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Worth The Time And Money: Refinished Hardwood Floors

By: Ean Napp

Hardwood floors can add beauty and elegance to any room in your home. They do require some regular maintenance, and in due time you will find that you will need to refinish your hardwood floors. Thank goodness that with effort and patience this is something that can be done and won't be too terribly difficult. Once done, your floors will look as good as they day they were put in.

There are two parts in the procedure for refinishing hardwood floors: sanding, which cleans away any old dirt and smooths the old wood in order to give it a fresh appearance; and staining, which is performed after the sanding, gives the old hardwood floor a smoother, glossier sheen.

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.

As you check, look for existing problems. Take note of such things as warping, squeaking floor boards, or any permanent damage that might need to be done first. Make sure such repairs are taken care of before you start to refinish 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.

A powerful drum sander is the tool to use for your initial sanding. To avoid accidental damage to the wood, keep the drum sander continuously in motion. If it stays in one place, too much wood is lost and your floor is uneven. Move steadily. Don't rush. To get in corners and other tight spots, use an edge sander.

When the sanding is completed, clean all dust and debris from the area. You are now prepared to stain the floor. There are several options to choose from when selecting your stain. Water-based and oil-based stains are available, and these with a wide variety of appearances. Select whichever best suits your particular floor, and be careful to follow all instructions. Pay extra attention to how many coats you are to use, and how long it must be left to dry.

When your stain dries, congratulate yourself: you've just refinished your floor! Some people hire professionals for refinishing hardwood floors, but you won't need to once you know how to refinish hardwood floors. The process takes some time, but it will be worth it when you're finished and your once dull floor is lovely and gleaming again. The sight will assure you that your effort was well spent.

Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com

Increase the worth of your humble abode with hardwood floors. Find out hints on refinished hardwood floors and refinishing hardwood today.
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