Floor Refinishing in Indian Trail
Local Floor Refinishing
Although hardwood floors are durable and can last a lifetime, there will come a time when homeowners will need to refinish their wood floors. Floor refinishing is the best way to extend the life of hardwood floors, and can also be used to update the interior design of the home. Learn more about the refinishing process at Gil Flooring Solutions in Indian Trail, NC.
Floor Refinishing in Indian Trail: Can All Floors Be Refinished?
Refinishing is a process that is used to refresh a hardwood floor. Refinishing a wood floor is a good idea for a few reasons, such as applying a new coat of protective layer on the hardwood that keeps hardwood floors looking brand new. Refinishing may also be a good choice if homeowners want to get rid of any small nicks, scratches, or dents on the floor.
The process of floor refinishing involves sanding away the existing wear layer, followed by the application of a new wood stain (if desired) and a new seal to protect the wood. The most common seal used for a hardwood protective layer is polyurethane, but other seals may be used, depending on the indoor aesthetic. Sometimes, epoxy may be better if a homeowner’s goal is to increase the impact resistance of your floor.
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Common Questions about Floor Refinishing
What If You Have Unfinished Floors?
For homeowners who have unfinished floors, or floors that have never had a protective seal, the refinishing process is similar. If a floor has never been stained or finished, it may not be necessary to sand the entire floor down. Instead, homeowners may only need to have small areas of damage sanded before stains and seals are applied.
Do You Always Need to Sand Hardwood Floors Before Refinishing?
In some cases, it may not be necessary to sand hardwood before a floor is refinished. For floors that have very little damage, homeowners can simply renew the appearance of the hardwood by adding a new protective layer over the old finish. The most important part of refinishing a floor is applying the protective coating.
Do You Need to Resurface Instead of Refinish?
While resurfacing and refinishing sound like the same process, there is actually a big difference between refinishing a floor and resurfacing a floor. In general, refinishing a floor is a cosmetic process that only keeps the floor updated. Resurfacing a hardwood floor, on the other hand, can involve pulling up and replacing damaged wood, installing new nails, and many other steps before a new stain and seal are applied to the floor.
It’s best to trust the advice of a flooring company to determine whether hardwood floors need to be resurfaced. Typically, hardwood only needs to be resurfaced if there is significant damage or if the flooring is too thin to be sanded. Resurfacing a floor when recommended is one of the best ways to ensure the safety and value of a home.
How Often Should Floors Be Refinished?
Most hardwood floors will only need to be refinished every eight to 12 years. However, the unique wear and tear on the floor may mean that some hardwood will only need to be refinished every 15 to 20 years in some homes. Homes that have a lot of high traffic may need refinishing more frequently, such as every five to 10 years
Can You Stay At Home When the Floors Are Refinished?
The process to refinish a floor can take a few days, depending on how much hardwood is in the home and whether the home has a finished floor. Because an unfinished floor will not require the same amount of sanding, it may be faster to finish an unfinished floor. However, because of the chemicals contained in the floor finish, it may be best to not sleep at home for a few days.
Many homeowners who are having their floors refinished will be able to go back home after two or three days, which will give the new protective layer enough time to set and the home enough time to ventilate fresh air. Staying at a hotel or with friends and family is the best thing to do so homeowners are not exposed to the fumes of the protective seal layer. This is especially important if homeowners have children or pets.
Refinishing hardwood floors is a necessary process if homeowners want wood flooring to look good-as-new for as long as possible. Updating the stain and seal on a hardwood floor can be an effective way to protect the floor from moisture, scratches, dents, and other damage.
Why Should You Consider Floor Refinishing Instead of Replacing?
Refinishing a floor is significantly cheaper than replacing a floor. Regardless of the flooring type in a home, it’s more affordable to refinish a floor with a new protective seal than rip up the flooring altogether. Refinishing is also much faster than replacing a floor, which means the lives of people dwelling in the home will not be upended while this work is being done.
Furthermore, the fact of the matter is that most floors will not need to be replaced very frequently. Vinyl and laminate floors can look brand-new with regular refinishing for 10 to 20 years, or sometimes more. Tile floors and hardwood floors are also designed to last a lifetime, so it makes no sense to replace the floor entirely when scratches can be easily fixed with a new protective wear layer.
How Do You Know It’s Time to Refinish a Floor?
Regardless of the type of flooring in a home, there are several common signs that indicate it’s time to refinish the floor. Obvious or very large dents, scratches, and stains are one of the biggest reasons homeowners refinish a floor. A homeowner may also choose to refinish a floor to correct water damage, fading, dullness, and discoloration.
Floor refinishing is one of the regular duties homeowners must perform to keep floors in good shape. From hardwood to laminate to tile, refinishing a floor by applying a new seal can ensure the flooring is protected.
Looking for a local and professional floor refinisher in Indian Trail? Give Gil Flooring Solution a call at (704) 245-9110 and we will discuss what flooring options may be right for you!