If your home's hardwood floors have seen better days, you don't have to rip them out and replace them. One benefit of wood flooring is that you can bring it back to life through refinishing. There are different options when it comes to wood floor refinishing, but the results are often impressive. If hardwood floor refinishing is something that may work for your floors, here are three things you should know.
When To Refinish
The first thing to know about wood floor refinishing is whether it's going to work for your home's flooring. Some wood floors benefit greatly from refinishing, while others do not. Knowing when refinishing is the best option is crucial. Most wood floors will start to show wear and tear after many years of use, but it can be more or less depending on foot traffic in your home. If you see scratches, gouges, discoloration, or a dulling of your flooring's finish, it's an excellent time to consider wood floor refinishing.
How Much It Costs
Refinishing your wood floors will be less expensive than replacing them, but how much you pay will depend on a few factors. Whether you tackle refinishing on your own or decide to hire a professional, the condition of your wood floors and the size of your home will impact your bottom line. If you go the route of hiring a professional to refinish your wood flooring, you can expect to pay between $3 and $8 per square foot. If you decide to do the work of sanding and finishing on your own, you will see some savings, but you will want to hire a professional for the best results.
It's Labor-Intensive
While hardwood floor refinishing is a great way to save worn-out flooring, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. First, you need to clear a room of furniture and clean the floors before work begins. Sanding and patching your floors and adding stain and a top coat can take days. You will also need to wait for your wood floors to dry thoroughly before walking on them. If you are looking into refinishing your wood floors, make sure you take the time and work it takes into account.
If you are looking at wood floor refinishing, there are a few things to know about this process. First, if your floors have been in use for a decade or more, they will probably benefit from refinishing. Second, the cost of refinishing amounts to a few dollars per square foot when you hire a professional. Finally, if you want to tackle this project on your own, it can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.