Staining a hardwood floor is an excellent way to enhance the natural beauty of the wood, as this adds warmth and character to any room. However, staining the wood actually requires careful preparation, the right tools, and attention to detail in order to achieve a professional-like finish.
So, in this blog, we will discuss how to apply stain to a hardwood floor in a proper step-by-step approach to revitalise it and help enhance your home’s aesthetic.
A Five-Step Guide To Staining A Hardwood Floor
1. Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, ensure you collect all the materials required to stain your hardwood floor. The list includes the following items:
- Wood stain
- Orbital sander or drum sander
- Sandpapers
- Brushes and rollers
- Rags and towels
- Vacuum cleaner
- Protective gear
2. Prepare The Area
The next step is to prepare the room. A clean and open area allows you to apply stain to a hardwood floor uniformly, which results in a beautiful and durable finish.
So, start shifting all furniture, rugs, and other items from the area to a separate room and cover vents with plastic sheeting to prevent dust from entering your HVAC system.
3. Start Sanding The Floor
The third step is to sand the floor. Most hardwood floors, as you know, have a previous finish, such as polyurethane or wax. This finish needs to be removed before applying stain to ensure proper adhesion and even colour absorption.
Moreover, sanding also removes scratches, dents, and other imperfections. This creates a smooth and even surface for the stain to adhere to. So, choose the right sanding equipment and start sanding the floor, beginning with coarse-grit sandpaper (around 80 grit) to remove any damage signs or previous finish.
After that, move to finer grits (120-grit, then 180-grit) to smooth the surface and remove any scratches from the coarser grits. When sanding, always sand in the direction of the wood to avoid creating scratch marks that appear visible after staining.
Once you’ve sanded the wood, vacuum the floor to remove any dirt, dust, and other particles, as this is essential for a clean and even finish.
4. Apply The Stain
Now, before applying the stain, test it on a hidden area of the wood to test the colour and ensure you like the result. You can use a brush to apply the stain along the edges of the floorboards, following the grain. However, for larger sections, make sure to use a roller (just dip it in the stain, then roll it onto the floor, following the grain).
Begin staining at the furthest corner (from the exit) to minimise foot traffic on the wet stain. Immediately after applying the stain, wipe off any excess with a clean rag, as this prevents uneven colour and drips.
Continue staining in manageable sections and ensure that the stain is still wet when you move to the next section to avoid lap marks. As you’ve applied the stain enough, allow it to dry as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes several hours.
5. Apply A Finish
Once the stain has been dried, apply a finish to your hardwood floor. A finish creates a strong barrier that shields the stain and wood from wear and tear, moisture, and other harmful elements. In other words, it helps maintain the floor’s appearance and longevity.
So, following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply a finish using a mop, roller, or brush. The time for the wood floor finish to dry usually depends on the finish you choose, so wait for the period mentioned on the manufacturer’s label. As the finish dries, lightly sand the floor and apply a second coat for the finish.
End Note!
Regular staining of the hardwood is essential to help maintain its shine. But more essential is just to do it the right way. To apply stain to a hardwood floor, all that is required from you is the right technique. And having known that, you can easily stain your hardwood floors and revitalise them for the good.
You Can Also Read: Do You Need to Strip Your Deck Before Restaining?
