There was a time when nearly all homes had hardwood flooring, and then wall-to-wall carpeting came along, and many homeowners opted to cover those beautiful floors rather than deal with hardwood floor refinishing. If you have just become the lucky owner of a house where this atrocity has been committed and you wish to send that carpeting to the landfill, you’ll need to know a few things about restoring the wood to its natural beauty. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to proceed – or rather, how the professional will do it masterfully because you probably don’t want to try this yourself.
• Prepare the Room. This is a step you’ll likely need to do even if you hire a professional to do the actual hardwood floor refinishing. You’ll need to remove all your furniture and belongings, including those in the closet if it is a bedroom. It is also a good idea to cover lighting, appliances and other non-removable items with plastic sheeting.
• Remove the Carpeting. If there is carpeting on top of the hardwood flooring, it will obviously need to be removed. This is something you may feel comfortable doing yourself and some companies won’t do anyhow. Be sure to also remove the wood strips around the edges and any staples. Large holes may need to be repaired prior to continuing.
• Assess the Hardwood. Before starting the sanding process, it is important to determine the condition of the floor and whether it can withstand sanding. Some hardwood can go through many instances of hardwood floor refinishing, some can’t handle it at all, and others fall somewhere in between. If it can’t support refinishing, another option may be buffing and applying a polyurethane finish.
• Sanding the Floor. The sanding process can vary widely depending on the damage that the hardwood has endured. It may be accomplished in a couple of passes or need several at different grits to get the floor restored and smooth.
• Staining the Floor. Once the sanding is complete and the dust has been removed, it is time to stain the new unfinished hardwood. This is then covered with polyurethane to create a more durable finish. There are many different colors of stain and types of polyurethane to choose from, so you can get the final appearance you desire, from light to dark and satin to gloss.
If you would like to put your hardwood floor refinishing into the hands of an experienced professional, call us at Zack Hardwood Flooring. We have more than 15 years of experience in the hardwood flooring industry, including installation, refinishing, restoration, and demolition. Your complete satisfaction is our goal. Call today to learn more.