How To Approach Hardwood Floor Refinishing?
Given the looks and longevity of hardwood floors, it is understandable why they are widely popular in the market. Once a hardwood floor has been properly constructed, it is believed to last for a lifetime if maintained frequently. Nonetheless, in the case of some stain, tear, or other damage, you may need a
Hardwood Floor Refinisher to inspect the problem and bring you a solution.
Refinishing has many benefits on the flooring, from retaining the beauty and glow of the floor surface to fixing any damage seen on the floor surface. The job of refinishing is usually considered a last resort if the floors have not been maintained well enough over a few years. A floor refinisher must understand the house's architecture and floor planning so they can chalk out a plan on how to approach the project.
Step 1: Assessment
The first step of refinishing begins with an honest assessment of the floors and the inspection of all the damages and disputes. As the floor is thoroughly assessed by a hardwood floor refinisher, they will determine whether the floor is eligible for refinishing.
Step 2: Sandpaper Usage
Next, you must ensure the entire floor has been cleaned using sandpapers with the right grit size. The floor must be rigorously scrutinized before the sanding can begin and for this, the floor must be cleared off of any carpet tracks or debris stuck on the floor surface.
Step 3: Sanding
This is the most crucial step, according to any floor refinisher who has ever worked with other house owners under a similar circumstance. As the floor is swept clean, the sanding process commences from the very center of the room and gradually spreads across the flooring. At the center, you need a drum sander, and for the edges, an edge sander is required to make the process worthwhile and make the wood shine as new.
Step 4: Floor Finish
How your floor is going to look after refinishing inherently depends upon the floor finish you choose. Usually, there are two types of floor finishing that are popularly used in residential floor refinishing: oil-based satin and water-based finish. Some residents may also go for natural resources such as oil and wax, which is great for maintaining the floors and increasing the life of the hardwood.
Step 5: Application
The last phase of hardwood floor refinishing is the application of the floor finish by a professional hardwood floor refinisher to avoid any mishaps. Refinishing is not that much of a tough job; hence, if homeowners have the time to spare, they can do it themselves without having to pay a penny to professional contractors.
Conclusion: Suppose you personally know any floor refinisher from the locality. In that case, it is always wise to call them up to get an inspection conducted and get an estimated quote to start with. Once they give the green signal for the project, you can fix a date for the project to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I fix my hardwood floor without calling upon professional help?
Ans: Hardwood floor refinishing is not much of a heavy task, and many times you can do it yourself without calling for professional help. However, with any knowledge of hardwood floors in general, refinishing can be difficult, increasing the risk of getting it wrong and adversely causing more problems.
2. What is the standard cost of professional hardwood floor refinishing?
Ans: One must consider multiple factors before agreeing to floor refinishing. From the remuneration of the hardwood floor refinisher to the price of the refinishing material, one must be knowledgeable to approach a situation like this. The time required for completing the project and the standard rates of your area are also part of the equation.
3. How do you guess whether you need refinishing or replacing the old hardwood flooring in your house?
Ans: More than the age of the hardwood floor, it is vital to assess the damages the floor has retained over the years. If your hardwood floor has gone through a few refinishing then you must talk to your contractor and let them know the condition of the floor before commencing the project. On the other hand, engineered hardwood floors are ineligible for refinishing.
4. How long does a typical hardwood floor refinishing project take to complete?
Ans: The primary factor is the floor size measured in square feet, which determines the time required to finish the project. Secondly, if the floor requires any specific ingredients, it can delay the project timing until the ingredients can be acquired.
5. What is the usual lifespan of a hardwood floor?
Ans: You can ask your floor refinisher about the present condition of the wood and how long it is supposed to last. Usually, hardwood floors are known to last a very long time, even up to 100 years, when kept under maintenance. So, it is really up to the owner to ensure the longevity of the hardwood flooring.