Last Updated on December 9, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
Can bamboo floors be refinished? People have contradicting information about this, but the truth is bamboo floors can be refinished. Refinishing bamboo floors is cheaper than installing new flooring.
Fixing new flooring is an additional cost most homeowners don’t love to incur. However, to reduce the refinishing frequency, you should seal and clean the floor often.
What is Bamboo Flooring?
Bamboo is one of the many flooring options you can install on your floors. Although there are several myths and opinions regarding bamboo, it’s one of the best flooring options. All you need to do for it to last is do regular cleaning and maintenance.
Read along to have a great understanding of bamboo flooring to enable you to discern the popular myths surrounding it.
How to Refinish Bamboo Flooring
Since you can refinish your bamboo floor, it means there’s a process of doing so. You can use the following procedure to give your floors a new look;
1. Sand the Floor
First, do away with the old finish that’s still on the floor. You can use sanders with medium grit but ensure you apply equal pressure to remove the finish alone. Doing this will result in a smooth bamboo surface.
2. Sweep
Afterward, sweep the floor to enable you to see areas with scratches. Then wash it using mild bamboo floor cleaner.
Don’t forget to sand it with fine-grain sandpaper to eliminate small scratches to make the surface smoother. Do sweep again to get rid of dirt or particles before you cover the floor with polyurethane.
3. Put Fillers
After removing shallow scratches, refinish deep holes first. It would help if you bought a wood filler to help you do this but ensure it resembles the bamboo’s texture.
Put the wood filler in every hole and on areas with scratches. Remove the extra wood fillers on the floor and smoothen the putty to have a smooth surface. Give it some time to dry before sanding it with a fine-grit sandpaper.
4. Apply Uniform
Usually, after sanding, the floor remains in two different colors the refinished areas being light-colored. To have a uniform look apply a light wood coat stain to the area you were refinishing and then give it time to dry before sealing.
5. Apply Finish
Finally, choose the best type of finish you like and apply it. Don’t forget to give it time to dry before sealing it with polyurethane.
Polyurethane is a strong and scratch-resistant coating that can protect the floor from damage. After the sealant dries, apply a second coat to make the finish thicker.
Can Bamboo Floors Be Sanded?
The simple answer to this question is yes. You can sand your bamboo floor just as you could do to the wooden floors. Sanding of bamboo floors involves removing scratches, old patches, and any holes in the flooring.
You can then apply a new finish for protection and to give the floor color. Ensure you know how to use the sanding machine or hire a professional to avoid damaging the flooring.
Can Bamboo Flooring Be Stained?
You can stain bamboo flooring; however, it won’t result in an even texture surface since it doesn’t stain well. You will note that some bamboo flooring parts will absorb the stain well while others won’t.
To have the best results understand the fabric and techniques you can use beforehand. It’s not advisable to stain strand woven bamboo on site as it’s a tricky process.
How to Stain Bamboo Floor
There’s a way you can use to stain your bamboo flooring to give it a new look, more so for decorative purposes. Here are the steps you need to follow to stain your bamboo floor;
1. Before you start the whole process, remove all your furniture from the room to have enough working space.
It will also help you in avoiding damage in the areas you’ve stained. Then clean the room to make it dirt and dust-free.
2. Remove old stains by sanding using moderate pressure.
If the sawdust coming from the sander is white, it means you’re on the right track. But a darker one requires you to reduce the pressure. Repeat the cleaning to eliminate the sawdust from the sanding and any dirt present. If you leave any particles, it will interfere with floor texture.
3. You now need to start the staining process and get the best results to ensure you do two coats.
Remember, there are various techniques you can use while applying the color, so it depends on your choice. With whichever technique you pick on, ensure the coats are thin and even and don’t leave out any area. Give the coats a two-hour interval to dry off before applying the next layer.
4. To finish off, seal the floor using polyurethane, but this is after allowing the two coats to dry well.
Doing this will give your floors an impermeable touch. Apply the polyurethane finish in two different layers, each getting a two-hour for dying off. The finishing will give your floor a new shiny look that’s scratch-resistant.
How to Seal Bamboo Floor
The reason why you should seal your floors is to make them last longer. Sealing bamboo floors helps protect them from damage before time. It’s advisable to seal your bamboo floors at least once a year. Below is the procedure you can use to seal the bamboo floors;
First, ensure the floors are clean, that’s after removing all the furniture. Use cleaning products meant for hardwood flooring, which are also environmentally friendly.
Don’t use products that are not compatible with your flooring, finishing while cleaning. You can use neutral cleaners and a soft broom to sweep the floor before giving it time to dry.
You can then apply the sealant, which should be compatible with the finishing you intend to use. If you don’t have much information about the best bamboo sealant, consult with the flooring professionals. Apply the sealant according to the manufacturer’s direction.
After the floor dries well, return your furniture but avoid pulling them to prevent damaging the floor.
How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Bamboo Flooring?
The cost of refinishing bamboo flooring depends on the type of products you use. But the price ranges between $1.50 and $4.50 for every square foot. You also need to consider the quality and type of bamboo you want to refinish your floors with.
The thinner types require special care and can only be sanded once. Although the thicker ones can last, and you can sand them more than the ones.
Do Bamboo Floors Scratch Easily?
Bamboo flooring can scratch just like other flooring types, but it mostly depends on the quality you install. If you fix the low quality, expect it to scratch fast even if you take good care of it. But with high-quality bamboo flooring, it will take time before they start getting scratches.
Also, the strand-woven or the Cali bamboo can take decades before getting scratches, unlike the traditional types. Note that sharp objects like high heels or a pet’s claws can increase the scratches’ vulnerability. So be careful with them by doing proper maintenance.
Conclusion
Bamboo flooring ranks almost the same as hardwood in terms of durability and quality. It’s capable of resisting moisture or pests. You can stain bamboo flooring to the desired color to give your house a new look.
It also allows you to refinish when it gets old, cutting the cost of installing new flooring. But you have to ensure you seal and clean it regularly for it to last. Also, go for the high quality, which will not spoil faster making you incur extra costs.