First we took off the carpet, which was cathartic, because the carpet was disgusting.
Master Bedroom
Landing at top of stairs
Apparently, former owners of the house were not up to restoring the hardwood floors, and found it easier paint over them.
Master Bedroom
Second bedroom on 2nd floor
This had been done many times, and there were many layers of paint. And sanding it didn't work. The sander just spun on it. So, we broke out the life-span-shortening chemicals and did about a week straight of scraping. The paint-stripper was probably the nastiest thing I have ever used. I usually have a theory of household products - I should be able to eat them and not die. This definitely didn't apply here. Even though we wore masks and chemical gloves, this stuff burned through the gloves. Ech.
Guest Room, 1st floor
The base layer of paint on the wood floors was some sort of really awful primer you would use on concrete. It took forever to get off. In some places it just stayed.
Landing on 2nd floor
Then we rented a giant sander from Menards, and spent three days on the floors. And by "we", I mean "Brandon".
After that, there was a lot of sweeping and mopping to get all the dust up. We opted to varnish it instead of staining it, because we liked the color the wood was naturally. So, there was a long period of time of varnish, wait 3 days, sand again, sweep, mop, let dry, varnish again, etc. X3.
But, overall, we're pretty please with the results. The floor has a lot of what we politely call "character". But we really like it. Although if I had it to do over again, I'd just hire someone. Seriously.
After that, there was a lot of sweeping and mopping to get all the dust up. We opted to varnish it instead of staining it, because we liked the color the wood was naturally. So, there was a long period of time of varnish, wait 3 days, sand again, sweep, mop, let dry, varnish again, etc. X3.
But, overall, we're pretty please with the results. The floor has a lot of what we politely call "character". But we really like it. Although if I had it to do over again, I'd just hire someone. Seriously.
Outside kitchen
Landing on 2nd floor
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Second bedroom on 2nd floor.
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Second bedroom on 2nd floor.
3 comments:
OMG!!! That's just mind blowing! A professional would have been justified in charging thousands! I hope the chemicals weren't too life shortening. Maybe you need a few days in a hyperbaric chamber or something!
I'm so proud of you both!! I sent out an email last night to everyone I could think of telling them to go to your site and see the marvelous transformation.
Can't wait to see it in the flesh... or paint... or whatever!!!!
The floors look lovely! Good for you for doing them yourselves, but I would hire someone too...we sanded and buffed ours, but they still have "character" as well.
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