Installing Hardwood Flooring - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

selical · 10-22-2008, 05:04 PM

Hey everyone, first post.

I just bought a house and the hardwood flooring looks aged and does not have that shine to it. I am a handyman and would enjoy doing the flooring myself but I want to know if I will get the same results as a professional for cheaper?

Cdat · 10-22-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selical

Hey everyone, first post.

I just bought a house and the hardwood flooring looks aged and does not have that shine to it. I am a handyman and would enjoy doing the flooring myself but I want to know if I will get the same results as a professional for cheaper?

Not a chance in Hell will you ever get the same results as a professional. You're welcome to try but it takes practice to get it to look good.

**Floorwizard** · 10-22-2008, 05:31 PM

Agreed. Only if you are a pro finisher doing your own home.
But that does not mean you cannot do the job and have it look decent.
Give it a go by studying and using the proper tools.

Cdat · 10-22-2008, 06:13 PM

Yes, read some of the earlier threads on this forum and check out the web for some instructions. After you're done and if you don't like it, give me a call and I'll be more then happy to redo it for you. Of course, I'll have to charge a little bit more to fix any of your mistakes.

No, seriously, you can get a good finish if you follow some professional advice.

ALCbuilding · 10-25-2008, 01:02 AM

hardwood flooring aint that freakin hard to do...!

Mellison · 10-25-2008, 04:05 PM

Do some research and take your time. However like all trades there is a bit of a science to it. Good luck!

**Floorwizard** · 10-27-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

hardwood flooring aint that freakin hard to do...!

Replacing a toilet is easy too...but should still come with warnings....

StairMaster · 10-27-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALCbuilding

hardwood flooring aint that freakin hard to do...!

I've seen A LOT of projects go VERY wrong when someone inexperienced thinks floors "ain't that freakin hard to do". Just the application of finish can ruin a good install and sand. Just curious what experience you have with floors to form that opinion?

StairMaster · 10-27-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selical

Hey everyone, first post.

I just bought a house and the hardwood flooring looks aged and does not have that shine to it. I am a handyman and would enjoy doing the flooring myself but I want to know if I will get the same results as a professional for cheaper?

You definitely won't get the same results as you would from a professional but like everyone else said, you will probably do allright if you read up and do some research. The problem you might run into is finding good sanding equiptment. Most places that rent equiptment have machines that chatter.

ALCbuilding · 10-27-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StairMaster

I've seen A LOT of projects go VERY wrong when someone inexperienced thinks floors "ain't that freakin hard to do". Just the application of finish can ruin a good install and sand. Just curious what experience you have with floors to form that opinion?

My experience is......drumroll........ INSTALLING HARDWOORD FLOORS!!!!!!!

Just cause I say it ain't that freakin hard you assume that I have not done much of it and think you can bust my balls over it??? Wtf?

jamestrd · 10-27-2008, 11:02 PM

first rent your self a nice silverline tilt machine iwth some open cut paper, an edger and buffer.
step 2

sand whole floor across the grain making sure to leave as many roll marks as possble. This will help remopve finish and flatten any overwood issues or cupping.
Next, proceed with the grain, making sure you stop and star6t at the exact same refernce line, preferably in fornt of a window or doorway.
Proceed with successive cuts down to an 80, for efficency, skip right to 80 grit.

Now you follow the same with the edger making sure to cut str5at into any shoe/quarteround molding.

Vaccuum with a quality shop vac making sure to make chalkboard screech and marks on the floor.
Apply 1st coat poly,(gloss) allow to dry, buff with a 60 screen , vac and tac rag with alcohol. Apply second coat. allow to dry, then stand back with pride of a job well done.

This is how all the DIYs i have seen do it, so it must be right.

rbeck3@ec.rr.co · 10-28-2008, 07:07 AM

heres some tips from a guy that did it with no experience.

tip one-- dont plan on starting one day and going golfing the next ( you'll still be working)

tip two-- before you apply your finish sand for another few hours

tip three-- keep sanding, it sucks to sand off your finish the day after you should've been golfing.

so as you can see I sanded, finished, screwed it up, learned lesson. Than a few weeks later tackled it again looks great. Just sand my friend ,

sand

Floordude · 10-28-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamestrd

first rent your self a nice silverline tilt machine iwth some open cut paper, an edger and buffer.
step 2

sand whole floor across the grain making sure to leave as many roll marks as possble. This will help remopve finish and flatten any overwood issues or cupping.
Next, proceed with the grain, making sure you stop and star6t at the exact same refernce line, preferably in fornt of a window or doorway.
Proceed with successive cuts down to an 80, for efficency, skip right to 80 grit.

Now you follow the same with the edger making sure to cut str5at into any shoe/quarteround molding.

Vaccuum with a quality shop vac making sure to make chalkboard screech and marks on the floor.
Apply 1st coat poly,(gloss) allow to dry, buff with a 60 screen , vac and tac rag with alcohol. Apply second coat. allow to dry, then stand back with pride of a job well done.

This is how all the DIYs i have seen do it, so it must be right.

YIKES!!!! I sure wouldn't let you teach class!!!!

ALCbuilding · 10-28-2008, 11:14 PM

that's what I was thinkin. For one, WTF would you sand ACROSS the grain!!! NEVER sand across the grain. I am sure the poster of that message was being sarcastic... lol

Cdat · 10-29-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALCbuilding

that's what I was thinkin. For one, WTF would you sand ACROSS the grain!!! NEVER sand across the grain. I am sure the poster of that message was being sarcastic... lol

I wouldn't hire you either if that is all you found wrong. Everything he posted was wrong. To prove a point I think.

OCRS · 10-29-2008, 06:52 AM

jamestrd is obviously joking. He's describing the usual HO attempts at a refinish job

ALCbuilding · 10-29-2008, 09:52 AM

I'm well aware that is not all that was wrong with it... That was the main thing I felt like pointing out at the moment because that is one of the most basic woodworing things. I wouldn't take a refinishing job anyway, don't like doin it.

22rifle · 10-29-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbeck3@ec.rr.co

heres some tips from a guy that did it with no experience.

tip one-- dont plan on starting one day and going golfing the next ( you'll still be working)

tip two-- before you apply your finish sand for another few hours

tip three-- keep sanding, it sucks to sand off your finish the day after you should've been golfing.

so as you can see I sanded, finished, screwed it up, learned lesson. Than a few weeks later tackled it again looks great. Just sand my friend ,

sand

And there you go! One DIY Homeowner to another.

jamestrd · 10-29-2008, 08:53 PM

forgot to leave one tip,

when applying poly, its best to use a rough surface roller.

it hold more poly so you really get alot of protection on the floor.
Before suing roller, wash with dish detergent

Floordude · 10-29-2008, 09:57 PM

OK, I get it!!! Hehehehe!!