You know, that's something I'd never even considered. I'm afraid I could probably make a bigger mess out of it trying to do that than by the simple refinishing though. It sounds like one of those, "In theory it's not that difficult just time consuming," things but given that I'm really not all that handy I'm sure I could really mess it up.

Keep the ideas coming though, I'm thinking it will be at least April before I actually start working on them. Contractor is putting in new windows (reframing and the whole nine yards) then (hopefully) and I sort of want to wait until all of that work is done before I hit the floors.

When they come to do your windows just tell them to take a couple day between taking them out and putting the new ones in this should give you plenty of ventilation. :roflmao:

:withstupi :D

:roflmao: Unfortunately I don't think I'll have to worry about that. The guys who are doing the work do a great job but speed isn't really their thing. They replaced the front and back entry doors to the house this past fall, in three days. :faint:

Hey I resemble that remark.

For once I would have to disagree with OF (unless he was just yanking everyone's chain again)...turning the boards over would likely end up a huge disaster; if these are the typical oak floorboards used since the last half century, they are tongue-&-groove boards nailed tightly together beneath the surface, & the backsides are not flat nor are they finished...they have this molded groove down the middle to make sure they stay flat on the sub-floor even if they warp & cup a little...

Scotz,

The Jarrah floors my sister replaced about 10 years ago were perfectly symmetrical tongue and groove.

If the boards are fancy profiles, the simplest way to refinish them is to have a pro lift them and run them all through an electric plane to take off a few thousandths of an inch. This leaves you the equivalent of virgin boards to stain, wax estapol or fingerpaint as takes your fancy.

Good point, Scotx.

I have heard great things about modern wood floor options, especially the pre-finished boards that friction fit together & left floating on the subfloor. I was assuming that IowaMan's home would be similar to mine, since he said he grew up in it, & the floors would likely be the old 1950s-60s grade materials. But since you bring it up, his best bet (if he can handle the expense) may well be to lay down new floors that don't require the sanding or finishing, thus avoiding the dust & fumes factor altogether. Myself, I couldn't bear the thought of covering up those old floors, installed by the last true craftsmen & intended to outlast the homeowners.

Nope Scotz you're not wrong, this is an old home and the floors have been in for quite some time. I really don't want to cover them up.