Monday, 23 June 2014

How To Go About Hardwood Floor Refinishing

By Sherry Gross


There is something timeless about wooden flooring that simply cannot be matched by other materials. It is elegant and it bespoke class and style. Yet it is rather easy to clean and as an added plus, hardwood floor refinishing is a definite option when it becomes damaged or scarred. Most other materials will have to be replaced when they reach the end of their lives.

When it is time to do some maintenance on wooden flooring it is necessary to decide whether it can be done personally or whether it would be better to hire a professional. Even do it yourself aficionados often leave this type of job to those that are both experienced and qualified to do it. There is a need for specialist equipment and there are a number of things that require special skills.

Do it yourself aficionados should really think twice before taking on this type of job themselves. There are a number of possible negative results that may be costly and time consuming to correct. It is all too easy to cause damage to the surface when sanding and this type of damage is not easily repaired. During sealing and staining streaks and overlapping stains are often caused and this may produce an unprofessional finish.

If hiring a professional sub contractor seems to be the most feasible option it is important to hire someone that has experience in this field. Consumers should never be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for references and to actually follow them up. Care should be taken to obtain a written quotation and the contractor should provide a warranty on the work that will be done.

It is also important to remember that this type of work is disrupting and that it may cause a lot of dust. The contractor should be able to provide a time frame within which the job will be finished and he should be kept to it. House owners should also make sure that the responsibility for cleaning the property is contained within the quotation.

Those that want to tackle the job themselves should seriously consider hiring professional sanding machines to do the job. These sanding machines are normally equipped with powerful vacuum cleaners that limit the amount of dust residue. Once the sanding is done, the sealing and staining must be completed as quickly as possible, preferably the same day. If this is not done the exposed floor can absorb moisture.

It is also important to choose the finish carefully. Many people use varnish because it is versatile and it is available in different lusters. Varnish also offers the advantage that it is easy to repair small nicks and marks. Most professionals use polyurethane, either water or oil based. Penetrating sealer can also be used, but it is important to remember that it is not as durable.

Homes featuring wooden flooring exude style and beauty. These floors are easily cleaned and they need only occasional maintenance. When maintenance is due, however, the use of professionals is strongly recommended. Wood blend in with all types of furniture and fittings and decorators therefore love them. Areas experiencing high traffic are easily protected with rugs or runners.




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