Hardwood Floor Refinishing Bergen County NJ involves sanding off the current finish and applying a new coat of stain. A high-quality, low-VOC finish is used for protection and beauty.
It’s important to remove the furniture and close off doors and windows to keep dust contained during sanding. During this step, it’s also important to wear protective gear like a mask and goggles.
If your wood floors are starting to show signs of wear and tear or you simply want a change, refinishing is an affordable option. However, it’s important to understand the process in order to avoid mistakes that can turn your weekend project into a costly endeavor.
First, clear the room of all furniture and other items that might get in the way of the refinishing process. You’ll also want to move any houseplants that are in the area. Then, sand the floor using a medium-grit sanding pad. This will remove any scratches and dents, as well as prepare the surface for staining. It’s important to sand the entire surface of the wood, including the underside and faces of the boards.
After sanding, vacuum the floor thoroughly to eliminate any dust that may have accumulated in the corners of the room. Then, stain the hardwood floor to your desired color. We recommend choosing a water-based polyurethane for the final coat because it’s less toxic than an oil-based product and has fewer volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can contaminate indoor air.
After the stain has dried, apply 2-3 coats of polyurethane. It’s a good idea to buff and vacuum between polyurethane coats. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application. Once the last coat of polyurethane has been applied, allow the wood to acclimate for 24 hours before moving back into the room. Hardwood floor refinishing takes time and effort, but it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run by protecting your home’s wood flooring from damage and extending its lifespan. It’s also a great way to increase the value of your home.
Sanding your hardwood floors is a messy process, but it’s one of the most important steps in the refinishing process. The sanding process removes the old finish and bare boards, so your new finish will stick. You will need to have the right sanding tools, and plenty of room to work. A large drum sander and a set of 80-grit disks are your best bet. You will also want to have a vacuum to collect the dust.
For your first sanding pass, use the drum sander to sand the center of the room. Then, switch to an edger for the edges of the room and around furniture. Be sure to wear a mask or respirator when sanding. The fine dust can cause sinus problems and other health issues. For your second sanding pass, you will need to switch to an even finer grit — such as 100-grit. The final sanding is with a buffer, which will smooth out any blemishes in the floor and leave it looking like new wood.
You will need to repair any major scratches or gouges with wood putty. Let this dry for at least 24 hours, then sand again with medium-grade sandpaper and wipe the floor clean with a tack cloth.
It is a good idea to close all the windows and doors in the room where you are working to keep the dust contained and out of the rest of the house. You should also cover any items on the walls, such as pictures and curtains, with plastic and painter’s tape. It’s also a good idea to open a window or two to improve ventilation. Professional refinishers have special containment systems in place to keep the dust and fumes contained.
Once the sanding process is complete, it’s time to stain the hardwood. The best stain for wood floors is oil-based, low VOC (volatile organic compound), and tinted to allow the homeowner to choose a color that fits his or her style.
When choosing a color, it’s important to keep in mind that different types of wood respond differently to stains. It’s also a good idea to test a small area of the floor with the chosen color before applying it to the entire room. It’s a good idea to use two or three different shades of stain on the floor to create a more interesting look.
The first step in staining is to prep the room by vacuuming and dusting to remove all particles of dirt from the floor. It is also a good idea to close all windows and doors during this stage to prevent dust from blowing around the house. The floor is then rubbed down with a soft cloth to remove any remaining dirt and grime. Next, the room is vacuumed again and wiped down with tack cloths to ensure an ultra-clean surface.
Finally, the floor is stained any desired color and 2-3 coats of polyurethane are applied. The polyurethane protects the floor and adds a glossy shine that looks beautiful in any home. It’s also easy to maintain and resists scuffing and abrasions.
Depending on how many coats of polyurethane are used, a smooth finished hardwood floor can be refinished up to five times, though in most homes they would only need to be refinished four or five times before it’s time for a new look. It is also important to choose a topcoat finish that is designed specifically for wood floors.
Hardwood floors are renowned for their durability, but over time they can become dull, scratched or discolored. Whether the damage is minor or severe, there are several ways to revitalize wood floors, including refinishing and resurfacing. It’s important to understand the difference between these two processes before deciding which one is best for your home.
Refinishing is a labor-intensive process, but it can give your floors a new lease on life that will last for years to come. The process requires sanding, staining and then sealing. Depending on the extent of the damage, refinishing can take a few days to a few weeks.
During the sanding and staining stages, it’s essential to keep pets and children out of the area. This will protect them from falling shards of wood as well as the strong chemical fumes. In addition, it’s best to remove all furnishings from the room being refinished. This will allow the refinishers to work efficiently and ensure that your furniture is protected from the strong polyurethane odor.
After sanding and staining, your hardwood floors will need to be sealed. This step is essential to preserving your investment. When choosing a sealer, consult the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best results. Most manufacturers recommend that you apply at least two coats of sealer to your hardwood floor.
While refinishing hardwood floors is an investment, it can bring your old floors back to life. When properly maintained, your hardwood floors will remain beautiful for a lifetime. Regular sweeping, dust mopping and vacuuming will help to keep the surfaces free of debris that can act like sandpaper, causing scratches. Regularly cleaning with a product like will also help. This product was specifically created to refresh old, previously sealed hardwood floors and can fill light scratches and soften dings.
Hardwood floors don’t stay gorgeous on their own; they need a coat of finish to protect them from the daily wear and tear of being walked on. Refinishing will give your floors the fresh look they need to look beautiful once again, and it is a very worthwhile investment that adds value to your home.
First, the floor is vacuumed and wiped down to remove any debris or dirt that might mar the final look of the finished wood flooring. Then, the floor is buffed to help the finish adhere to the wood. Finally, a lambswool applicator is used to apply the desired amount of wood finish. It is recommended that two to three coats of polyurethane be applied. Each coating will dry for about 8 hours.
This is the most time-consuming part of the entire process, but it is also the most important. It is vital that every dust particle is removed from the room before applying a new coating of hardwood floor finish. If you skip this step, you will end up with a floor that looks like it was sanded and refinished five times before.
Once the floor is fully buffed and dry, the stain can be applied. It is highly recommended that you use an oil-based wood finish as opposed to a water-based one. This type of stain dries much more slowly than the water-based version, and will give you plenty of time to touch up any spots where the finish does not adhere properly.
After the stain has dried, a second coating of polyurethane can be applied to the wood flooring. The floor should be buffed in between each coat of finish to help with the adhesion.
