When I visit my family, my mother always complains about the state of her wood floors. She would love to refinish them, but between caring for an elderly dog, other home projects, and a tight budget, a full professional refinish isn’t feasible right now. I asked Tony Pastrana, who works in Installation Training & Services for Armstrong Floor Products, for straightforward advice on a DIY approach. His recommendations can help you refresh hardwood floors without a full tear-down.
First, a full sanding is not always necessary. If the floor doesn’t have deep dents, permanent cupping, or extreme wear, a simpler option may be sufficient. Screening—using a 120-grit screen on a floor buffer—and applying a new finish coat can restore appearance and protection without removing much of the surface wood.
Before any sanding or screening, remove all furniture and debris and thoroughly clean the floor. This prevents grit from scratching the wood and ensures a smoother result.
For a more extensive DIY refinish where sanding is required, you’ll need to rent or borrow a floor buffer and the proper sandpaper discs. The recommended progression of grits is:
- First pass: coarse 36-grit to remove old finish and level the surface.
- Second pass: medium 50-grit to smooth out the rough scratches from the coarse grit.
- Final pass: 80-grit to prepare the wood for staining and finishing.
After each sanding pass, vacuum and sweep the floor thoroughly to remove all dust and particles. Wiping with a slightly damp cloth or using tack cloths can help pick up the fine dust left behind before the next sanding stage.
Once sanding is complete and the surface is clean, apply stain if you want to change the color. Allow stain to dry fully according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then apply the finish coats—typically a water-based or oil-based polyurethane—following the product directions for drying times and recommended number of coats. Lightly buffing or screening between coats can improve adhesion and smoothness for a professional-looking result.
For many homeowners, screening and re-coating will deliver a major visual improvement at a fraction of the cost and disruption of a full refinish. When sanding is necessary, following the proper grit progression, keeping the floor immaculately clean between steps, and using the correct finishing products will help your DIY project succeed.
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