Hardwood Floor Refinishing Bergen County NJ restores them to their former glory and helps extend the life of your flooring. This is a project for professional contractors who specialize in this service.
Damaged and dull wood floors are magnets for ants, termites and other unwanted pests. The craters and crevices that develop in damaged wood become perfect nesting grounds for these pests.
Unlike recoating, which only involves applying a new layer of finish, refinishing actually sands down the existing wood and takes the hardwood floor back to its original state. It’s a more time-consuming process, but it will give you what is effectively a brand new hardwood floor at a fraction of the cost of replacing it.
Before you start sanding, remove everything from the room (apart from furniture) to make it easier to clean and protect things like radiator grates from sawdust. You’ll also want to cover any fixtures or appliances in the room with tarps so that you don’t accidentally damage them when sanding. Next, sweep the floors thoroughly and dust mop them to get rid of any dirt or debris. It’s important that the floor is pristinely clean before you begin, as any dust left on the surface can cause it to scratch or create a dull finish when you apply the stain. You should also make any repairs to gouges and cracks in the floor.
Sanding the floor isn’t an easy job, and it’s essential to follow all the safety advice in your sanding kit. Wear a respirator or a face mask that can be adjusted to your size and shape, and always follow the instructions on the machine you’re using. A sanding machine with a drum-style sander is best, and it should be fitted with a sandpaper grade and grit appropriate to the floor. A coarse sandpaper is usually sufficient for a general resand, but you may need to switch to finer grits once you’ve gone over the entire surface area. Don’t forget to sand the edges of the room, and be sure to empty your dust bag regularly.
Staining is the final stage of the refinishing process, and this is where you’ll get to decide on the color you want your hardwood to be. Ideally, you should use oil-based stain, as it’s more durable and will protect the floor from moisture. However, if you’re concerned about the environmental impact, there are water-based stain options available that can be used with a varnish that’s low in VOCs.
Staining
A new coat of stain gives your hardwood floors a pop of color and can make the difference between a beautiful and just mediocre floor. Staining is a messy job so you will need to take precautions. Wearing gloves, masks and shoe covers will help keep the mess to a minimum. You should also thoroughly stir your stain before application to ensure that it is well mixed and has the correct color. Different woods react to stains differently, so it is important to test a small section of the flooring before committing to a larger area.
This is a good time to point out that it is possible to stain a hardwood floor without re-sanding it. The process is just a little more time-consuming, and you will need to do some research, but it can be done. You should still sand the floor after staining in order to ensure that the stain has properly adhered to the surface of the wood, and you should also make sure that the stain is a uniform color.
Once the stain is applied it should be left to dry according to the manufacturer’s directions. Once the stain has dried the floor can be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any dust and grit that may have settled in the pores of the wood.
The final step is to apply a coat of finish. This is usually done with a low-VOC finish, and it should be allowed to dry for 24 hours between each coat. You will need to allow at least three coats of finish in order to achieve a good level of protection for your floors.
It is a good idea to hire a professional to perform the work of refinishing your hardwood floors. A reputable contractor will have an excellent track record, and they should be able to answer any questions that you may have. They should also be bonded and insured. It is also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against them. If there are complaints, it is worth contacting the contractor to find out how they were resolved.
Sealing
Before a new stain or finish is applied, the hardwood floor must be sealed. It’s important to use a high-quality, water-based sealant that will not yellow with age and is easy to clean up after. Oil-based polyurethane was the preferred choice for many years, but newer water-based options have improved greatly in terms of durability and moisture resistance. They are also less toxic than the old oil-based ones and have fewer fumes.
Before applying the final coat of sealant, lightly sand the floor again with a very fine grade of sandpaper (usually #220). This will ensure that the second coating adheres properly. Then vacuum the area thoroughly, and wipe it with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue. Finally, allow the floors to dry completely before moving in furniture or allowing foot traffic on them.
Once the floor is sealed, you can enjoy a clean and shiny surface that will protect the wood from dirt and grime. It will also be easier to maintain and keep looking good than a natural unfinished wood.
When choosing a sealant, consider the color of your wood and what kind of finish you want to have on the floor. Penetrating sealers may be best if you’re concerned about water damage, while glossier finishes are better for those who prefer a more polished look.
If you’re not comfortable doing this project yourself, consider hiring a professional to take care of the work. The right contractor will have the experience and knowledge to do a top-notch job. In addition, they will be familiar with all the tools, techniques and procedures for sanding and refinishing. They’ll be able to help you choose the right stain and finish for your home, and they can provide you with a fair estimate of the cost of the job.
City Floor Supply offers a wide selection of stain and flooring products, including Bona’s full line of dust-free sanding and finishing equipment. They offer a complete package of services, from sanding to sealing, so you can get your hardwood floors looking just the way you’d like them with minimal disruption to your daily life.
Finishing
If you decide to stain the hardwood, it’s important that you do so in a color that coordinates with your other furnishings. It’s also a good idea to choose a semi-gloss finish, which will resist stains and keep the floor looking shiny for longer than a matte or satin finish would. Most stains have a wide range of colors, so it’s easy to find one that will complement your home. If you’re planning to do the staining yourself, be sure to use a good respirator and allow plenty of time for the project. You’ll also want to wait at least eight to 10 hours between each coat of finish, and you may need a week before walking on the floors or placing furniture again.
After the floors have been sanded, cleaned, and scuff-sanded again, it’s time to apply the finish. This process should be done carefully, since the wrong kind of finish can damage the wood. The most popular and durable choice is a polyurethane finish, which comes in both water-based and oil-based formulations. Both of these are easy to work with, but you’ll need to sand the finished floor lightly between coats. A water-based polyurethane has a mild odor and dries more quickly, while an oil-based finish has a strong odor and dries slowly.
You can use either a foam brush or a lamb’s-wool applicator to apply the finish, depending on the type you choose. Vacuum and scuff-sand the floors again between each application, using a pole sander with 100-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish. For a water-based finish, sand the floors with a vacuum and tack rag before applying another coat.
Wax finishes are a popular option in historic homes and among do-it-yourselfers, who like the low-sheen look that it provides. You’ll need to reapply wax periodically, and it can be difficult to buff, but it’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy a more natural look for their hardwood floors. Shellac is a high-gloss option that dries fast and emits few VOCs, but it can be difficult to apply and buff.