What to Know Before Refinishing your Floors
Well cared for hardwood floors can be a statement piece in any home. When refinished, they add a wow factor to a room. Typically, after 20 years, hardwood floors will start to show their age. You may see more scratches, dullness or discoloring which is a common sign that it is due to be refinished. Most hardwood floors are ¾ inch thick, which means they can be sanded 6-8 times during their lifetime. So unless your home is very, very old or someone was very hard on the floors, there is a strong likelihood your floors can be brought back to life. Once you start to see the nail heads on the hardwood, you know the wood is on its last sand.
In order to refinish the wood, you need at least 1/32 of an inch on top of the wood floors to sand. To determine the depth, remove a floor vent and take a look at the plank. If that’s not possible, remove a plank from a location such as a closet or ask a professional.
When it comes time to sand your floors, as tempting as it may be to do it yourself – hire a pro. It is very possible to rent the equipment and sand your floors. But the products the professionals have access to is a much higher quality than what you will pick up at your local hardware store. Your floors will be smoother and better protected over the long run so you can enjoy your hardwood for many years. Not to mention, the professionals have a dust collector which saves you the hassle of cleaning your entire house after you finish sanding. Speaking from experience – the house is a mess when you sand it yourself. So be prepared to clean, A LOT. I was amazed to see how well the dust collector worked. You could still live in your home while the floors are being finished if you leave it to the pros.
On average expect to spend anywhere from $3 to $7 a square foot. This will depend a lot on the condition of the wood and if it needs repair work, as well how easy it is to access. The price will typically include sanding, stain and poly. The length of time needed to complete the project will vary based on room size. Expect anywhere from 3 to 8 days.
If you are still contemplating whether or not refinishing your floors is worth the investment, just remember hardwood floors are the #1 choice for buyers. A study conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that 54% of buyers are willing to pay more for homes with hardwood floors. In fact, the National Wood Flooring Association states that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell and sell for up to 10% more than another identical home. Crazy right?
Can’t go wrong with hardwood floors. They bring new life to the entire home for years to come. Enjoy!
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