Are you looking to revitalize your home or office space? Refinishing your hardwood floors can breathe new life into any space.

In this article, Joe from Hudson Hardwood will take you through the step-by-step process of refinishing hardwood floors, from the initial consultation with your flooring contractor to the final touches on your newly restored floors.

Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner in the Philadelphia area, this guide is perfect for anyone looking to refinish their hardwood floors. Get ready to transform your space with our comprehensive A-Z guide.

Meeting with your flooring contractor and creating a plan for your floors

The first step in refinishing your hardwood floors is to hire a reputable flooring contractor. Hudson Hardwood has excellent online reviews from our past customers, and we will ensure that we deliver the results you want.

Once you have chosen your contractor:

• Schedule your initial consultation to discuss your vision for your floors

• Ask any questions you may have and review the contractor’s credentials and experience

• Discuss any repairs that need to be made and decide on a finish for your floors

During the consultation, your contractor from Hudson Hardwood will examine your hardwood floors to assess their current condition and determine the best course of action.

At this point, you and your contractor will create a detailed plan for the entire refinishing process, including a timeline for completion and a cost estimate. Once you are both satisfied with the plan, it’s time to move on to the next step in the process.

Finalizing your flooring plan with your contractor

Now that you are settled on a plan for your hardwood flooring with your contractor, it’s time to go over the details of your contract.

Things to consider:

• Cost to refinish hardwood floors

• Start date

• Completion date

• The steps to refinish hardwood floors

• Details of specific issues with your planned flooring project

• Any hardwood floor repairs needed

• To refinish or replace hardwood floors if too damaged

Have your contractor show you photos of unique flooring parts so that you are on the same page with your plan and how the process will be going forward.

How to prepare your flooring and space for your contractor

Before refinishing your hardwood floors, your contractor will need to prepare the room adequately. Here are some hardwood floor refinishing steps they will follow:

Step 1: Clearing the Floors

Before work begins, your floors should be cleared of all furniture, rugs, and personal belongings, including items in closets. The floors must be evident for the refinishing process to proceed. *This is the only step you will potentially help with. Your contractors will take care of the following steps. 

Step 2: Sealing Off Work Areas

Areas not being worked on should be sealed off from the work area with tape and plastic. This protects the rest of your property and your health during the refinishing process.

Step 3: Covering Vents

Vents should be covered with plastic and tape to protect your HVAC system from dust and debris.

Step 4: Bringing in Equipment

Sanding equipment and dust containment equipment are brought in to prepare for the refinishing process.

Preparing the room adequately for your flooring project with your contractor ensures that the refinishing process goes smoothly and that your property is protected from any damage.

Now, Hudson Hardwood is ready to get started on the sanding of your flooring.

Sanding your floor 3-4 times

Sanding is the first step in the refinishing process. It involves removing the existing finish and exposing the bare wood. There are several steps to sanding hardwood floors.

Sanding hardwood flooring is done using our specialized equipment that removes the top layer of the wood, including any scratches or dents. When sanding, we use several different levels of grit, depending on the condition of your floors.

This involves sanding a hardwood floor approximately three to four times thoroughly. This ensures a smooth surface that is ready for the next step: applying your chosen stain, dye, or finish.

During the sanding process, the floor is visually inspected by a trained hardwood specialist to ensure that all of the scratches have been removed. Final sanding uses a specialty hardwood floor sander with LED lights to highlight any remaining imperfections and remove them. This specific hardwood sander was created to create smooth, flat, even floors. 

Applying stain, dye, or finish with a customized blend of colors

After sanding, the next step for finishing wooden floors is staining your hardwood flooring.

Staining

Staining (applying dye) helps to add color and depth to your wood. You can choose from various stain colors, depending on your preference. This will be planned out beforehand. Hudson Hardwood can customize colors with unique blends to match other areas of hardwood or an image you have of what you’d like in your home.

Staining is typically done using a brush, roller, or sprayer, and it’s essential to apply it evenly to achieve a consistent finish.

Finishing

Hardwood floor finishing is our final step in the refinishing process. It involves applying a protective coating to the wood to enhance its durability and protect it from future wear and tear.

You can choose from various finishes, including oil-based, water-based, and polyurethane finishes. Finishing is typically done using a brush, roller, or sprayer, and it’s essential to apply it evenly to achieve a consistent finish. We know the easiest way to refinish hardwood floors.

How long does it take to refinish hardwood floors, completely?

How long to refinish hardwood floors depends on several factors, but typically it takes about 2-3 days.

Avoiding mistakes

When floor resurfacing, it’s easy to make mistakes that can ruin the entire process. There is no easy way to refinish hardwood floors. This is why it’s important to hire professionals.

Here are some common mistakes homeowners make on their own:

• Skipping the sanding process

• Using the wrong grit level during sanding

• Applying too much stain leads to an uneven finish

• Not allowing enough drying time between coats of finish

• Failing to ventilate the room adequately

Hudson Hardwood can take the heartache out of refinishing hardwood floors for beginners. We can help you to avoid making these mistakes. We will ensure that your hardwood floor refinishing process is successful and achieves your desired results.

Allowing floors to dry and cure before returning furniture and area rugs

As part of the process for refinishing hardwood floors, it’s very important to make sure that your old wood floors are given the proper amount of time to dry and cure, before moving back your furniture and rugs.

The length of your curing process depends on your unique space, as well as the types of finishes you used. We look at things like the humidity levels in your environment, your indoor temperature, and what types of airflow you have.

Hudson Hardwood will take care of this concern for you and let you know when you can settle back into your space.

Some tips:

• Wait a minimum of 24-48 hours before walking on your newly finished floors

• We suggest wearing socks only for a few days

• We love pets, too…but we suggest that you keep pets off your floors for a few days

Your beautiful floors

Hardwood floor refinishing is an essential process that helps to restore the beauty and value of your property. If your floors are full or scratched, that’s when to refinish hardwood floors.

How to refinish old wood floors:

Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire Hudson Hardwood, it’s essential to follow the proper steps to avoid common mistakes to achieve the desired results.

By refinishing your hardwood floors with us, you can enjoy your like-new floors for years to come.

If you’re ready to take on the refinishing hardwood floors process with excellent results, contact Hudson Hardwood today to schedule an appointment. Our team of professionals will ensure that your hardwood floors are refinished to perfection, adding value and beauty to your property.

FAQ

Q: How long does hardwood floor refinishing take?

A: Hardwood floor refinishing takes an average of three to five days. However, this can vary depending on the size of the room, the extent of damage to the floors, and the type of finish used.

Q: Can you refinish engineered hardwood floors?

A: Yes, engineered hardwood floors can be refinished. If you are wondering how to refinish engineered hardwood floors, consider this: the process is more delicate than refinishing solid hardwood floors, and it’s essential to hire a professional to do it.

Q: Will refinishing my hardwood floors remove deep scratches?

A: Yes, refinishing your hardwood floors can remove deep scratches. However, the extent of damage will determine the level of sanding required. Repairing hardwood floors is always possible.

Q: How often to refinish hardwood floors?

A: This depends on your specific flooring and any damage it may or may not have, but typically we’d say every 7-10 years.

Q: How much does it cost to sand and refinish hardwood floors?

A: There are many things to consider to properly answer the question of how much to refinish hardwood floors. Reach out today and we will happily give you a consultation and free quote.