Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is a timeless choice for any home, offering durability and natural beauty that can last for generations. However even the sturdiest hardwood floors can show signs of wear and tear over time. Refinishing your hardwood floors restores their original luster and can extend their life. Here are the top FAQs homeowners ask about hardwood flooring refinishing. What is Hardwood Floor Refinishing? Hardwood floor refinishing involves sanding down the top layer of the floor to remove scratches, stains, and imperfections, then applying a new stain and finish to protect the wood and enhance its appearance. How Do I Know if My Hardwood Floors Need Refinishing? Your hardwood floors need refinishing if they have visible scratches, dullness, and water damage or if the finish is worn through in high-traffic areas or if the wood is splintering, it's time to consider refinishing. Can All Hardwood Floors Be Refinished? Most solid hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times. However, engineered hardwood floors can typically only be refinished once or twice, depending on the thickness of the top layer of wood. How Long Does the Refinishing Process Take? The time required to refinish hardwood floors depends on the size of the area and the condition the floor is in but on average the process takes 3-7 days. This includes sanding, staining, and applying multiple coats of finish, with drying time between each step. What Type of Finish Should I Pick? There are several types of finishes to choose from, including oil-based polyurethane, water-based polyurethane, and wax finishes. Each type has its pros and cons regarding durability, appearance, and drying time. Can I Change the Color of My Hardwood Floors During Refinishing? Yes, refinishing is an excellent opportunity to change the color of your hardwood floors. After sanding, you can choose a new stain color. [...]

What is the difference between water based polyurethane and oil based polyurethane? Both oil and water based polyurethanes are like a coat of armor for the hardwood floor below, protecting the wood from damage. Each type of polyurethane is a sacrificial layer that will show scratches and wear marks over time, and both oil and water based polyurethane have their strengths! DURABILITY: If each product is applied properly using quality products, the difference in durability is indiscernible. A lot of clients think that water based poly is not as durable as an oil based poly, but a newer brand, quality water based poly will last just as long if it is well taken care of! COLOR: Oil-based poly has an amber hue, whereas water based poly is clear. An oil based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time, while water-based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor. This color difference is less noticeable over a stained hardwood floor, but an oil based poly will still exhibit an amber hue that will continue to darken over time. DRYING TIMES: Oil-based poly takes much longer to dry and cure, and only one coat of oil based poly can be applied to a hardwood floor in 24 hours. Water-based poly dries much faster, and several coats (up to 4) can be applied in one day. Water-based poly can be walked on with socks in about 4-6 hours after last coat has been applied, while oil based poly must dry for at least 24 hours before walking on it with socks. SMELL: Oil-based poly has a very pungent smell and emits a strong chemical odor and noxious fumes while drying that should not be inhaled. We normally advise our clients to be out of the house and also to remove their [...]