[msh1285]

We recently purchased our home and are doing some minor renovations, including flooring.

Upstairs in the attic where our bedroom will be was old and nasty carpet. We took that up to reveal what appear to be original (1880s) soft pine floor boards. They are not in great shape and are unwalkable without shoes due to the rough surface and splintering of the wood in certain places.

I had some flooring guys take a look to try for an estimate but they suggested the best thing to do would be to lay new flooring over it.

I'd rather attempt to sand and seal the wood myself if possible to make it usable for a couple of years before we replace everything. The issues are the rough shape of the floor and that it's soft pine with nails on the surface.

Any thoughts or ideas on the best way to sand and seal?

Thanks!

 

[tkastuff]

It would definitely be easier to just nail new floor over it, but it sounds like you are looking short term and cost sensitive. If you don't mind a aged antique look, it could be fine. I have done the same thing with oak multiple times and had good success when the product I am starting with is relatively level and solid. It looks like 2 medium to small rooms, so your not in over your head cost wise if you nix the refinishing idea. Good luck.

 

[BigJim]

I have seen floors like your finished and it looked pretty good as it went with that time period. Set the nails deep enough that the sand paper don't hit them or it will cost you a small fortune in sand paper, sand them out and apply finish.

 

[jb8578]

These are my 1874 pine floors. Lightly sanded with a hand sander as it appeared they had never been finished. Then three coats of oil-base poly brushed on.

I would not use a large drum sander as it would tear them up. Especially on the plain sawn boards as they will flake up easily.

They'll never be like new flooring. Still will be rough with snags and splinters. Use an area rug.

 

[jb8578]

here is a photo of them sanded up

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... This is what I did with my 1913 softwood floors,.....

1st picture is what was under the nasty floorin' I removed, several layers of nasty floorin',...

After cleanin' it, it was 'bout a week on my knees caulkin' it up,.....

Then of course, the sandin' to be done, rented floor sander,...

And this is after a couple 3 coats of floor varnish,....

 

[msh1285]

These are my 1874 pine floors. Lightly sanded with a hand sander as it appeared they had never been finished. Then three coats of oil-base poly brushed on.

I would not use a large drum sander as it would tear them up. Especially on the plain sawn boards as they will flake up easily.

They'll never be like new flooring. Still will be rough with snags and splinters. Use an area rug.

This looks great. I'll be lucky if ours look half as good as this.

When you say hand sander could you please be more specific (new to this whole thing) on the type you used?

Thanks!

 

[KC_Jones]

The pine can be made to look like brand new. These are the ones I did. I used a drum sander with 24 grit to start (just to get old "finish" off) and had zero issues.