Im getting ready to install 3/4" pine 6" & 8" wide plank flooring. My existing house is about 200 years old, and I want the floors to look old. I dont want a nice perfect smooth flat floor. How much sanding do I need to do as a minimum?

Thanks!

Andrew

Don't sand them then. Just beat them up while you're installing them, stain them dark and finish with satin Waterlox. Instant old floors!

Sounds good. I probably will need to spot sand, in case of splinters. Some one suggested I needed to sand off the glazing left by the planing to open up the pores of the wood..Is that a real concern or just a myth?


Andrew

You should make test samples before trying to do anything to the floors. There shouldn't be splinters in flooring and sanding isn't going to address those very well anyway. You may have milling marks depending on the quality of the product you purchased. I can't see it from here. If you do not like the way it looks now, unsanded, then you will need to sand it. How much is dependent on the quality of the flooring you bought.

Good advice! Thanks Gary!

Andrew

Just shooting from the hip here but you could sand it first, before you install it, if/as necessary for prep. That way you don't smooth out all the joints.

That would be a cool type of flooring to offer, the "old and beat up" look. You could just toss the wood in the truck, pile it up wherever and not take any care about keeping it nice, use old warped faded scrap pieces, get hammer marks and scuffs wherever you want... and charge a premium at the same time!

Just a tidbit I learned from an "Old Guy"who had done this for years. After you have gotten the floor ready to finish,(antiqued to your liking ), go over it with a damp cloth or well wrung out applicator of your choice. This will make the grain "pop" just enough to give it a little more character. Then apply your finish. I have done this and it looks great!