Wood Floor Refinishers

The sanding and staining process is very labor intensive and requires attention to detail. This is the work of professionals who do this every day for a living.

Solid wood floors can generally be refinished up to six times during their lifespan. Engineered wood flooring made of a solid wood veneer on plywood may only be refinished a limited number of times. Contact Wood Floor Refinishers NJ now!

Depending on how much traffic a room gets and the type of wood used, solid plank hardwood floors may need to be refinished anywhere from four to six times during their lifespan. Before refinishing, it’s important to screen the floor. This will remove any existing stain and help to prepare it for the sanding process. You can purchase a screen in a box from most home improvement stores or rent one from a flooring store for the day. A vacuum cleaner is also helpful to clean up sawdust and other debris that accumulates while sanding.

The sanding phase is the most time intensive part of refinishing. A drum or orbital sander will be used to remove the existing finish. To prevent damage to the hardwood, refinishers usually start with the coarsest grit, then work their way down to the finer grits. Refinishers will often sand with the grain of the wood, which helps create a smoother finish. The sanding process can be noisy, so it’s a good idea to wear ear protection and a dust mask. Plastic sheeting should be placed over doors to prevent dust from migrating to the rest of the house, and any vents should be covered with painter’s tape to avoid clogging them.

Refinishers will also take this opportunity to repair any dents or scratches in the floors. They may patch holes or scars using wood filler, and they will hammer down any protruding nails. Nails that stick up above the floorboards can damage sanding belts and slow progress. Refinishers will also wipe down the floors with a hardwood floor cleaner or homemade mixture of vinegar and water to remove dirt and squeaks.

Once the floor is completely sanded, it will be vacuumed and cleaned with mineral spirits. It’s a good idea to have a shop vac on hand to help with the cleanup, since a regular household vacuum is likely to clog quickly.

Now it’s time to select a new stain color. Before you make a final decision, test the stain on a small area of the floor. If the color looks good in the room, it’s a safe bet to use it throughout the entire refinishing process.

Staining

This is optional, but once your floors are sanded they can be stained in a variety of colors. The choice can be a big one, so make sure you take your time in selecting the right color.

Before staining your hardwood floors, it’s a good idea to protect your base molding with tape. You’ll also want to remove any shoe base molding and quarter-round that is attached. During the staining process, it is important to work with small sections of the room at a time. This will help prevent the overlapping of multiple coats. It’s also a good idea to apply several thin coats of stain in the direction of the wood grain.

After the staining, it’s a good idea to screen and vacuum again before applying the finish. It’s best to use a water-based polyurethane. This will be low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which makes it more environmentally friendly than an oil-based product. It also dries faster than traditional polyurethane.

Once the finish is applied, it’s important to sand again with a finer grit to ensure that it’s smooth and even. Most wood floor refinishers will apply at least three coats of finish, which helps protect the floors and adds to their longevity.

Sanding is one of the most difficult parts of refinishing wood floors, so it’s a task that’s often better left to professionals. A refinisher with years of experience will know how to sand the floors while removing the minimum amount of material. This will extend the life of the floors and keep them looking their best.

Solid wood floors can be refinished up to six times in their lifespan, depending on their thickness and the amount of traffic they get. Engineered wood floors, which consist of a layer of real wood bonded to plywood or another synthetic core, can typically be refinished two or three times before the veneer wears through and exposes the wood underneath.

While refinishing can greatly extend the lifespan of your wood floors, there will eventually come a time when replacement is the best option. Contact a wood floor refinishing company like Hardwood Revival to learn more about the refinishing process and to find out if your floors are candidates for refinishing.

Sealing

When you’re ready to protect your refinished hardwood floors, the best option is to apply a clear coat of polyurethane. Refinishers recommend using a high-quality product such as Pro Finisher (shown below), which is available in both water- and oil-based formulas. Be sure to choose a sheen that suits your style and needs. A glossy sheen reflects light and highlights flaws on the floor; a satin or matte sheen looks more natural and hides minor scratches and nicks.

Refinishers use a special brush to apply the polyurethane, and then buff the surface with a clean pad to get the smoothest finish possible. This step can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your finished product. The polyurethane can also help to seal in the fresh stain and reduce odors from smoke, pets, or other sources. Depending on the type of urethane, it can take up to 24 hours for the floor to fully cure.

Before refinishing your wood floors, it’s important to prepare the area by moving the furniture and putting up plastic sheeting or tape around areas that won’t be worked on. Depending on how the room is laid out, you may need to remove shoe molding or baseboards, as well as hammer down any nailheads that are standing above the floor’s finished surface. You can also remove air vent covers to prevent sanding dust from entering your home’s ductwork.

Traditionally, the process of staining hardwood floors involves toxic chemicals that emit dangerous fumes. To mitigate this, refinishers wear masks during the process and require you to keep your children and pets out of the house until the flooring is dry. Fortunately, newer techniques offer a safer alternative. Water-based stains are nontoxic and emit fewer fumes than oil-based stains. In addition, they dry more quickly and don’t have an amber tint.

Bob Sidoti Floors in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, offers wood floor refinishing services to residential and commercial clients throughout the state. Its services include sanding, sealing, and different stain packages. The company also offers wood floor inspections and installations of exotic and reclaimed hardwoods. In addition, it offers wood floor repair, stair refinishing, and restoration of vinyl tile floors. Its team is experienced in repairing wood floors that have been damaged by water or pet damage and has a reputation for quality results and competitive rates.

Finishing

A coat of polyurethane seals the hardwood floor, protecting it from water and daily wear. It also adds a hint of shine and brings out the wood’s natural color. You can choose from a wide variety of sheens, ranging from matte (low luster) to high-gloss. But before you pick a finish, consider its color and texture as well as its durability. A wood floor refinisher can help you decide what option is best for your home.

While the process of refinishing can be lengthy and time-consuming, it is worth it to have beautiful floors in your home again. To make the most of this project, clear the area of all furniture and rugs before starting. You should also cover the vents and doors with plastic sheeting to prevent the dust from escaping into other rooms. Also, consider applying felt pads to the feet of your furniture to protect it from the sanding dust.

Sanding is the most time-consuming part of a wood floor refinish, but it’s necessary to remove all existing coatings and achieve a smooth surface. It’s important to sand with the grain and use a fine grit sandpaper, which can help reduce splinters.

When you’re finished sanding, be sure to vacuum and clean the floors thoroughly. Then, it’s time to apply the finish. To save time, you can purchase a “ready to use” floor finish from a hardwood flooring store. But it’s still important to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

The best wood floor refinishers know how to properly prepare the surface for the finish, and they will take care to not over-apply it. They will apply several coats, allowing each one to dry in between. Once the final coat has dried, you can replace the baseboards and reopen the vents and doors.

If you don’t mind a bit of extra wait time, you can also try a new hardwood floor finishing product called Vesting LED. This unique mixture of oils, waxes, and resins cures by light rather than air, making it much faster and safer. However, you should still allow the coats to fully dry before moving back your furniture.