One of the best things about having hardwood floors is how easy they are to maintain. But sooner or later, the day will come when it will be necessary to restore them. So, here are some simple hardwood floor restoration tips to help you get started.
Have the professionals do it
Naturally, having the professionals come in to restore your hardwoods is a good option if you can afford it. Costs are going to be around $2.50-$5.00 per square foot.
Do it yourself
If you are going to do the work yourself, there are a few things you need to do before you begin.
-Countersink all nails. Running the sander over a protruding nail head is not what you want to happen.
-Remove all wax from your floors.
repainted
Once you’ve done your prep, you can start sanding down the old finish.
The key with this step is to use medium grade sandpaper first and then follow up with fine sandpaper. Also, before running the sander, cover all furniture and other items in the area. Things will get complicated.
Apply the finish
Now that the surface is prepped, it’s time to apply the finish. Before making any decisions about the type of finish you want on your hardwood floor, first read the flooring manufacturer’s guidelines. The finish you want may not work for your particular floor.
The most common type of finish is water-based urethanes. They go on easily and dry in 3-5 hours.
Oil-based urethanes generally take 8-2 hours to dry. Of course, you want to test a small area before walking on the floor and moving the furniture back.
If you’re considering a stain for your hardwood floor, you may want to let the professionals do it. Considerable skill is required to stain the boards evenly.
Refinishing hardwood floors isn’t difficult if you just take your time and prepare the surface. The results will be worth the effort once you’re done.
