Are you planning to refinish your hardwood floors but concerned about staying in your house during the process? This guide is for you.

Refinishing your hardwood floors may seem daunting, but with the right preparations and mindset, it can be a manageable project.

In this article, we will cover:

• staying in the home while work is done

• how to manage noise and dust during the process

• tips on how to make your stay comfortable

• health and safety considerations

Keep reading to learn how to communicate effectively with your refinishing company and ensure a successful project.

Introduction to hardwood floor refinishing

Do you have a house with hardwood floors that you’d like to refinish?

Hardwood floor refinishing is the process of sanding down and removing the top layer of your hardwood floors, then applying a new finish to restore the floors’ original shine and beauty.

This process can take several days, depending on the size of your home and the types of wood finishings you choose. 

The end result is worth it, and living in your home during the refinishing process is possible if you don’t mind some noise.

With some careful planning and communication with your refinishing company, the entire process can be smooth.

Overview of the refinishing process

There are three major steps to refinish hardwood floors. Generally, this is how to finish hardwood floors:

1. The Prep

Sometimes considered the most tedious step: preparing your floors. To start, you’ll need to clear the room of your furniture, rugs, closets, drapes, etc. 

Hudson Hardwood will then need to:

• cover AC vents

• tape off the room to contain all dust

• tape off areas that are not being sanded

2. The Sanding

Hudson Hardwood is then ready to start sanding with their machines and tools (drum sander, hand sander, etc). Sanding hardwood floors is where the noise comes into play. 

They will need to sand the floor several times with different grit. Remember to be patient. This is important for a beautiful and smooth result.

The floors will need to be sanded again to ensure all debris is removed after sanding. 

3. The Staining and Finish

The exciting part is next! It is essential that your space is well-ventilated while restaining hardwood floors. 

Hudson Hardwood will finish your floors with the customized stain blends and finishes that you choose. To restain hardwood floors, some stains require more than one coating to achieve the results you’d like.

Then, a final protective hardwood refinishing coat is applied for a shiny finish. 

It is very important that your wood finish stain and finish is given plenty of time to dry completely. 

How long does refinishing hardwood floors take?

The time it takes to refinish hardwood floors can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the room, the condition of the floor, the types of stains, and the equipment used.

Generally, it takes about 3-5 days to refinish hardwood floors, including sanding, staining, and sealing.

However, this timeline may vary depending on the type of finish being applied, the climate, and other factors that can affect the drying time. 

Managing noise during the refinishing process

Refinishing your hardwood floors can be a noisy process.

To minimize the noise, there are some steps you can take. You can use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones when you are in your home. 

Also, it is a good idea to let your neighbors know about the work you will be doing in advance.

You can work with your refinishing contractor to schedule the work at a time that is most convenient for your lifestyle and your neighbors. You may want to consider vacating the premises during the refinishing process to minimize noise and ensure that the work can be done as efficiently as possible.

With a little bit of planning, you can keep the noise levels under control and have beautiful, shiny floors in no time!

Dust containment during the process

Another important consideration during the refinishing process is dust containment. 

Sanding and buffing can create a lot of dust, which can be problematic for people with respiratory issues or allergies. 

Hudson Hardwood utilizes dust containment, which captures about 90% of the dust. We use plastic sheeting to seal off areas not being worked on. 

To prevent excessive dust from circulating throughout your home:

1. We can use a dust containment system. This may involve setting up plastic barriers and using specialized equipment to capture dust as it is generated.

2. Seal off any vents or openings in the room being refinished.

3. Remove any furniture or items that could collect dust.

By working with Hudson Hardwood, your dust issues will be as minimal as possible. We prioritize dust containment, to ensure that your home remains clean and healthy while your floors are restored.

Tips for managing your stay during refinishing

Can you stay in the house while the floors are refinished? Yes!

While we take precautions to minimize dust during floor refinishing, it’s still important to manage your stay in your home to avoid any potential respiratory issues or allergies.

Here are some tips: 

1. Stay away from the work area as much as possible: If you can, it’s best to relocate to another part of the house or stay with family or friends while the floors are being refinished.

2. Set up a temporary living space: Set up an area in a separate part of the house, such as a basement or room with no hardwood floors if needed. Most projects take just a few days. 

3. Use protective gear: If you need to be present, wear protective gear like a dust mask or respirator to keep the dust out of your lungs. This usually isn’t necessary as your hardwood floor refinishing contractors will do the refinishing for you. 

4. Plan your schedule: You may want to avoid being home during the day when the work is being done. If you can’t leave, try to schedule your activities around the work schedule to minimize your exposure.

5. Maintain clean air: Keep your AC or HVAC system running to filter the air. If you don’t have one, consider using portable air purifiers with HEPA filters to clean the air.   

By following these tips and working with a dust-conscious contractor like Hudson Hardwood, you can enjoy beautifully refinished floors without sacrificing your health and comfort.

Health and safety considerations

It’s important to remember that exposure to dust can have serious health consequences, especially for those with respiratory issues such as asthma or allergies.

Prolonged exposure to dust can lead to lung damage and even cancer in extreme cases. Therefore, it’s crucial to take appropriate safety measures during any home renovation project that involves dust.
 
Safety measures:

1. Schedule time to be out of the home in fresh air.

2. Have proper ventilation and air circulation during the refinishing process.

3. Consider non-toxic wood stains – there are many different stains for wood out there.

4. Wear protective gear such as a dust mask and safety goggles whenever you’re around dust.

5. If you have sensitive skin, gloves, and long-sleeved shirts can also help protect your skin from dust exposure and hardwood floor refinishing products.

6. Wash your hands and face frequently to get rid of any dust particles that might have settled on your skin.   

Hudson Hardwood will ensure that you achieve your home improvement goals without compromising your health and well-being.

Communicating with your refinishing company

It’s important to communicate your concerns and any allergies you may have to dust with whichever refinishing company you choose. This will allow the company to accommodate your needs and reach your vision because replacing floors without moving out is very possible!
 
Make sure you have an open line of communication throughout the entire renovation process. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice any concerns you may have. If you notice any signs of excessive dust or poor ventilation, bring it to the company’s attention immediately to avoid any health risks. 

Be sure to view refinishing hardwood floors before and after.

Communicating effectively with your refinishing company will ensure that your renovation project is a success without compromising your well-being.

Refinishing is rewarding

Renovating your home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can also prioritize your comfort during the process.

By choosing a reputable refinishing company, like Hudson Hardwood, you can achieve your desired outcome with minimal disruption to your life.

Refinishing floors while living in the house is possible.

You can easily remain in their house during the hardwood floor refinishing process, as long as you can tolerate some noise. We will use dust containment and appropriate safety measures to keep things as smooth as possible for you.   

Communicate your wishes effectively to ensure a successful renovation. Ask plenty of questions so that you know what to expect when refinishing hardwood floors.
 
Overall, getting hardwood floors refinished will be a successful and enjoyable experience. Refinishing will enhance the look of your home and improve the quality of your living space. We look forward to serving you! 

Q&A

Q: Can I stay in my house while the floors are refinished?

A:  Yes, it is possible to stay in your house while resurfacing floors. However, it may depend on the extent of the work being done and the type of finish being used. It is important to discuss this with your contractor and follow their recommendations. They may provide you with specific instructions regarding ventilation, dust control, and other safety measures to take while the work is being carried out.

Q: How long after refinishing floors can you walk on them?

A: As a general guideline, it is typically recommended to wait for at least 2 to 8 hours to walk on only pending what kind of finish is applied. This allows enough time for the finish to cure and harden properly. The specific waiting time may vary depending on the type of finish, the humidity levels, and other environmental factors. .ow long after refinishing floors can you walk on them?

Q: When can I put furniture on refinished hardwood floors? 

A: Generally, you should wait at least 8 hours after refinishing the hardwood floors before putting furniture on them. This period can be longer depending on the type of finish used, room temperature, and humidity levels.