Indeed, old hardwood floors can be refinished, but the choice relies on particular criteria. One affordable approach to bring old hardwood flooring back to its natural beauty is refinishing them instead of replacement. It entails surface sanding to eliminate flaws and adding a fresh finish to restore beauty and durability.
With appropriate care, hardwood flooring can endure from 30 up to 100 years, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), it is a classic element in many houses. Many homeowners, meanwhile, question whether refinishing is really feasible or whether their old hardwood floors are worth saving. Let’s investigate the specific factors and procedures to ascertain whether your ancient hardwood floors are fit for restoration.
When Can Old Hardwood Floors Be Refinished?
Choosing whether to restore ancient hardwood flooring calls for knowledge of important factors such its thickness, condition, and past treatments. These elements affect the feasibility and the refurbishing procedure.
Wood Thickness
The thickness of old hardwood flooring determines most of their refinishing capability. Usually thicker and able to be sanded several times, solid wood floors Your floors might not hold up the sanding procedure, though, if they are made of old thin wood with boards less than 3/4 inch thick. See a professional or remove a floor vent to gauge the thickness.
Condition of the Floor
Another important consideration is your hardwood floor situation right now. Usually, floor with surface-level damage, scuffs, or minor scratches can be restored. hardwood floor refinishing before and after, though, major problems include deep water damage, warping, or serious cracks may call for repairs. Refinishing might not be the ideal fix if a good amount of the floor is affected.
Number of Previous Refinishes
Sanding a hardwood floor removes a tiny layer of the wood every time. Should your floor have already been refinished several times, there could not be enough wood remaining for another sanding cycle. Under such circumstances, replacement could be the best choice even if refinishing would not be possible.
Type of Hardwood
Because of their thickness and resilience, solid hardwood flooring are perfect candidates for refinishing. If your floors are composed of engineered hardwood, though, the technique will rely on the thickness of the top veneer layer. Sanding and refining thin veneers is not possible like with solid timber.
How to Refinish Old Hardwood Floors?
Here is a detailed guide on restoring your old hardwood flooring if they are fit for this:
- Evaluate and Prepare: Evaluate your floor’s condition and empty the area. Make sure the floor is cleaned to remove filth and trash and that all furniture and rugs are taken out.
- Sanding: Remove the top layer of the wood with a professional-grade sander, removing surface flaws, outdated coatings, and scratches. Old thin wood should be carefully handled to prevent too deep sanding.
- Apply Stain (Optional): Apply a stain after sanding if you want the floor to be different in colour. Pick a stain that accentuates the look of your house.
- Finish and Seal: Applying a polyurethane sealant will help to polish the wood and guard it. Popular for their fast drying times, water-based finishes are less durable than oil-based finishes.
Allow Curing Time: Let the finish cure totally before you replace furniture or walk on the floor. The hardwood floor refinishing‘s lifetime depends on this stage hence it is absolutely essential.
Conclusion
If old hardwood flooring satisfies the required criteria—that is enough thickness and generally good condition—almost consistently they can be refinished. Your floors will seem naturally beautiful again, and their lifetime will be extended by knowing these elements and applying the refinishing hardwood floors.
If you’re ready to refinish your hardwood floors, trust the experts at Flooring Butler. Visit us for professional refinishing services that deliver stunning results.