Tips for refinishing hardwood floors
Since spending more time at home, homeowners have probably started eyeing projects that need attention. If so, they are not alone. The Houzz home-renovation website reported a 58 percent increase in leads for home-improvement professionals this past summer.
One project that can make an impact on the look and value of a home is refinishing the hardwood floors. It may seem like a big project to tackle, but refinishing floors will not only improve the look and value of a home but will extend the lifespan of the floors.
Here are a few tips to get the job done right:
CHOOSE CAREFULLY
Homeowners should do their research. Since floors comprise one of the largest surfaces in the home, homeowners want them to look great and wear well for years to come.
Consider the room’s overall aesthetic, such as color palette and light. A darker space could benefit from lighter colored floors, while darker floors can add rich contrast. In addition to color, pay attention to the variety of floor-finish sheens, which can range from extra glossy to super matte.
Do not forget to account for other room changes that may be in the works, such as wall color, window treatments and furnishings.
USE A PROFESSIONAL
While individuals may be handy around the house, this is one area where they do not want to make costly mistakes. Hiring a qualified professional flooring craftsman will save time and could also save money. DIY floor refinishing mistakes are difficult to repair and may mean replacing the flooring surface altogether. Consult an expert such as a Bona Certified Craftsman to ensure that floors are refinished with the best products and tools to safeguard the health of a home.
THINK ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
When it comes to a hardwood-floor finish, the best choice for keeping a home free of toxins is a water-based or waterborne finish.
The three most common hardwood floor-finish choices are acid-cured (also called Swedish finish), oil-based polyurethane and waterborne. Acid-cured is high in volatile organic compounds (VOC), and is even outlawed in some regions. Because of the finish’s toxic nature, homeowners, pets, food, houseplants and even fish tanks must be removed from the home during the refinishing process to keep them safe. Even after the homeowner’s return, this floor finish will continue to release toxins into the home.
Oil-based polyurethane floor finish also emits a high level of VOCs, creating an intense smell. Additionally, the finish can have an extended drying time, making the flooring project take longer, and over time, the color can turn yellow, compromising the original floor color you selected.
By contrast, waterborne finishes are durable, sustainable and safe enough for homeowners, pets, plants and food to remain in the home during the entire refinishing process. A waterborne finish may take a few hours more to dry than an acid-cure finish but will be ready to walk on hours before an oil-based polyurethane finish. The environmental and health benefits are also well worth it. A high-durability waterborne finish such as Bona Traffic HD has low VOCs and is Greenguard Gold certified, ensuring that the finish looks beautiful and will keep the home healthy.
“Hardwood-floor refinishing has come a long way from 10 or 15 years ago,” said Kenny Boggs Jr. of of CHP Inc., a Chesapeake, Virginia-based hardwood-floor installation and renovation company. “With low VOC waterborne finishes, environmentally friendly sealers and dust containment systems, the refinishing process will only leave a beautiful floor behind.”
Finally, ask the flooring craftsman to use a dust containment system to further protect the home from potentially harmful dust, while also making cleanup a breeze.
LET THE FLOORS UNIFY THE SPACE
Designers often select the same flooring throughout several rooms, especially on one level of a home, to connect the spaces visually. Those who have other rooms on the same level that are not hardwood can see if there is hardwood under those other surfaces that could be refinished to create a unified look, or consider whether installing hardwood floors would be worth the investment.
KEEP THEM CLEAN
Once the hardwood floors are refinished, it is essential to clean and protect them. Ask the flooring craftsman to recommend products that will keep the newly refinished floors in great condition. The right floor care after refinishing will help keep the home looking beautiful for years.