When a thorough cleaning no longer restores the shine, it may be time to think about refinishing your hardwood floor. Other signs that you may need to refinish include: deep scratches that cut through to the floor’s protective coating, stubborn stains, warping or areas where the protective coating is worn away, exposing wood fibers. At Extreme Floor Care we are here to answer all your questions about hardwood floor refinishing and installation. You can call our office 7 days a week from 8am to 10pm for advice or to schedule a FREE in home estimate or check out our website at www.extremefloorcare.com for more information and before and after photographs.

 

A tongue-and-groove solid hardwood floor that is 3/4" thick can undergo refinishing about 10 times during its useful life. Engineered hardwood flooring, with its multi-ply construction, can also be refinished, but the contractor needs to be very experienced because there is not much real hardwood on an engineered hardwood floor. The frequency of refinishing hardwood floors depends on the daily wear and tear on the floor, as well as the hardness rating of the species. 

 

Refinishing hardwood floors is a time-consuming process, which typically takes  two to three days. When a hardwood floor is being refinished all furniture must be off the floors and can't be returned for 72 hours after the job is complete, because this is not an easy project to take on yourself, consider hiring a professional hardwood floor refinished. At Extreme Floor Care we will provide you with a free in home estimate and go over the entire process, we also take before, during and after pictures for our clients.

 

Methods of refinishing hardwood floors

Traditional refinishing – This method of refinishing hardwood floors involves 3 sands on the floor, drum sanding your floor twice to remove surface coatings, deep scratches and stains, and to level uneven areas. When done correctly, sanding will restore the species’ grain – one of the main features of a hardwood floor. An industrial grade machine then screens your floor and then is vacuumed to collect dust and particles from the sanding process. After the floor has been smoothed and thoroughly vacuumed, a sealer is applied or, depending on your preference, a stain and sealer, at Extreme Floor Care we use Dura Seal stains and their 100% oil based polyurethane. You will get a sealer or sealer stain coat followed by 2 coats of polyurethane.

 

You can choose either an oil-based sealer or a water-based sealer. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. It’s best to talk to your refinisher or local retailer before choosing.

 

The entire process of refinishing hardwood floors by traditional methods takes place over a series of days to allow for curing and drying times. The minimum amount of time a wood floor refinishing project can take is 2 days, but depending on how large the job. Is it can take longer. You can walk on the floors 6 to 8 hours after the job is complete, 72 hours before furniture can go back because the polyurethane has to cure.

 

Wood floor resurfacing is a dustless process. This process involves scuffing the floor lightly with a sanding machine, then applying a new coat of polyurethane in either a satin, semi gloss or glossy finish. This process is a way to maintain your hardwood floors. Refinishing hardwood floors by this method is not recommended for very damaged floors, if any contractor is trying to sell you this process and your floors are too damaged they are taking advantage of you.

 

To avoid the expense and trouble of refinishing hardwood floors as long as possible, maintain your floors as recommended. At Extreme Floor Care we recommend a product called squeaky clean. The most important thing about using floor cleaners is that they don't have wax in them. If you use a product with wax in it on a hardwood floor you cannot have a screen & coat done.

You can purchase this product at Coast tile and marble supply on Fire Road, EHT, NJ 08234, 609-646-9346.

 

You can contact us at Extreme Floor Care 7 days a week at 609-272-9173 from 8am to 10pm. You can also check us out on our website at www.extremefloorcare.com for more important information and before and after pictures. We are the company where the Owner does your job and we are fully insured.