Looking for the Best Hardwood Floor Refinishing Chicago Area Contractor?
If you are looking for the best hardwood floor refinishing contractor in Chicago to renew your floors, then you have come to the right place. With 100+ five star Google reviews, we can help restore your hardwood floor to look brand new.
Our Hardwood Floor Refinishing Process For Your Chicago Home
Our process to refinishing your hardwood floor is simple and effective;
Preparation:
- Clear the room of all furniture, rugs, and items.
- Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors, as proper ventilation is important due to the fumes from the refinishing products.
- Cover doorways and vents to prevent dust from spreading to other areas of the house.
Floor Sanding:
- Rent a floor sander from a local hardware store. Start with a coarse grit sandpaper and gradually move to finer grits.
- Sand the entire floor evenly, following the direction of the wood grain. Make sure to remove the old finish and any scratches or imperfections.
- Vacuum and wipe the floor thoroughly to remove all dust after sanding.
Staining (Optional):
- If you want to change the color of the floor, apply wood stain evenly using a brush or rag. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Wipe off excess stain after a few minutes to achieve the desired color. Allow it to dry completely.
Applying Finish:
- Choose a high-quality polyurethane finish suitable for hardwood floors. Water-based finishes are generally preferred due to their lower odor and faster drying times.
- Apply the finish using a clean applicator, brush, or roller, working in the direction of the wood grain. Start from the farthest corner of the room and work your way towards the exit.
- Allow the first coat to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes several hours.
Buffing and Additional Coats:
- Lightly sand the floor with fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) or a floor buffer between coats of finish to smooth out imperfections.
- Apply two or more additional coats of finish, following the same process as before. Be sure to allow each coat to dry properly before applying the next.
Final Drying:
- After applying the final coat of finish, allow the floor to dry completely. This can take several days, depending on the type of finish and the environmental conditions.
Cleanup:
- Dispose of used sandpaper, rags, and other materials safely according to local regulations.
- Remove any masking tape and protective coverings.
- Once the floor is fully dry, you can move furniture and rugs back into the room.
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
When it comes to flooring, hardwood is simply unrivaled. Not only its classic look is ageless, but it also adds more value to your space!
Although hardwood floors are made to be highly durable, due to constant usage, in time, it can lose its shine and become dull and scratched. However, unlike many other flooring types, you can always count on hardwood refinishing to produce a great comeback!
Depending on the type of the wood, when done correctly, natural hardwood floors can take up to 10 complete sanding and refinishing jobs. Engineered wood, depending on the thickness of the hardwood veneer can be refinished up to 2 times.
Each time you decide to sand or refinish your wood, you have the option to choose a brand new color and finish for your floor. We also offers a range of custom colors to match other areas of the floor that are not being refinished.
Depending on the project’s size and complexity, please allow 2 to 5 days for a complete hardwood refinishing, staining and varnishing process. We usually recommend our clients to move out of the house because of factors such as dust, odor and general disruption.
Hardwood refinishing is a great way to give your wooden floors a new facelift and bring them back to life!
How to Care for Your Refinished Hardwood Floor
Beautiful hardwood is timeless and always in style and it requires minimal upkeep. Your refinished hardwood floors will last a lifetime if you closely follow all manufacturer recommendations and stay proactive. Cleaning and maintaining solid and/or engineered hardwood is very simple:
- Sweep up spills, crumbs, dust and dirt into piles. Use a vacuum without beater bars or mechanisms, which can scratch your floor.
- Address standing liquids immediately with a clean, non-abrasive material. The less water and/or solution used, the better.
- Remember, this is a natural product and it should not be treated with chemicals or exposed to high heat, moisture, temperatures, nor low humidity. Check with the manufacturer or your flooring company on the optimal conditions for your type of wood.
- Hardwood is resilient, but not invincible. Avoid buffing machines, steel wool, scouring powder, and steam mops to help prevent surface abrasion and warping. One cleaning brand we personally use and recommend to our clients is Bona Traffic.
On average, the cost to refinish hardwood floors typically ranges from $3 to $8 per square foot. This estimate usually includes sanding, staining (if desired), and applying multiple coats of finish. Keep in mind that additional costs may arise if your floors require extensive repairs, intricate patterns, or special treatments.
Refinishing hardwood floors can often be a cost-effective option compared to completely replacing them, especially if the existing hardwood is in relatively good condition and just needs a new finish to restore its appearance and durability. Here are some factors to consider when assessing the cost-effectiveness of refinishing hardwood floors:
Condition of the Floors: If the hardwood is structurally sound and has only minor surface wear, refinishing can bring it back to its original luster at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
Cost Comparison: Refinishing hardwood floors is generally more affordable than ripping out and installing new flooring. New hardwood installation involves material costs, labor for installation, and potentially additional expenses like subfloor preparation.
Increased Home Value: Refinished hardwood floors can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home, potentially increasing its resale value. Well-maintained hardwood floors are often viewed as an attractive feature by potential buyers.
Environmental Considerations: Refinishing extends the lifespan of your existing hardwood, reducing the demand for new materials and minimizing environmental impact associated with production and disposal.
Customization: Refinishing allows you to change the color or finish of your floors to match evolving interior design preferences, giving you a fresh look without the cost of new flooring.
Inconvenience: While refinishing involves some disruption due to dust, odor, and drying times, it’s generally less disruptive than a full flooring replacement, which may require more extensive construction.
However, there are situations where refinishing might not be the most cost-effective choice:
Severe Damage: If the hardwood is extensively damaged, warped, or has significant structural issues, the cost of repairs and refinishing might approach or even exceed the cost of replacement.
Desired Changes: If you’re looking for a different wood species, style, or layout, replacing the floors might be more appropriate to achieve your desired outcome.
In most cases, refinishing hardwood floors is a worthwhile investment that can bring new life to your living space without breaking the bank. It’s important to assess the condition of your floors, obtain quotes from professional contractors, and consider your long-term goals before making a decision.
Refinishing and resurfacing wood floors are two different processes that aim to restore the appearance and durability of hardwood floors, but they involve distinct methods and levels of intervention. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two:
Refinishing Wood Floors: Refinishing involves sanding down the existing finish and a thin layer of wood from the top surface of the floorboards. This process removes scratches, wear, and imperfections, exposing fresh wood underneath. After sanding, a new finish is applied to protect and enhance the wood’s appearance.
Key Steps:
- Sanding: Old finish and a layer of wood are sanded away.
- Staining (optional): If you want to change the color, stain can be applied after sanding.
- Applying Finish: Multiple coats of a new finish (polyurethane, for example) are applied for protection and aesthetic appeal.
Result: The process renews the appearance of the wood, removes minor imperfections, and provides a protective layer.
Resurfacing Wood Floors: Resurfacing involves adding a new layer of hardwood or another material on top of the existing flooring. This can be particularly useful when the existing floor is too damaged to be effectively refinished or if you want to achieve a different look without removing the original wood.
Key Steps:
- Adding a New Layer: New hardwood veneers, engineered wood, or another flooring material is applied over the existing floor.
- Preparing Subfloor: If necessary, the subfloor may need to be adjusted to accommodate the additional layer.
- Finishing: The new layer is finished with stain and protective coatings.
Result: Resurfacing effectively covers up old and damaged flooring with a fresh layer of new material, providing a new appearance and surface.
