Wood floors can look beautiful in your home, but when they are in need of repair they can make your home look awful. Many people think that maintaining and repairing wood floors that have seen better days is an overwhelming task that is just too much to take on. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be. Wood floor repair can be a fairly simple process as long as you proceed with a well thought out plan.
You might be looking at your scratched and dull floor and thinking of all the work involved with moving out all the furniture and then trying to work one of those sanders. The dust all over the house. Thinking that your inexperience with the sander could cause you to ruin the floor altogether. The stress of keeping kids and pets out of the room.
Unless your floor is too far gone, with proper care, your wood floor repair does not have to turn into a major job. In most cases, you can simply fill in the minor scratches or shallow gouges without getting into a major refinishing job. You will need a few tools and supplies to get started, however.
If your floor has a polyurethane finish, but doesn’t look so great because it is all scratched up, you may be able to bring it back to it’s former luster with some polyurethane finish that matches (or as near as you can match) what is on your floor. Use a small paint brush and dab the polyurethane onto the areas that are scratched and any areas where the finish has worn off. Use a clean cloth to buff out the polyurethane before it dries. This can help with small, scratched areas and can make them blend in with the floor.
In your wood floor repair, if your floor has a stain on it, you need to match the color of the stain in order to repair scratches. You should probably test out the stain a bit at a time to be sure. Use a small brush and apply the stain to the scratched area. Let the stain dry overnight or as long as it says on the can which can be up to twenty-four hours. Once the stain is dry, take the brush and lightly apply some polyurethane – buff this out before it dries to match it into the existing floor..
Deeper gouges need a bit more in the wood floor repair department. You will have to fill in the gouge and we recommend you use wood putt that is latex based and stainable to do that. You’ll need a putty knife to spread the putty and a rag for wiping it off other areas it might spill onto. Simply pack the putty into the gouge and smooth it over until it is level with the floor. Wipe any excess off around the area and let it dry thoroughly. Take some sandpaper and lightly buff it out. Stain the putty to match the floor using a small brush and light strokes. Let the stain dry overnight and then apply the polyurethane on top once it is dried.
These wood floor repair tips work on floors where the damage is isolated to a few spots. If you floor is covered in scratches and has hardly any finish left then you may be facing the daunting task of refinishing the floor. Sure, it’s hard work and inconvenient, but once it’s done you’ll have glorious wood floors that you can enjoy for years to come.
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Painless Wood Floor Repair
Monday, July 5th, 2010What to Ask Yourself Before Buying Wood Furniture
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009Shopping for new furniture is always an exciting experience. Wood furniture is some of the most versatile and popular furniture of all. If you’ve decided to fill your home with wood furniture, here are a few useful questions to ask yourself before you make the purchase.
How much do I want to spend?
This is a great starting question. Even if you consider a budget to be more of a guideline than a rule, you need to have some idea of how much money you can comfortably spend on your new wood furniture. The cost will depend on several factors, of course. For example, there can be a considerable price difference between new furniture and antiques; between rare woods and common ones; and between designer brands and off-name pieces. You might also be able to find great discount pieces that just need a little refurbishing. If you’re willing to finish the furniture yourself, you can save even more. The good news for wood furniture buyers is that there’s something to suit every budget.
Which style do I like most?
Now that we’ve tackled the question of money, let’s move on to the question of style. Look at your existing furnishings and the construction of your home. Are you working with a small space? Then you might be better off choosing a few large pieces of wood furniture rather than a lot of smaller ones. Is your home decorated in a traditional or modern style? That, too, should dictate the design of your new wood furniture. If you’re starting from scratch, choose the wood furniture that appeals to you the most, and design your rooms around it. Rich finishes and detailed carvings lend elegance to any room.
Where and how will I use the furniture?
This is an important consideration when you select any piece of furniture. In particular, you’ll want wood furniture that’s sturdy enough to stand up to the kind of use you intend it for. If the furniture will be frequented by pets and children, look for strong construction and less ornamentation. You’ll also want a finish that is resistant to stains and scratches. Formal dining chairs that will only be used on special occasions can be more fragile and artistic. In general, look for form in low-use pieces, and look for function in pieces that will be used on a regular basis.
How long will the furniture last?
We all want furniture that lasts a while, but only truly exceptional or sentimental pieces will need to last for generations. Bedroom and dining furniture are frequently passed down through families. Other pieces, such as wooden cribs and glider-rockers for nurseries might have more limited use. You can opt for less expensive pieces if you’ll only be using them for a few years. Or, to make the most of your purchase, select pieces that can serve multiple purposes later on. For example, choose cribs that can be converted into youth beds and rocking chairs that are attractive and resilient enough to serve as patio furniture.
You’re probably excited about the prospect of new wood furniture, and with good reason: it not only represents a new beginning, but also an opportunity to let your personality shine through your home furnishings. Once you’ve answered these questions for yourself, you’ll be well on your way to making an informed and enjoyable purchase.