How long should you wait before you can walk on polished floorboards?
Polished floorboards are a beautiful addition to any home or business, providing a sleek and elegant look that's hard to beat. But if you're planning to have your floorboards sanded and polished, you may wonder how long it will be before you can walk on them without damaging the finish.
How long do water-based polished floors take to dry?
Water-based finishes offer a quicker drying time, typically allowing you to walk on your floors after around 24 hours, but it's still best to wait at least 48 hours before allowing heavy foot traffic or furniture.
How long do oil-based polished floors take to dry?
If you've opted for an oil-based finish, you'll need to wait a bit longer before walking on your floors. Typically, it takes around 24-48 hours for the finish to cure fully, but it's best to wait at least 72 hours before allowing foot traffic. During this time, it's important to keep the room well-ventilated and avoid placing any heavy objects on the floor, as this can cause dents and scratches.
Humidity and Temperature affect the drying process
The humidity and temperature of a room can have a big impact on how long it takes for your floors to dry and cure. If the air in the room is too humid, it can slow down the drying process, while overly dry air can cause the wood to warp and crack.
As Sydney experiences varying levels of humidity across the year, our team will provide the best advice depending on the current weather conditions.
Foot Traffic
The amount of foot traffic your floors receive also impacts how long you should wait before walking on them. If it's a high-traffic area, such as a hallway or living room, it's best to wait a bit longer to ensure the finish has fully cured. In low-traffic areas, you may be able to walk on the floors sooner.
Can I sleep in my house after staining my floorboards?
Depending on the type of stain you have chosen, the fumes can be harmful if inhaled in large amounts and can also cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
Because of this, we don’t recommend sleeping in a room that has been stained for at least 24-48 hours.
If there is an area of your home that hasn’t been stained we recommend sleeping there or in a hotel for the first night or two after staining.
How do I make sure my home is well-ventilated after staining my floorboards?
Open windows and doors: The easiest way to ventilate a room is by opening windows and doors. This allows fresh air to circulate in the room, pushing out any fumes and bringing in the fresh air.
Use fans: Fans help to circulate the air in a room, which can speed up the drying process and remove fumes. Place fans in strategic locations, such as near windows or doors, to create a cross-breeze that helps to ventilate the room.
Turn on the air conditioner: If the weather outside is too hot or humid to open windows, turn on the air conditioner to help circulate the air and remove fumes.
Use an air purifier: Air purifiers can help to remove fumes from the air, improving a room’s air quality. Choose an air purifier with a HEPA filter to ensure that it captures even the smallest particles.
Sydney’s Floor Sanding and Staining Experts
If you have any questions regarding our floorboard staining process and aftercare, don’t hesitate to contact our professional team to discuss your options.
Feature image by Thirdman
