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Worth The Time And Money: Refinished Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors can beautify your home, but like any wood product, they must be properly cared for in order to maintain their luster and elegance. Hardwood floor refinishing is not a difficult process, but is a necessary one if those floors are to be maintained. By putting aside a little time to dedicate to refinishing hardwood floors, they will last for years, keeping that fresh and new appearance free of scratches and scuffs.

Refinishing hardwood floors is a process that encompasses two steps. The first, sanding, removes the buildup of dirt and old wood from the floor's surface, making for a fresh wood surface suitable for working. The other, staining, gives the floor's surface a more polished look.

Before you attempt refinishing your hardwood floor, you should always do this simple test to make sure that it is necessary. All you need to do is place a drop of water on your floor. If it absorbs rather quickly, you need to refinish, but if it doesn't absorb, or it slow at absorbing, you do not need to refinish your hardwood floor at this time.

When you inspect the floor, make sure it doesn't need any repairs. Problems to inspect for include warped or squeaking floor boards, badly stained wood, and other permanent damage. If any of these issues are present, you should repair them before refinishing the floor.

If you have determined that the floor does not need other repairs besides refinishing, it is time to start your work. To begin, you will need to remove all objects from the room. Cover all openings, vents and light fixtures. Bear in mind that sanding is a messy process and it is important to protect the room from dust.

You will need a drum sander for your first sanding. The drum sander is a powerful tool and damaging the wood while sanding is easy to do. To avoid this, keep the sander moving, never letting it stay in one place for more than a few seconds. However, don't rush. When encountering corners and other areas you cannot reach with the drum sander, use an edge sander.

Once you have completed sanding, clean up, removing dust and other debris. The floor is now ready to be stained. There are a number of different stains available. Pay close attention to how long it takes for the stain to dry and how many coats are needed. There are oil and water based stains that have a variety of appearances. Choose the stain that best suits the needs of your floors and follow all instructions carefully.

Once you have learned how to refinish hardwood floors, you will never need to hire a professional. The process of refinishing hardwood floors is time consuming, but it is worthwhile when your dull and dingy floor is gleaming and shiny. When the stain is dry, congratulations! You have just refinished your floor yourself. Let your beautiful new floor assure you that it was well worth the effort.

Article Source: http://www.inpop.net

Recover the worth of your humble abode with hardwood floors. Discover ideas on refinished hardwood floors and how to install wood floor today.
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