Since I'm always looking for different ideas: In the house we're renovating, we have discovered wood floors, it was very exciting. 4inch boards. Now, what do we do with these floors to make them look nice. Probably nothing beyond sanding, because I can't be around polyurethane or floor wax or anything like that. What would you do? How do you sand wood floors? Thanks for your suggestions.

-- Cindy (SE In) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), February 15, 2001

Answers

Cindy,

What we've done is rent one of those big gas powered sanders ($10 a day from a local Amish gentleman). To do it with one of those hand held jobs would take FOREVER!

Now, if you leave your floors without putting some kind of sealant, you understand that, if you spill ANYTHING on them, it will stain the wood permantely. I would really look into putting SOMETHING on them, or all of your hardwork will be ruined.

-- Tracey (foralltimes@hotmail.com), February 15, 2001.

Hi Cindy! First of all, what type of wood do you have? Softwoods (pine and fir) will have different requirements than hardwoods (oak, maple, cherry). What finish is on them now? That will dictate part of our procedures. And you MUST put some finish on them. The newer water-based polyurethanes are not odorous and dry quickly. And unlike the water-based products of even a few years ago, they do a good job. e-mail direct if you like. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), February 15, 2001.

Thanks Tracey, and Brad, I'll have to investigate and get back to you.

-- Cindy (SE In) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), February 15, 2001.

Hi Cindy,

My husband is a cabinet maker, and he's always bringing in new pieces of furniture. He has begun using an oil as a finish. The one he uses is called Junckers (pronounced Yunkers), and comes from Germany I think. The brand is irrelevant, though. I find that it off-gases for a very brief time (closed up winter house), with very little smell, and no irritation to any of us. You can also re-apply anytime you want, just with a rag. A side benefit I've found is that dust doesn't seem to collect on any of the oiled pieces, as opposed to the other finishes in our house. Maybe an oil would be the way to go? Best of luck.

-- Rheba (rbeall@etown.net), February 15, 2001.

Melt parafin or beeswax (careful, now) and brushe it on lightly, then scrape and buff off the extra. Tada, a nice, water resistant finish (be sure to buff really well so that it isn't slippery.) Car wax can also be used, if you can tolerate it.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), February 15, 2001.

Cindy, DEFINITELY treat the floors when finished sanding with one product or another. MINWAX POLYCRYLIC is a great water based polyurethane, no odor , great finish and super easy to work with.

-- dan (dcbaker@2ki.net), February 15, 2001.

Cindy, When we realized what was making us ill, we pulled up the carpets and had hardwood floors installed. We sealed them with a product called Skanvar. It's a product of Sweden. It had no obnoxious odor. I was able to stay in the house while it was being applied and cured. It has been 5 years and the floors still look great. E-mail me if you want more information.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), February 15, 2001.