How to Stain Hard Wood Floors

Hardwood Floor Stains on Oak Flooring

Hardwood flooring can add warmth and character to the home, and works well with almost any decor. Whether you have a new or old wood floor, adding a hardwood floor stain can give the surface a whole new look. These coatings are available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, and are applied underneath a protective top coating. By following some relatively simple guidelines you can learn to stain your hardwood floors.

Things You'll Need

• Wood putty
• Hammer
• Sand paper
• Vacuum
• Tack or cheese cloth
• Hardwood floor stains
• Rags, brushes, or rollers
• Polyurethane clear coat

Instructions

1. Patch and repair your floor as necessary before you begin. Fill holes with wood putty, then allow it to dry before sanding it smooth. Hammer any loose nails into place, and tighten up squeaky boards. Sand down any high spots or swirl marks, and sand or clean any stains or irregularities.

2. Clean the floor. Start with a thorough vacuuming or sweeping to remove the bulk of the dust and dirt. To get your floor really clean, follow up with a tack cloth or cheese cloth. These materials help remove even the smallest specks of dust, which will help you achieve the best results possible when applying hardwood floor stains.

3. Create a test patch. Many people are surprised to find out how different hardwood floor stains can look once they are applied to the wood. Test a small area that is in a closet or under a piece of furniture to be sure you chose a color you like.

4. Apply your stain. Hardwood floor stains can be applied with a paint brush, paint roller, or dry rag. Work in the direction of the wood's grain, and try to apply the stain as evenly as possible.

5. Let the stain dry for 10 to 15 minutes, then use a dry rag to wipe away any excess material.

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you achieve the shade you desire. Allow the floor to dry for several hours between each coat.

7. Cover the hardwood floor stain with a clear polyurethane seal coat. The seal coat can be applied using a brush or roller, and should be applied in the same direction as the wood grain. Allow this top coat to dry overnight before walking on the floor or moving furniture into the room.

References

• Hardwood Floor Staining