One of the great attractions of older homes is hardwood floors, and refinishing those floors can be the perfect way to add new beauty and style to your home. The first step is to determine if the hardwood needs refinishing. In many cases, the hardwood is simply dirty from years of use. They can be refurbished with a thorough cleaning and buffing followed by applying a new coat of finish right over the old. In extreme cases, the finish has been worn or scraped right through to the wood. As a test, pour a few tablespoons of water on a high-traffic area of the floor:
• If the water beads on top of the floor, then your finish is fine, and you can continue enjoying your hardwood floor.
• If the water sits on top of the floor, but leaves a slightly darkened area, the floor will probably need to be refinished soon.
• If the water leaves a dark, wet spot and soaks right in, it’s time to refinish the floor.
Once you’ve determined that you need to refinish, know that the job will entail completely sanding off the old finish down to the wood, possibly applying stain if you desire (including specific color), and finishing off with two clear coats of varnish.
Flooring America is your source for sophisticated hardwood flooring. We offer a huge selection of prefinished hardwood flooring options to match any decor or lifestyle. If you want to refinish your floor we can help too. Contact us today to learn more about the refinishing service we may offer or a local company we can recommend to you.
