Renovating an oak floor
Discussion
Hi All,
I've been to my elderly father's property and I've decided that I'd like to improve the look of his Oak floor.
The attached image shows the floor at the moment; what I'd like, is for all of it to look the same as the 'decent' part (inside white box on image) - which has been covered/protected with a large oriental rug for 20+ years.
Is there any (relatively) easy way of improving the look of the floor, that doesn't involve sanding it down ?
Going forward, I'm not sure what maintenance an oak floor should have ? I think it's had nothing more than a damp mop, but in future, is there something more suitable ? - a wax, polish . . . or something else ?
Any opinions gratefully received - 'thank you'.
I've been to my elderly father's property and I've decided that I'd like to improve the look of his Oak floor.
The attached image shows the floor at the moment; what I'd like, is for all of it to look the same as the 'decent' part (inside white box on image) - which has been covered/protected with a large oriental rug for 20+ years.
Is there any (relatively) easy way of improving the look of the floor, that doesn't involve sanding it down ?
Going forward, I'm not sure what maintenance an oak floor should have ? I think it's had nothing more than a damp mop, but in future, is there something more suitable ? - a wax, polish . . . or something else ?
Any opinions gratefully received - 'thank you'.
Oxalic acid is the traditional 'remedy' for the blackening of wood.
There are other chemical treatments available.
Rather than sanding, try scraping. I have a Harris scraper that takes half a carbide planer blade.
I would try scraping and see if the result was any good. Some of the 'black' may be superficial dirt, some may be deep staining.
You could end up removing a lot of wood.
Personally I favour varnish as a finish, other opinions are available.
There are other chemical treatments available.
Rather than sanding, try scraping. I have a Harris scraper that takes half a carbide planer blade.
I would try scraping and see if the result was any good. Some of the 'black' may be superficial dirt, some may be deep staining.
You could end up removing a lot of wood.
Personally I favour varnish as a finish, other opinions are available.
OutInTheShed said:
Rather than sanding, try scraping. I have a Harris scraper that takes half a carbide planer blade.
I would try scraping and see if the result was any good. Some of the 'black' may be superficial dirt, some may be deep staining.
Thank you for this suggestion. I have to admit, I've never previously heard of scraping, but there are a few informative videos that explain it on YouTube.I would try scraping and see if the result was any good. Some of the 'black' may be superficial dirt, some may be deep staining.
OutInTheShed said:
You could end up removing a lot of wood.
Fortunately, it's a solid oak floor, so I presume there's scope to remove quite a bit of wood, as it has never been sanded/scraped before.If you go down the route of removing a lot of wood, I expect you'll be sanding with a 'floor sander'.
I think with old floors and moderate sanding there is often a trap of melting grubby old wax/oil/??? further into the wood.
Depending on the age of the house and all that, you may be happy with a result that isn't 'new oak floor' if you see what I mean?
I think with old floors and moderate sanding there is often a trap of melting grubby old wax/oil/??? further into the wood.
Depending on the age of the house and all that, you may be happy with a result that isn't 'new oak floor' if you see what I mean?
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