Inevitably, your wood floors will start to show signs of wear and tear. Refinishing is a necessary part of keeping your floor looking its best.
First things first, remove all furniture and hang plastic sheeting over fixtures to keep dust out of your walls and ductwork. This will also help you vacuum the room more effectively. Contact Floor Refinishing Westchester NY now!
The cost of floor refinishing can vary significantly depending on the condition of your floors and the materials you choose. While the labor component of the project accounts for up to 80% of the total cost, other factors can also impact the final price tag. For example, the type of wood your floors are made from can affect how long it takes to refinish them. Common hardwoods such as oak and cherry are durable and easy to sand, but other types of wood require more attention and may be more expensive to refinish. For example, pine and mahogany must be sanded very carefully to prevent damage and staining problems.
The type of stain you choose will also affect the cost of refinishing. Many manufacturers of wood floors offer low- or no-VOC stains, but the cost of these products is usually higher than traditional stains. Additionally, if your floors are in need of extensive repairs, such as holes and cracks, the costs will increase.
If you are planning to do the refinishing yourself, there are several ways you can reduce your overall expenses. First, make sure to remove all furniture from the room that will be sanded. You should also cover fixtures and electrical sockets with plastic sheeting or tape to protect them from sanding dust. Once the sanding is complete, you should vacuum and wipe down the area to remove any remaining dust.
Finally, consider hiring a professional to do the refinishing for you. This is a much faster and safer method than doing it yourself, and you can trust that the job will be done correctly. However, be sure to get multiple estimates and choose a contractor who has the necessary experience and is licensed and insured. Also, try to refinish your floors during the winter, when flooring contractors are less busy and can offer lower rates.
Another important cost factor is clean-up. Depending on where you live, you may have to pay for the disposal of the debris or other materials used during refinishing. If you hire a professional, they may include clean-up in their prices, but it’s important to ask for a quote before starting the work.
Materials
The costs of refinishing wood floors include labor, materials and equipment. The cost of materials varies according to the size of the room and the type of wood used. The refinishing process includes sanding, staining and topcoats. The refinishing process can be time-consuming, but the results are well worth the effort. The first step in refinishing is cleaning the floor. This will remove any dirt or debris that may cause damage to the finished product. It is also a good idea to clear all furniture and decorations from the room. This will give the contractors a clean surface to work with.
The next step in refinishing is sanding the hardwood floors. Contractors will use a drum sander and start with a medium-grit disc, then move to a finer grit. They will also use an edging sander to get into corners. After sanding, the contractor will vacuum the floor to remove any dust. This will allow the final coat of stain to adhere properly to the wood.
Once the floor is sanded, it must be cleaned thoroughly to ensure that the new finish will stick. A floor that is not cleaned properly will become discolored and dull over time. The wood may also begin to split, warp or crack. This can happen if the water used to refinish the floors was too hot or the wood was not properly dried after it was wet.
While the sanding process is not harmful to your flooring, it can be messy and requires special equipment. Some types of sanding machines generate high volumes of dust that can be irritating to the respiratory system. It is recommended that you wear a respirator mask to protect yourself from the dust. In addition, you should cover the doorways and tape over electrical sockets to prevent sanding dust from spreading to other areas of the house.
After the sanding process, the floors must be buffed and vacuumed again to remove any dust that remains. Then, the contractor can apply the new stain and topcoat. It is important to choose a stain that is durable and moisture-resistant. Some finishes, such as oil-based polyurethanes, will develop strong odors while they are drying.
Time
Hardwood floors are a great addition to any home or office, but over time, they can become scratched, dull and worn-looking. While minor scratches and dents can be buffed or filled, serious damage may require refinishing to restore the surface. Refinishing is a process that involves sanding the existing floor and then applying a new layer of stain or finish. This is an inexpensive way to update your existing floors and give them a fresh new look. However, it is important to understand that refinishing can take a significant amount of time, especially if you have large areas of your floor that need to be sanded.
The time it takes to complete a floor refinishing job depends on several factors, including the condition of the wood and the size of the space. Generally, it takes between three and five days to finish a 1,000-square-foot space with average wear and tear. In addition to sanding, refinishing professionals must apply a base coat to protect the wood from moisture and then apply two or more coats of polyurethane. These coatings can take up to 24 hours to dry, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
Another factor is the type of polyurethane used. Oil-based products take longer to dry than water-based polyurethane, which can add a day or more to the overall project. Also, humid weather can affect the drying time of both oil and water-based polyurethane.
Before the sanding process begins, it is important to move all furniture out of the room and cover it with plastic tarps to prevent dust from spreading to other areas of the house or office. Additionally, it’s important to tape off outlets, doorways and cracks to protect them from sawdust. During the sanding process, you will need to open windows and run fans to reduce the amount of dust in the air.
Once the sanding is finished, it’s important to let the floors dry completely before moving them back into the space. It’s also a good idea to avoid walking on them for at least 48 hours. In addition, it’s a good idea to wait 30 days before placing rugs on the floor.
Safety
Floor refinishing procedures can be extremely hazardous. Conventional sealers, finishes and stains have high volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that release gases into your home and cause health problems. These include headaches, flu-like symptoms and can even trigger asthma for some people. To protect yourself from these dangers, use a dust mask and safety goggles when working with a sander. It is also a good idea to wear gloves when handling woodwork.
The sanding process creates harmful lung damaging particulate matter that will remain in the air for days. This is especially dangerous for children, pregnant women and elderly people. To minimize these effects, refinish your floors with a contractor that uses dust control and low VOC methods. In addition, have your HVAC system and air ducts cleaned after the job is finished to remove any settled sanding residue.
While your floors are refinishing, you should move all of your furniture to the other side of the room. You should also cover vents with painter’s tape and seal doors with plastic sheeting to prevent dust from entering your home. It’s also a good idea to remove any furniture with felt pads or nails. This will help prevent scratches and dents to the new finish.
You should clean your floors regularly using a vacuum cleaner or sweeper, and mop with a damp cloth. It’s a good idea to have your floors buffed and recoated with a renew oil coat every seven to ten years. This will keep your floors looking beautiful and reduce the frequency of refinishing.
One of the biggest decisions is what color to stain your floors. The right choice can make your home look brand new, and it can also dramatically increase its resale value. Keep in mind, however, that your floors will probably need to be refinished again within a few years, especially if you have kids or pets.
While refinishing your floors can be an expensive project, it’s one that will increase the resale value of your home and add a fresh, clean look. To keep your floors looking their best, it’s important to use a professional floor refinishing company with a solid reputation. Be sure to ask for a quote before beginning the project, and don’t be afraid to negotiate.