Last week I shared that I was in the process of choosing a color to have the hardwood floor in my kitchen and living room refinished. You can read about it in this post – How I Chose the Color to Stain the Hardwood Floor. This is Part 2 of getting the floors refinished.
The wood floor in the two rooms has a unique layout pattern that I wanted to accent with a new color and matte finish.
Having a wood floor refinished usually means you have to deal with the smell of polyurethane drying and a dusty mess to clean up after the floor has been sanded. That was the case when I had the hardwood floors refinished in my previous house.
This time around, refinishing the wood floor at the lake house was a totally different process made possible by the folks at Bona.
They not only have better floor refinishing products that don’t smell awful for days, but a dust containment system like no other – that means no sanding dust all over the house!
How Were My Hardwood Floors Refinished?
Bona offers 3 different treatments for hardwood floors – RESTORE, REVIVE, and REFINISH.
Adios… amber orange color. :-)
My floors are getting the REFINISH treatment that includes a full sanding, stain, and sealing with two layers of Bona Traffic HD for protection and beauty that will completely renovate the floor.
I am very excited about having a floor that will now color coordinate with the other floors on the first floor of my house as well as the decor.
Here is what the floor in my kitchen looked like after the amber orange stain has been sanded off. :-) I like the light color, but wanted to darken it to coordinate with the adjoining flooring in the foyer, hallway and my studioffice.
The floor was sanded a few times. Each time using a finer sanding grit so that on the final sanding, the floor is super smooth.
Greg Martin, the Bona Certified Craftsman, used a few different sanders – this one is an edge sander to remove the old finish right up against the baseboards.
Every sander he used was connected directly to a vacuum system for immediate dust removal. See it outside the sliding door? In case you’ve wondering about the red lines, that’s a little trick of the trade. Greg marked the areas he had sanded to ensure that everything was sanded an equal number of times with the same grit sandpaper.
This dust containment system eliminates up to 99.8% of dust versus traditional sanding methods, leaving the air clean and safe for you and your family!
There is a big bag inside that fills up. When full it is removed and simply replaced with a new bag.
With the dustless system, there was no need to have to drape the rooms off to keep sanding dust from getting everywhere.
How Long Does Sanding a Floor Take?
Greg went over the floor 3-4 times. This took two days. It may take more or less time depending on the size of your room(s) and condition of the floor(s).
Staining The Hardwood Floor
As I mentioned in my previous post. I chose to go with Grey stain.
Greg applied the stain by pouring some of it on the floor and then using a Bona buffing machine to smooth it out over the floor.
Along the edges of the floor, the stain was applied with a rag and then rubbed in.
The next step was to apply the topcoat.
Bona Traffic HD is is the topcoat that was used. It outperforms all urethane finishes in durability after 24 hours. I chose to go with the matte sheen. I felt glossy shine would hide and distract away from the pattern in the floor.
When Can You Walk on the Floors After the Topcoat is Applied?
Once Greg had the first coat of topcoat on, we could not walk on the floor for a few hours. I stood at the door to take this photo with my phone.
No Smell – Low VOC Topcoat
The topcoat is water-based and has very little smell – low VOC’s which made it easy to still be in the house. It cures up to a very hard durable surface.
We ate our meals out, but since there was no smell in the stain and topcoat, we could still be in the house and sleep normally without being overwhelmed by a polyurethane smell.
The next morning Greg came back to apply a second coat of the topcoat.
3-4 hours: Floor may be walked on with stocking feet only, depending on conditions
72 hours: Lift and place furniture back on the floor – DO NOT DRAG. Use felt floor protectors on all items that come in contact with floor
72 hours: Floor may be cleaned using Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and a Bona Microfiber Mop. Place walk-off mats and area rugs on floor.
We had to stay off the floor for 24 hours and not put any furniture back into the room for at least 3 days, but the longer we waited the better.
Knowing this in advance, we decided to take a two week trip to Charlottesville, Va to spend time with our daughter’s and 8 week old granddaughter, Zoe. :-) I got lots of snuggles and Mimi time.
We are headed back now and will be putting the rooms back together to start enjoying the new look.
The color is perfect – not too light or dark.
I am so happy with how it blends in with the darker flooring in my studioffice. :-)
Stay tuned to see the AFTER and a whole lot more….. I didn’t tell you before, but there was a video crew at my house during the floor refinishing to document the whole process. Watching them along with Greg work was fascinating.
Inspired to do amazing things with your hardwood floors? Check out Bona’s flooring inspiration site. For even more hardwood floor ideas, head on over to their Pinterest boards.
Nhan says
This great post to show the progression of sanding hardwood floor completely in detail. Thanks much for sharing.
Shelly says
Boy oh boy does that look good! Bona did one great job! So you did not try and match up to your other wood stain? If so why is that? I have hardwood original to the house that is in the entry and my dining room which is all open. Then a few years ago I had hardwood floors installed in 3 rooms with a totally different color, wood specie and wider planks. My old flooring is has alot narrower planks and a different color, it does not flow and it drives me crazy. I know it is going to cost a pretty penny to replace the old but I am going to see what the cost will be and just bite the bullet. Again, great job. Thanks
Sharon H says
Well, that is beyond gorgeous! Wow. Who would’ve thought those floors could be transformed to look like they were new and original? The color is nice, and it’s hard to believe they are “gray”. When you first mentioned the color you had chosen, I thought you had lost your mind! Good job, Mimi? I’m glad you had time to spend with Zoe……and oh yeah, the REST of the family too. Lol
Vikki says
The floor looks amazing Diane. Your Instagram video is great. The entire process worked out wonderfully and the best part is getting to spend quality time with baby Zoe! I’ll be looking for your post showing all the furniture back in the room.
Carolyn Green says
Love, love, love the floors. What a beautiful grey stain, not too grey, just right! You have inspired me. The builder just had my white oak floors installed in my build job and now it is time to select the stain. Bravo Diane!!!
june says
Love the floors…love Bona products. Cant wait to see everything in place.
Glad you had fun with Zoe❤️
Nan Bowen says
I would be so hardily disappointed that the trim shoe moldings was not removed. I have refinished many hardwood floors & always took off base moldings. its the proper way to finish a floor job. have him come back & do it correctly.
Shelly says
I was wondering that myself, I agree.
Edward P Tacelosky says
Obvious Bona paid advertisement. There are better products and better systems and Bona better learn quick that we will buy our products and equipment from someone else if Bona does not stop trying to own the market with their subtle propaganda. A highly overrated and overpriced company.
Lynn W says
The stain color and matte finish is just gorgeous!! Who knew that Bona had this service?!? Good to know. Thank you and enjoy the new floor ?
Glad you got some baby time too ?
Debby says
Floors look beautiful. I love the grey stain. Good job:)
Holly says
I’m loving the matte finish! Can’t wait to see when the furnishings are back in place. I think before with the orange color (my floors are the same) the colour of the floor was the first thing to stand out, not the wonderful wood design. Now its shown beautifully.
Sheryll & Critters. says
Looks beautiful! I was considering that grey stain. I really like it seeing it on your floors. Although I ended up going with wood look porcelain tile.
Sue says
Love love love it!
I B says
Absolutely gorgeous floors! Love the design, so unique, and the color you chose. Perfectly beautiful.
Deb Brennan says
The floor looks magnificent Diane, and Bona is the BEST. We used this system to sand and refinish old hemlock floors at our cottage….I could not believe the ease of the process . We did have a Bona certified floor contactor which I also recommend, and our result is also fantastic! Anyone looking to refinish wood floors should not hesitate to use this system and product line..it is top shelf! Beautiful job!!
Kat says
They look so great!!!
Laura says
The floors look amazing!!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Laura –
It was a hard decision to make – color wise with so many options to choose from. I am excited to get home and start putting the furniture back into the rooms.
Becca says
Looks great! Are they red oak floors?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Becca –
Good question – I am not sure, but I think the floor is white oak.
John K. says
Based on the pictures It’s most likely white… though there could be some red mixed in. I live the pattern! Those are done beautiful floors!
Pat M. says
Wow. It looks amazing already. I’m sure that with the furniture and accessories put back in place, it’ll seem like a new space. I love your choice of stain color – not too gray and not too brown.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Pat – Thanks – Before the floor was refinished, I knew the faded green border on the seagrass rug I have in the room would not look good, so I painted it a beige-grey. I will post about how I did that once I get the room together again.
Kim says
It’s BEAUTIFUL Diane. It’s like you’re getting a new house spring. I know you are thrilled! I’m a little green (with envy). I’m a Mimi too. It’s THE BEST!!!
Kim says
*this spring*
Carla from Kansas says
Awesome dust control!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Carla – It was truly amazing – no dust anywhere and the little that was still on the floor, Greg made sure to vacuum. It was so nice not having to clean up anything or hang sheets all over to stop the dust.
wanda says
what is the name of stain color?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Wanda – The stain color is Grey. The actual name: Bona DriFast Stain – Grey.