How to Merge Hardwood Flooring When Removing a Wall

Put on safety glasses and a dust mask before attaching a course-grit sandpaper belt, such as 60, to a belt sander. Plug in the belt sander and place it on the portion of the hardwood floor that was previously covered by the wall.

Turn the sander on and move it back and forth along the board following the length of it which is also the direction of the wood grain. Continue sanding until the top of the wood feels smooth and there are no discernable ridges or bumps in the surface.

Vacuum the floor area thoroughly and then wipe the hardwood floor boards with a tack cloth to remove all the wood dust.

Examine the floor for any nail holes left by the wall material. Fill in the holes with wood putty pressed into them firmly with a putty knife. Allow the putty to dry completely and then sand it down with the belt sander to smooth it out.

Vacuum the area again and then wipe the floor with the tack cloth to clean it.

Open a can of shellac that matches the floor as closely as possible. Insert a paint brush into the shellac and brush it over the hardwood floor boards.

Examine the board color to see if it is too dark and if needed, wipe the board immediately with a clean cloth to lighten the stain. If the stain is too light, allow it to dry and then apply a second coat to darken it.

Wait until the shellac is completely dry and open a can of clear polyurethane. Paint all repaired boards with it to seal and protect them.