Wood floors are extremely popular with homeowners. And with good reason – they are beautiful and durable. To keep them that way, they must be refinished from time to time. Following are some things to consider if it’s time for you to refinish your wood floors.
Type of Wood: This is one of the first things to take into consideration; for, the finished look of the floor can differ based on the softness of the wood.
If you’re not absolutely sure of the type of wood floors you have, consult a hardwood floor refinishing company. They will be able to tell you the type of floor you have by testing the wood if necessary. Most do this by removing any existing finish from an inconspicuous area like a closet, then examining the grain and color of the wood.
Test Different Stains: This is particularly important if this is your first time refinishing your wood floor. The reason you want to do this is that over time, all stains turn darker. If you adjust (eg, mix) standard stains, make sure you take note of what and how much was mixed so that when you get ready to stain your floors again, you can match the stain precisely.
Choose a Finish: The finish – the polyurethane coating that protects your hardwood floors – comes in two types: water-based and oil-based.
Water-based polyurethane requires more coats and it’s easier to apply. It also doesn’t have the smell of the oil-based finish. However, it is not as durable as the oil-based polyurethane. One final thing to note about oil-based polyurethane; it turns yellow over time. So if retaining the natural color of your hardwood floor is important to you, you might want to go with the water-based polyurethane.
To keep your home’s hardwood floors in tip-top shape, consult a hardwood floor contractor for tips and tricks on how to go about it.
