Important Facts About Re-Finishing Hardwood Flooring
Nothing can compare to the beauty and warmth of hardwood flooring that has just been re-finished.
But most homeowners are unaware of the complex process or the amount of time that is required to achieve this breathtaking look.
If you're willing to make the sacrifices and do the necessary research, re-finishing your hardwood floors will give the interior of your home a serious makeover.
Hardwood flooring, whether it's pre-finished or not, can be re-finished to whatever color the homeowner desires.
There are different stains that work best with the different types of species used in hardwood floors with the most common being oak, maple, cherry, walnut and mahogany.
The duration of the finishing process depends on the type of hardwood you're working with.
Extremely hard woods such as mahogany take longer to refinish than a softer wood such as maple.
When it comes to the cost of re-finishing hardwood flooring there are several factors to consider that will affect the final price.
These factors include the condition of the existing floor, type of wood flooring, and whether the homeowner desires a natural or stained finish.
All or one of these factors can cause fluctuations in the price from $2 a square foot up to $5 square foot.
It's important to also consider the ramifications of re-finishing wood flooring in your home.
First and foremost, the fumes from the stain and polyurethane coatings are highly toxic and should not be breathed in.
Therefore it's imperative that the home be completely empty, including any pets, as the floor finishes curing.
As you can imagine, the sanding of the existing flooring can be quite messy.
Most contractors will go through extensive efforts to plastic off the area they are working on in addition to the dust collection bags found on their sanding equipment.
But even the most thorough contractor can't prevent dust particles from migrating to other areas of the home.
The first step in the process is to remove the old finish down to the natural wood by using a heavy-grit sandpaper.
After this step, the contractor would go over the floor with a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections in the floor.
At this point, the floor is given an extensive vacuuming to remove all excess dust that's on the floor.
If a colored finish is desired than the stain is applied before the coats of polyurethane are applied.
It's important to note that an extra day of drying time will be required for the stain.
After the stain has dried, the first coat of polyurethane is installed and left to cure for 2 days.
Next, the fresh coat of polyurethane is given a light sanding before the second coat of polyurethane is applied.
The sanding between coats allows the layers of polyurethane to bond with each other.
After the second coat has cured for another full day, the last coat of polyurethane is applied and left to cure for another day.
The total process takes anywhere from 3 to 5 days depending on the number of polyurethane coats and whether you choose to stain the floor.
It is important for the home to be empty not only for the occupant's safety but to protect the finish on the floor as well.
Walking on the floor before the finish has had a chance to cure will result in visible damage.
The only way to correct this damage would be to re-sand the floor and re-apply another coat of polyurethane.
Given the equipment and experience required to successfully complete a re-finishing project, it is not recommended the average homeowner attempt one.
Over sanding can leave visible scuff and scratch marks on the natural wood flooring that cannot be removed.
Inexperience in applying the polyurethane evenly can result in bubbles forming during the curing process.
They can only be rectified by sanding down the polyurethane and applying a new coat.
A new hardwood floor can really enhance any room it's installed in.
Re-finishing hardwood flooring in your home can completely transform your existing floors from old and scratched looking antiques to bright and vibrant new floors.
But most homeowners are unaware of the complex process or the amount of time that is required to achieve this breathtaking look.
If you're willing to make the sacrifices and do the necessary research, re-finishing your hardwood floors will give the interior of your home a serious makeover.
Hardwood flooring, whether it's pre-finished or not, can be re-finished to whatever color the homeowner desires.
There are different stains that work best with the different types of species used in hardwood floors with the most common being oak, maple, cherry, walnut and mahogany.
The duration of the finishing process depends on the type of hardwood you're working with.
Extremely hard woods such as mahogany take longer to refinish than a softer wood such as maple.
When it comes to the cost of re-finishing hardwood flooring there are several factors to consider that will affect the final price.
These factors include the condition of the existing floor, type of wood flooring, and whether the homeowner desires a natural or stained finish.
All or one of these factors can cause fluctuations in the price from $2 a square foot up to $5 square foot.
It's important to also consider the ramifications of re-finishing wood flooring in your home.
First and foremost, the fumes from the stain and polyurethane coatings are highly toxic and should not be breathed in.
Therefore it's imperative that the home be completely empty, including any pets, as the floor finishes curing.
As you can imagine, the sanding of the existing flooring can be quite messy.
Most contractors will go through extensive efforts to plastic off the area they are working on in addition to the dust collection bags found on their sanding equipment.
But even the most thorough contractor can't prevent dust particles from migrating to other areas of the home.
The first step in the process is to remove the old finish down to the natural wood by using a heavy-grit sandpaper.
After this step, the contractor would go over the floor with a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections in the floor.
At this point, the floor is given an extensive vacuuming to remove all excess dust that's on the floor.
If a colored finish is desired than the stain is applied before the coats of polyurethane are applied.
It's important to note that an extra day of drying time will be required for the stain.
After the stain has dried, the first coat of polyurethane is installed and left to cure for 2 days.
Next, the fresh coat of polyurethane is given a light sanding before the second coat of polyurethane is applied.
The sanding between coats allows the layers of polyurethane to bond with each other.
After the second coat has cured for another full day, the last coat of polyurethane is applied and left to cure for another day.
The total process takes anywhere from 3 to 5 days depending on the number of polyurethane coats and whether you choose to stain the floor.
It is important for the home to be empty not only for the occupant's safety but to protect the finish on the floor as well.
Walking on the floor before the finish has had a chance to cure will result in visible damage.
The only way to correct this damage would be to re-sand the floor and re-apply another coat of polyurethane.
Given the equipment and experience required to successfully complete a re-finishing project, it is not recommended the average homeowner attempt one.
Over sanding can leave visible scuff and scratch marks on the natural wood flooring that cannot be removed.
Inexperience in applying the polyurethane evenly can result in bubbles forming during the curing process.
They can only be rectified by sanding down the polyurethane and applying a new coat.
A new hardwood floor can really enhance any room it's installed in.
Re-finishing hardwood flooring in your home can completely transform your existing floors from old and scratched looking antiques to bright and vibrant new floors.