Does My Hardwood Flooring Need Refinishing?
When you invest in the timeless natural beauty of hardwood flooring, you are choosing a stunning surface that will last for decades and age exquisitely. With genuine wood, you have the ability to refinish planks when needed, which will keep them shining radiantly while also protecting the floor against damage.
According to HomeAdvisor, the cost of refinishing the average 15′ x 15′ room is $340 to $900, anywhere from $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot (note that the quality of the finish currently on your hardwood flooring can play a factor in the work required to refinish them). So, how often does your flooring need to be refinished? How do you know when it’s time? Here are some things to watch out for.
Scratches
No matter the activity level inside your home, you’ll eventually start to notice some scratches in your hardwood flooring. You can use rugs to mask these scratches or opt to sand them out if they’re small enough. However, scratches that go through the wood’s stain cannot be removed without a full refinishing. It’s your judgement call as to when these scratches have gotten serious enough to warrant removal.
Discoloration
Whether caused by pet accidents, spills, or cleaning products, discoloration is a sure sign that it’s time to refinish and stain your hardwood. At this point, the wood planks are discolored because they have absorbed water and are now beginning to oxidize. Left untreated, discolored wood will turn grey, then black. Refinish your flooring before it needs to be replaced!
Cupping
We mentioned this phenomenon in our post, “How Humidity Can Affect Your Flooring.” Cupping is the result of excess moisture, or water damage. Cupping is easy to recognize, as it negatively compromises the appearance of your flooring and makes their edges appear raised, causing the plank to take on a cup-like shape. Luckily, cupping can be sanded away when you refinish your hardwood flooring and won’t require full replacement.
Fading
Faded hardwood flooring appears dull, usually because of prolonged sunlight exposure. Affected areas will look unhealthy when compared to the rest of the hardwood. When you refinish your flooring, this faded top layer will be removed and new stain will give it its normal healthy glow. With proper love and care, your hardwood will remain illustrious for many years!
Need to have your flooring refinished? Get in touch online or speak with one of our flooring specialists at any of our retail locations today!
