Hardwood Floor Refinishing Bergen County NJ is a cost-effective way to improve the look of your home and extend the life of your floors. It is usually recommended that your floors be refinished every couple of years.
Before starting to refinish, it is essential to have all furniture removed from the room being worked on. Masks and eye protection are also recommended.
While hardwood floors are long-lasting and durable, even the best quality can be subject to significant wear and tear. Spills, dings, dog nails, and chair legs are just a few of the things that can lead to noticeable damage over time. When the damage becomes too great, it may be time to refinish your hardwood floors. Refinishing can eliminate stains, scratches, and water damage, and it can also change the color of the wood to match your new decor.
Before refinishing your hardwood floor, it is important to prepare the surface properly. This will minimize the amount of dust that is produced during the sanding process. The room should be clear of furniture and all fixtures should be removed from the area being sanded. It is a good idea to cover outlets with plastic and tape up any gaps where dust might escape. The floor should be swept and vacuumed daily to remove dirt, dust and other debris.
A professional sander will use a large drum sander to smooth the surface of the wood. After the sanding is complete, the floor will be cleaned and wiped down. A water and bleach mixture can be used to clean the wood, and a vacuum cleaner is often helpful to remove any remaining debris.
After the sanding is complete, it is important to let the floors dry completely. This is the best way to ensure that the stain and finish will bond with the wood. The stain should be an oil-based, low VOC product with a tinting base that allows you to adjust the color of the wood.
A topcoat of a polyurethane or water-based varnish is then applied to the floors. This is usually applied in several coats, allowing the previous coat to dry between each application. If a more durable finish is desired, a penetrating sealant can be used. This type of sealant will require more coats, but it is a more durable option than a polyurethane. Once the final topcoat has dried, the sanding process is repeated with a finer grit. It is a good idea to wait for the finish to dry before replacing any furniture or other room accessories.
Staining
Hardwood floors are a durable, beautiful flooring option that adds value to your home. However, everyday wear and tear can cause scratches, scuffs and overall loss of luster. Instead of replacing your hardwood, refinishing it can help bring it back to life. Refinishing is the process of sanding down your existing wood and then applying a new finish to it. It’s a more intensive project than resurfacing, and can take several days to complete.
Before staining, it’s important to clean the floor thoroughly, removing all dust and debris from the surface. This step is especially important, as any dirt or dust particles can show through the final finish and make the floors look dull. It’s recommended to use a microfiber cloth or tack cloth to remove as much debris as possible, and to also wipe the floor down with mineral spirits. It’s also essential to fully ventilate the room during this process, and to wear a respirator to prevent breathing in any toxic fumes.
Once the floor is completely dry, it’s time to stain it! Choose a color that best fits the style of your home, and be sure to test the stain in a small area first. It’s also a good idea to apply the stain in small sections at a time, such as four-foot squares. It’s important to apply the stain in the direction of the wood grain, and to wipe away excess stain with a rag before moving on to the next section. It’s also important to stir the stain frequently to ensure that it is evenly mixed.
Staining your hardwood floors can be a difficult project, but it can be well worth the effort. With a little research, you can be sure that your floors will look gorgeous once they’re finished!
If you’re not comfortable tackling this project on your own, consider hiring a professional to do it for you. These professionals are experts in their field, and can give you a polished, pristine finish on your hardwood floors. They can also recommend the right stain for your home, and will work with you to create a custom color that suits your taste.
Sealing
Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home and can add significant value. However, they also need to be maintained to protect the integrity of the wood and the finish. While you can do some maintenance at home, a professional hardwood floor contractor is the best way to keep your wood looking great and protected from stains and damage.
Refinishing is a process in which the old finish on the hardwood floor is stripped and replaced with a new one. This is a much more extensive project than simply staining the hardwood, and can take several days to complete. Professionals know how to use the right equipment, and have the knowledge and experience to get the best results.
Before the staining can begin, the hardwood floor must be sanded to remove the old finish and give the wood a smooth surface. The professionals will use a large drum sander with medium grit sandpaper to sand the entire surface of the wood, including the edges and underside. This is a time-consuming and labor-intensive part of the refinishing process, but it’s essential for ensuring a good, even result.
After the sanding is done, the wood will be cleaned to remove any dust and debris. Then, it will be stained with a color of your choice. Different woods react to stains differently, so it is important to choose the right color for your specific floors. Once the stain is applied, it will need to dry completely before the final polyurethane coats can be applied. It is recommended to use a low-VOC (volatile organic compound) polyurethane for the final coats, as these will have fewer indoor air pollutants and be healthier for your family.
Once the final coats are applied and allowed to dry, it’s a good idea to wait at least 24 hours before walking on the floors again, and 48 hours is preferable. It’s also a good idea to wait a few weeks before placing area rugs on the hardwood. With proper care, refinished hardwood will last for a lifetime and add value to your home.
Cleaning
Hardwood floors are durable, but they’re no match for a family. Spills, drops, grit tracked in on shoes and, worst of all, the scrabbling claws of children’s pets can wear down hardwood floor finish over time. Eventually, refinishing is necessary. Refinishing is a process that involves sanding the paper-thin top layer of wood and then mopping on three coats of clear polyurethane. Refinishing costs about $3 to $7 per square foot.
Before refinishing, you should vacuum and clean the floor thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt or grime that may mar the final finish. Vacuuming with a shop vac is preferred because these are powerful machines designed to suck up bits of wood and other materials without clogging up or breaking. If you don’t have a shop vac, use a large vacuum cleaner with a filter. You can rent these from most hardware or home improvement stores.
During the refinishing process, it is recommended that you remove all furniture from the room. You should also cover any vents with tape and seal the doorways to prevent sanding dust from entering the house. You should also remove any rugs or carpeting in the room. This is an important step because it will help prevent sanding dust from getting into the air or onto your clothes.
Once the refinishing is completed, it is a good idea to let the floor dry completely. Once the floor is dry, you can replace the furniture and reinstall any vent covers or quarter-round trim. You should also reinstall any light fixtures and switches in the room. It is important to wait a week or two before moving back into the room. This allows the finish to cure from the inside out.
Keeping up with regular maintenance and using protective pads under furniture will help extend the life of your hardwood floors and reduce the need for refinishing or resurfacing. The need for refinishing will also depend on your lifestyle, how much traffic the floor gets and whether or not you have pets. If your floors are in bad shape, refinishing will not be enough and it may be necessary to replace the boards.
