Hardwood floors need a coat of finish to protect them from everyday wear and tear. Over time the sun’s UV rays can fade your floors. A simple recoat can restore your floors to their original lustre.
Hardwood Floor Refinishing Bergen County NJ involves sanding down your hardwood floors and applying a new finish. It’s a labor-intensive process that can take several days to complete.
When the top layer of your hardwood floor wears off, refinishing is necessary to re-energize it and give it new life. Refinishing involves sanding off the old finish and stain, and applying new stains and varnish.
Refinishing is a lengthy process that takes a lot of elbow grease, but it can bring your old hardwood floors back to their glory days. It is recommended that homeowners refinish their hardwood floors every 7 to 10 years, or when the floor starts showing signs of damage.
Before sanding, the wood should be completely cleaned and prepped. This includes sweeping or vacuuming, and a slightly damp mopping. This will remove loose particles, and help the sanding process go smoothly. It is also important to examine the floorboards for protruding nails, and hammer down or replace them. These can ruin sanding belts and pads, and make the floorboards vulnerable to future damage. In addition, it is a good idea to use this opportunity to repair any holes or scars in the floorboards with wood filler.
The sanding process is a long and tedious task, and it is important to be careful so that the boards are not damaged. It is a good idea to hire a professional to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible. The pros are experienced with heavy-duty sanders and know how to properly handle them. They can work much more quickly than a homeowner could, and are less likely to accidentally dig gouges into the wood.
After the sanding is complete, the floor should be thoroughly cleaned again using a damp rag or sponge. This will remove any residual dust and dirt. Once the floor is completely dry, it is a good idea to apply a water-based polyurethane. This will protect the new finish, and will allow it to dry very quickly, as compared to oil-based finishes.
Homeowners should decide on a sheen for the finish, and discuss this with their contractor. Sheen options range from high gloss, which offers a high level of shine and reflects light, to satin or matte, which offer low to no sheen and a more natural and subdued appearance.
Staining
Hardwood flooring is a classic addition to any home and can add value to the property. However, hardwood floors are also a high-maintenance floor type and require regular care and cleaning to keep them looking their best. If left untreated, hardwood floors can become damaged and dull over time. Staining is a great way to rejuvenate wood floors and bring back their original look and color. However, staining is a complex process and it can be difficult to get the right shade.
Before you apply a new coat of stain it’s important to test the color in an inconspicuous area to ensure you’re happy with the results. Different stain colors react differently with different types of hardwood. Additionally, stains need to dry thoroughly before you can finish them. It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying and drying times.
Staining can be a time-consuming process and it’s important to take breaks to avoid fatigue and make sure you’re applying the stain consistently and evenly. It’s also important to wear rubber gloves and a dust mask to protect your respiratory system. Lastly, it’s important to remove any furniture from the room and cover vents with plastic sheeting.
Different stain colors can have a huge impact on the appearance of your floors. It’s important to choose a color that matches the rest of your home and fits with the style you’re going for. You can do some research on the Internet or visit your local hardware store to see a wide variety of samples.
Once you’ve chosen your color it’s time to start the refinishing process. Vacuum and dust up the entire surface of your floors to ensure there’s no dirt left behind that would change the appearance of the finished product. You’ll need to re-sand the floor again after stains and polyurethane finishes are applied. The room will need to be completely empty for this process and it typically takes several days for the finished product to cure.
Sealing
Hardwood floors add elegance to any home, and they can last for decades with proper care. However, as with all things in life, wear and tear can take their toll, and refinishing or resealing is often necessary.
While refinishing is typically a more extensive process that requires sanding and staining, resealing can be a more cost-effective alternative. Resealing is a simpler process that involves applying a protective coating to the hardwood floor, protecting it from water and daily use while also enhancing the natural color and grain of the wood.
A clear protective layer is applied to the surface of a hardwood floor, reducing the appearance of scratches and dings, while boosting its durability. It is available in a variety of sheens, from matte to glossy, and can be designed to complement the flooring’s color and style. While a simple sealer can be a viable option, polyurethane is the most popular choice among topcoat finishes for hardwood floors. It is durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, making it an ideal choice for homes with children or pets.
Unlike sanding, which creates large quantities of dust that can pose a health hazard, resealing is less messy and can be done without the need for professional equipment. This process is a good option for homeowners who would prefer to do the job themselves but are concerned about the potential danger of using a power sander. The most important thing is to ensure that the wood is completely dry before starting, and then carefully buff it with a buffer or a pole sander fitted with a fine 120-grit sanding screen.
If your hardwood floors are severely scratched, a deep sanding may be needed. If this is the case, a course sandpaper should be used first to remove the existing finish, followed by progressively finer grits until the floor is smooth. A buffed floor is usually a beautiful sight, but it is important to note that scratches can reappear. If this happens, you can try a commercial or homemade scratch remover, an unshelled walnut or an old tack cloth.
Buffing
During the buffing process, you move a buffer across the surface of your hardwood floors. The purpose is to even out any overlooked scratches from the sanding stage and prepare the floor for refinishing or another treatment. Buffing is typically done with 80 to 120 grit sandpaper or screen. You can also use special abrasives such as diamond abrasives or cushioned abrasives that have a foam backing to prevent scratching or gouging the floors.
Using the right abrasive is vital to achieving a smooth, professional finish. It’s also important to change the abrasive regularly. If you fail to do so, the abrasive can wear down more quickly and leave an uneven finish on your hardwood floors. It’s also important to use the correct buffing equipment, as it’s easy to damage your wood floors with an incorrect tool. In addition, it’s critical to clean the floor between each step of the buffing process. This helps remove any residual abrasive particles and allows the next abrasive to penetrate the wood more effectively.
Buffing is different from polishing, as it does not remove much material from the wood. Instead, it lifts light scratches that have penetrated the thin protective layer (such as polyurethane) on top of the wood.
This makes it a great choice for restoring hardwood floors that have been damaged by scuff marks or other nicks. However, it’s important to note that buffing won’t help you get rid of deep scratches that have gouged into the actual wood. If your floors have severe scuff marks, pet urine stains, pot plant water damage, grey worn out areas or layers of caked on floor polish, you’ll need to replace the old finish rather than trying to buff it away.
Generally, a buff and coat treatment can be completed in about one day, depending on the condition of your floors and how long it takes for each coating to dry. Vacuuming between each refinishing step is also a must to maintain a debris-free environment and ensure the best possible results.