The Best Way to Refinish Solid Hardwood Flooring

If your old hardwood floors have seen better days, it might be time to refinish them. Refinishing hardwood floors involves stripping the top layer off using a floor sander, cleaning the floors and then applying a new stain or finish. Finally, the floors will be resealed to protect the finish. Refinishing solid hardwood flooring is usually a job for professionals, but if you're curious what the work entails, Georgia Carpet is here to teach you about refinishing your solid hardwood flooring.

When to Refinish Solid Hardwood Floors

Solid hardwood is some of the most durable flooring available, but it can become damaged or worn out over time. When the damage or wear becomes too visible, it's time to refinish the floors. Some reasons you may want to refinish your hardwood floors include:

• Water damage
• Major scratches, dents or gouges
• Sun fading or discoloration
• Stains

How to Refinish Hardwood Flooring

There aren't any shortcuts available when it comes to refinishing your solid hardwood flooring. The process basically involves sanding the flooring to remove dents, scratches and wear, cleaning the floors thoroughly, making any repairs necessary and then applying a stain and sealant. The work is labor-intensive and it's easy to sand the floor too much or too little, which won't achieve the results you desire. There are many guides to learn how to refinish hardwood flooring, but they all include the same basic steps. When it comes to refinishing solid hardwood floors, a lot of homeowners are more comfortable leaving the work to the professionals.

Average Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors

The cost to refinish your hardwood floors will vary depending on where you live and whether you plan to do the project yourself or to hire a professional. If you want to DIY the job, you can rent a hardwood floor refinisher from your local hardware store. If you decide to hire a professional, make sure to get several quotes and to find out what each quote includes. Sometimes your finish or even room prep can cost extra if you have heavy furniture that you need moved or a lot of doorways.

Refinishing your solid hardwood floors is an economical alternative to replacing the flooring, but if you decide that it's too much work, visit Georgia Carpet for a variety of hard surface flooring options that will look great in your space.