Hardwood Floor Refinishing: Frequently Asked Questions

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If you are thinking about refinishing your hardwood floors, you may find that you have quite a few questions regarding this process. Taking the time to review some of the most frequently asked questions found below can help to ensure you have all of the information you need regarding this process. If you find that you still have questions regarding your specific floor refinishing needs, reach out to a flooring contractor in your local area — such as Heritage Hardwood Floors, Inc — for a consultation. 

Question: What Is The Purpose Of Refinishing Hardwood Floors?

Answer: Refinishing a hardwood floor allows you to remove the damaged top layer of your floors and reveal the undamaged wood beneath. This will ultimately allow you to restore the original beauty and functionality of your hardwood floors. The fresh coat of polyurethane sealant that is applied as part of this process will also help you to prevent future damage to your floors. 

Question: How Do You Know When It Is Time To Refinish Your Hardwood Floors?

Answer: There are many different signs that can point to the need for hardwood floor refinishing. These signs include the following:

  • widespread scratches or dents
  • faded color or other discoloration
  • water stains
  • minor cupping of floorboards
  • splintering wood

If you notice any of these warning signs, it is time to refinish your floors. 

Question: How Long Does It Take To Refinish A Hardwood Floor?

Answer: Refinishing your hardwood floors can be a bit of a lengthy process. Before work can begin on your floors, all furniture will need to be cleared from the area and the baseboards will need to be removed. The floor will then need to be cleaned thoroughly. Once this prep work is done, your entire floor will be sanded down to reveal undamaged wood. This part of the process will create a lot of dust that will then need to be removed. Once all of the wood dust has been cleaned up, the floor will need to be stained and sealed. It can take multiple days for the sealant to properly dry before furniture can be put back in place.

Question: Does Hardwood Floor Refinishing Require You To Leave Your Home?

Answer: Most people will find it is best to spend a few nights away from home when having their hardwood floors refinished. This is because the dust caused by the sanding process and the fumes created by the sealant can result in poor breathing conditions inside the home for the first few days. 

Question: Can Floor Refinishing Be Completed On A Do-It-Yourself Basis?

Answer: While there will always be some homeowners who are up to the task of refinishing their hardwood floors, most people will find that this is a job best left to the professionals. This is because properly refinishing your floors will require a significant amount of time and specialized equipment. If you do not have the free time or the equipment necessary, you could end up doing more damage to your floors by attempting to complete this job on your own. 

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12 December 2022

Under Your Feet

What's under your feet right now? Well, you might be outside on the grass, in which case, you can disregard that question. But if your indoors, the floor is what's under your feet. If you have not spent a lot of time thinking about the floor under your feet, that's about to change. Welcome to a blog about flooring. This may sound like a rather flat or one-sided topic at first, but we have so much to say. We're going to blog about all different types of flooring. We'll share articles on installing it, caring for it, and so much more!