Antiquing and Aging New Hardwood Floors

Sweep and mop the floor. Open windows to improve airflow. Give the floor an hour to thoroughly dry.

Mix equal parts of shellac and denatured alcohol. Wear a respirator while handling shellac. Unplug devices in the room that cause sparks, such as air conditioning units and refrigerators.

Dip a brush or lambswool applicator (similar to a mop) into the shellac mixture. Apply it to the floor in long, fluid strokes. The shellac dries quickly and will leave streaks if you apply it unevenly. Wait two hours for the shellac to thoroughly dry.

Sand the floor with a fine grade of sandpaper. Do not scrub off the shellac; you only want to lightly scour it. Once you've scoured the whole floor, sweep away any dust.

Apply the antiquing glaze with a brush or paint roller in 6-by-6 foot sections. As you apply the glaze, use a rag to lightly wipe it away from high-traffic areas, such as doors and the middle of hallways. This will give the floor a worn look. Conversely, apply extra glaze to areas that experience little traffic, such as corners and edges.

Wait 24 hours for the glaze to thoroughly dry. Lightly sand it again. Sweep away dust. Apply another layer of shellac. Wait at least two hours for it to dry. Once it's dry, your floor is ready.