Being a first-time homeowner is expensive. You deal with closing costs, property taxes, home maintenance, and other, sometimes unexpected, expenses. When considering home improvement on top of everything else, the costs can really add up—especially with hardwood floors.
Replacing hardwood floors can cost thousands of dollars, which is something that many new homebuyers don’t have. While replacement is necessary for severe issues, refinishing your floors is an affordable option to tackle surface-level damage.
Refinishing hardwood floors involves sanding away the top layer of the floor to remove any imperfections and wear, and completing with a protective finish on top. Refinishing also provides the best opportunity to change the color of your floor.
Why You Should Refinish Your Hardwood Floors
Restore your floors with refinishing as a cost-effective alternative. Refinishing your hardwood floors significantly improves appearance and adds durability, completely reinvigorating your space. This helps you build equity, as the floor’s refreshed display and added strength increase your home’s value.
Though it might not be your priority as a new homeowner, increasing your home’s value is extremely beneficial if you ever plan to sell. You can elevate your space without breaking the bank by refinishing your hardwood floors. A study by the National Association of Realtors in 2022 indicated refinishing your hardwood floors provides a 147% return on investment.
How to Know It’s Time to Refinish Your Floors
Whether your home is a fixer-upper or a newer home, there will be visible signs indicating when it’s time to refinish your floors. A few marks here and there won’t necessarily require refinishing, but when the damage becomes more evident, it’s time to contact a flooring specialist. Be on the lookout for things like:
- Scratches or scuffs
- Stains or discoloration
- Fading or dullness
- Splinters or cracks
- Desire to change the color of the hardwood
Defects like this come from daily wear and tear, such as moving items, sunlight exposure, and regular foot traffic. While these blemishes might seem minor, they can indicate deeper issues with your hardwood floors, like water damage or a worn-out finish. If left unattended, these issues can grow into something that can only be fixed with a total replacement.
You can also refinish your floors to switch the color of your hardwood. Refinishing isn’t just to fix; it can also be to change the style. So, if your new home’s hardwood isn’t what you want, consider refinishing it to a stain that you prefer.
How to Prepare Your Home for Refinishing
To refinish your hardwood floors, the space should be empty. Remove all items from the room, including furniture, decor, and appliances. The refinishing process normally produces a significant amount of dust, so make sure that your items are at a distance from the space to ensure they are protected. At Barnum, we utilize dustless sanding, a process that reduces 99% of dust throughout the process to create a healthier, more efficient environment.
You’ll also need to remove the base shoe from your trim to provide easier access to the floor’s edges. Leaving the base shoe intact throughout the process makes the job increasingly difficult and negatively affects the final look of the project. Barnum Floors does take care of all trim work and can provide that cost in your estimate if this is too much to tackle on your own!
TIP: As a new homeowner, consider refinishing your hardwood floors before moving your belongings into your home. This saves you the time and effort of moving your items again.
The Process: How Long It Takes & What to Expect
The refinishing process time varies from project to project, depending on the size of the space to be finished, the coating finish that’s chosen, and the schedule of your refinishers. Generally, the process can take a couple of days. After you’ve prepared the space by emptying it and removing the base shoe, here’s what you can expect from Barnum Floors:
- We’ll lace in new wood as needed. This process involves replacing some of the existing hardwood that has been significantly damaged with new wood. Typically, this only occurs in older homes.
- Next, our crew will prepare the space by putting plastic on doorways, cabinetry, or areas that are not being refinished. This contains as much dust as possible.
- The sanding begins! We start with a more aggressive grit sandpaper to remove the current finish and debris, then make several additional cuts with the sanders at higher grits to produce a smooth, even surface.
- After sanding is complete, we’ll vacuum and dry tack the wood.
- Next, we begin the coating process. Coating provides a protective finish on the wood. At Barnum, we have a variety of finishes to choose from. The cure time differs based on the coating you choose; some allow you to walk on it the same day, while others require a longer period of time before use.
- Once the coating is complete, you are done with the refinishing process and can put your house back together!
Refinished Floor Maintenance
Now that you’re hardwood floors are refinished, what’s next? Barnum Floors provides a complimentary cleaning starter kit so you can keep your new home’s refinished hardwoods cared for even after we leave. After that, make sure to clean your floors with products specially formulated for the finish that you chose to extend the life of your hardwood.
Maintaining refinished hardwood floors requires having your floors buffed and recoated or having a renew oil coat applied occasionally. This keeps the integrity of your finish! The schedule for getting this done depends on your lifestyle. Some floors need it after 5-7 years, while others won’t need it until 7-10 years later.
Why You Should Trust The Professionals
To ensure a streamlined refinishing process with long-lasting results, trust experienced professionals to do the job. Refinishing requires dedicated attention every step of the way—it’s not a simple job. DIYing a project like this can result in uneven floors, blotchy colors, or leave an unclean base for the finish. As an amateur, there is also a risk of sanding too much wear layer off your hardwood, compromising future refinishing opportunities.
Professionals have the advanced equipment needed to complete the job successfully, the first time around. There are too many variables that can result in a botched refinish job on hardwood floors; it’s easier and more cost-effective to trust a professional to get the job done right.
Barnum Is Your Resource for All Things Hardwood Flooring In Des Moines
Life as a new homeowner can be overwhelming—let Barnum be your trusted hardwood flooring resource. Helping homeowners with their hardwood floors is our specialty; we’ve been doing it for over 30 years! Count on Barnum for your flooring needs, and give us a call today!
Recent Comments