 5 years).
One thing which you must avoid - doing the floor sanding by hand.
The work should start with the 20 - 40 grit sand paper.
This should follow with finer sand papers (80 grit or more).
Any sander type (drum or belt) will do.
However, for the edging you have to fiddle a bit.
For edging, you can use the scrapper or a triangular sanding machine.
All edging should be performed with fine (100+ grit) sandpapers.
The actual process of timber floor polishing is a combination of coating and sanding.
First, the timber dust from the initial sanding needs to be properly vacuumed.
Here, you must remove as much dust as possible.
Even minute dirt can spoil the final outcome.
Once the dirt is cleaned, the actual coating can start.
Roller should be used for main coating and brush for edging and sealing.
You will not be impressed with the first coat.
However, this is the stage where all imperfection are being smoothed into a single layer.
After the first coat is dry, you need to sand the place again.
The second stage of the timber floor polishing requires another sanding process.
This time you should use very fine sand papers (120-150 grits).
After sanding and cleaning, you can apply the second coat.
Always follow instructions from manufacturers on how to apply the finishes.
Some finishes are more viscous then others.
They have also different surface tensions.
The surface tension and viscosity will determine if your polished timber floors need 3 coats or 2 is enough.
The DIY timber floor polishing is not the most difficult project but does require time and some tools. There are floor polishing contractors who can install the polished timber floors fully or perform the timber floor polishing job separately. It is cheaper to contract businesses which specialise in sanding and polishing of timber floors. The general installers will often workout prices for polishing and sanding the same way as for installing the floor. However, the actual floor installation is often more expensive than the timber floor polishing job.