Library builder

There are two places to install a starter row. The first and most obvious place is along a long wall. The second place is down the center of the room, which is recommended when rooms are wider than 15 ft., when rooms are complex, when several rooms converge, and when walls are out of parallel […]

ing or air-conditioning so indoor conditions will be close to normal (60°F to 70°F) for a week before installing flooring. Open the bundles of wood flooring and allow them to acclimate indoors for 72 hours before installing them. Use a moisture meter to check interiors if your region has high humidity. Home centers and elec­tronics […]

T&G strip flooring, %-in. thick and 2%-in. to 3%-in. wide, is by far the most commonly installed wood flooring. Installing it requires few specialized tools and, with a modest amount of prep work, it goes down fast and lasts long. PREP STEPS Wood absorbs water and swells, so don’t bring hardwood flooring on site till […]

Applying a water-based polyurethane does not differ much from applying an oil-based finish and, as noted in the preceding section, water — based finishes are more benign. Although "Finishes, Cleaning Solvents, and Applicators,” on p. 494, offers general guidance, consider the can label as the last word on drying times, recommended applicators, and so on. […]

Floor finishes are often divided into two cate­gories: penetrating sealers (penetrants) and surface finishes. Penetrating sealers usually contain plant-based oils, such as tung oil or modified lin­seed oil, and soak into wood fiber. In time, they harden to seal and protect the wood. Because penetrating sealers form a hard outer shell, they can be easier […]

FINISH CLEANS WITH APPLICATOR COMMENTS Water-based polyurethane Soap and water Synthetic brush; pad; round applicator Probably best all-around finish for nonpro; tough, water-resistant finish; easy cleanup, low smell; work fast, overlapping edged areas before they dry Oil-based polyurethane Mineral spirits Natural-bristle brush; round solvent-resistant applicator Tough, durable finish; favored by pros because dries slower than […]

A quick review: Shut off all pilot lights, seal off doorways, open windows for ventilation, wear a respirator mask and ear protection, start with the least aggressive sandpaper, and lower the sander drum only when the machine is moving. Start sanding with the drum sander. Sanding with the direction of the wood grain cuts less […]

After testing floors to determine their finish, empty rooms of all movable items (don’t forget window blinds and shades). Then use 3-mil poly­ethylene sheeting to cover the cabinets, radiators, smoke detectors, doorways, and heating or air­conditioning openings, using painter’s tape to avoid pulling paint off the walls and trim. Dust migrates through the smallest openings, […]

put a lamb’s wool buffing pad on the buffer to bring up the sheen of a finish; thus it’s often used to buff out a new wax coat. Hand scrapers and sanding blocks reach cor­ners, flooring under cabinet toekicks, and other places edgers can’t reach. Hand scraping is tedious, but it goes more quickly if […]

As the Safety Maven of Wingdale notes, "The nice thing about working on floors is that you don’t have far to fall." Nonetheless, there are safety issues to consider when refinishing. Electrical. Before renting sanders, examine their electrical cords and plugs, reject­ing any that are frayed or appear to have been sanded over. If you […]