Refinishing hardwood floors can be a messy business. To get it done efficiently and quickly, you’ll require plenty of workspace as well as an effective sanding machine to complete this task.
Minor scratches and dents in hardwood floors may be repaired with sanding, patching, and staining; more extensive damage may require board replacements and refinishing.
Preparation
If your hardwood floors have seen better days, refinishing them can bring new life back into your space. Refinishing involves sanding down and staining them back to life. This intensive process may take several days to complete. To do this you need to remove all furniture from the room in advance so the floor can dry properly, and you can avoid dust accumulation. Some homeowners put down tarps to seal off areas to minimize dust.
Before undertaking refinishing, it is imperative to have your flooring assessed by a professional. An expert can accurately determine whether refinishing or screen and recoat are needed and can recommend the necessary treatments accordingly. You can also visit sites like https://www.pinterest.com/ to help you decide on a fresh look for your space.
Recoating is a less extensive solution than refinishing. It entails gently roughing up the protective coating with a sanding screen before applying a fresh layer of water-based polyurethane. This method effectively revitalizes the floor, providing a renewed and glossy finish.
Sanding
If your hardwood floors are relatively in good condition but you want to change their color or stain, sanding is often necessary for producing quality results.
Sanding can take a long time, from hours to days, depending on the current condition of the floors – yet its importance cannot be overstated when considering quality results.
Before sanding, all furniture should be removed from the room, and you should switch off your HVAC system in order to reduce dust settling throughout your house. In addition, plastic covers for outlets should be in place before you vacuum and sweep your floor in order to eliminate dirt or debris that could tarnish its final appearance.
Once the floor is sanded, it should be thoroughly cleaned using a tack cloth or microfiber rag. If uneven stain coverage exists on your floor, a sealer coat may help even out its coverage and prevent “holidays” or stop marks from developing.
If you opt for water-based polyurethanes, select those with minimal VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. You can visit this site to learn more about VOCs. These finishes typically dry quickly and produce minimal odor; however, they may not last as long compared to oil-based alternatives.
Staining
Refinishing hardwood floors gives you the option of staining them as part of the process, adding color and accentuating their grain. There’s a wide range of stain colors available that can make a significant impact on how your room looks overall.
It’s wise to test different stains on a wood sample before applying stain to your floor. Different woods can react in unique ways to various stains, so this simple test can help you achieve the desired result.
When applying the stain, make sure to apply a thick coat. This will allow you to achieve your desired color with fewer coats, making a difference in your hardwood floor refinishing project. Professionals have extensive experience in this area and can be a great choice in order to obtain a high-quality finished look.
Sealing
Once your stain has set completely, it is time to seal the floor. Most homeowners opt for polyurethane as it provides durable protection and an effortless cleanup experience. If you’re using this material, lightly sand the floors prior to applying the first coat of sealant.
Be sure to open all necessary windows during this process and allow drying time to vent out any fumes. Remove rugs from the area being refinished since it will need 48 hours to fully cure and dry before it can be applied again.
Engineered wood floors require special care when refinishing them due to being composed of layers of real hardwood bonded together with cheaper material such as plywood. If you aren’t careful, you could end up sanding through the veneer and exposing its support material – this may be repairable but should be avoided at all costs!
Installation
Refinishing hardwood and engineered wood floors depend on their construction type; traditional hardwood can usually be refinished several times during its usable lifespan, while engineered hardwood is only capable of being refinished once or twice. Engineered wood offers more installation flexibility thanks to its top layer of real wood being attached to a plywood base.
Refinishing hardwood floors requires having access to a large space. Furniture, rugs, and drapes must be cleared out so the floors can be sanded and refinished effectively; additionally, large fans should be running to help dissipate airborne contaminants that contain polyurethane finishes that may produce unpleasant odors.
Refinishing hardwood floors requires the appropriate stains and varnishes, such as low-VOC water-based products with appropriate drying times. Make sure that you follow any manufacturer guidelines or schedules regarding drying times for the best results.