Hardwood Floor Refinishing Bergen County NJ is an excellent option if you have major scratches, gouges, or dents in your hardwood floors. Sanding will create dust, so you will need to remove all furniture and cover-up doorways. Vacuum the room in between sanding.
Staining adds a color or a pattern to your hardwood floors. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when staining.
When refinishing hardwood floors, the first step is to sand the surface. With a big floor sander, the top layer of the covering material is removed, leaving you with bare wood that can then be stained and protected.
When using a sanding machine, it’s important to wear proper safety equipment like gloves and a respirator. Additionally, the room should be properly ventilated. It’s also a good idea to use a dustless system.
If your wood flooring is damaged, or you just want to change the color of the grain, a stain can do the trick. Stain can be used to create a variety of different finishes, from dark to light. The best stain for your wood type will depend on the shade you’re after and what you plan to do with your floors.
You can buy wood stain from a local home improvement store or hardware supply shop. It’s a good idea to read the instructions carefully and test the stain on an inconspicuous spot of your floor before beginning the process. Typically, you’ll need to apply three coats of stain. The first one may look streaky, or have a cloudy appearance. You can improve the results by sanding between each coat of stain with fine-grade sandpaper and then wiping down with a tack cloth.
After the sanding and staining are complete, you’ll need to seal your newly finished floors. Generally, you can choose between an oil-based or water-based polyurethane. You’ll need to wait at least 24 hours for the floor to dry before moving furniture or area rugs back into place.
When sealing, it’s a good idea to work in the morning when the air is cool and dry. Even a low-VOC, water-based polyurethane still emits a small amount of odor, and it can take longer to dry in humid conditions. If you’re working in the summer, open a few windows and have fans blowing outside to help reduce the odor. In some cases, you may need to seal your floors two or three times for a smooth, even finish. This can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it for a beautiful new look and increased resale value of your home.
Staining
Depending on the condition of your hardwood floors, refinishing may be the best way to breathe new life into them. It can also help with water damage caused by puddles or flooding.
The first step in the refinishing process is to sand your floors down. Our crews use both a drum sander with a HEPA filter and hand-held edgers to get your floors ready for staining. This is a messy job, but it’s necessary to get rid of old finish, dents, and scratches on your hardwood flooring boards. Sanding can take up to four days for each room.
Next, your hardwood floorboards will be stained. Whether you choose to go lighter for a fresh, bright look or darker for a more classic color, the right stain can make a huge difference. Be sure to consider the grain pattern of your wood before selecting a stain. A swirly grain means your flooring is mahogany; curly, maple; and an S-shaped pattern is oak.
We recommend a water-based stain, which is less toxic and has a lower VOC (volatile organic compound) level than oil-based stains. Once your floors are stained, they will need to be sealed. We recommend a high-quality, water-based polyurethane.
Hardwood floors without a protective polyurethane coating are vulnerable to water and spills. This will eventually saturate the boards and lead to discoloration. It’s important to have a polyurethane layer on your hardwood floors to keep them looking new for years to come.
Once your hardwood floors are fully refinished, they’ll need to be protected with a polyurethane coating. This will prevent your newly refinished floors from being damaged by everyday wear and tear, moisture, and UV rays. This final step can take one to two days to complete.
While you can apply a polyurethane coat yourself, it’s usually a better idea to leave this step to the pros. Using the proper equipment can ensure a beautiful, even coat of polyurethane. It’s also important to stay off your hardwood floors during the coating process, unless specified by the product you are using. We can provide a schedule for when you can and cannot walk on your hardwood floors during this time.
Sealing
Hardwood flooring is a beautiful addition to any home, but daily wear and tear can leave it with scratches, scuffs, and blemishes. Refinishing your hardwood floors is a great way to give them new life. The refinishing process removes the existing stain and bare wood, then applies a new coat of either an oil-based or water-based polyurethane. You can also choose to color the floor a different shade.
Before beginning the refinishing process, it is essential to prepare the floor. Make sure all nails are hammered in, and any holes filled with wood putty. This will ensure that the refinishing process is as smooth and successful as possible. You will also want to remove any base molding from the wall-floor joint, using a pry bar or other similar tool. This will help prevent damage when sanding the flooring. It is a good idea to mark or label each piece as you remove it to make reinstalling them easier later.
After sanding and staining, the floor must be completely dry before applying the new finish. It is important to do this in a well-ventilated room, and it is recommended that you wear a dust mask during this step. If you are not using a dustless sander, it is also a good idea to vaccum and wipe down the floor to ensure that all dust is removed. You can use a mineral spirits-based cleaner or a rag dampened with water to do this. It is important to clean the entire floor thoroughly, as any lingering dust can show through the final coating of polyurethane.
Once the floors are fully dry, they can be sealed. It is recommended that you use a low or no-VOC polyurethane, as these will emit less toxins into the air and will be healthier for your family. It is also recommended that you apply the first coat of polyurethane in a well-ventilated area and allow it to dry for an hour before applying the second coat. This will help to ensure that the polyurethane is evenly distributed and will not cause any bubbles or cracks in the final product.
Finishing
Refinishing hardwood floors requires some hard work, but it is also a rewarding project. When done right, your floors will look like new. Whether you need to fix minor scratches and gouges or your floors are looking dull and lifeless, refinishing is the way to revitalize them. Before you start the refinishing process, it is important to understand what you’re getting yourself into. This process can take four to seven days, and it is important to be prepared for the work ahead of you.
To get started, a wood floor contractor will prep the floors. This includes repairing any popped nails and filling in holes with wood putty. It is also important to sweep, vacuum, and wipe down the floors to clean them from any dust left over from sanding. Once the floors are prepped, they will be sanded using a large drum sander with a HEPA filter, and a hand-held edger or palm sander. After sanding, the floors will be cleaned again and the stain can be applied. Many times, multiple coats of stain may be needed if a dark color is desired. Once the stain is dry, the floors can be sealed with a high-quality water based polyurethane.
When selecting a finish, it is important to consider the type of hardwood and style of your home. Barnum Floors offers a wide selection of finishes, including water-based and oil-modified urethanes. Water-based urethanes are low in VOCs and dry faster, which reduces the overall job time. However, it is important to note that the clear, protective sealant will yellow with age when used on grays and whites.
Once the urethane is applied, the floors will need to dry for 24 hours. It is recommended that you remove all furniture from the room during this process. However, if you want to keep your furniture in place during the coating process, you can protect it with foam held on by masking tape. Once the floors are dry, you can move your furniture back into the rooms. It is important to remember that you must wait 48 to 72 hours before walking on the floors again, and it can be up to a week before you can mop your floors.