Hardwood floors are a classic and elegant addition to any home, but they can become scratched or dull over time. Refinishing your hardwood floors can give them a fresh look and extend their lifespan. Before you start refinishing your hardwood floors, there are several critical factors you should be aware of to ensure the best possible results.
Some Flooring Planks May Need Replacing
Before you begin the refinishing process, it is crucial to check the condition of your hardwood floors. Some planks may be too severely damaged to be sanded. These boards will need to be replaced before you begin the refinishing process. Trying to sand and refinish damaged planks can result in an uneven, unattractive finish, and it can make the damage to the plank worse.
If you need to replace any planks, it is essential to choose replacement boards that match the existing ones as closely as possible. Even identical planks may have subtle differences in color or grain texture. Take a sample of your existing flooring to a hardwood supplier to help you find the closest match.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring Can Be Refinished A Limited Number Of Times
If you have engineered hardwood flooring, it can benefit from refinishing, but it can only go through this process a few times. Engineered flooring uses a thin layer of hardwood veneer glued to a backing of plywood or fiberboard. After a few refinishes, the veneer becomes too thin to withstand the sanding process. Thicker veneers can be sanded and refinished more times than thinner ones.
The Room Where The Flooring Is Being Refinished Needs To Be Sealed Off
Sanding the floors during the refinishing process creates a lot of dust and fumes, which can spread throughout your home. To minimize the mess and odors, you need to seal off the room undergoing refinishing with plastic sheeting and tape. This will keep dust and debris contained in the room. There are pieces of equipment that can also help with this process. For example, you can use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture dust and run fans to improve ventilation.
You Can Choose Between Water or Oil-Based Finishes
Water-based finishes are popular because they have a fast drying time. They are also clear and tend to give hardwood floors a more natural look. Unfortunately, this option is less durable than oil-based finishes and may require frequent maintenance to keep it looking beautiful. Oil-based finishes have a slower drying time, but they provide enhanced durability. Also, these finishes can be especially adept at preventing moisture damage.
For more information about wood floor refinishing, contact a local company.
Share21 February 2023
We often think of flooring as a structural element. It gives us something to stand on, and it provides a bottom surface for a building. These functions of flooring should not be under-estimated. However, they are not the only purpose of flooring. Actually, flooring is also meant to serve the function of keeping your feet comfortable. At least, good flooring seeks to satisfy this goal. Carpet can definitely keep your feet cushioned and healthy, and so can padded vinyl flooring. As you read the articles on this blog, we ask you to keep the following in mind: flooring is multi-functional.