Hardwood is only stained around the edge, do I need to sand?

February 11th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Due to allergy issues, we had to pull up carpets in our 80 year old house. Like many older houses, the hardwood is only stained around the perimeter, the center is bare (where an area rug would be) We need to avoid large area rugs, and the bare area is fairly large. We like the rustic look, and don’t really want to sand. There are some varnish marks on the stained areas that will need to be cleaned. We also have an infant that crawls- parts of the floor are sort of rough. We have a limited budget, so can’t call in the professionals.

Now what?

Related Posts and Videos

Leave a comment | Trackback
  1. Just me
    February 11th, 2010 at 10:36
    Reply | Quote | #1

    If only to make the floor safe for your baby, I’d sand the floor. Aside from the safety issues, the floor may not take a new coat of finish without a light sanding (screening). I think you can rent a floor sander at a Home Depot or Lowe’s-type store - and it’s not really hard. Just remember to keep the sander moving, and if you’re not comfortable with it, run it at a low speed. Sweep well, and the floor should be fresh and ready for a coat of finish. You don’t have to stain the floor a different color, if you like the natural look, but if you put a coat of urethane on it, it will wear better and stay looking good.

    If the floor is 80 years old, you may have some issues with warping or creaking. Consider it "rustic" for as long as you can, and consider replacing it with laminate when your budget allows - laminate can look like real wood, but is easier to maintain and is less expensive to install.

You must be logged in to post a comment.
« Handmade Antique Heriz Rug – 125 Cm X 95 Cm – Check It Out … S5 Easter Egg: The Epic 'Red Rug' DocArzt's LOST Blog »
TOP