To get an accurate estimate of how much it would cost to refinish hardwood floors, you first need to consider the type of flooring that is in your house. Common types are carpeted, laminate, and hardwood floors. In this article, we'll focus on hardwood floors and the different steps that are involved in getting them refinished. There is also article about leveling a house floor.
Do give them a read as well!
Let's get started.
What is Hardwood Floor Refinishing?
Hardwood floors are made of timber, smoothened, and glued together to form a strong finish. The process of refinishing involves sanding, varnishing or lacquering, and staining the wood.
The surface is then sealed with special sealants to make it water-resistant. It's worth noting that hardwood floors are very porous once they've been sanded. This makes them a great candidate for stains and pigments because these tend to seep into the wood rather than lie on top of it. Another great thing about this is that you can easily restore the shine if you wish to do so.
Hardwood costs more than laminate flooring and is also more durable over long periods. One of its greatest benefits is that it ages gracefully giving your room an antique look in time while fresh floors tend to fade over time.
For example, if you had to use ceramic floor tiling, the aging process would be accelerated and your floor would lose its appeal in a very short space of time.
Another significant benefit is that hardwood floors are far better at soundproofing than any other type of flooring. This means that if you live in an apartment, it will be quieter for everyone. You can expect the same kind of benefits when you install hardwood floors in a house with young children who love to run around. It prevents all that noise from reverberating through the walls and disturbing neighboring tenants or even neighbors outside your home.
Benefits aside, it's important to start planning on how much it will cost to refinish hardwood floors before actually going ahead with the project. The following tips should help give you an idea.
Get a Quote from Contractors
Before you decide on using your hardwood floors, make sure to get at least three quotes. This will give you an idea of how much it would cost as well as the experience of each contractor.
Locating these contractors isn't difficult because many companies specialize in this type of service. Remember to ask questions during this phase so you'll end up working with a contractor who understands what kind of services you need. By all means, steer clear of contractors who quote ridiculously low prices. If they seem too good to be true, then most likely they are.
Although you could get quotes from national companies, it's best to work with local professionals. They know the ins and outs of your area so they're more familiar with any problems that have been reported by other homeowners in your community. This will give you added assurance that they'll be able to do a great job with your hardwood floors.
In addition, local companies are far less likely to use substandard products on their jobs because they want their reputation to improve over time which means repeat customers at some point down the line. If this is something that interests you then go ahead and start making calls today.
There is a separate article about Carpet vs Hardwood cost comparison.
What will you need to refinish wood floors?
To refinish hardwood floors, you'll need at least a few tools and supplies. These include the following:
- Sandpaper and wood filler
- The right kind of primer and paint for your hardwood floor
- Quality brushes, rollers, trays to keep from making a mess on your floor
If you plan on doing the job outside to protect nearby surfaces from any splatter that may occur during application of paint or stain. Use caution when applying these products because you want to avoid getting them on nearby carpets or floors.
- Cleaning supplies (if necessary) such as gloves and an old towel will help you clean up spills easily before they can get into places where they're difficult to remove. Keep in mind that some stains will be more difficult to remove than others.
- Safety equipment such as safety goggles or a mask to prevent you from breathing in fumes if the primer and paint are still wet.
- Also, you may want to consider investing in an air filtration system when working with wood stains or paints that contain chemicals. This will help improve the quality of your workspace so you'll be able to breathe easier while working on your wood floors.
- It's worth noting what not to use for refinishing hardwood floors. For instance, be careful about using a floor sander because it can do more harm than good if you aren't skilled at handling power tools. You may also want to steer clear of self-applied products since they could end up costing you more in the long run. Always use an expert for this part of the job because they'll have all the necessary tools, skills, and supplies to get it right.
What's the difference between hardwood and laminate flooring?
The hardwood vs laminate flooring question is a common one. These two materials are popular options when it comes to flooring. But, there's more than meets the eye here and they aren't created equal.
They are quite different when you start to compare their features, cost, and longevity. For example, laminate flooring doesn't have the same authentic look that hardwood floors possess but they can be less expensive to install. On the other hand, hardwood can give your home a unique and charming aesthetic that no other material can match.
Hardwood vs Laminate Flooring – Installation Costs
It's true – installing a new hardwood floor is usually more expensive than laying down laminate flooring. But if you take into account its sturdiness and long-lasting durability, it might turn out to be worth it in the end. To get the best deal on any type of flooring, it's important to consider the price per square foot.
If you have budget constraints and need to invest in a new floor for your home quickly, laminate might be the better option. But remember that despite its lower cost, you can't expect the same durability or longevity from this product as you would with hardwood. What's more is that if you purchase laminate wood planks, you'll probably end up spending a little bit extra when it comes to installation costs because they're thicker than standard floorboards.
How long does it take to refinish wood floors?
You may be surprised to learn that it can take anywhere from one to two days of work to refinish wood floors. However, this period can be stretched depending on the size of your home and how much hardwood flooring you'd like refinished.
What should I do to prepare for installation?
Technically, you don't need to do anything but clean your floors before the laminate is installed. This material is designed well enough that it works with a variety of surfaces. However, if you have an uneven or damaged surface, you may want to consider investing in some leveling materials like wood filler or sandpaper first. These products will restore the integrity of your hardwood so all traces of damage are gone before installation.
Should I rent a floor sander or purchase one?
If you're going to use it frequently, you can likely buy a floor sander from your local home improvement store. In this case, it might be better to buy one for several reasons. For instance, you may still need to do some light sanding when installing hardwood in certain rooms of your home, and renting could become rather costly over time.
If you aren't sure if you'll use a sander enough to justify the cost, it might be best to rent one. This way, you can still get your home in tip-top shape without having to break the bank.
What are some of the benefits of refinishing hardwood?
While there may be plenty of reasons for wanting to refinish your wood flooring, let this be another reminder that even though they're more expensive and time-consuming than other types of floors, hardwood is worth every penny spent. It doesn't matter how old or damaged your floors may appear – just a few coats of paint or stain and you'll leave your home looking fabulous.
What's more, is that many homeowners opt to refinish their hardwood floors because it's a way of keeping their original investment intact. Even if you end up moving and selling your home, replacing the wood flooring you've worked so hard on isn't necessary. It can still be used as another person's beautiful new floor.
Final thoughts on how much does it cost to refinish hardwood floors
In conclusion, the costs of hardwood floor refinishing will depend on several factors. Some of them are the type of wood, level of damage, and floor size. In any case, the hardwood floor is one of the most durable floors on the market. It requires no constant care for its maintenance but only a good professional cleaning at least 3 times a year to keep it in impeccable condition.
By keeping the above in mind, you can easily calculate how much it costs to refinish hardwood floors.
