If you have hardwood flooring in your home, you will be enjoying the various benefits it has to offer. It can enhance your home’s value. It is easy to clean and is quite durable. Hardwood floors also contribute to your home’s improved indoor air quality and acoustic versatility. While these floors are exceptionally durable and long-lasting, there comes a time when you will think of refinishing them.
There are many reasons for refinishing hardwood floors. This includes excessive scratches and dents, discoloration, fading, or a need for updating the looks. Whatever the reason for refinishing, it is recommended to ask the following 4 questions before the process begins:
1. What Stain Will Work Best?
This is likely the most commonly asked question before a hardwood floor refinish. Consider the following points when finding an answer to this question:
- A darker stain will easily show all the dust and dirt on your floor
- A lighter stain will make your room seem larger and more illuminated
- Stains tend to appear differently on different types of wood
- The stain should also complement other elements such as your home décor, furniture, cabinetry, and wall colors
2. What Finish Will be Suited for My Hardwood Floor?
You will also have to consider the finish for your refinished floor. The options for hardwood floors include:
- Matte
- Semi-gloss
- Satin
While matte and satin are most commonly chosen, your personal preference matters more here. Keep in mind that matte can help cover any dents, scratches, or dirt on the floor. Satin has a slight amount of sheen and reflects a very small amount of light.
3. How Much Cure Time Will the Refinishing Job Take?
Once your hardwood floor has been refinished, it will require some time for curing and the odor to dissipate. Keep the following points in mind in this regard:
- It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours before you start walking on the floors again
- Any rugs or furniture should be moved back onto the floor only after 4 days
- Keep all the doors and windows open to let the polyurethane fumes out
- If available, use large fans to push out the indoor air and pull in fresh air
4. Should I Move Out During the Refinishing Job?
The answer to the question of whether you should move out depends on the scale of the project. If the floor refinishing job involves just one or two rooms, you can close off the space from the rest of your home. If the job involves your entire home flooring and especially involves the use of oil-based polyurethane, it is in your best interest to move out for at least a week. Make sure to ask the contractor about the most effective techniques to flush out the indoor air.
Whether the floor refinishing job involves one room or the entire house, you should follow these tips:
- Remove all the items, including the furniture from the room. Remember, your clothes and other items can absorb all that odor.
- It is highly recommended to remove all food from your kitchen and pantry.
- Cover all the lighting fixtures with masking film to prevent dust from getting into the crevices.
- Tape masking film to the doorways if you are getting one or two rooms refinished.
It is also important to remove your pets before the job begins.
Besides these questions, it is recommended to ask the contractor whether they will take care of post-job cleaning. Many contractors take care of cleaning the area after each day and after the project is completed. Also ask them whether they will take protective measures on the vents, cabinets, and doorways or you will have to do it yourself.