Many people have hardwood floors in their homes but some need to be updated. Should you buy new flooring? This can be expensive so an ideal option is refinishing hardwood floors to look as good as new. The original beauty can be restored though it will take time to do this.
How to Refinish Hardwood Floors
Before you begin, there are some items you will need to successfully completely finish the task of refinishing hardwood floors.
You will need an edger and a drum sander, a buffer and coarse sandpaper. You will need a scraper as well as a putty knife, brooms for cleanup and a heavy duty vacuum. Wood stain and brushes are needs as well as rags for cleaning and also protection for body parts like the eyes and face.
The room should be cleared of all furniture and old carpeting to expose the hardwood floors including all nails. Check for any damage or creaking. The noisiest part of refinishing hardwood floors is sanding. Make sure your protective gear is on.
Try not to remove too much of the existing floor, mainly on the surface. Use the sander and the sandpaper to get rid of the original finish. Starting at the right side of the room put the machine down by the wall and in front of where you are standing. Use the equipment to remove all of the finish.
All of the cracks and holes should be eliminated by filling them. Use the sandpaper to smooth out all rough areas like edges. Once the process is completed, you can now apply a new finish. This is the final step of refinishing hardwood floors. You should ventilate the area and allow it to dry. You will need a sealant which needs to dry first before you apply the finish.
Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors
The cost of refinishing hardwood floors will depend on the size of the room and is measured in square feet. If your hardwood floors are in poor condition then the expense will be higher. You will pay much less doing it yourself compared to hiring a professional to do the job.
You must fix the cause of the problem if your floors are not in good shape. The cause must be eliminated so you must factor this in to the total cost. Putting in new ones could cost thousands of dollars but refinishing hardwood floors could save you thousands. The cost for refinishing will vary from one dollar to five dollars per square foot whereas with a professional, it will cost from three dollars to five dollars per square foot but could be higher depending on the condition of the floor.
The age of the existing floor will also be factored in to the cost. Older hardwood floors will have higher usage and will be in worse condition than those that are newer. Damage is inevitable. With older floors, some boards may need to be replaced but you may not need to replace the entire hardwood floor area.