What To Expect When Refinishing Your Wood Floors

Wood Floor Refinishing Revives Your Space

Wood floors bring a timeless beauty to any home, but over the years, they can lose their luster due to wear and tear. Refinishing your wood floors can restore their original charm and enhance the overall look of your space. If you're considering wood floor refinishing, here's the process you can expect. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps of wood floor repair and renovation.

Wood floor renovation or refinishing provides the greatest return on investment in home remodeling! The return on investment is a remarkable 147% return. It's one of the most valuable home renovations you can make.

Assessment and Preparation

Before any wood floor repair work begins, get a thorough assessment by a certified professional.

They will check your floors for scratches, dents, or damaged boards that need fixing.

Based on this assessment, you’ll receive an estimate of the costs and approximate time required for the project.

Preparation is the next critical step. This involves removing all furniture and rugs from the area and ensuring that the room is clear of obstacles.

Sanding and Staining

Sanding is the cornerstone of the wood floor refinishing process. This step removes the old finish and smooths out the surface, making it ready for a new coat of stain or sealant. The sanding process usually involves multiple passes with various grits of sandpaper and machines to achieve a "flat" floor. Typically there is a course, medium, and fine sanding process. There are many different factors that go into how many sanding passes and how fine a grit. For instance, an oak floor in good shape that is going natural may only require 3 sanding pages. However, an older maple floor that is getting stained may require up to 7 sanding passes.

After sanding, you can choose to stain your wood floors to give them a new color or to enhance their natural grain. Staining is an optional step, but it can significantly impact the final appearance of your floors. If you opt for staining, you'll have a range of colors to choose from, and it's often recommended to test the stain on a small area of the floor. We do up to three stain or color options directly on your floor. You may ask why not more than three? We have found that any more than three samples on the floor, it becomes difficult to choose. We also have a great eye for color, so you can count on us!

Choosing the Right Finish

Selecting the right finish for your floors is as important as the sanding and staining steps. The finish will protect your floors from daily wear and provide the desired sheen. There are various types of finishes available, including water-based (commercial, UV-cured), hardwax, and penetrating oils. Each has its advantages and levels of durability, so discuss your options with the refinishing professionals.

The Finishing Process

The finishing process of the application requires careful handling to prevent bubbles, streaks, or uncoated areas. Experts typically apply several layers of finish, ensuring sufficient drying time between each. For us, a typical refinishing task takes approximately 5 business days, depending on the space to be refinished and the finish type used. The type of finish chosen can also influence how soon you can rearrange your furniture after the project's completion. For example, if you opt for a UV-cured finish, you can immediately start reorganizing your home. However, if you select a commercial finish option, you must wait three days before putting your house back together.

Aftercare

Once your floors are refinished, proper aftercare is necessary to maintain their appearance. Avoid walking on the floors for 24hrs, unless you go with our UV-cured finish option. Follow our floor care instructions, which typically include recommendations for cleaning products and methods to avoid damaging the new finish. We'll also cover how to maintain interior temp and relative humidity in the house.

Wood floor refinishing is a significant investment in the longevity and beauty of your home. By understanding what to expect and choosing the right professionals for wood floor refinishing near you, you can ensure a smooth renovation process and enjoy rejuvenated floors for years to come.