Signs That Your Hardwood Floors Need Refinishing
Hardwood floors add timeless beauty and elegance to any space. However, even the most durable hardwood floors can show signs of wear and tear over time. Knowing when to refinish your hardwood floors is crucial to maintaining their beauty and extending their lifespan. Here are some common signs that indicate it’s time to consider refinishing your hardwood floors:
1. Visible Scratches and Dents
Everyday activities, moving furniture, and pets can cause scratches and dents on your hardwood floors. If you notice numerous surface scratches or deeper gouges, it’s a clear sign that your floors need refinishing to restore their smooth, flawless appearance.
2. Fading or Discoloration
Exposure to sunlight and general wear can cause hardwood floors to fade or become discolored. If your once-vibrant floors look dull or uneven in color, refinishing can rejuvenate the wood, bringing back its original luster and richness.
3. Water Damage and Stains
Water spills, pet accidents, or high humidity can lead to water stains and damage on hardwood floors. If you see dark spots, warping, or other signs of water damage, refinishing can help remove these blemishes and protect the wood from further damage.
4. Worn Out Finish
The protective finish on hardwood floors wears down over time, leaving the wood vulnerable to damage. If your floors have lost their shine and the finish appears thin or worn out, it’s time to refinish them. A fresh coat of finish will provide a protective layer, enhancing the floor’s durability and appearance.
5. Splinters and Rough Patches
If you notice splinters or rough patches on your hardwood floors, it means the surface has deteriorated. These imperfections can be hazardous and uncomfortable to walk on. Refinishing will smooth out the surface, making your floors safe and comfortable again.
6. Cupping or Warping
Cupping (when the edges of the boards are higher than the center) or warping can occur due to moisture imbalance. If your floors show signs of cupping or warping, refinishing can address the issue and restore the boards to their original condition.
7. Difficulty Cleaning
If your hardwood floors are difficult to clean, with dirt and grime getting trapped in scratches and dents, refinishing can help. A smooth, newly finished surface is easier to clean and maintain, ensuring your floors stay beautiful with minimal effort.
8. Age of the Floors
Over time, even well-maintained hardwood floors will need refinishing. If it’s been more than 7-10 years since your floors were last refinished, it’s a good idea to assess their condition. Regular refinishing helps maintain the wood’s integrity and extends the life of your floors.
General Questions
How expensive is Clean & Recoat?
Prices will vary but typically a contractor will charge you less than what they would charge you for sanding and refinishing the floor. Pricing will depend on how much time they spend cleaning a floor, the type of finish they use and the number of applications of finish they make. Get several estimates but pay careful attention to how long they will take, how they will prep the surface and the type of finish they will use. Learn More…
Is this a dusty, smelly process?
The smell of the chemicals used to clean the floors is comparable to typical household cleaners and are not toxic or hazardous. The buffers we use have dust containment systems attached to vacuums to minimize any dust from prep work. We only work with waterborne urethanes that have no offensive odors. Done correctly, Clean & Recoat is the least invasive recoating process on the market today.
How log will a Clean & Recoat last?
With proper care and maintenance and by following a common sense approach to reduce wear and damage, a floor that’s been recoated can give you years of excellent service. I’ve seen floors that I recoated more than ten years ago that are still in very good shape. Most floors that are being recoated will be getting a waterborne finish and these finishes are very good and easily maintained. Learn More…
What is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring is a tongue and groove interlocking flooring system that comes in either planks or squares. All of these floors have a wear layer, a decorative print film layer, an inner core structure, and some type of backing support layer — usually melamine. The print film layer is either fused or glued to the inner core. The print film can be a photo of any real floor. The earlayer is applied to the decorative print layer to protect the pattern. Melamine resins are the main component of the wearlayer. The melamine surface gets its incredible durability from aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide is almost as hard as diamonds and provides unsurpassed wear and stain resistance. Learn More…
What is Engineered Flooring?
Engineered flooring is produced by bonding three or more layers of wood. The crossing of grain direction within the boards makes this a very dimensionally stable product able to resist nearly all expansion and shrinkage from normal moisture changes. This is one primary feature that makes it suitable for use directly on concrete and below-grade application. Learn More…
Will my floor age or change color?
Yes. You can expect to see shade differences in your floor over time. The cause is usually from exposure to the ultra-violet rays of the sun, whether direct or indirect. This color change will be more noticeable in lighter colors, which will darken over time. In addition, certain species like Brazilian cherry, will naturally darken over the years. These changes are due to the natural characteristics of wood and are not covered by most manufacturers’ warranties.
What is Custom Finishing?
Sanding and refinishing performed to individual specifications. Custom finishing of wood floors is performed in the home on the completely installed new floor, or to refurbish a previously finished floor. Custom finishing permits the owner to select from a full range of stains, sheens and colors.
Is it better Shampoo or steam cleaning?
Steam cleaning stands out as a supremely effective method, owing to its advanced technology and integrated machinery. Moreover, the infusion of hot water and cleansing agents ensures a swift and thorough penetration into upholstery, surpassing the efficacy of traditional shampooing techniques.
