Has anyone successfully refinished 1/4 inch thick hardwood floors in a 1960s house, or is a drum sander too much for them?
Asked by Alex Ruiz 
8 months ago
Last Updated: April 25, 2024
I’ve been considering refinishing my old hardwood floors, but they’re only 1/4 inch thick because it’s a 1960s house. Has anyone tried this on such a thin floor before? I was thinking of using a drum sander, but I’m worried it might be too much. What are your thoughts on this?
How beat up are they?
Has some deep scratches but really not that worn out.
An unidentified participant won’t be able to sand them away. However, you can freshen up the finish by using a pad sander to rough it up, then apply a new coat of polyurethane after wiping with mineral spirits to eliminate any wax residue.
Pad sander might take a while to get rid of all the old finish by the way, I’m just using it to rough it up for better adhesion.
I rarely come across hardwood flooring that is only 1/4 inch thick; it’s usually 3/4 inch thick. Please send photos. Sanding floors properly is a skill that comes from making mistakes. If you choose to sand the floors yourself, ensure that you are moving the drum sander as you lower it to the floor to avoid marks. Also, remember to turn off the furnace to prevent sawdust from being pulled into the HVAC system.
I covered my hardwood floors with luxury vinyl planks and I don’t regret it at all.
I’ve never come across hardwood floors that thin, especially older ones. If they’re solid hardwood, you can use a drum sander, just be careful not to sand too much. A little sanding should do the trick and you can tackle problem areas with some extra attention.
I thought the same thing, I just assumed they were thicker. I removed other floors in a nearby room and that’s when I realized how thin they actually are
Hey there! Maybe try using fine sandpaper on the drum for most of it, and then do touch-ups with a belt sander or orbital sander on the trouble spots. Just make sure to take care. What type of surface is the flooring going on?
3/4 solid wood planks
Drum sander might damage them. Home Depot has a square “vibration” sander for rent that will be safer for the floor, although it may take a bit longer. Sand with progressive grits, apply new coats, etc.
Is it only 1/4 inch thick? I wouldn’t recommend using a big drum sander for sanding floors on your first try.
Hey , trust me, I was just as surprised. But after double-checking, I can confirm that they really are that thin.
Get a pro to do a dustless sanding on your floors. This way, they won’t get damaged and you won’t have much dust to clean up before you refinish them on your own.