Have you been dreaming of restoring your hardwood floors to their former lustre?
Refinishing them can be a great option and improve the look of your home. It’s a cost-intensive project but one that can have amazing results!
Read on to learn when to refinish your hardwood floors, how you tackle it, and what it will cost.
When to Refinish Hardwood Floors – Signs that it’s time to refinish
Knowing when to refinish your hardwood floors is essential for a beautiful and long-lasting finish.
A reliable scratch test on an inconspicuous area, like behind a door, can easily confirm if the wood is no longer sealed properly.
You should also look out for these telltale signs:
- Loose floor boards
- Deep scratches and dents
- Extreme discoloration due to pet or high foot traffic
- Standing water spots.
Refinishing your hardwood floors is a great way to restore their original beauty while saving money compared to installing entirely new floors. Pay attention to these signs so you can enjoy the same flooring in your home for many years!
Preparing Your Home for Refinishing
Refinishing your home is a great way to give it new life and restore its original charm. And you can ensure the process goes smoother by preparing your flooring for refinishing beforehand.
- The first step is to clean the rooms thoroughly, including vacuuming carpets and dusting shelves.
- Next, remove all movable furniture from the area. This will provide a clean surface for refinishing and make sure nothing gets damaged in the process.
- Finally, cover up any windows or fixtures that require protection from paint chips or dust.
With these steps taken care of, you’ll be ready to confidently start your home refinishing project!
Related Article: The Benefits of Refinishing Hardwood Floors: Is it Time to Revive Your Old Wood?
What Tools and Materials You’ll Need for the Job?
Refinishing a hardwood floor can feel intimidating but don’t be dismayed – it’s really not that difficult if you have the right tools and materials. What exactly do you need?
For starters, a combination of sandpaper grits for even refinishing, tack cloths to help clean up, and wood refinisher to do the actual refinishing job.
However, no refinishing job is solid without either paint thinner or mineral spirits. These materials ensure smoother surfaces and better adhesion of the refinisher.
Don’t forget a good brush (either mohair roller or china bristle brush) so your refinishing job is equally distributed and consistent, creating an even finish.
That’s it – now you’re ready to refinish your hardwood floor like a pro!
Step-by-Step Guide to Refinishing Hardwood Floors
Refinishing your hardwood floors can be daunting, but with the right tools and materials, you can tackle it like a pro.
The process is not too complicated and involves sanding, staining (optional), cleaning, sealing and protecting your floors. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to getting you started:
- Sanding is the first (and often the most important) step to refinishing a hardwood floor. You’ll need to use different sandpaper grits (coarse, medium, and fine) to create an even finish. Keep your hand flat on the floor while sanding, and move in small circles for the best results.
- Staining – Use a high-quality wood stain and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- Cleaning – After sanding and staining, it’s time to clean up all dust particles from the floors using a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth.
- Sealing – Once the floor is clean, apply a sealant or polyurethane finish to protect it from moisture and wear. Be sure to use a sealant compatible with your floor’s material and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
- Protecting – Finally, you’ll want to add a layer of protection to your hardwood floor. This can be in the form of an acrylic wax or water-based polyurethane finish. Both will help protect the floor from future wear, dirt and stains.
With these steps followed carefully, you’ll have a beautiful-looking hardwood floor that will last for many years! Just remember to keep an eye out for any signs of damage, especially if you’re refinishing older floors.
Tips and Tricks to Get Professional Results from Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Refinishing your hardwood floors to get a truly professional look can be a challenge, even for experienced DIYers. Here are some tips and tricks that may help you achieve the perfect finish:
- Start by sanding with coarse grit and gradually move up to finer grits. This will help create an even surface for an even finish.
- Be sure to use a high-quality stain and sealant for the best results.
- For big projects, consider renting professional equipment to help you get the job done faster.
- When applying polyurethane finish, work in small sections and move quickly so that it doesn’t have time to dry before you finish the area.
- To ensure even coverage, use a mohair roller or china bristle brush for application.
- For the final step of protection, use an acrylic wax or water-based polyurethane finish.
How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?
Refinishing hardwood floors can be costly. Depending on the size of your space and the complexity of the work, refinishing costs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.
The process itself may require staining, sealing, and sanding. Therefore, it’s important to select a professional contractor who knows how to properly restore the original lustre of hardwood floors.
Labour costs are usually higher for larger homes with more intricate floor layouts, such as those that contain curved or U-shaped stairs. While DIY might seem attractive at first glance, homemade refinishing jobs rarely look as nice as when carried out by a professional. So proceed with caution if you try your hand at this craft project; otherwise, it may cost you more money in the long run!
The average price to refinish hardwood floors in Toronto for a full home (around 1,000 sq ft) is around $2,500. This price can be broken down into labour costs ($1,000 to $1,500), materials costs (around $250) and the cost of renting or purchasing a sander ($350).
Note that these prices may vary depending on the quality of materials used and whether you choose to hire a professional contractor or do it yourself.
No matter the size or complexity of your hardwood floor project, carefully research and select professional contractors who can provide quality results at competitive prices.
Related Article: How Much Does It Cost to Install a New Hardwood Floor?
Final Thoughts
All in all, refinishing your hardwood floors can be daunting. But with the right preparation, materials, and tools, it’s easily achievable!
Hardwood floor refinishing will not only improve the look of your home but likely maintain and increase its value as well — making it an investment that will pay off over time. So don’t be intimidated; take on this project today and transform your hardwood floors into gleaming works of art!
Or seek the professional help we offer at LV Flooring. Our experienced floor refinishing experts will have your floors looking like new again. And we do it at the best prices too. Contact us today to discuss your floor refinishing needs.
