If you are looking to add charm and elegance to your home's interior, you may want to do something with your floors. By having antique heart pine flooring installed, you can increase the value and improve its appeal. Pine has been used for ages in the construction of homes. Keep in mind that this type of material needs some special care if you want it to last and keep its beautiful appearance throughout the years. Here are a few things you can do to keep your antique heart pine flooring in tip top condition. Antique heart pine flooring is made from incredibly dense wood. This means that it has some resistance to normal wear and tear. It is much more durable than many other types of wood that used in floors and this makes it a material that is very valuable. You want to take extra precaution to help preserve the hues of red, gold and amber in the wood. It is a good idea to refinish your floors periodically to increase their durability and keep them clean. You need to visually inspect your antique heart pine flooring for signs of damage. You should be on the lookout for holes, scratches and other blemishes that can mar its beauty. You may not need to replace the whole surface if there are only certain areas that need attention. Holes can be plugged and any pieces that have come loose can be hammered back into place. Sweep your floors to remove any dust and debris. Any damaged boards need to be fixed. Once they have been fixed, you can get started with the sanding process. It is recommended to use a sand paper that has 80-grit. Remove any shavings and dust with a vacuum. Use a soft tack cloth to wipe your floors down. This is done to help prepare the surface for staining. You may want to use a wood conditioner on the area. By using a pre-stain conditioner, you are protecting your antique heart pine flooring from developing a blotchy and streaked appearance once you have applied the stain. You can use an old rag or paintbrush to apply the conditioner. Allow the treated surface to dry for at least a half an hour before you start applying the stain. Keep in mind how dark you want your pine flooring to be. Make sure that you are using a stain that is specifically for old floors. When you apply the stain, the longer you allow it to soak into the wood, the darker your finish will be. Do not allow the penetration time for the stain solution to be left on for longer than fifteen minutes. If you don't achieve your desired darkness the first time, you can always use an additional application. Don't forget to apply a sealer to protect the stain. You can use a polyurethane solution. Apply a thin coat of the solution and allow it to dry for at least two hours. Once the floor is completely dry, you should sand the floor with a 220 grit piece of sandpaper. Vacuum up the dust and you are done. You can also add another layer of sealer. Are you interested in preserving the look of your antique heart pine flooring? Contact Albany Woodworks, Inc. To learn more about how, visit http://www.albanywoodworks.com.
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