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How to Finish Wooden Flooring

Recommendations for solid wood and laminate flooring

Finishing and protecting your wooden floor needn't be an intimidating task. Follow our guide below for step by step instructions and product recommendations to help get the floor you've always dreamed of.

Stage 1: Preparation

Remove wax, fill holes and gaps, then sand...

Wax Remover

Wax Remover     Recommended
Sanding off old wax coats will quickly use up your sandpaper. We recommend using our wax remover to remove as much wax as possible before using sand paper.

Brand: SWS

from £1.95

Stainable Wood Fillers

Stainable Wood Fillers     Best Value
A filler that can be used straight from the tub. It accepts stains, waxes, varnishes and oils and is easy to apply with our filler knife.

Brand: Bonda

only £4.29

Wood Filler Gel

Wood Filler Gel     Best Quality
If you have fine sanding dust (the finer the better) then this superior filler is the best way to make good use of it because the filler is made up of mainly wood, making it closer in appearance to the wood surrounding it.

Brand: Manns

from £16.59

Filler Knife

Filler Knife    
A great tool to apply your chosen filler or remove glue marks with ease.

Brand: Mako

only £1.77

Sandpaper Rolls

Sandpaper Rolls    
Sand the floor with a coarse grit, aluminium oxide sandpaper, following up with a finer grade. Be sure to remove all sanding dust before staining or applying your finishing coats.

Brand: Hermes

from £14.27

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Stage 2: Staining

Colour your floor before adding your top coats...

If you wish to colour your floor (for example if you want to make a new pine floor look like an oak finish) then you have 3 options: Waterbased stain, Wax stain or Solvent stain.

Wood Stain

Wood Stain    
Select your preferred colour from our extensive range. Normally for home projects our water based stain is recommended because it has very little smell and is so easy to work with. Some grain raising will occur.

Brand: Manns

from £2.50

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Wax Stain

Wax Stain     Alternative Product
Our Wax Stain is perfect for giving your floor that aged effect. Only for use with wax top coats.

Brand: Ciranova

from £9.00

Wood Stain (Solvent Based)

Wood Stain (Solvent Based)     Alternative Product
Gives your floor excellent grain enhancement. Select your preferred colour from our range. Quick drying and non-grain raising.

Brand: Manns

from £37.95


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Stage 3: Top Coats

Finish and protect your floor

There are 3 options available for your top coats, each one has its advantage...

Liquid Floor Wax

Liquid Floor Wax     Easy to Apply
Easy application, traditional look with non-slip properties, minimal durability, 2-3 coats required, good sheen.

Brand: Manns

from £3.50

Hard Wax Oil

Hard Wax Oil     Recommended
Natural look, durable, dries within 3 hours, just 2-3 coats required. Most other oils require 3-5 coats to obtain a comparable satin finish. Very easy to repair and very little smell.

Brand: Fiddes

from £3.50

Floor Varnish

Floor Varnish     Best Protection
Natural look, very durable, dries in 90 minutes. 3 coats are usually required and you can choose from a matt, satin or gloss finish. Easy to spray or brush apply.

Brand: Fiddes

from £3.47


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Stage 4: Buffing

Give your floor the professional look it deserves

Buffing is only necessary if your top coats are Hard Wax Oil or Liquid Floor Wax.

Cloth

Cloth    
Economical. More elbow grease required!

Brand: Manns

from £2.97

Drill Buffing Brushes

Drill Buffing Brushes    
Our domed buffing brush is ideal for use on floors.

Brand: Manns

from £15.25


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Maintaining your floor

Looking after your floor...

Waxed floors should be re-waxed every 9-12 months. Oiled floors should be re-oiled every 12-18 months.

Bona Floor Cleaner

Bona Floor Cleaner    
Removes stubborn marks and stains from your floor. For use with oils and varnishes.

Brand: Bona

from £6.77


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Optional Extras

Make your floor-finishing efforts that little bit easier...

HVLP Apollo Spray Mate

HVLP Apollo Spray Mate    
Makes light work of applying all of the above products.

Brand: Apollo

only £102.77

Dust Masks

Dust Masks    
Recommended for use when sanding your floor.

Brand: Manns

only £2.89

Mako Paint Pot

Mako Paint Pot    
Great 'convenience' item with a lid and brush holder.

Brand: Mako

only £2.47

Mako Paint Stirrer

Mako Paint Stirrer    
The perfect stirrer! Doesn't 'slosh' your product all over the place.

Brand: Mako

only £1.20

Mako Bucket

Mako Bucket    
For use with our floor rollers.

Brand: Mako

from £3.77

Cellulose Thinner

Cellulose Thinner    
For use with our Solvent Stain. Perfect for cleaning brushes or diluting.

Brand: SWS

from £4.77


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