The son of an interior designer, Rob was already painting walls and hanging wallpaper at 14. After assisting the family interior design business and building two homes of his own, Rob has been working as a freelance writer since 2010, specializing in flooring, remodeling, and HVAC systems. Rob is also a pastor, serves on the Church Board and continues to give sermons. He is married to Diane, and they have 3 kids and 2 grandkids.
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Here we show you all the tools you need and how much they cost. Then, we take you through the steps of applying water-based and oil-based polyurethane to your hardwood floor, including how to cut into the edges of your flooring and cover the larger central areas efficiently. Before you embark on applying polyurethane yourself, it’s worth asking yourself how much you are saving doing the work yourself versus the time-saved hiring a professional. If in doubt, take a minute to get advice and free estimates from local contractors.
The average total cost ranges from $9 to $20 per square foot.
The average total cost for carpet ranges from $5.67 to over $21 per square foot, depending on the quality.
The average total cost for laminate flooring is between $3 to $13 per square foot.
Here’s what you’ll need, with approximate prices of each:
Step 1: Sweep the floor and then damp-mop it with water and white vinegar (10:1 ratio) or go over it with a tack cloth.
Step 2: Use the 5″ to 3″ brush to apply polyurethane to wood flooring edges, and use the roller or pad to apply it to the center of the floor.
Let’s look at each of the elements in Step 2:
The best practice is to apply three coats of polyurethane, allowing the floor to dry, and lightly sanding it between coats. Some finishers offer lower estimates for two coats, but your floor won’t have the same level of protection, and scratches will go through to the wood more easily. In short, you will save yourself a bit of work or a little money by opting to apply two coats. However, you will sooner be faced with the expensive task or refinishing your hardwood flooring.
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