Restore Existing Flooring Before Investing New Materials
Hardwood floors are a stunning statement piece in any commercial space. This design trend has been around for many years and will be for many yet to come. The one downfall of this fabulous fashion floor restore statement is that hardwood floors are notoriously hard to maintain. Scratches and stains can be seen easily and replacing the entire floor can prove rather costly. Enter the idea of floor restoration.
What is Existing Floor Restoration?
Professional floor restoration services allow you to have a new floor at a cheaper price, and the job gets done faster. The current wooden floor will be reformed to its former glory. This process involves sanding and varnishing the existing floor and bringing the wood back to life. This process is achieved by using floor restoration products that will give your floor a new lease on life. It is important to keep in mind that severe damage to flooring cannot be restored. In these instances, replacement is recommended.
Process of Restoring Existing Flooring
- Complete an Inspection
The first step is to complete the inspection and examine what kind of damage you are dealing with. You will need to clean the floor very well and ensure no dust or debris will interfere with the restoration process.
- Make Necessary Repairs
The floor restoration process. Fix and replace any damaged floorboards and any discolored wood. You will then need to strain the entire floor so the wood is the same color. Wood that does not match will need to be bleached. This step should only be completed once the floor has been sanded for the best results.
- Rough-Sand the Floor
Remove any stains, or other blemishes from the wood by sanding it. An orbital sander is a perfect tool to get the job done quickly and efficiently, this type of sander is less invasive to restoring a floor. If sanding doesn’t give you the desired result, you can use a chemical stripper before sanding to ensure an even surface. Any cracks should be filled using a wood filler beforehand.
- Sand the Edges and Corners
Start sanding with coarse-grit paper and then move to the finer grades. Use a scraper to remove any old finish by hand. Always start from the central area of the floor then move going towards the wall. Only sand one to two feet at a time moving in the shape of a z-pattern.
- Screen Sand the Floor
Screening your hardwood floor will bring it back to life. Screening is a process that removes the top layer of polyurethane but doesn’t damage the wood below. Use a floor polisher outfitted with 60-, 80-, and 120-grit screening. The edges must be sanded by hand using 100-grit sandpaper.
- Remove All Dust
Once this process is complete it’s time to remove all the dust. Clean the floor by sweeping up excess debris, then use a cloth to clean away any remaining dust particles.
- Stain and Finish
Once all the repairs have been done and the floor is clean. Re-stain your hardwood using the desired shade of your choice. Seal your new floor using a polyurethane-based clear coat. Your floor will look as good as new and be protected from damage for years to come. A restored floor finish product can be used for expert results.
Benefits of Restoring Existing Flooring
- New lease on life: Restoring your hardwood floor will make it look as good as new by removing any imperfections. However, extensive damage to flooring may remain visible.
- Save money: Installing a new hardwood floor is very costly, but restoring the floor is a much better option. A restored floor is effortless to maintain and it is much cheaper than replacing the existing flooring.
- Increase the value of your home: Hardwood floors appeal to buyers and are a great investment for any home. It is one of the primary things potential buyers look at.
- Increased safety: A faulty floor can be dangerous and can lead to injury if it isn’t properly maintained. A newly restored floor will be a pleasure to walk on, with no risk of injury.
- Get rid of pests: Cracks and crevices in hardwood flooring can be the perfect place for critters to hide and make your floor into their home. Removing the damage should get rid of any pests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Restore Existing Flooring
- Is it OK to lay new flooring over old flooring?
If the current floor is fixed to the subfloor and is still in good condition, then you may use the floating method to install new flooring over your existing flooring.
- Is it cheaper to refinish floors or replace them?
It’s less expensive to repair floors than to replace them entirely. Wood is very expensive so it’s easier to carry out repairs on the damaged wood than to buy new wood to replace the floor.
- How do I know if my floors can be refinished?
The most simple way to tell if your floor can be refinished is by using the water test. Pour a small spoonful of water onto the floor, the drops of water should remain on the surface of the food.
If the water is absorbed into the wood, this shows that the finish is worn and the floor needs to be restored. If it remains on top of the wood, the floor can simply be refinished.
We’ll let you in on a secret!
Restoration is cheaper and faster than replacement. Most flooring companies won’t tell you this. We value our customers and truly want to be part of your joy of having new flooring at an affordable price.
After about 20 years most hardwood floors start showing their age, if you need help restoring or refinishing your hardwood floor, give our experts a call to receive a free quote.
If you’d like us to contact you, please fill out our convenient online form available on our website and one of our consultants will give you a call.