As your hardwood floor ages, it can get scratches or become dull. Fortunately, hardwood floors can come back. All you need is a Floor refinishing contractor in Arlington, VA, to refinish it.
During its lifetime, a hardwood floor can use ten or 12 complete sanding and refinishing jobs. Depending on the thickness of the wood veneer, you can refinish an engineered wood flooring once or twice.
Why hardwood floor needs refinishing
It may reach a time where your hardwood needs TLC, or you can do refurbishing when planning to resell your house. In addition, as a new homebuyer, you may discover aged hardwood under the vinyl, carpet, or a newly installed wood flooring. With some refinishing work, Arlington Virginia hardwood floor refinishing contractors can make your floor look new. Refinishing restores the plank of wood to its original condition and color.
A step-by-step guide to refinishing your hardwood floor
Assess the floor
When you get ready to refinish your floor, ensure that you know the type of wood, you are dealing with. For example, refinishing hardwood floors such as maple and oak can be relatively easy. However, engineering wood floors are not suitable for refinishing since the veneer on top comes right off as soon as sanding begins.
You can refinish again an old floor that has been refinished several times. First, pull up the heating grate to see how much hardwood is left. If you can see the nail heads or the wood is less than 1/8 inch above the tongue, you need to consider other chemical options to remove the old finish and refinish the floor.
Prepare for sanding
For a floor with a lot of heavy finish on it or has not been sanded for a long time, Start with 36-grit sandpaper. Use 16 or 24-grit paper for floors with paint.
Before you sand, pull out the heating grates and old carpet tacks. Unless you are planning to replace the baseboards, you can leave them. Your floor needs to be clean before you can start sanding. Sweep it and dust mop it to remove all the dust and debris. Also, remember to repair the cracks and gouges before sanding.
Sand and buff the floor
The first sanding removes the finish. Next, pass the drum sander, and then work on the edges with an edge sander. In the second sanding pass, remove the remaining finish and eliminate scratches made by the first sanding pass. Use a 100-grit sanding screen on a buffer in the final pass to even the blemishes and scratches.
Choose a finish
The hardwood floor finishes determine the look of your floor. For example, an oil-based satin finish will give your floor a warm glow and hide the imperfections as it brings out the grain. However, you need plenty of ventilation for this type of finish. Another option could be the water-based finish that dries clear and does not produce toxic fumes. This is the perfect finish for homeowners who do not want yellowing on the floor or easy maintenance.
You can also opt for wax or natural oils. They are ideal for historic homes. They are also safe for kids.
Apply the finish
Use a bristle brush or form applicator to cut in the finish around the edges of the room. The main area uses a paint roller or T-bar when using a water-based urethane and a lamb wool applicator when using oil-based polyurethanes.
Please contact Alexandria Hardwood by phone at 703-940-0198 or online.
During its lifetime, a hardwood floor can use ten or 12 complete sanding and refinishing jobs. Depending on the thickness of the wood veneer, you can refinish an engineered wood flooring once or twice.
Why hardwood floor needs refinishing
It may reach a time where your hardwood needs TLC, or you can do refurbishing when planning to resell your house. In addition, as a new homebuyer, you may discover aged hardwood under the vinyl, carpet, or a newly installed wood flooring. With some refinishing work, Arlington Virginia hardwood floor refinishing contractors can make your floor look new. Refinishing restores the plank of wood to its original condition and color.
A step-by-step guide to refinishing your hardwood floor
Assess the floor
When you get ready to refinish your floor, ensure that you know the type of wood, you are dealing with. For example, refinishing hardwood floors such as maple and oak can be relatively easy. However, engineering wood floors are not suitable for refinishing since the veneer on top comes right off as soon as sanding begins.
You can refinish again an old floor that has been refinished several times. First, pull up the heating grate to see how much hardwood is left. If you can see the nail heads or the wood is less than 1/8 inch above the tongue, you need to consider other chemical options to remove the old finish and refinish the floor.
Prepare for sanding
For a floor with a lot of heavy finish on it or has not been sanded for a long time, Start with 36-grit sandpaper. Use 16 or 24-grit paper for floors with paint.
Before you sand, pull out the heating grates and old carpet tacks. Unless you are planning to replace the baseboards, you can leave them. Your floor needs to be clean before you can start sanding. Sweep it and dust mop it to remove all the dust and debris. Also, remember to repair the cracks and gouges before sanding.
Sand and buff the floor
The first sanding removes the finish. Next, pass the drum sander, and then work on the edges with an edge sander. In the second sanding pass, remove the remaining finish and eliminate scratches made by the first sanding pass. Use a 100-grit sanding screen on a buffer in the final pass to even the blemishes and scratches.
Choose a finish
The hardwood floor finishes determine the look of your floor. For example, an oil-based satin finish will give your floor a warm glow and hide the imperfections as it brings out the grain. However, you need plenty of ventilation for this type of finish. Another option could be the water-based finish that dries clear and does not produce toxic fumes. This is the perfect finish for homeowners who do not want yellowing on the floor or easy maintenance.
You can also opt for wax or natural oils. They are ideal for historic homes. They are also safe for kids.
Apply the finish
Use a bristle brush or form applicator to cut in the finish around the edges of the room. The main area uses a paint roller or T-bar when using a water-based urethane and a lamb wool applicator when using oil-based polyurethanes.
Please contact Alexandria Hardwood by phone at 703-940-0198 or online.