How Often Should You Refinish Your Hardwood Floors?

This is an important question for homeowners who want to keep their floors looking fresh and beautiful for years to come. Hardwood floors have a timeless beauty that can last for generations—with proper care, of course. But over time, normal wear and tear will build up, and may even cause the wood to start showing signs of age. This is when it’s time to consider refinishing your hardwood floors, but deciding when to do so can be tricky.

To help make the decision a bit easier, let’s take a look at a few key signs that it might be time to take the plunge and have your hardwood floors refinished. Excessive scratches, discoloration, and areas of dullness are all possible reasons to schedule a refinishing project.

Visible Signs of Scratches and Other Damage

Let’s start with scratches. With hardwood floors, a little bit of scratching isn’t necessarily a bad thing since it can add to the weathered or distressed look. However, deep or excessive scratches that affect the sealant on your floors are a sign you should tackle the problem with hardwood floor sanding and refinishing.

Next, discoloration is another telltale sign that it may be time to refinish your hardwood floors. Sun-bleached boards can give your floor an unattractive, uneven look. Constant moisture exposure, on the other hand, can cause the wood to gray over time. Refinishing can help restore your wood floor to its original color and vibrancy.

Finally, when it comes to the finish of your hardwood floors, areas of dullness are a good indication that you should refinish the floors. Glossy, satin, matte, or brushed finishes—whatever you have on your floors—will eventually dull over time. Refinishing your floors will help take them back to their original luster, giving you a beautiful, consistent sheen across the entire floor.

Sanding is Not Unlimited

Now, there’s one thing I am going to point out: although refinishing your hardwood floors can help make them look as good as new, it’s important to remember that every refinishing job removes a layer of the wood. Solid hardwood floors can take this process several times, while engineered wood floors can handle it once or twice max. If your floors get refinished too often, they can eventually lose their beauty and no longer look as nice. The bottom line? Refinish your hardwood floors only when it’s clearly necessary and not just because you want a change!

Not sure if it’s time to refinish your hardwood floors? Renaissance Hardwood Flooring is available to inspect your floors and answer all of your flooring questions. Whether in Warsaw, Auburn, Kendallville,  Huntertown, Allen County, or all of North East Indiana, we have the experience and expertise to assist you in making the best decision for your home and budget.

In addition to watching out for the signs mentioned above, homeowners should also keep an eye on how long it’s been since their floors were last refinished. Depending on the traffic your floors receive, as well as the upkeep, a refinishing job may need to be done every 5-7 years. High traffic areas, such as hallways and entryways, should be inspected more regularly, as they tend to show signs of wear and tear sooner than other parts of the house.

Moisture Damage is Irreversible If Not Addressed Immediately

It is also important to inspect your hardwood floors for any moisture damage. If you notice any loose boards or severe cracking, you may need to explore repair options. While these kinds of issues may not be solved with a simple refinish job, addressing them as soon as possible will help protect your floors from further moisture damage.

Another thing to keep in mind when considering a refinish job is that you may need more than one. If you have solid hardwood floors, the sanding process potentially can be repeated multiple times before reaching the wood below the surface. However, engineered wood floors are more delicate, and require much more care during the refinishing process. So, if you have an engineered floor and want to refinish it, aim to do so no more than twice over the course of its life.

On the other hand, if you don’t think a full refinish is necessary (i.e. if you just want to freshen up the finish), you can consider a maintenance coat. This will restore the finish without needing to sand down the wood, which is much less labor intensive and time consuming.

Refinish Wood Floors is not Cheap – But Less Than New Floors

When it comes to cost, it is important to factor in both material costs and labor. Depending on what type of hardwood you have, there may be a few different options for finishes, and each one may have a different price tag. As for labor, the cost of refinishing your floors will depend on the size of the area, as well as the complexity of the project.

Before you have your floors refinished, it is important to choose the right company for the job. A good place to start is by asking for recommendations from family and friends, or searching for local businesses online. Do your research and read reviews to ensure you’re hiring the best professionals for the job.

Once you have chosen the perfect company to refinish your floors, it’s time to start preparing. The first step is to move all furniture and other items off of your floors, so the workers have a clear space to work. This may involve renting a storage unit or finding places to put all your furniture elsewhere in the house. It’s also a great idea to clean the floors prior to the start of the project.

Now, the last bit of prep work is to decide what type of finish you want on your hardwood floors. Satin, matte, glossy, and brushed finishes are all popular, and the choice you make should be based on your lifestyle and preferences. Speak with the pros at your chosen refinishing company to get more information on the various types of finishes available.

Once you’ve done all the prep work, it’s time to get started. Refinishing jobs typically include sanding down the wood, followed by a staining or sealing process. Remember, this is a big job, and can take several days to complete. But don’t worry—professional refinishers know what they’re doing, so your floors will look beautiful in no time!

Speaking of looking beautiful, there are a few post-refinishing steps you can take to make sure your floors stay that way for many years to come. While regular vacuuming and sweeping will help keep your floors in good shape, you should also use felt protectors on the legs of furniture. This will help prevent scratches, dents, and scuffs.

After Refinishing, Only Use pH Neutral Cleaners – No Waxes, Acrylics, or Rejuvenators

And when it comes to cleaning your hardwood floors, avoid using water and vinegar mixtures. Stick instead to wood-specific cleaners, and always test the cleaner on a small area before using it on the entire floor. This will help ensure your floors look glossy and beautiful for years to come.

Refinishing your hardwood floors isn’t something you do often, but it is a necessary part of keeping your floors in their best condition. By following the tips above and keeping an eye out for signs of damage and wear, you can make sure your hardwood floors remain a beautiful and timeless addition to your home.