Hardwood Floor Refinishing NJ adds value and beauty to your home. However, it can be a challenging project to complete without professional assistance.
Whether you DIY or hire a contractor depends on your comfort level, skills, and time. If you decide to do it yourself, follow the steps below:.
One of the most critical steps in the hardwood floor refinishing process is sanding. Whether you’re dealing with major scratches, gouges or dents, or just need to get rid of that pesky dirt buildup, a thorough sanding will help restore the surface of your hardwood floors to a smooth, even texture. Sanding can be time-consuming and messy, but it’s essential for a successful refinish job. For the best results, it’s recommended that you have a professional do the work. They know the equipment, the chemicals and how to deal with the mess. Plus, they have a lot of experience doing the same thing every day and know what to expect.
Once the sanding is complete (which can take 2+ days depending on your space), it’s time to stain. Before your refinisher starts, talk to them about the look you want and bring in some samples of stains for them to test on your flooring so they can get an idea of what will work. Then, once the stains are on your flooring and you’re happy with them, they’ll finish up the project with two to three coats of polyurethane. For the best results, it’s important that you keep rugs and furniture off of the floors until the finish has had a chance to cure completely. During this time, it’s also a good idea to open as many windows and doors as possible to help reduce the odor of the polyurethane fumes.
If your flooring is already finished, but it has significant scratches or dents, you may be able to simply reseal them. Resealing creates a thin layer of protective liquid over the top of your hardwood floor, which will allow its natural color and grain to shine through while providing some protection. It is recommended that you reseal your floors once every six to 12 months, depending on traffic use.
If you’re interested in sanding and staining your own floors, check out our DIY guide here. While the logistics can be tricky and the products can be messy, there’s a certain satisfaction to taking on this epic home improvement project yourself! Just be sure to research the proper products and techniques, as well as the appropriate tools.
Staining
After the sanding process is complete (which can take 2+ days), it is time to stain the floors. This is the fun part of refinishing hardwood floors because you can choose what color and tone you want your wood to be. It is best to test stains before starting the job to make sure you get the right shade that goes well with your home design and furniture. The floor guys will usually have several samples they can show you but doing your own research is also a good idea.
Depending on the type of stain you select, it may require more than one coat. Allow each coat to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You should also assess the color after each coat to make sure you are getting the desired look.
Stains are available in a wide range of colors to complement any décor. They also come in various sheens, ranging from matte (low luster) to high-gloss. The sheen you select will determine how much light the floor reflects, and can hide minor scratches and other imperfections.
The most popular choice for a stain is an oil-based formula. Oil stains offer rich, warm tones that enhance the natural beauty of wood. They can be applied with a brush, roller or applicator pad. If you decide to use an oil-based stain, it is a good idea to open windows and turn on fans for proper ventilation, as these types of stains can produce strong fumes.
Water-based stains are an alternative to oil stains. They tend to dry faster and clearer than oil-based stains and emit lower odor. They can be applied with a brush or roller and are suitable for almost any type of hardwood.
Once the stain has dried completely, it is time to apply a protective finish. The clear sealant will help protect the wood from water damage and everyday wear and tear. A protective finish can also add a nice sheen to the floors, which can brighten and beautify the space.
Generally, a protective finish will need to be reapplied every few years. The sheen will diminish over time, and it may need to be reapplied more frequently in high-traffic areas. Once the protective finish is applied, the floors will be ready for you to start moving furniture back into the room.
Sealing
When sanding and staining are complete, you can apply your top coat. This will protect the hardwood from water and daily wear, and it will add a hint of color, too. The most common type of top coat is polyurethane, which comes in a range of sheens from matte to high-gloss. However, other options are available as well, such as acrylic or natural oil-based products. The sheen you choose will depend on the amount of light you want your floor to reflect, though it is important to keep in mind that higher sheens are more slippery and can magnify minor scratches and dings.
A polyurethane finish is durable, and it will help your floors resist dirt, moisture, and other environmental pollutants. It will also keep your wood looking nice for many years to come. To make sure your new finish will hold up to regular use, you should reseal your floors every six to 12 months.
If you have young children or pets, you may need to reseal them more frequently. To minimize the time between resealing, you should vacuum and mop your floors regularly. Also, try to limit the amount of water you spill on your floors. It’s best to clean high-traffic areas once weekly, and other areas once a month.
Although refinishing is more labor-intensive than resealing, it’s the only way to restore severely damaged or worn wood. If your floors are in good shape, resealing is the more economical choice.
Before refinishing begins, it’s a good idea to remove any furniture and drapes from the room. The refinishing process can create large amounts of dust, so it’s also a good idea to block vents with painter’s tape and seal doorways with plastic sheeting.
While refinishing can be done yourself, it’s a big project and requires the proper tools and equipment to do so properly. If you aren’t comfortable performing this job yourself, call a professional. A reputable contractor will have the experience and tools to get the job done right and protect your investment. These professionals work on floors all day, every day, so they know the ins and outs of how to refinish hardwood. They can help you pick a stain color and style that will compliment your home, and they can show you samples so that you’re confident in your purchase.
Painting
Refinishing is a great way to breathe new life into hardwood floors. It can make them look elegant and fresh, and it protects the flooring from damage and stains. However, it can be a time-consuming and expensive project. In addition, the sanding process can be very messy, so it’s best to hire a professional for this task.
The first step in painting your hardwood floor is to clean the area thoroughly and remove any existing stain or polyurethane finish. This step is essential for a smooth and even finish, and it should be done with a vacuum or dust mop. Then, sand the floor to create texture and roughen up the surface for the primer. It’s also a good idea to wear a dust mask during this stage of the process. If you have an HVAC unit in your home, cover it with plastic and turn it off so that the sanding process doesn’t circulate dust into other areas of the house.
Once the sanding and staining processes are complete, you can apply the final coating to your hardwood floors. This coat helps to protect the surface and can be applied in a variety of sheens, from matte (low luster) to high gloss. The choice of sheen is a personal preference, and it depends on how much light you want the wood to reflect.
During the coating stage, you’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times. It’s important to be off of the wood floors during this time, and you may need to move your furniture out of the room. It’s also a good idea at this point to clear the room of any debris, and you should cover any vents in the room to prevent them from becoming clogged.
Painting isn’t a necessary step in hardwood floor refinishing, but it can be an effective way to create a unique look or change the color of your floors. However, painted floors could decrease the resale value of your home, so it’s generally better to leave this task to professionals unless you’re comfortable with DIY work.