The question stands: Can you refinish laminate flooring? Technically, yes. But, although it is possible to refinish, doing so requires skill, time, and tools that most homeowners just don't have at their disposal.
Laminate flooring cannot be stained as it has an aluminum oxide coating on the top of the laminate. This coating protects laminate from stains – these stains including household mishaps and stains.
Sand the floor with 220-grit sandpaper and wipe away dust with a damp cloth. Apply a laminate floor finish in thin, even strokes using a washcloth. Work in 2 feet (0.61 m) sections, waiting 30-60 minutes before moving to a new section. Add a second or third coat, letting the finish dry for 2 hours between each one.
The truth is, it is almost always cheaper to refinish your floor than to replace it. When replacing, you must consider the cost of the new wood as well as the installation, plus the cost to haul your old wood floors away.
Applying a Revitalizer. Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.
If you have experience refinishing floors or your wood is still in very good condition, you can attempt to refinish hardwood floors yourself. Be aware, though, that it will likely take you longer than it would a crew of professionals. In most cases, you're better off hiring experienced floor contractors to do the job.
If your floor has developed a slight film or waxy buildup on it (which happens over time when the wrong cleaning products are used), you can instead combine a gallon of hot water with a cup of white vinegar. Vinegar, which is a natural cleaning agent, will break down the film without hurting the laminate surface.
Never use Murphy Oil Soap or similar products to damp mop wood or laminated floors. Oil soaps leave a film on floors that dull and damage the finish. Remove the film by mopping with one-half cup distilled white vinegar per gallon of water and a clean terry towel.
Painting laminate flooring offers a completely different look, but you can also just stain your laminate flooring to give it a richer colour.
If you want a modern, contemporary or minimalist room, try a black or gray laminate floor. If you want a beach or coastal-style room, go for a lighter or whitewashed wood color. If you want a traditional-style room, opt for oak or cherry wood coloring.
A light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling—use a light color or white to "open up" the space above.
Unlike wood, however, laminate floors don't have any grain. The color and grain you see are actually just images printed onto the fiberboard and sealed by a layer of protective resin. Accordingly, too much sanding on laminate could end up scratching the underlying image and distorting the look of the board completely.
As long as you have healthy hardwood, you can sand and refinish it. You will need to fully sand the floor first. After sanding, you can stain the floor a different color. From there, you add the finish.
ZEP Commercial Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner
This powerful, ready-to-use spray removes scuff marks, stains, dirt, grime, and dust. It also has a quick drying time, restores shine, does not require rinsing, and leaves a fresh yet subtle scent.
Vinegar – is a great all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant, and shine improver. We only use a small amount of vinegar and never let it 'sit' on the laminate.
Bona Hard-Surface Floor Polish is designed to effectively protect and restore the shine to dull, worn or scratched hard tile, laminate, stone, and vinyl floors. Easy to use formula dries fast leaving a long-lasting high gloss shine.
Yes, the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is safe for your laminate floor. Bona Cleaners are safe for your floor as long as your floor is sealed or finished, and unwaxed or unoiled. Both the Hardwood Floor Cleaner and the Stone, Tile and Laminate Floor Cleaner are pH balanced and leave no dulling or sticky residues behind.
Yes, but we recommend checking the natural laminate cleaner above. Also note that dish soap should be used in minimal amounts. Contact the manufacture of your laminate floor. Our favorite dish soap is Dawn to mop floors.
We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on. Allow 48 hours before setting furniture and returning pets. Carpets and area rugs can be placed after 1 full week.
For oil-based polyurethane, it can take up to 24-48 hours for the finish to dry and up to 72 hours for the fumes to dissipate completely. Therefore, it is recommended that you stay out of your home for at least 72 hours after applying an oil-based polyurethane finish.
The palm sander is definitely the most common tool for sanding a wooden floor by hand. Palm sanders also oscillate, however, unlike orbital random sanders, the pad of the palm sander is fixed straight.