Refinishing RED oak hardwood floors. Please share.
googapa
4 years ago
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AJCN
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Can You Suggest How to Refinish Older Oak Hardwood Floor?
Comments (5)Since my husband and I recently went through this DIY, I can make a few suggestions, although we didn't refinish, we installed unfinished rustic inexpensive red oak floors ourselves and finished them. I don't know anything about removing a wax finish, maybe someone here can advise or you could try a different hardwood flooring forum. For the sander we rented a U-sand, which is a floor sanding machine that is supposedly made for the DIY'er. It worked great, got right up to the edges and was really easy to use. I don't know how well it would perform for refinishing, as that involves more sanding. For the stain and poly, we went with the professional grade stuff. It was so worth the extra money as the products were much more forgiving to work with, and I think will have better long term durability. We went with the Bona products which are designed for hardwood floors. We`used the Bona Drifast stain, which is an oil modified stain that dries quickly. The stain is very rich looking and was wonderful with any accidental overlap. We mixed a couple different colors for a custom stain color. We went with the new Bona waterbased Traffic HD in the extreme matte finish and I love it. I think the traffic HD has one of the highest durability commercial ratings. A matte finish will hide more imperfections and scratches than a shiny finish. Although it says extreme matte, the finish does have a slight shine with a very natural wood look, it looks great with our rustic grade floors. I've never seen a poly finish like it, it's so velvety smooth and natural looking. It's sheen is in between Bona Naturale and Bona Traffic Satin HD. The water based polys I believe are more durable than the oil base and this one is meant to go on top of Bona's oil base stain. The Bona waterbase poly also had very little fumes that disappeared with in a couple days. It has a separate catalyst (hardener) that has to be added and then you have 4 hours once you add the hardener in. We were concerned at first, but with the T-bar applicator, we were able to get one application done in about 45 min-1 hour (650 sqft+ stairs). We have two dogs who like to race around the house and hate to have their nails clipped, I have yet to see a scratch, this finish seems to be wearing like iron, I am so impressed. We applied the stain, waited 48 hours, then applied the first coat of poly, the next day we buffed it, wiped down with a damp cloth, let it dry and then applied the second coat and let it fully cure. We bought the T-bar poly applicator, which worked out well. We also bought the Bona Mixer bottle, so we could mix smaller batches when we needed to and didn't have to mix up a whole bottles worth. This was 7.00 well spent as we mixed up a gallon and a half for each application. For wood filler we tried Woodwise floor filler, and Timbermate, I thought the Timbermate performed a little better, but both products were much better than anything at Lowes, or Home Depot. The waterbased wood fillers are great because wiping off excess with a damp rag is fairly easy, even after it's dried. Plastic putty tools should be used with the waterbased fillers as some metal scrapers can discolor the filler. Since the Bona products are professional grade, we bought them through a company that sells to the general public and professionals. Their business is mostly an online store, but people can come in and buy products from them locally. Since they were local for us we got to talk to them in person. They were great, they took the time to answer all our questions each time I stopped in for products. I found them extremely knowledgeable and very caring, their how to videos on their website were also helpful. Floor Mechanics Online Store We spent about 1,750.00 total for 1,000 sqft of very rustic red oak flooring, Pneumatic floor nailer, moisture meter, sander/buffer rental, and finishing products. It was some work, but worth it for site finished, solid hardwood flooring. Good luck with your son's floors....See MoreAnyone willing to share pics of red oak hardwood floors?
Comments (2)Amy, this isn't the best pic - but my camera battery just died. We had all of the floors in our house redone, except for the family room. They are red oak. The man sanded them, then put a sealer on which really brought out the color, then two coats of a oil-based poly. I love them. I know darker stains are in vogue, but I do like the natural look of the red oak. They do look red in this photo - but are not so IRL....See MoreRed Oak hardwood refinished/installed
Comments (8)just re-read what i wrote, and i think it could come across as if OP was a customer of mine, not true. i had nothing to do with this one, id like to take credit :) but im just happy they are happy with their outcome....See MoreCan I refinish my thin hardwood oak floors?
Comments (5)A Red Oak floor can be bleached so that it turns a silvery gray (very light). This is expensive. It adds another $2/sf on to sand/refinish. The average price for sand/refinish = $5/sf. That means your chosen colour (with bleaching) is going to be about $7/sf. That's it. That's all. Everything included. Compare that to a factory finished floor identical to your inspiration photo: $7-$12/sf (depending on how wide the plank is...wider is more expensive). Now you have to pay for the original wood to be ripped out ($1-$2/sf depending on if it is nailed or glued). Subfloor prep is another $1-$3/sf (depending on if it was nailed or glued). And then the installation = $3- $5/sf (depending on if it is nailed or glued). Whew. Makes the $7/sf refinishing price pretty attractive doesn't it? The REALLY pricey bit: the stairs. That is going to run MUCH more than dealing with hardwood. It takes a VERY special wood worker to get the railing and the treads to match the colour. It is long, tedious work. The floor isn't the part I would worry about. I would be VERY nervous about the stairs. That is going to cost and arm and a leg to refinish....See MoreAJCN
4 years agoAJCN
4 years agoOak & Broad
4 years agoFreckle Lip
3 years ago
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