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If you’re considering hardwood floor refinishing for your home, you’re in for a treat. Refinishing a floor is almost like having plastic surgery on your house; it’s rejuvenating, making things look brand new. And in most cases, the cost of refinishing compared to replacing is cheaper. Also, as wood is a natural product, natural variations are a big part of its appeal, and these can be highlighted when refinishing hardwood floors. It’s all part of the character of the wood and home.
When it comes to wood floors, there’s nothing like the real thing. It can be an expensive endeavor, but once you have your original hardwood floors back, you’ll never want to go back. Learn more about the six things you need to know before refinishing your hardwood floor.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning
A good deep cleaning can restore the shine of hardwood floors. But over time, hardwood floors can become dirty and dull. The first step is thorough sweeping and vacuuming. For stubborn stains, use a concentrated cleaner and re-rinse well. And be sure to sweep up every few days as well to prevent buildup from dust and dirt that can dull their finish.
There are some hardwood floors that will not be restored. If you want to save your floor, however, then refinishing is an option. Refinishing gives you a new looking floor without having to sand or take up the entire floor.
Prepping the Floor and Room for Wood Floor Maintenance
Keep in mind that anything left inside the room will be exposed to plenty of dust and debris during the hardwood floor refinishing process. If necessary, thoroughly sweep and mop the floor to clean it before refinishing. Check that all vents, doorways, and electrical outlets that will need to be covered.
The dust and debris generated from the sanding process will now be significantly reduced. But you will still want to cover everything, including electrical outlets and furniture that needs to remain in the room. You may want to consider hiring a contractor to completely refinish your floors; if you decide against this, cover the electrical outlets with plastic and tape around any openings or cracks in the flooring where dust or debris could enter.
Sanding and Refinishing Doesn’t Fix Gaps
For the most part, it is possible to refinish hardwood floors indefinitely. It all comes down to how much wear and tear they have endured and how well they are maintained. Hardwood floors need to be sanded once in a while if you’re going for a new look. If not sanded, the floor will soon show it by becoming dull or discolored. Even if you use your wood flooring daily, the wood needs to be cared for properly so its finish can last as long as possible. Your furniture can leave scratches on the wood so planning ahead is key. Hand sanding and using a low-dust vacuum will help minimize dust from particle board, plywood and MDF floors. If there is any noticeable gap that shows after refinishing, it will most likely be there afterward as well. It is good to remember that everyone has a little different type of wood floor. Each person’s floor can have different color variations and some knots; however, these unique color trends also help highlight the natural beauty of each hardwood floor.