There is a certain sense of pride in owning hardwood floors that a professional flooring contractor refinished. These guys do this for a living, and they know what it takes to deliver the best results.
They will take the necessary precautions, including a smoke detector on each floor and removing baseboard molding (which can be tricky) before applying any flammable products. They will also keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency. Contact Hardwood Floor Refinishing Bergen County NJ now!
Hardwood floors are renowned for their durability, and if properly maintained, they can last a lifetime. But like any long-lived entity, they can sometimes need a little love and attention to keep them looking their best. Enter the hardwood floor refinishing process: it’s a bit like a magical makeover for your floors, bringing new life into them and adding precious years to their lifespan.
Before beginning a project as big and involved as hardwood floor refinishing, it’s essential to ensure the job is done correctly from start to finish. That’s why it’s always best to work with a professional hardwood flooring contractor who knows the ins and outs of this complex task. This is their livelihood, and they can be counted on to complete a quality job that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Preparing your hardwood floor for refinishing starts with cleaning it thoroughly. Using a broom, vacuum cleaner or sweeper to remove any dirt and debris is a must. It’s also a good idea to use a microfiber or tack cloth to remove any dust and residue that could interfere with the adhesion of the final coat of wood stain.
Next, a professional will inspect the floor for any damage that might require extra attention. This includes checking for loose planks, nail holes, or scratches in the surface. A deep scratch or gouge in a wood floor may require filling with a special wood filler and sanding. Once the damage is repaired and the area is smooth, it’s ready for the sanding stage of the process.
After the sanding phase is complete, the floors will need to be completely dry before beginning the staining process. This step is important because the wrong humidity levels can cause problems with the bonding of the stain to the floor. To avoid this, you should run a moisture test on the subfloor, taking readings along exterior walls, in rooms with direct sunlight, and near any plumbing.
It’s worth noting that refinishing solid 3/4-inch hardwood is considered a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, while engineered floors should be left to the professionals due to their layered construction and thinner wear layer. That said, there are a few signs that you can look for to know when it’s time to call in the pros:
Sanding
Hardwood is a beautiful material that is durable and adds an elegant feel to any home. Its natural beauty and warmth are inviting, and it is easy to keep clean. However, like any other flooring, it can become worn over time. Refinishing your hardwood floors can extend their lifespan and improve the look of your home. Refinishing requires a few steps, including sanding, staining, and sealing. This process is best left to professionals who have experience working with wood.
Before refinishing your hardwood floors, it is important to prepare the area by sweeping and vacuuming it thoroughly. Make sure there is no dust or dirt on the floor that could clog or damage the finish. This is also a good opportunity to examine the hardwood and repair any damage or scratches. This step is particularly important if your hardwood is in a high traffic area, such as a living room or hallway.
The next step is to sand the floors with a drum or edging sander. Use different grits to achieve the desired level of smoothness. Start with a coarse sanding disk, such as 60 or 100, and move over the entire surface. Then, switch to a finer sanding disk, such as 180 or 240. It is a good idea to wear a mask when sanding, as it will help protect you from the wood dust.
When the sanding is complete, vacuum and sweep the floor again to remove any remaining dust. You may want to stay out of your house during this process to avoid the fumes and to allow the floors to dry fully before returning. If you do stay out of the house, be sure to cover your vents and any other openings in your home to prevent the dust from blowing around.
You can choose to use water-based or oil-based polyurethane to finish your floors. Both types are easy to work with, but the oil-based one takes longer to dry and is more odorous. Once the polyurethane is dry, you can put baseboards back in place and uncover any doors that block wood thresholds.
Staining
Staining hardwood floors can transform them from dull, lifeless, and unattractive to a warm and inviting surface that will add charm to any home. It is a labor-intensive process, but when done correctly, it can create beautiful, long-lasting results. It is important to choose a color and staining method that complements the existing furniture and décor of your home. Staining is a great way to add personality to your floor, and it can also protect it from scratches, dents, and other damages.
Before applying the stain, it is important to clean the floor thoroughly. This can be done by vacuuming the floors with a powerful shop vac or backpack vac, using a rag dampened with mineral spirits, or both. This will ensure that there is no dust left behind on the surface of the wood, which could alter its appearance or affect the adhesion of the stain.
After the floor is clean, it should be allowed to dry before applying any finish. This will take between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the humidity and other conditions in your home. You should avoid walking on the floor during this time to prevent scuffing and other damage to the finish.
The most common type of stain is a dye, which is a colorant suspended or dissolved in a solvent such as linseed oil or mineral spirits. This type of stain will change the color of your wood without obscuring the grain. Pigments, on the other hand, will obscure the grain and give your floors a more dramatic look.
You can also use a combination of both types of stain to get the best results. For example, you might want to stain your floors a lighter color and then apply a darker finish over it. The final step in the process is to reseal the floors with a high-quality polyurethane or similar product that is compatible with your chosen stain.
If you are not comfortable with doing the sanding and staining yourself, or you have an especially large room that will require more than one person, hiring a professional may be the best option for you. Professionals are familiar with all aspects of the refinishing process and can complete your project quickly and efficiently. They can also help you choose the right color and stain for your floors, and they can provide expert advice on the best products to use for the job.
Sealing
In addition to sanding and staining, refinishers also can use a process called sealing to help protect hardwood floors from damage and prevent stains. Sealers are either water- or oil-based and are available in a variety of sheens from matte to glossy. When selecting a type of sealant, consider the client’s aesthetic preferences, level of experience and the amount of time he or she wants to spend on refinishing the floor.
A simple sealer penetrates into the wood, allowing its natural color and grain to shine through but doesn’t provide as much protection against water damage and will need to be reapplied more frequently than other types of protective coatings. Wax is another traditional option that’s easy to apply but doesn’t offer as much moisture resistance and will need to be reapplied often.
If a customer doesn’t want to or can’t do any more sanding, refinishers can use a technique known as spot-sealing to repair small areas of the floor that have become worn and damaged. This involves taping off a two-by-two square foot area and screening it with 120-grit sandpaper, cleaning the area and then applying polyurethane. The type of polyurethane used will depend on whether the client’s existing finish is an oil or water-based product (use an oil-based poly to patch an oil-based finish and a water-based one for an already-water-based finish).
Engineered wood, meanwhile, is made of a thin layer of real hardwood bonded to a base material, usually plywood. Refinishing an engineered-wood floor can be challenging because it’s important not to sand through the veneer and expose plywood, which would require the expensive repair or replacement of the entire floor.
Unless a homeowner is confident in his or her ability to do the job well, it’s best to hire a professional. Proper floor refinishing is labor-intensive, and mistakes can lead to permanent damage that’s costly to fix. It’s also not a project that can be done in just one day; refinishing requires multiple coats of finish, which must dry and sand between each application. For these reasons, it’s best to contact a BCC for an estimate before getting started.