Floor Refinishing

Let's face it, hardwood floors get scuffed. No matter how well you clean them, their finish will fade over time due to use and abuse.

At some point in time, you will have to face the inevitability of floor refinishing. Floor refinishing is simply the process of sanding off the old stain and finish, and applying a new stain and a gloss coat or sealer. There are two options for you at this point: do it yourself or find a professional.

If you choose to find a professional (and many people do!), make sure that you choose a professional with a sterling reputation. This will ensure that you get the best floor refinishing project at the best price.

When considering professionals, make sure that they have a reputation for accurate estimates without many budget over runs. Another aspect to consider is the reliability of the service you are contracting. Find out the time line in which they have completed previous jobs. This will give you a good idea of their work ethic and reliability.

If you decide that you would like to tackle your floor refinishing project on your own, get ready for some work. While it is not terribly difficult, it is time consuming and dirty.

The first thing that you will need is a power sander and several grits of sandpaper. Begin with a relatively rough grit and sand the floor until the majority of the old stain is gone. You can do the project in sections if you wish, though many prefer to make this an all weekend project.

Now it's time to change sand paper grits. This type will be a fine grit. You will need to sand the floor until it is smooth and all traces of the old finish have been completely removed. Once this is done, it's time to vacuum thoroughly; followed by the stain. Do this in several light coats, allowing the stain to dry completely before beginning the next coat. After the stain has completely dried, you can put down your sealer or gloss coat.