Refinishing Wood Flooring
Whether you've had your wood floors for years, or if you've just moved into a house and want to restore the wood floors that have been hiding under the carpet, there are different types of restoration that may be suitable.
An older, well worn wood floor may appear to be in such bad condition that it needs to be replaced or covered over with other flooring. But unless there has been water damage or the floor has become so thin that the nails are sticking through, it can often be rejuvenated. In some cases it will need to be completely sanded down and refinished, but in others it may just need to be recoated.
A recoating may be all you need
If the floor is in relatively good condition, but looks dull, or if there are merely some surface scratches or marring, a recoating will do. A recoat involves a light sanding, or screening, to remove a layer or two of old finish, then applying a coat of new finish. The job should only take a day or two, and costs around $1 per square foot.
Keep in mind that if you recoat your wood floors every few years, you can avoid having to completely refinish them, which is a much more involved process. Note that some wood floors cannot be successfully recoated, such as those that have been exposed to improper cleaning products such as oil soaps, and floors that have been discolored due to different light exposures, as from area rugs. However, there may be other ways to recondition your floors. Ask your wood flooring contractor about your options.
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A complete refinishing may be necessary
If areas of your floor have been worn down to the bare wood, if the floor has deep stains or color differences in the wood, if there's chipping or peeling, or if your floor cannot be recoated due to factors discussed above, you'll have to do a complete refinish. If these signs are not readily apparent, you can use this simple test (from howstuffworks.com) to determine what care your floors need:
Take this simple test
Find a high-traffic area where the finish is likely to be the most worn, and pour a tablespoon of water onto the floor.
- If the water beads up and you can wipe it without a trace, the finish is still working and you don't need to do anything just yet.
- If the water slowly soaks into the wood floor, creating a moderately darkish spot, the floor is partially worn. You may be able to get away with a recoating. Consult your wood flooring contractor for the best course of action.
- If the water immediately disappears into the wood leaving an obvious dark spot, it's time to refinish the floor.
Although refinishing has been made easier in recent years with sanding equipment that significantly reduces the amount of dust generated, the refinishing process can take from three days to several weeks, depending on the type of finish, stain and weather conditions. A complete refinish can cost between $1.25 and $4.00 or more per square foot, depending on the type of floor, room layout, how much work prep work the homeowner does, and the type of finish.
The type of finish is important
There are many factors that can affect how your wood floor should be rejuvenated - including how badly it's worn or damaged, and which of the various types of surface finishes, penetrating sealers and waxes that have been used on it. Contact a few wood floor contractors for estimates.
