AboutDave Coil Expertise I can help. I have installed wood, laminates, tile, marble, ceramics, vinyl, and painted applications. I have done some stone work, but that is seldom used anymore.
Experience My first work was in flooring and interior designs. My first job... every room of the house was a different color of walls and carpet. It can work...
I have a 2 story home. On the main floor, the entry, hall area and kitchen have maple floors that are all scratched (mostly surface) up by the previous owner's big dog. I'd like to add the same type of maple flooring to the family room since it's between the kitchen and hall area. It would have a better flow this way.
I am wondering how much skill is really needed to refinish the old flooring and install new flooring. I wonder also how difficult it is to match the stain on the new floors since the old floor has a light stain that sanding may not completely remove?
Also, somebody told me that a "Swedish finish" is the most durable. I have no idea what is on the floors right now. Do you have any opinions on the finishing glaze? I have 2 small dogs who can get a little active at times, so a durability is really important to me.
I love that you are offering your expertise to wanna-be-diy's like me! Thanks so much and I hope to hear from you soon.
- Christy
Answer This is a time consuming, but relatively simple task. You can buy or rent an "orbital" sander and do it yourself. Start with 100 grit sandpaper to start the cutting of the old finish. After the glaze is off start using finer papers. 100 then 150 then 200/220 grit papers. You will control the amount of sanding by the amount needed to remove scratchs. It may not be necessary to remove all the finish down to bare wood if the scratches come out of the surface. When you get your new wood..take some samples and play with different stains...remember that the stain looks different under the finish coat, so the sample needs to be finished, for matching. When shopping for a finish...consider clear lacquer or shellac or varnish...much harder surfaces for traffic.
