Hardwood is one of the most durable flooring materials but will start showing signs of wear and tear after a few years of use. If you have hardwood flooring in your Mississauga property, you may see a certain level of discolouration or dullness. Dents or scratches may also start appearing.
Fortunately, ¾”-thick hardwood planks can be sanded up to eight times throughout their lifetime. So, unless you live in an old house whose previous owner refinished it multiple times, your flooring can likely be resuscitated.
While many homeowners think refinishing their hardwood flooring will be expensive and time-consuming, it’s cheaper and easier than replacing it.
If you are looking to refinish your hardwood flooring in Mississauga, here are some things to consider before having them professionally refinished.
Read on to discover important things to know about refinishing hardwood floors in Mississauga.
When looking to refinish your hardwood floors, make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the area to understand the extent of the damage. Keep in mind that mud and dirt tracked indoors may sit on the surface and make the space appear duller than it actually is. Plus, these particles may find their way into tiny crevices and nicks in the floor, making it appear dingy.
For this, you should deep clean the wood yourself or hire professionals to do it for you. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, begin by using a soft bristle broom to clean away dirt and dust. Steer clear of hard-bristled brushes as these may damage the surface even more. Next, clean the area with a slightly damp microfiber mop. Avoid abrasive cleaners as these can damage the surface and make the hardwood appear duller.
Take a look at a few simple maintenance tricks to preserve your hardwood floors.
Before sanding your hardwood flooring, make sure there is at least 1/32” of wood available. If your floor has air vents, remove the grille to see how thick the planks are. If they are already too thin, you may have to replace all the flooring as additional refinishing will make it more prone to breaking.
Furthermore, make sure you know what type of hardwood you are dealing with. This will help you understand its specific requirements. For instance, engineered hardwood flooring has a tiny margin for error as it’s made by gluing down different layers of wood. So, the planks will only be capable of withstanding light sanding.
Ideally, you should hire a hardwood flooring contractor to determine the best way forward.
Sanding the existing hardwood flooring is an important part of the process. It allows the new stain to soak in and ensures the colour remains consistent by removing previous finishes.
The best removal method is via mechanical sanding machine. If you are doing it yourself, you can rent a drum sander that comes with a vacuum to collect dust and debris. Cover the rest of the room in plastic to prevent dust getting everywhere.
Start with a lower grit and move higher to achieve a finer, smoother finish. Once you have completed sanding, clean the area properly by sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping. Failing to do so will result in a gritty appearance that ruins the flooring’s look and feel.
If you have rich and deep hardwood floors in your Mississauga home, it’s most likely not the wood’s natural colour. There’s a good chance that the stain was applied when the floor was finished the previous time or when it was initially installed. While having the floor polyed and screened won’t affect the stain, a full refinishing requires that the stain be removed properly. So, you may see that the floor has become lighter in colour than it originally was. Or, you can have it stained to a colour or shade closer to the original. Alternatively, you may also choose a completely new colour such as chocolate brown, white, or grey among others.
If you’re having your hardwood flooring in Mississauga refinished and want to do it yourself, you’ll have to rent or purchase an industrial sander. Plus, you will have to get polyurethane and stain which are a couple of the basic essentials. Expect to pay anywhere between $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot.
If you hire a contractor to do the job, you will have areas addressed that the previous homeowner may have overlooked. Their expertise and skills will ensure that the damaged areas are looked into and repaired properly. Expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 and $2,500 depending on how many rooms you need done and the size of the space.
By following these tips, you will better understand what goes into the different steps of refinishing your hardwood floors in Mississauga. The result will be floors that look more beautiful and make your space even more charming. While doing it yourself may save you some money, you can also hire a professional for the job. With their expertise, you will have a beautiful floor that stands up well to regular use.