Hardwood Floor Refinishing Bergen County NJ is a labor-intensive project that can make your floors look like new. It’s an essential step in keeping hardwood floors looking good, especially if you have children or pets.
Solid wood boards are joined together with tongue and groove slots. This method of joining limits how many times your flooring can be refinished.
During this step, the flooring is sanded with a varying amount of grit to remove all previous finishes and to make the wood smooth. This process can take a single day or multiple days depending on the size of the room and the amount of sanding needed. After sanding the floors, they need to be cleaned to remove any lingering dust.
After the floor is clean, it is ready to be stained. During this stage, it is important to choose a stain that will match the color of your home as well as your style. It is also essential to choose a high-quality stain to ensure that your floor will last as long as possible.
When choosing a color, it is important to match it as closely as possible to the original stain that was used on your hardwood floors. This will help your new floor to look as natural as possible and will be less likely to fade over time. Once the stain is dry, the floor can be buffed with a random orbit sander using a 100 grit sand screen to even out any scratches caused by the sanding. It is also necessary to re-stain the baseboards to blend them with the newly finished hardwood floors.
Before beginning the refinishing process, it is essential to remove all furniture from the room and to cover anything that can’t be moved such as appliances, curtains and pictures. It is also a good idea to tape off any outlets or gaps under doors to prevent dust from sneaking in during the sanding process.
Once the sanding is complete, it is essential to clean the floors with a vacuum cleaner and tack cloth to remove any lingering dust. It is also a good idea to vacuum and tack the floor again before applying any finish. Once the sanding and cleaning is completed, the floor can be sealed with a water or oil-based polyurethane. It is important to apply several coats and allow each one to dry in between, as per the product instructions.
This is the final stage in the refinishing process and will give your floors a beautiful shine and durable protective covering. Before finishing, it is a good idea to sand again with a finer grit of sandpaper to remove any dust that may have settled on the floor and buff again with a random orbit sander to eliminate any scratches from the first sanding. Once the last coat is applied, it is crucial to wait for it to completely dry before returning furniture to the rooms.
Staining
A stain can be applied to a hardwood floor to enhance its natural color and provide protection against future damage. There are several different stains available, including semi-translucent and opaque finishes. Most stains are water-based, but oil-based stains also exist and can be used to achieve a darker finish. Stains must dry completely before applying a topcoat. A topcoat is essential to protect the wood from the elements and other contaminants that can cause deterioration. Topcoats can be water-based or polyurethane. Water-based topcoats dry quickly, while oil-based topcoats can take longer to cure.
A refinishing project will require the occupants of the home to vacate the premises for several days. This is because the floor must be sanded and dried between each coat. The sanding process alone can generate a significant amount of dust, which must be removed with a vacuum or a tack cloth before the next step can begin. It is also a good idea to cover all furniture with protective sheets or blankets to prevent accidental scratches.
Before a final topcoat is applied, the surface of the floor should be lightly sanded again using 220-grit sandpaper. This will remove any remaining imperfections and help the new finish adhere to the surface. The sanding process can be messy, so it is a good idea to have some disposable rags on hand. Once again, it is important to close all windows and doors to keep the dust contained. The sanding process can take several hours, so it is important to have enough time and manpower to complete the job in one session.
While refinishing hardwood floors can be done by a homeowner, it is typically best to hire a professional flooring expert. A NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association) certified professional has taken an extensive test and has the experience necessary to provide a high-quality job.
While it can be expensive, the investment in refinishing your hardwood floors is well worth it. It will not only beautify your home, but it will also increase its value. Regular refinishing will reduce the frequency of repairs and extend the life of your floors. It is recommended that you schedule a refinishing every couple of years, or more often if there is heavy foot traffic or indoor pets.
Sealing
Refinishing hardwood floors is a long and involved process, but it’s worth it in the end. It protects your investment and keeps the wood looking great, which can eliminate the need to replace it in the future. It’s especially important if your floors have heavy foot traffic or indoor pets, which can quickly wear down and damage the surface.
First, a professional will determine whether your floors need to be refinished. This can be done by performing a simple test. Find two areas of your floor and tape off a square of 6 by 6 inches. Sand that area with a 120-grit screen to see how well the finish holds up. Then, clean it and apply a polyurethane. If it is still in good shape and doesn’t flake when lightly scraped, then you can proceed with a refinish.
A refinish will remove any scratches, dents or discolorations from the wood and can add a pop of color. It can also make the floors more durable and easier to maintain. You can choose from a wide variety of stain colors and sheens, which range from matte to high gloss. A high-gloss finish will be more shiny and may magnify minor imperfections in the surface.
Once the refinishing is complete, you should wait 24 hours for it to dry. Then, you can re-install any furniture that you removed. You can also reinstall any trim or shoe molding that you had to remove. Be sure to use a molding bar, not a crowbar, when removing the shoe molding, which is usually installed with adhesive.
To keep your floors looking their best, you should sweep them daily and vacuum frequently to get rid of any dust or debris that can scratch the finish. You can also have your floors buffed or recoated periodically to keep them in excellent condition. It’s important to understand the difference between refinishing and resurfacing, as they have different processes and price tags. It’s also important to hire a professional contractor who has experience in both types of work. This will ensure you’re getting the best results possible for your home.
Finishing
Refinishing your hardwood floors adds value to your home and makes them look brand new. It also protects the wood from future damage, so it will last longer and be less likely to scratch or dent. However, it is important to understand the process before attempting it yourself. If you try to save money by doing the work yourself, you could end up wasting time and money on expensive mistakes that cannot be easily fixed.
The first step in refinishing your wood floor is sanding. This is done with a power sander. This tool removes the existing finish and any scratches or nicks that are present on your wood flooring. It is essential to follow the sanding instructions carefully to avoid damaging your flooring.
After sanding, your floor needs to be cleaned thoroughly to ensure there is no dust left behind. This is the only way to make sure that the final topcoat will adhere properly and won’t show any signs of dirt or other messes.
There are a few different types of finishes you can use to refinish your wood flooring. The most common is polyurethane, a clear liquid that forms a protective layer over the surface of the wood. This material is easy to apply with a standard paintbrush and comes in a variety of glossy or matte finishes.
You can also choose to use a traditional varnish, which will darken your wood flooring and give it more of an elegant appearance. You can find this product in either oil-based or water-based form. The oil-based version will give off fumes while it dries, so you will need to keep this process contained in a well-ventilated area.
If your wood flooring only has a few light scratches that have not gone into the surface of the wood, you may be able to recoat the entire floor without needing to sand it down again. Some products that have been created specifically for this purpose have a thick consistency that will fill in light scuffs and soften small dings. Be aware that these coatings will need to be reapplied every six to 12 months in order to maintain their integrity.
