Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Refinishing Hardwood Floors In Indianapolis

Refinishing hardwood floors is a great way to improve a home without removing any of its unique characters.

Refinishing brings older or worn floors back to life and gives you a sturdy, stylish foundation on which to build an entire room.

Unfortunately, refinishing hardwood floors is a bit of a project. The end result is worth it, but knowing what to expect going in can help relieve the stress and frustration many homeowners experience. Though it is possible to refinish your floors yourself, calling on a professional will likely save a lot of time and stress.

Steps for Refinishing Hardwood Floors

The pros you hire for refinishing hardwood floors might ask you to remove all furniture and other items from the room in advance or they might do this for you. Having the space clear makes it easier to clean and ensures nothing is damaged during the refinishing process.

Clean-Up – If you are refinishing hardwood floors that were recently uncovered under carpeting or another type of flooring, the clean-up process might be a bit more complex. Nails, glue, and remnants from another flooring will need to be removed before the actual refinishing process can begin. Most refinishing projects take about a day, but this time frame could be longer depending on the condition of your floor.

Sand/Strip – Once the floor is clean and dry, it’s time to sand or strip. The previous finish will determine which is appropriate. The products used for the previous finish also determine what to use in the future as well.

Buffing – Next comes the buffing to remove the top layer of wood. This kicks up a fair amount of dust, so make sure everyone nearby wears a mask during this process. Flooring professionals often use equipment to keep dust from becoming a problem, but you can also use a fan or air purifier to keep dust to a minimum throughout your home.

Scratch and Dent Removal – If there are stains that need removing or scratches and dents that need puttying, the buffing process can also take longer. Once the floors are smooth and even, they will need to be vacuumed, swept, and dry-tacked with a microfiber cloth to remove the dust that settles after buffing.

The Finish Coat – Finally, the finish coating is applied. The fumes can be intense and dangerous depending on what is used, so if possible, keep windows open and wear a mask if you will be nearby during this part of the process. Time to dry might be required between multiple coats, so make sure you plan for the downtime.

Refinishing your hardwood floors is complete after these steps – and usually within a week’s time you can return your furniture to the space and enjoy. If you’d like more information, or to schedule a refinishing project, contact us today.

Hardwood Floors