If your homeโs hardwood floors are looking a little worse for wear, youโre not alone. Many homeowners struggle with this issue, as outdated or damaged flooring can take away from a homeโs overall aesthetic. There are two popular options when it comes to restoring hardwood flooring: resurfacing and refinishing. Knowing the difference between these processes is essential in determining which best suits your needs.
Refinishing is a great way to restore the beauty of hardwood floors and protect them from damage, while resurfacing may be necessary for boards that are damaged or uneven or if you wish to change the color of your floor. Refinishing is more complex than recoating and will help your floor last longer.
If youโre unsure about whether to refinish or resurface your hardwood floors, this blog post will explain the differences between the two methods. After reading this article, youโll be an expert on the topic.
Which Is Preferable, Refinishing Or Resurfacing?
Depending on your particular requirements and circumstances, you must choose between hardwood floor refinishing and resurfacing. If your floorโs wood is still stable but needs a new layer of finish, hardwood floor resurfacing is a great solution.
On the other hand, you will probably need to repair the boards if your hardwood has some cracking or other damage. Keep in mind that refinishing will cost a little more, take more time, and cause more disturbance to your house.
What Is Floor Resurfacing?
When you resurface your hardwood floors, the old finish is scraped off and a fresh one is put on. If you have ignored your hardwood floors and the finish has entirely eroded away, resurfacing is required.
Resurfacing your wood floors has the advantage that you can select practically any style of finish. As a result, you will have a plethora of choices whether you choose a darker or lighter finish. You may totally transform the aesthetic of your house by resurfacing your floor. Resurfacing your hardwood floors is the finest approach to achievingย a brand-new appearance.
Why Your Floors Might Need To Be Resurfaced?
It is likely that the polish on your hardwood floors has entirely eroded away if you neglected it. In this situation, you must simply eliminate the previous finish before applying a brand-new finish.
Another reason you might want to resurface your wood floors is to reinforce the wood planks. Resurfacing your wood floor will enable you to strengthen the boards if it has gotten uneven or fragile. By doing this, you may increase the lifespan of your wooden flooring and maintain itsย attractiveness for many more years to come. If you want a floor that is simple to maintain, you can also choose laminate flooring.
What Is Floor Refinishing?
Refinishing entails giving old hardwood floors a fresh coat of paint. The greatest option for hardwood floors that require a fresh finish but are still in good shape is floor refinishing. When refinishing hardwood floors, the old finish wonโt need to be removed.
Refinishing your hardwood floors is a terrific method to update the appearance of your house without necessitating the replacement of them. To refinish your flooring, you require equipment for wood grinding. Sanding the current flooring to remove the old finish and then installing a new finish constitutes refinishing.
Why Your Floors Might Need To Be Refinished?
It is important to assess whether the floorboards need to be sanded if you are trying to decide if refinishing hardwood floors is the wisest option for your house.
Sand the existing wood if there is an accumulation of dirt or filth on the boards before removing the finish and starting afresh. Additional justifications for refinishing your wood floors:
- If your current floorโs finish has become worn or damaged, you should sand the boards and apply a fresh coat. There is no requirement to sand the floor entirely if the floorboards have been scratched. Instead, you can smooth out the damaged region of your floor with a sanding block and only refinish that particular area.
- After a few years, worn-out hardwood flooring may begin to deteriorate. It is time to apply a fresh finish to your hardwood floors if the old one has become worn out. Your hardwood floorsโ finish shields the wood against humidity and damage. To maintain the boards safely, once the finishing has peeled off, you will be required to put on a new finish.
Hardwood Floor Resurfacing Vs. Refinishing
As your flooring age, colorsย can occasionally fade, scratches can appear, and even dents might happen. You can determine what your floor must have to look it is best using these four distinctions:
- If a Recoat is Enough: If your floor has only minor surface scratches and is not warped, cracked, or otherwise damaged. Recoating may be adequate if the finish is the only area that has been damaged and not the wood core.
- Should Floorboards Be Replaced: Letโs imagine, your floorboards are in such bad condition and shape that it appears you will need to remove a few of them or that a quick sanding will not be adequate to fix the defects. You will realize that it is time to refinish your wood at this point. Refinishing entails much more than merely polishing the flooring. To remove and properly replace particular boards, you will probably require specializedย tools.
- If There Are Uneven Floorboards: Check for floorboards in your hardwood floor that seem to be irregular or appear to need to be ground down to balance things out as yet another sign that it is time for a complete refinishing. Refinishing is more difficult than recoating for a DIY project.
If your floor has had any of the below problems, it is simple to determine whether a refinishing project is necessary:
- There are broken or missing pieces.
- Warping or water damage has taken place.
- There are no nails.
- Even after sanding, parts are still stained, scraped, or dented.
- Wood has developed severalย holes.
- If You Wish to Alter the Color: It might be necessary for a complete refinish if your flooring appearsย old or simply worn out. Just the gloss of the finish, not the color, can be altered when theย flooring is recoated. The floorboards will be sanded down to reveal the raw wood during a full refinish. The required hue can then be accomplished by selecting one of the several stain options available, offering your home a modernย andย fresh appearance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, refinishing hardwood floors is an important task that should not be overlooked. Refinishing will protect the wood from damage, enhance the look of your home, and provide years of enjoyment. Ensure you understand the differences between resurfacing and refinishing before making a decision on what is best for your floor.
You should consider the kind of wood in your home when choosing whether to refinish or resurface your hardwood floors. Also, keep in mind that although you can complete either of these tasks on your own, they can be challenging.
The procedure is not cheap and can take a bit of time, but with the right tools and supplies, you can refinish your hardwood floors with ease. So donโt delay; start refinishing your hardwood floors today!
