Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Lots of questions, like: Does anyone varnish instead of polyurethane coat?..+ more ?s
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01-23-02, 04:54 PM
We bought a home built in 1959 with red oak wood floors. They are the original floors and apart from some worn spots and scratches (mainly from carpet knives), they are in really good shape. Before we move in, we are looking at having them sanded and refinished. I believe they currrently have just a finish of varnish on them. There is no stain, just natural color. I know the previous owner used linseed oil and turpentine on them a few years back but I don't think they did any other work on them.
I think I might prefer the look of the varnished floor to the polyurethane that is most common now. We won't do any of the work ourselves and the few contractors I've talked to only do the polyurethane. Can anyone give me pros and cons to each of those finishes? Also, as we search for a contractor to do this work, do you have any suggestions or recommendations or questions I should make sure to ask so we select a good contractor? And if you've refinished your floor, do you have any definite do's and/or don'ts for us to consider?
I'm looking for a low maintenance floor finish and I am wondering if the varnish would be better in that regard. I just don't have much time to be sweeping daily making sure there is no dirt anywhere scratching the surface. I'm thinking of getting a vacuum cleaner with a hard floor attachment. Any suggestions about that idea? So much of what I read makes it sound like polyurethane floors have to be babied or you end up with scratches and ground in grit, do you feel that you have to worry that much about them? I'm also told they last around 10-15 years before needing work on them or refinished again, is that your experience?
I'm still just learning about being a wood floor owner so any insight anyone can share with me would be appreciated. I'm open to any information on anything and everything from refinishing suggestions, to types of floor cleaners, to area carpet hints, to vacuums, to misc. maintenance suggestions, etc., etc. - whatever you are willing to share with me.
Please forgive me for being so full of questions and so void of knowledge on this subject. I hope by calling upon the experience of those on this board, my husband and I can make sure we are steered in the right direction with this project.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Sal
I think I might prefer the look of the varnished floor to the polyurethane that is most common now. We won't do any of the work ourselves and the few contractors I've talked to only do the polyurethane. Can anyone give me pros and cons to each of those finishes? Also, as we search for a contractor to do this work, do you have any suggestions or recommendations or questions I should make sure to ask so we select a good contractor? And if you've refinished your floor, do you have any definite do's and/or don'ts for us to consider?
I'm looking for a low maintenance floor finish and I am wondering if the varnish would be better in that regard. I just don't have much time to be sweeping daily making sure there is no dirt anywhere scratching the surface. I'm thinking of getting a vacuum cleaner with a hard floor attachment. Any suggestions about that idea? So much of what I read makes it sound like polyurethane floors have to be babied or you end up with scratches and ground in grit, do you feel that you have to worry that much about them? I'm also told they last around 10-15 years before needing work on them or refinished again, is that your experience?
I'm still just learning about being a wood floor owner so any insight anyone can share with me would be appreciated. I'm open to any information on anything and everything from refinishing suggestions, to types of floor cleaners, to area carpet hints, to vacuums, to misc. maintenance suggestions, etc., etc. - whatever you are willing to share with me.
Please forgive me for being so full of questions and so void of knowledge on this subject. I hope by calling upon the experience of those on this board, my husband and I can make sure we are steered in the right direction with this project.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Sal