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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 Stage 2: Staining Stage 3: Top Coats Stage 4: Buffing Maintaining your floor Optional Extras

Stage 1: Preparation

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

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

Brand: Mako

only £1.77

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
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 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) 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

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 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 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 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.