Hardwood floors are a beautiful element to add into a home because they encapsulate the best of form and function, and they even raise the overall worth of a property. However, like all other materials and components in a home, hardwood floors require routine maintenance to keep them looking their absolute best. After all, you don’t want to waste the investment you made. Taking good care of your hardwood floor requires several different steps and stages, including hardwood floors refinishers. Keep reading to learn more.

How to care for hardwood floors

Learning about hardwood flooring is crucial to properly caring for it. To determine the best method for your hardwood floor care, you must first determine the best method of floor cleaning. To properly lift out dirt, waxed wood floors need to be cleaned with a cleaning and waxing compound. This also adds a fresh coat of wax to the wood. Polyurethane-coated wood floors need to be cleaned with a professional cleaning solution or vinegar and water. If you are not sure of what finish your hardwood floors have, it’s best to hire hardwood floors refinishers.

While these methods are great for regular cleanings, over time, wear and tear takes a toll on hardwood floors. To avoid a drastic change in appearance, and costly damage, re-coats and refinishes by hardwood floors refinishers are necessary. But what’s the difference?

Refinish Vs Recoat

Refinishing a hardwood floor is an extensive restoration process with a high price tag, but in many cases, it is needed and worthwhile. The process is best done by hardwood floors refinishers, who utilize large and heavy sanding machines to completely strip away the existing finish on your flooring. The exposed wood is then sanded to even out the surface. This also removes any deep dents, scratches, and discoloration.

Once your hardwood floors refinishers have completed this step, they will then remove any dusts and other particles from the surface of the floor before staining it. Once this step is complete, 2 to 3 coats of finish are applied to the hardwood flooring. It is very important that each coat dries completely before the next one is applied. This process can require a few days to complete, but the outcome is well worth it. This option is best for those wanting to change the color of their floors or have a thorough repair done on all deep scratches, sun exposure, pet accidents, and moisture issues.

A recoat is a much simpler process. Hardwood floors refinishers rough up the existing coat by lightly sanding it or by chemically etching the durable coating. Once the floor is prepped, all dust and other dirt is removed before a new coat of finish is applied over the existing one. Drying time takes up to 24 hours, thus making it a shorter process as well. This option is best for those whose floors are looking dull and have faint scratches along the surface, but no severe damage. It will result in a smooth and new looking finish.

Which Option is Right for You?

Recoats should be done every three to seven years, or longer, depending on the amount of wear and tear your floor experiences. If you are looking to liven up your flooring, then a recoat is all you need. However, if you want to change the stain of your flooring or undo more severe damage, a refinish is necessary. Hiring hardwood floors refinishers can make the process for either go much more smoothly, with a professional touch. Contact us for more details.