Hardwood Floor Refinishing Basics
Refinishing hardwood floors is a popular option for homeowners who want to extend the life of their wood flooring. It can be done by a DIYer or by a professional flooring contractor. A hardwood floor refinishing contractor is a professional who specializes in refinishing hardwood floors. Hardwood Floor Refinishing Bergen County NJ has the knowledge, skills, and equipment to properly strip, sand, repair, stain, and refinish hardwood floors to restore their original beauty and durability.
A DIY approach can be a good idea if you are confident that you have the tools and materials necessary for refinishing. Still, it’s always better to hire an experienced floor specialist. Sanding removes old wood finish and preps floors for a new coat of protective coating. It also helps to eliminate surface scratches, stains, and gouges. Using a drum or random orbital sander, sand the entire floor using a progression of coarse sandpaper to finer grades. Start with a 36 to 40-grit paper, move to 60, then finish with 100.
Use overlapping strokes of at least half the sander’s width to remove scratches and stains. Be sure to wear a dust mask, safety goggles and ear protection. During the sanding process, remove rugs and furniture to clear the work area of debris. Cover vents and close windows to keep dust at a minimum. Staining is a step in hardwood floor refinishing that can add a tremendous amount of value and beauty to your home. However, it is also a process that can be complex and time-consuming to execute properly.
Before staining, it is important to make sure that your floors are free of dust, grit and other debris. To ensure this, thoroughly vacuum the floors before applying any paint or other liquids.
Depending on the type of wood used in your floor, there are different stains available that can change its color. Some are oil-based while others are water-based.
Before using a stain, it is important to test the color on a scrap piece of wood. If you are staining soft or porous wood such as pine, use a pre-stain conditioner to help prevent blotches caused by uneven absorption of the stain.
When you’re ready to refinish hardwood floors, it is important to seal them as soon as possible after sanding. This will help prevent the wood from discoloring and ensure the finish binds to the wood.
Penetrating Oil: Penetrating oils such as tung oil soak into the pores of the wood, helping to protect it from scratches and other damage. Unlike many other hardwood floor finishes, penetrating oils do not leave a hard “shell” on top of the wood.
Polyurethane: The most common topcoat for hardwood floors, polyurethane creates a clear protective layer that resists stains and scratches. It’s also available in a variety of finishes, from matte to glossy.
Regardless of the type of sealer you choose, be sure to clean and dry your floors thoroughly prior to application. Sweep or vacuum to remove small grit particles that can tear away at the sealer and cause it to fade.
Finishing is the process of applying a protective coat of finish to hardwood floors. This step is essential to make sure the finished floor has a smooth surface that is easy to clean.
The type of wood in your home and the look you want to achieve will affect what type of finishing is best for you. For example, you might choose a stain if you want to change the color of your flooring.
Refinishing an old hardwood floor may be a costly and time-consuming process, but it can make your floors look brand new. If your floors are more than five years old or if you have a lot of traffic in your home, it’s probably best to hire a professional to refinish them for you.
There are several types of finishes available, including a traditional oil-based satin that brings out the grain and hides minor flaws in the flooring. However, this finish can produce a large volume of fumes, which can cause respiratory problems and allergies. A water-based option is a more low-voc alternative that dries clear and doesn’t leave as many fumes behind.
Choosing a reputable hardwood floor refinishing contractor is important to ensure that the job is done properly and to a high standard. A good contractor should be licensed and insured, have a proven track record of success, and be able to provide references from previous customers. They should also be able to answer any questions you have about the refinishing process and offer advice on how to care for your newly refinished hardwood floors.
