Lets say your boards are in poor enough condition that it seems like youll have to remove some, or, a simple sanding will not remove the flaws. "telephone": "(202) 908-1313", Be aware that your home will fill with fumes if you dont have proper ventilation. To install a floating floor, watch this video. While hardwood floors have a long lifespan, they can only be refinished around ten times before a replacement is due. Youll have to evaluate the situation on a case-by-case basis, but most of the time you wont have to pull up and replace an entire hardwood floor. For other types of floors, ask your local flooring company for advice. Average cost depends on your area, but you can expect to pay at least $3 or $8 per square foot. Concerned about fake reviews? Many older Philadelphia homes were originally made with aged hardwood floors that probably have seen better days. If you want your floors professionally refinished, you can find local contractors using several online services like Yelp or Angi. Each species of wood has a unique character. }, Waxed floors are not only super slippery, but they also aren'tas durable as a urethane-based coating. One last option. "@type": "LocalBusiness", Common severe floor damage comes in the form of warping, chipping, stains, or termite infestation. From hardwood floor finishes to hardwood flooring machines, we have everything you need to restore your hardwood floor. As long everyone is on the same page about the end goal and results, youll end up with happy customers and a beautifully rejuvenated hardwood floor. Youll find various videos online on how to refinish a hardwood floor. Im going to be selling my home soon and think that refinishing my hardwood would help me get a better price. For other types of floors, ask your local flooring company for advice. Refinishing requiresa lot more than simply adding some polish to the floors. "Friday", The final stain or finish may not be what you envisioned. You can also look for us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. For more information, check out our FAQs. These two similar sounding processes are actually quite different. }, "@type": "GeoCoordinates", The condition of your hardwood floor has a major impact on the overall look of your room. If the planks are fairly even and smooth, all it needs is a light sanding and few new coats of stain and lacquer. Visit our E-commerce store for Flooring, Supplies and Equipment, Read our blog about solving subfloor issues. Unfortunately, some hardwoodfloors are beyond quick fixes. With a full refinish, the floor will be sanded down to expose the raw wood. Are You Considering Hardwood Flooring for Your Bathroom? Planning to DIY? Thanks for pointing out the difference between refinishing and resurfacing. Here are four key differences between the two so you can choose which option is best for your floor. One of the top reasons that would lead to a full hardwood floor replacement is structural damage. Its faster, replacing takes less time, and you can use the room immediately. Seasonal changes often cause some floor movement. Can you see the tongue where the floorboards meet? Read our, Deep Cleaning is as Easy as One-Two-Three, What You Need to Know About Dark Floor Stains, Learn How to Clean Wood Floors to Keep Them Looking Great, Make Your Floors Shine With the Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners, How Much It Costs to Refinish Hardwood Floors, 8 Cleaning Products to Throw Away Right Now, According to Pros, How to Protect Hardwood Floors From Damage, Tips For Cleaning and Shining Laminate Floors, 3 Ways to Fill Gaps Between Wood Floorboards, How to Remove Water Stains From Wood Furniture and Floors, Make Marble Floors Last By Learning How to Clean Them Correctly. You can also look for us on, Why You Should Use Professional Hardwood Floor Refinishing Services, Problems That Hardwood Floors Experience in Summer, Why Trust a Pro With Your Hardwood Flooring Installation, Signs That Hardwood Flooring Repair is Needed, Reasons You Should Be Sanding Your Hardwood Floors, The Best Hardwood Floor Refinishing Services in Catonsville, Maryland, The Best Hardwood Floor Refinishing Services in Cockeysville, Maryland, Professional Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Timonium, Maryland, Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Woodstock, Maryland, Professional Hardwood Floor Installation in Woodbine, Professional Hardwood Floor Installation in Timonium, Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Sykesville, Maryland, Hardwood Floor Installation Services in Simpsonville, Gorgeous Hardwood Floor Refinishing in Simpsonville. If you try to sand a cupped floor flat while its moisture content is still too high, the floors will crown as they dry out, which is a problem that can typically be remedied only by replacing the floor. Unfinished, Japandi Style - What It Is and How to Create One at Home, All flooring is 3/4 thick solid white oak (not laminate or engineered), In-stock items are delivered to your curbside in 7-14 days (continental USA only), Easily install yourself, or hire an expert. When you work with John K Eareckson & Co., Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come; from a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your homes hardwood floors. John K. Eareckson & Co flooring contractors specialize in hardwood floor finishing, flooring installations, resurfacing, hard wood flooring repair, sanding, refinishing & restoration in Baltimore County, Frederick & Montgomery County, Anne Arundel & Harford County, Belair, Catonsville, Baltimore , Maryland, MD. As an Amazon Associate, Easiklip Floors earns from qualifying purchases. In cases like this, you would also want to re-sand and refinish the entire floor to make sure the color of the new boards matches the rest of the floor. If your hardwood floors are looking a little worse for the wear, its best to contact the experts to decipher if your floors can simply be refinished or if your floors are more likely in need of a full replacement. Here are what to consider when deciding to install a new floor. Learn more about both options so that you can make the right decision for your beautiful Philly home. While the subfloor often gets overlooked, it is actually the most important layer of the flooring system. A damaged subfloor can be caused by a variety of factors, from water leaks to termites to accumulated rot. Otherwise, youll run a risk of ruining your beautiful hardwoods. "dayOfWeek": [ If you consider replacing a hardwood floor, you must factor in the cost of tearing it up, disposal, the new floor, and labor. Although asking professionals about whether your floor needs a refinishing or resurfacing is a better idea before starting with the project. One of the major choices every investor makes is whether to keep the existing flooring or replace it. This process can be sped up by circulating air over the floor using a dehumidifier, fans, and other tools. Confusion on this matter is quite common as many people mistakenly interchange these two terms. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Read on to learn how. A refinish can usually fix any surface-level issues. Only fill larger gaps. Typically, sanding and refinishing a floor will always cost less than tearing up an old floor and replacing it. In a nutshell, wood compresses during the winter and expands in summer. Refinished hardwood floors are much easier to take care of than resurfaced and are also less expensive. Is your hardwood floor in need of a facelift? To install any hardwood floor, it must have a flat and level sub-floor. Contact ustoday to discuss your floor installation needs. Other times, the floor may have water damage or an old parquet floor that new home buyers dont want. Its more time-consuming and more costly. Exposure to water can also lead to severe flooring damage, as it creates uneven surfaces over time. If you can live with the temporary inconvenience and smell, refinishing is worth the trouble. If the floors are severely cupped (beyond normal, expected changes with the season), luckily you wont have to replace the entire floor in most cases. You'll want to get bids from three or more companies, which will involve a visit to your home to inspect the floors at no charge. }, Scenarios That Require Hardwood Replacement. In a situation like this, its a good idea to show them the floor after its been sanded down to demonstrate that the stains seeped into the wood, so some areas may remain discolored even after a stain is applied. Resurfacing is much better left to floor installation professionals like JKE Hardwood Flooring, who have plenty of resurfacing experience. In most scenarios, refinishing rather than replacing your hardwood floor is the ideal outcome. Refinishing hardwood floors instead of replacing them can salvage older or historic floors and reclaimed wood. Before replacing hardwood floors, you can either tear out the old one down to the sub-floor or install a floating floor over it. (However, if you determine that there is a problem with the subfloor, the hardwood floor will likely have to be pulled up and replaced.). Parts of the wooden planks are missing or cracked. "@id": "", "streetAddress": "1306 Good Hope Rd SE", Hardwood flooring starts at $4.00 per square foot and goes up from there. Your floor can be refinished if it has only superficial scuff marks and discoloration. How the log was cut also makes a difference in the woods appearance. Before deciding which contractors to reach out to, do the following: Trowel filling after sanding is the easiest way to repair deep gashes, dings, and gaps when refinishing your floors. Its messy and creates fumes in the home for days, You may spend a week in a motel or at a relatives place while the floor dries, It can take days longer to refinish vs. replace, One last option. Most homebuyers want a modern, clean-looking hardwood floor. When over 30% of your hardwood floor has received damage, it is more cost-effective to replace the flooring rather than trying to refinish the hardwood. Hardwood floors in high-traffic areas in your home may require adeepcleaning by a flooring professional. These two similar sounding processes are actually quite different. In addition, it requires a lot of investment in construction tools like wood grinders, nail guns, and industrial sanders. Ive been contemplating whether to refinish or resurface our hardwood floors, and it looks like refinishing it is the best option to choose. Click here to read more about fixing cupping, crowning, and chatter in hardwood floors. As stated earlier, resurfacing is a much more time-consuming and expensive project that requires a larger budget. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. In the same respect, most properly maintained hardwood floors can go anywhere from 20 to 30 years without needing any significant work done. So if the floor in question was installed roughly within that timeframe, barring any substantial issues, chances are that a simple screen and refinish will bring it back to life. Changing from pine to oak or an exotic species will make a noticeable difference in the rooms look. Refinishing hardwood floors makes the most sense. But, like all products, hardwood floors can start to show their age. "Sunday" There are only a few scuffs, but they are very noticeable. Small gaps that occur during this movement can often be restored by a refinishing process. Check out the top four hardwood replacement options below. Their longevity makes hardwood floors a great investment for any house. Building Clean, BlueGreen Alliance Foundation. It might be a good idea to find a professional that can help you. Your best course of action is to first pinpoint the cause of the problem and eliminate it. The floor need not be perfectly level, but it must be flat with no dips. Consider Hardwood Floor Refinishing Instead of Replacing, For these reasons, some people prefer to purchase a new. Solid Hardwood Flooring: Which Is Better? Another reason to change the direction is for Asian buyers who follow feng shui principles. At District Floor Depot, we are your local hardwood experts. "addressLocality": "Washington", Painted Floors and Stained Concrete: Alternatives https://6nb29bly7g.execute-api.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/ProdStage. Use these tips to decide if resurfacing or refinishing hardwood floors is the solution that will help restore your Philadelphia home to its original beauty and splendor. Resurfaced floors are more time-consuming and expensive. Consider a solid oak floating floor that clips together using patented aluminum clips. There are two cost categories for each, labor and materials. Another way to tell its time for a total refinishing is to look for boards in your hardwood floor that are unevenor look like theyll require grinding down to even things out. Dont worry, this slight floor movement is very normal. See the difference between, rift-cut, plain, and quarter-sawn oak flooring, Parquet floors used to be all the rage in the 17. There are structural issues with the subfloor or the joists have to be more securely fastened to the subfloor. If you plan to do the project in your free time, chances are it will drag on for days. But you may be surprised to learn that when tracked, both leave behind superficial scratches that dull the surface. This is the right blog for anybody who wants to this. "Tuesday", Its called flipping. When flipping an investment property or upgrading your home, the floor can make or break the design. Real Wood Floors also performs service and repairs on hardwood floors. No matter what kind of floor your home currently has, you have a variety of options to help you transform a room with new, easy-care Coldwell Banker Real Estate Executive Named to HousingWire 2022 Women of Influence List, Coldwell Banker Around the World: July 2022, Coldwell Banker Announces 2022 30 Under 30 Award Winners, Coldwell Banker Realty Welcomes Telemundo Hosts And Latin American Homeownership Advocates Dora Omana And Marian Sasson-Albornoz, Coldwell Banker Realty Sales Associates Honored Among Top Latino Real Estate Agents In The USA For 2022, 5 Apps to Redecorate Your Home with Your Phone, 17 Elegant Appetizers for a New Years Party, The Correct Way to Pack Wine Glasses for a Move, What To Pack For Your First Night In Your New House, Getting Philadelphia Gardens Ready for Fall and Winter, Create an Inspiring Study Space for a Child. Leaving the smaller ones unpatched will accommodate wood expansion. Your email address will not be published. Here are some of the best budget-friendly hardwood floor choices. This allows the humidity and temperature to stabilize inside each board. For figuring purposes, use $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot for tear up and disposal. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Here's what to do: Afterward, mop using a micro cloth andconcentrated cleaner for hardwood floors. Otherwise, youll run a risk of ruining your beautiful hardwoods. This helps us provide more great blog content. Read on to learn how. When you fill gaps between floorboards when it's cold and dry, the material used is often squeezed out during sultry weather. This post will help you make the right decision whether to replace or refinish your hardwood floors. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. This process involves every step of refinished hardwood floors, but then some. Remove the baseboard carefully so that you can reuse it, Sand the wood using finer grits with every pass, starting with 36-40 and ending with 100, Use an edger to sand along the edges and corners, Apply stain. Laminate is a durable flooring option that comes in a variety of textures and colors. to lay down on the old floor. Traditional solid hardwood is a fantastic replacement option as it comes with a long lifespan. The direction of the floorboards makes an impact on the flow of energy throughout the home. "longitude": -76.98666100000003 "geo": { I liked that you had mentioned that the flooring can last 25-30 years and if its within the range it might need to be replaced. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. I like that you said that to refinish a floor then you need to apply a fresh top coat. "Wednesday", In some cases where the damage is very deep, resurfacing is the only option. Resurfaced floors are more time-consuming and expensive. Another reason to change the direction is for Asian buyers who follow. like JKE Hardwood Flooring, who have plenty of resurfacing experience. Only after the moisture content of the floor has returned to the acceptable level for that species should you prepare to sand it flat. Try out this websites cost estimating calculator based on the rooms size. The main reason: compared to their shiny counterparts, it's harder to slip on a satin finish. Luckily, you can save lots of time, money, and unnecessarywork by coming to clearly understand the difference between hardwood floor recoating and refinishing. The basic steps are as follows: Check out our blog and videos about refinishing wood floors. From installation to sanding, refinishing, and repairs, we help each of our customers transform their homes for less. It installs over wood or concrete floors for about the same price as refinishing. Laminate vs. If a few isolated boards have severe gouges or deep scratches that reach the bare wood, you may choose to replace them individually, as long as the issues dont persist across the entire floor. "openingHoursSpecification": { For many years, hardwoods were a home design staple. Your email address will not be published. Then when winter hits, the floor will often experience a contract period. Resurfacing and refinishing are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. Our wood floors are still relatively new, so I dont think we need to get them resurfaced yet. Required fields are marked *. Once the problem is gone, its time to dry out the floor. Its a necessary step for a flat, gap-free floor. Plumbing issues, air intrusion underneath a surface, and a leaking appliance are just some possible causes of the cupping. Once done, the natural beauty will shine through with a unique character you cant find in new wood floors. Should you refinish or replace your floors? The choice boils down to cost, time, personal preference, and the floors condition. If this is happening to your hardwood floor, you may wonder if the solution is to completely resurface your flooring or just refinish the wood. Cupping is caused by the wood absorbing too much moisture. Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. "Thursday", Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences. You can walk on them right away. Sometimes a shabby old carpet hides a pristine oak floor. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. If you come to the decision that hardwood replacement is the better decision for your situation, youre going to want to know what your hardwood replacement options are. A final popular flooring replacement option is laminate. Did you know that a lot of older homes built before the 1980s feature hardwood floors? "priceRange": "$-$$", For a consultation and more information, visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. "sameAs": "https://www.districtfloordepot.com/" During the summer months, hardwood floors often expand a little. However, if the damage is slight or its purely cosmetic, then refinishing your floors avoids the trouble and expense of replacing them. "url": "https://www.districtfloordepot.com/", The Difference Between Resurfaced and Refinished Hardwood Floors, Refinished hardwood floors are much easier to take care of than resurfaced and are also less expensive. We look forward to hearing from you soon! We can help with all of your hardwood flooring questions and needs. Luckily, when the carpeting boom came in in the 70s and 80s, most hardwood floors were just covered up, not removed, preserving them for the most part. Besides providing security, a good fence can also offer pleasant curbside appeal. All of our floorings can be viewed at your local showroom at your convenience. When a floor is recoated, only the sheen of the finish can be changed, not the color. These four differences will help you know what your floor needs to look its best: If your floor is in decent shape with no warping, gaps, or damage greater than a surface-level scratch. It can take at least a day between each coat of stain and finish to dry. Did you know that a lot of older homes built before the 1980s feature hardwood floors? Excellent post on refinishing hardwood floors. Lets compare the cost of refinishing hardwood floors to the cost of replacing hardwood floors. The refinishing process essentially involves sanding the outermost layer of protective coating off of the hardwood floors, then restaining and polishing them. Dont worry! My brother had to get his floor refinished because it was old and scratched. Weve had our hardwood floors for over 20 years now, and they look a little worn. Thank you for your support. A subfloor can be concrete, OSB (Oriented Strand Board), or plywood. If your floors are in poor condition from use or previous bad carpeting jobs, resurfacing is probably the best option for you. Hardwood floors can last for a hundred years or more, but not if they sit in water, get burned, or have heavy objects constantly gouging them. Add $2 per square foot if you also plan to stain the floor first. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Change the Direction - Some designers want to get artistic by changing the floors look to diagonal or herringbone. "address": { "addressRegion": "DC", Luckily, when the carpeting boom came in in the 70s and 80s, most hardwood floors were just covered up, not removed. While the house Im living in isnt old enough to need new flooring, I will definitely start looking into getting it refinished. We specialize in domestic hardwood flooring, luxury vinyl plank,bamboo, cork, exotic hardwood flooring, as well as reclaimed flooring. Expect to pay an average cost of $2 to $7 per square foot to refinish. Is your hardwood floor looking like it needs some love, but youre not certain whether recoating or refinishing is what you need? Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about coupons and special promotions. If youre looking to install new flooring in a low-traffic room, softwood flooring is a great option. You should know each step: Sanding, patching, staining, and top coating could take a weekend or more to complete if you're refinishing less than 500 square feet. As your floors get older, sometimes colors fade, scratches happen, or even dents occur. For more tips on installing and maintaining your hardwood floors, check out our other blog posts. If theyre hoping to get rid of pet urine stains with a refinish, for example, make sure they understand that the stains may not completely vanish. The direction of the floorboards makes an impact on the flow of energy throughout the home. Here are a few signs that your floor may need to be resurfaced: A floor that needs resurfacing will still look very uninviting if you just put a coat of stain and lacquer on top. Tiles or. Have you watched the shows where a couple buys an old house, fixes it up, and sells it for a profit? While not every hardwood floor can be refinished, most quality hardwood can be sanded down and restored at least six to ten times. That means removing the planks from the boxes and cross stacking them in the room for three days to two weeks. In addition, it requires a lot of investment in construction tools like wood grinders, nail guns, and industrial sanders. Experts like these typically usea scrubbing machinedesigned to remove embedded dirt. When to Replace vs. Refinish a Hardwood Floor. Then, with many stain options to chose from, the desired color can be achieved, giving your home a fresh, new look. From measuring and wood selection, to installation, sanding, staining and finishing. The Best Tile Floor Cleaners From Tools to Solutions, The Best Floor Cleaners to Tackle Any Spill. During this time, you must keep kids, pets, and nosey neighbors out of the room until the final coat dries. Read our blog about solving subfloor issues, The floor exhibits extreme movement between the boards, The floor has been refinished so many times to the point where there wood is severely worn down, the tongue and groove elements are falling apart, or the finishing nails are exposed, The floor was installed 25-30+ years ago and is past its prime, Your client wants a completely different look and feel from the floor that cant be accomplished with a new stain or finish. Its usually evident if a wood floor is beyond sanding and refinishing. The floor boards are noticeably warped or bent. Homeowners and landlords are forgoing carpets for painted floors. Here are a few more floor finishing facts: Types of Flooring. But even then trowel filling is not a perfect fix, especially when used to patch small crevices where filler can easily come loose. This iswhen you know its timetorefinish your hardwood. There will be dust everywhere, and the smell of this will be less than appealing. Use these tips to decide if resurfacing or refinishing hardwood floors is the solution that will help restore your Philadelphia home to its original beauty and splendor. The refinishing process essentially involves sanding the outermost layer of protective coating off of the hardwood floors, then restaining and polishing them. For these reasons, some people prefer to purchase a new hardwood floating floor to lay down on the old floor. Please submit your request below and our staff will send you a quote asap! }, Whether you are looking to refinish your existing hardwoods or you want to install new flooring, District Floor Depot is the place to call in the DC area. Categories: Floor Refinishing | Tags: Flooring, Refinished Hardwood Floors, and resurfaced hardwood floors This entry was posted on Friday, March 26th, 2021 at 1:51 pm. Thanks for sharing this post! Check the sub-floor to ensure it is flat across the entire surface. Consider a solid oak floating floor that clips together using patented aluminum clips. For a consultation and more information, visit us, or give us a call at 410-788-4200. "latitude": 38.8672309, Fill in any low spots, or else you may have problems later on. Therefore, softwood flooring is not ideal for rooms that receive heavy use. Its then up to the homeowner whether they want to pursue resurfaced or refinished hardwood floors. Its faster, replacing takes less time, and you can use the room immediately. Whilerefinishing hardwoodcan be a long and tedious process, it is much more cost-effective than a total replacement. A final sure-fire sign that your hardwood floors are in need of a replacement is extreme wear. 2022 District Floor Depot All Rights Reserved Sitemap, { Unsightly dents and scratches may mar the surface of the once-gorgeous wood due to wear and tear. When sanded, some or all of the planks still have an unattractive or uneven color. Then comes the tedious part of sanding the wood bare. were in the kitchen and bathrooms, but almost everywhere else in the house, youd find a hardwood floor. "@context": "https://schema.org", It sounds like it only needs to be refinished. While it is best to contact your local renovation experts before you begin the hardwood floor refinishing or replacement process, here are some telltale signs that your hardwood floors are most likely going to need a full replacement.