When you choose to have a hardwood floor refinishing, you have many different options to choose from. You can choose to have it refinished with a water-based finish, which dries faster than an oil-based finish. If you prefer a different finish, you can select a stain from our design experts. Once the wood has been thoroughly sanded, a new stain can be applied. For a durable finish, you can opt for water or oil-based polyurethane.
Hardwood floor refinishing requires several layers of sanding. A single grit of sandpaper cannot do the trick. The process generally requires four passes using progressively finer sandpaper. You will also need the proper tools and knowledge about how to use them. Before you begin the process, make sure to measure the remaining hardwood. If there is less than 1/8 inch of hardwood flooring above the tongue, or if there are nails or heads on the wood, you cannot refinish the floor. You can also remove the old finish using chemical processes.
A hardwood floor refinishing job usually takes three to five days to complete. The process can take longer if you have multiple rooms. The floor preparation begins the day before the refinishing starts and is finished when the final layer of finish is dry. If the wood has been damaged by water, old varnish and stains, or has a textured surface, you must remove them first. Sometimes, deeper scratches or dents need to be filled in with wood filler. This filler is sanded to match the surrounding wood.
Depending on your area, you can hire a professional or do it yourself. You will pay approximately $3 to $5 per square foot for flooring refinishing. This price will depend on the size of the job, accessibility of the area, and the stain used. Darker stains will require more preparation time. It can cost anywhere from $2.50 to $5.25 per square foot, depending on the type of wood and the quality of finish. This cost will almost double if you live in an apartment building or have parking challenges.
It is also important to consider your tenant’s needs and the building style in which you live. Some apartments and condos require flooring refinishing. These types of buildings will typically require that you obtain permission from the tenants before making any changes to the floor. During this process, it is also important to understand that a contractor can’t be expected to perform any work without the owner’s permission. Usually, apartment buildings require that you obtain permission from the tenant before any work begins.
Finishes can produce dangerous fumes, so wearing a mask is highly recommended. If you plan to use an oil-based polyurethane finish, you must use a respirator mask when working on the floor. You can use a lambswool applicator for sanding, but be sure to label each piece before you sand the floor. You can store the leftover lambswool in a plastic bag and use it later.
Before applying a polyurethane finish, you should choose an interior wood stain. Choose a color that matches the style of hardwood flooring. Then, use a foam applicator pad to apply the stain in the direction of the wood grain. Once the stain has dried, wipe the floor with a clean cotton cloth. While you should always avoid touching the floor after staining, you should wait a couple of hours before applying a polyurethane finish.
Before hiring a flooring refinishing company, read any consumer complaints about them. Although some contractors may be well-intentioned, they sometimes do not take care to resolve customer concerns professionally. To avoid the risk of hiring a contractor who might damage your floor, you should check the company’s BBB rating and ensure that it has the necessary credentials. If you have a deep scratch, trowel filling is the easiest solution, but it won’t last long.
Choosing a water-based polyurethane is another good option. These products are easy to apply but tend to dry slowly. They also tend to be more expensive than oil-based products. But water-based polyurethanes are more difficult to apply. Using a high-quality brush to apply the polyurethane is recommended. When it is applied properly, the finished product should last for at least 15 years.