When considering flooring options, hardwood floors are one of the best choices when it comes to longevity. But even though hardwood floors tend to last a long time, that doesn’t mean they won’t need some TLC over time.
Refinishing is a great way to give your hardwood floors new life. It will remove surface damage to make your floors look new again. Read on to find out more about refinishing hardwood floors and whether this is a good option for you.
What are Some Signs My Hardwood Floors Need to Be Refinished?
If your hardwood floors are not looking their best, a good polish might be all you need to bring them to life. However, if polishing is not doing the trick, a refinish may be necessary.
Here are some other signs that a refinish is in order:
- It’s been 20 years or more since they’ve been sanded
- There are visible scratches and nicks
- The coloring is uneven
Can My Floors Be Refinished?
On average, hardwood floors can be refinished up to eight times. There should be at least 1/32” of wood on the floor to ensure they will hold up to the refinishing process.
You can determine the thickness by removing a floor heat register and looking at the surrounding boards. If your home doesn’t have floor registers, you can remove a board from a corner or closet.
What is the Refinishing Process Like?
Once you have determined that your flooring can hold up to a refinishing, it is best to call in a professional to get the process started. Experienced DIY-ers may be able to refinish hardwood floors themselves, but if you’re not sure what you’re doing, it’s best not to risk it.
A professional will start by sanding the damage out of your floor. They will then apply several coats of polyurethane finish. The polyurethane will remove any staining you have on your hardwood floors. If you want to bring back the original stain or change the color of your floors, you will have to get them re-stained.
Another option is to go with the unstained color which will lighten the look of your rooms.
In some instances, high traffic areas of your floors may look more worn out than other parts of your floors. If this is the case, you may opt to have those areas screened rather than refinished. This is a good option for hardwood floors that are looking worn but don’t have any significant damage.
Screening involves sanding the top of the floor and putting a polyurethane finish over the top. This process does not remove any wood so it can be done an endless amount of times. It is also a lot cheaper than a full refinish.
If hardwood floors are too thin or they have structural problems, you may need a complete replacement, but it is nice to know that refinishing is a possibility. It is a simple and less expensive option that can bring new life into your flooring. What choice will you be making when it comes to getting your floors looking their best?
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