Day: November 12, 2021

Wood floors are beautiful, but they can get damaged easily. This is why you should know how to apply polyurethane to floors correctly. Polyurethane is a very important part of the flooring process because it protects your hardwood from scratches and other damages.

But if you don’t apply it correctly, your efforts will be useless. If you want to learn everything about this topic, keep reading our article.

Follow this step-by-step guide on how to apply polyurethane for floors correctly using the right products and tools. This way, you can be sure that your hardwood flooring will look great with minimal effort on your part.

What You’ll Need

Mineral spiritsWhite vinegarContainer or canNatural bristle brushOil-based polyurethaneWater-based polyurethaneBreathing and synthetic protectionPainter’s tapePaint tray and linersVacuum machineSander machineCutting padMixing stickRoller padGrit sandpaperSteel woolClean clothsPolyurethanePaint brush

Choose the Type of Polyurethane

You can choose water-based polyurethane if your floors are natural color or oil-based polyurethane if your floor has been stained or finished. Water-based polyurethane is the way to go if you’re hoping to complete the project within one day. Oil-based polyurethane tends to be less expensive than water-based, but it takes more prep work and time to complete the job.

Water-based polyurethane looks milky and dries to a clear finish, while oil-based adds a deeper hue to the existing color of the floor. Oil-based also has a strong odor and takes longer to dry.

Make Sure You Have a Well-Ventilated Working Area

One of the most important steps to follow when applying polyurethane is to have a well-ventilated working area. If you plan on applying several coats, it’s best to use a room with a large open window and a fan. Put on proper protective equipment before applying polyurethane.

Make sure your windows are open and use window fans to circulate fresh air throughout the room. Open your doors to allow the smell of polyurethane to escape

Prepare the Floor by Sanding

Lightly sand down rough surface on your wood floor. Sanding down your hardwood flooring is very important because it gives the new coat of polyurethane a nice smooth surface that will allow the finish to adhere. Sweep and mop your floors before sanding; you don’t want sawdust in between coats.

Image caption: https://www.thespruce.com/

If possible, try not to use a hose or power washer to clean your floor as it can damage wood grain and cause water damage to a floor. You might not even know it is damaged. Allow the wood flooring to dry before continuing. Start sanding while considering the condition of your floor.

Rent a sanding machine and use the machine’s user manual to guide you. If your floors are severely damaged, and you want to change the color completely, sand down the wood to bare wood. 

On the other hand, you can screen and recoat with polyurethane without sanding down the flooring, but make sure you remove any glue or residue left on the floors. Wipe down your room with a tack cloth to pick up sawdust. Allow your hardwood to dry completely while sanding.

Vacuum Your Floor

The sanding process can kick up a lot of sawdust, so start this step by using a shop vacuum cleaner to carefully suck up the debris. Use a vacuum machine to clean all the dust and unwanted particles from the floor. Carefully clean all corners so that small objects like hair and cotton balls don’t cause a problem later.

Cleaning is very important as it will leave you with a beautiful topcoat. So, after vacuuming, use white vinegar and water to wipe down your floor. Remember to turn on the fan to let the room dry quickly. This will enable your wooden floor to become stronger and more flexible.

Make sure you clean all the edges and corners properly, as this is a major part of the wooden floor. Make sure you use a white vinegar and water solution and also a mop. Don’t forget to wear your gloves while using this product.

Once it’s clean, use a dry cloth to wipe down all remnants of cleaners on your floor. You can then use a hairdryer to make sure there’s no moisture left on the floor. If you’re applying water-based polyurethane, make sure you stain your wooden flooring before applying the polyurethane.

Wipe Down the Surface by Mineral Spirits

After vacuuming, use mineral spirits or paint thinner to wipe down the surface. Apply it with a lint-free cloth, let this dry completely and make sure there are no streaks left behind on your flooring. This will remove all the remaining debris and dust.

Make sure you wipe the entire floor as you pay much attention to cracks and crevices to remove all oil and dust particles. After wiping, allow it to dry fully before coating it with polyurethane. You can find mineral spirits in the paint-and-primer section of home improvement stores, hardware stores, and superstores in your area.

Protect Your Baseboards with Masking Tape

If you have wooden baseboards in your home, make sure to protect them from the overspray of polyurethane when painting your floor with masking tape. This tape will help keep any polyurethane from getting on the baseboards when projecting it onto the floor’s surface. To stick the tape to the wall, just run a wet rag along the surface.

Mix Your Polyurethane

Mixing your polyurethane will help you achieve a durable coating. You can use a big jar or can to get your polyurethane liquid in one container. Pouring all your liquid in one container will help them mix better than in separate containers.

Use a stirrer or paint stick to remove all lumps of polyurethane before application. A stick will help you get all the layers, so there aren’t any shades of color on your floor. Keep stirring until your entire mixture is even and smooth. Your container should also be large enough to be able to mix it without spilling or making a mess.

After all, you wouldn’t want to run out of liquid before applying the liquid in your entire room. When you’re done mixing, shake your can of polyurethane, then pour it on a paint tray.

pplying the Polyurethane

Apply the first coat using a paint brush or painter’s pad. You can also use a bristle brush but not lambswool applicator or foam pads. These tools leave it hard to remove streaks, so be sure to use a good brush when applying polyurethane. Don’t make your layers too thick; they should be about 1/16 of an inch or less.

Use a bristle brush to coat all the corners and edges of your floor. You can use a very thin, light coat on these areas to ensure that they dry correctly and don’t form water bubbles. After that, use an applicator pad or roller pad to brush your polyurethane onto the rest of your floor. This should be a medium to heavy coat, but again, not too thick.

When applying polyurethane with an applicator pad, go in small sections, covering about four to six square feet at a time. You can use one hand for rolling and another for turning the pad over. This process has the potential to become very messy, so you should have something to wipe your hands off as you go.

pply the Second and Third coat

Let the floor dry overnight, then fill in any missed spots with a second coat of polyurethane the next day. Water-based polyurethane products are not as thick as oil-based polyurethane products, and they take less time to dry than oil-based polyurethane.

Image caption: https://static.woodmagazine.com/

So, give it 3-4 hours to dry before applying the next coat. If you want to use an oil-based product, you’ll need to wait one week between coats. After your first coat is fully dried, softly sand the entire floor with 220-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.

Before applying the second coat, use liquid white vinegar to wipe down the floor. It’s also important to clean your wooden floors before you apply the second coat. Follow the same steps as with your first coat to apply the second coat.

The last thing you want to do is put on too much polyurethane, which will leave oily patches that will be impossible to clean up without damaging your flooring. So apply it sparingly and take your time. One good coat should do the trick for most floors, but you may need to go over certain problem areas twice to achieve a consistent finish.

Let your wood floor sit for three to four hours before sanding and cleaning the surface. Paint the final coat, the third coat, and leave your floor dry for three to four hours to get the prolific finish.

Use Abrasive Pad to Even Out the Surface

To create an even finish and to help with the drying process, it is advisable to rub the polyurethane with a piece of coarse sandpaper or steel wool. This will give you a smoother surface and ensure that your finished product has an attractive sheen.

Recoat the Finish and Let it Dry for 24 Hours

Avoid walking on your floor for 24 hours after applying the final coat. Wait until the polyurethane dries before walking in. Don’t replace your furniture for at least three days, and wait for one week before replacing your rugs and carpets. This will make your floor fully cure.

Image caption: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/

Clean the Floor

Clean up any spills immediately with a damp cloth to prevent stains from setting into the finish. Always use an approved cleaner on your floor, as well as a mop or dry rag to clean it. Avoid using water if possible, as this will create marks and streaks.

FAQS on How to Apply Polyurethane for Floors

What is the best applicator for polyurethane on floors?

Polyurethane is applied with a brush, paint roller, or spraying. Brush application gives an even finish and is recommended for small areas of less than 150 square feet. Rollers are easier to handle on smooth surfaces, while spraying requires more skill but can get into hard-to-reach corners.

How often do I need to apply polyurethane?

Recoating your floor with polyurethane depends on many factors: traffic and use, frequency of cleaning, and how long you wait between coats. Most floors need refinishing every year or two. The first coat should be applied as soon as the old finish has dried thoroughly. 

Final Thought on How to Apply Polyurethane for Floors

Polyurethane coating is an extremely useful liquid to improve the durability of your surface. A perfectly wooden floor also makes a home a comfortable place to live in. Make sure you follow the steps mentioned above correctly because using incorrect steps can waste time and money.

Follow this guide on applying polyurethane on hardwood floors to complete your flooring project in the right manner. It is always better to use all available resources before starting with any home improvement activity.

The post How to Apply Polyurethane for Floors appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://chefbuano.com/?p=676

Jessica Bell

chefbuano.com

Growing your vegetables is a great way to save money and get healthy farm produce. But finding the time or space for a large vegetable garden can be hard. A small veggie garden doesn’t have to be boring. You can create an amazing-looking vegetable garden in just about any size yard or patio area with some creativity, plus rich, fertile soil and adequate water. 

By growing your food in a small space garden all year long, you’ll save money while getting some exercise and enjoying nature. This article will show how to grow veggies even if you live in an apartment or condo with limited garden space. It includes information on what types of plants do well in small spaces and techniques for maximizing the available area so that more crops can be grown there.

Grow Vegetables in Containers

A great way to grow vegetables in a limited space is by using containers that can be moved around as needed. Try growing them in containers filled with potting soil if you don’t have a patio, porch, balcony, yard, or driveway area for garden beds and rows of crops. It’s important to use a good quality potting mix, not dirt from the yard.

Image credit: https://www.backyardgardenlover.com/

The potting soil mix will make sure the plants get enough air circulation and drainage, so they don’t get root rot or other fungal diseases. If growing on the ground is not an option due to poor soil, lack of sun, and space limitations, containers are the best alternative. When growing edibles in these containers, choose patio or dwarf varieties and shallow-rooted plants such as lettuce, garlic, radishes, and leeks.

In containers, you use anything that holds soil, from fabric grow bags to old metal wash buckets, as long as you provide good drainage. Container plants also need good water, so do not leave them dry out completely. Fertilize your containers during the growing season by using organic fertilizer such as liquid kelp. Grow your tomatoes, peppers, and basil from seed using your large container.

Choose Compact Varieties

If you must have giant vegetables like beefsteak tomatoes or a row of sweet corn, then the space for growing other vegetables in your small vegetable garden will be limited. Fortunately, you can choose varieties that are bred to grow in small spaces. 

Any plant with the name patio, pixie, tiny, compact, and baby and dwarf in the name is a good bet. If a plant is bred to be small, it doesn’t mean that the fruits will be small or less yield. The labeling of seeds and seedlings will indicate the mature size of the plant varieties. 

There is an area set aside for growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs in the traditional approach, but in small gardens, this isn’t possible. So, try growing edible and ornamental plants together. Planting flowers and vegetables together will make it harder for pests to hone in on specific crops. 

An abundance of blooms will also ensure there are always beneficial insects on hand to pollinate flowering vegetables and all types of fruit. Also, include edible flowers such as borage, nasturtiums, lavender, calendula, chives, and thyme. 

Don’t forget to create a pollinator-friendly garden by planting ground cover. Try growing fennel or dill with your vegetables. The scents of these plants will attract bees or butterflies, which are also beneficial for pollination purposes.

Use Vertical Space

A small garden doesn’t have to mean a lack of vegetables. Try growing vegetables vertically on walls, fences, or railings. The tying string between two sturdy stakes is an effective way of growing runner beans or peas. Plant climbing varieties of cucumbers, tomato plants, and different types of squash are at the base of fixed support for them to grow up along.

Image credit: https://www.almanac.com/

 A rose arbor, trellis, or even a clothesline can be put to good use in the garden by growing beans up it. This frees up ground space and will save you money on buying plant supports. So if you don’t want to grow a variety of vegetables in your small garden, look for compact varieties and vining crops that you can grow vertically on support structures. 

You can also opt for pole beans instead of bush beans. Vining cucumbers can also take up less space despite their nature. Growing your vegetables vertically won’t only save space but will also create structure and visual interest.

Grow High-Value Crops Vertically

If you only have a small space to grow in, you want to make sure that the vegetables you plant are of high value. Try growing more expensive crops like heirloom tomatoes or leafy greens instead of radishes or onions. By doing this, you can fit more plants into the same amount of space and increase your profits.

Make sure you maximize your small space by growing small amounts of different crops that offer big rewards like salad leaves, leafy greens, fresh herbs, and chili plants. Give your crops some space to enable them to get high density by using a high nutrient moisture-retentive soil mixture. 

Make sure that you choose vegetables that are suitable for your climate and grow well in containers. You can use different pots such as rectangular plastic tubs, large buckets, or circular half barrels to place plants on top of each other and maximize space and yield. 

Choose compact varieties that are suitable for growing this way and arrange them to maximize your visual impact. You can also use hanging baskets to catch that valuable sunlight.

Position Your Small Vegetable Garden Near the Kitchen

It is important to consider the best place to put your small vegetable garden. The most convenient location for harvesting would be near the kitchen entrance, so you don’t have to carry them far when it’s time to store them in the fridge. Select vegetables suitable for growing indoors, such as cherry tomatoes and baby carrots, which can fit nicely in small spaces.

Image credit: https://st.hzcdn.com/

Most small vegetable crops are annuals. They have a very short timescale and need to grow rapidly. And to enhance their performance, they need a lot of help and plenty of food to fuel their growing process, and that’s only possible in full sun. This small vegetable garden idea allows you to place your crops near the kitchen for ease of use, and you can also pay close attention to pests and diseases.

Plant Your Vegetables in Pots

To have a successful vegetable patch indoors, you need to install it in containers. There are different kinds of pots that you can use for this purpose, such as flower pots and barrels. You should find a wide variety in your local garden store or supermarket, one that has good drainage holes in the bottom.

Image credit: https://gardenerspath.com/

Organic soil is the best option because regular soil or compost can get dirty quickly. If you use a regular potting mix, your containers will need to be turned over regularly so that all of the dirt is mixed up with the new material being added each time. 

Use tubs, pots, hanging baskets, and troughs to grow vegetables and herbs. Potted edibles and other container gardening ideas are convenient for small vegetable gardens using a patio and a court space. You can use your large container to plant flowers and a range of crops, including salad leaves and chilies, which are decorative and practical.

Regular harvesting of your plant leaves, such as lettuce and chard, will help prevent crowding. Both your crops and containers should be compatible with the growth of the plants.

Consider Companion Planting

There are some vegetables that work well together. For instance, basil can help control tomato plant pests and fertilize with its nitrogen content. Dill attracts the predators of aphids, ladybirds, and hoverflies to your small garden. 

Companion touted plants not only prevent pest infestation but also help conserve space. Shade-loving flowers and plants can also benefit when planted next to taller plants. Other leafy greens and basil hate hot afternoons and will thrive when grown next to tomatoes.

Lettuce will also keep on producing all summer when taller plants shade them. You can plant early harvested vegetables such as spinach, radishes, and peas with slow-growing crops such as broccoli, root vegetables, and peppers.

Build a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

Raised beds are a very popular way of growing edibles in a small vegetable garden. You can also design your raised beds using various companion planting techniques. 

Image credit: https://site.extension.uga.edu/

Plant garlic, leeks, and onions together with beans snap peas, and corn for a high-yielding low maintenance combo of vegetables. You can use brick, wood, and sleepers to frame your bed. Make sure you fill your beds with good quality soil and then add your vegetables or fruits.

Plant a Small Vegetable Garden amongst Flowers

Growing vegetables in a small vegetable garden require creative thinking. If you don’t have much room for a full-sized vegetable garden, grow veggies among flowers. Vegetable and fruit plants can blend attractively beside other plants. Some flower bed winners would do well with most vegetables like carrots, spinach, tomatoes, and beans. 

Transplant your young seedlings of cauliflowers into the bed prepared to plant flowers. Once they mature, the heads of the cauliflower are protected from sunlight due to the foliage of the surrounding flowers. With its pretty daisy-like flower blooms, this plant will shade your vegetables very well, which makes it perfect for carrots and spinach.

Grow Vegetables in Window Boxes

You can also grow vegetables in window boxes that you’ve hung near your windows. Vegetables like lettuce, peas, and beans will yield a bountiful harvest provided they get enough sunlight and water. Tomatoes and peppers do well when placed next to the kitchen window for this reason; you’ll always see them when inside the house and be reminded to care for them.

If you grow vegetables in boxes, you will find that they need more frequent watering than vegetables planted outside the house. The reason for this is that soil in boxes heats up faster and dries out quicker. You can try covering the bottom of your window box with enough bags of brown peat moss to allow the soil in your box to retain more moisture. 

An advantage of growing vegetables in boxes is that you can move them around, placing them where they will get full sun and thus ripen faster. A disadvantage of raising your vegetables indoors is that they produce a smaller yield than those grown outside the house. For this reason, it is best to start your plants in the house and transplant them outdoors once they are large enough.

Succession Planting

Succession planting is useful for any planting technique, whether it is a large or small vegetable garden. But it is most valuable when you have limited garden space. It means reseeding quick-growing garden crops from two to three weeks during the growing season. It’s useful for plants such as zucchini, beans, and lettuce.

Small-Space Vegetable that Grows and Produce Well

Pole Beans and Peas

Start your peas on trellis in early spring, and they’ll provide you with fresh peas as well as a nice crop of fertilizer for early-season flowers and vegetables. In the fall, plant your pole beans in large clumps or groups instead of rows. This will allow them to take advantage of any heat retained from the summer; they will produce a crop before the cold weather sets in again.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are very popular in gardens, but they require a lot of room that the average gardener may not have. Cherry tomatoes are often grown on plants that can be planted alongside regular vegetable crops. Smaller varieties work very well for container gardening; some good choices are determinate tomatoes, beefsteak, and green tomatoes. Make sure you learn how to prune tomatoes for better yields.

Salad Greens

These are among the easiest vegetables to grow. You can even grow them indoors in your kitchen. The key is finding a good fertilizer that will not be too strong for your baby greens and giving them enough nutrition to mature into full-size heads of lettuce, spinach, or other salad crops.

FAQs on Vegetable Gardening in a Small Space

What kinds of vegetables can be grown indoors?

Certain kinds can be grown indoors, such as carrots and tomatoes, though you should first research to see if they will grow well in a container. Also, mint is easy to grow and can help cleanse any containers you use for your indoor garden.

What do you need to learn before starting a vegetable garden?

You should investigate the needs and requirements of your chosen veggies and decide on your space and what equipment you need beforehand.

How much water is required per day for growing vegetables in pots?

Vegetables grown in pots will require more frequent watering than those grown in the ground. Be prepared to water your plants at least twice a day if they are grown in pots, and make sure you allow them to drain.

Final Thought on Small Space Vegetable Garden

Growing vegetables in a small space is possible, but you need to be more creative than planting in a large yard. If you’re growing your vegetables, it is important that you know what works best for the type of vegetables that you want to grow and pay attention to their sunlight and water needs. Your site location should also have adequate sunlight, access to water sources, and has rich, fertile soil.

The post Vegetable Gardening in a Small Space appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://chefbuano.com/?p=665

Jessica Bell

chefbuano.com