Intro Over years of constant foot traffic, furniture rearrangements, dropped toys, spilled juice, wild kids and pets, and more, the hardwood floors in New Jersey homes can start appear dull, scratched up, and generally showing their age. While many homeowners consider ripping them up for laminate or vinyl replacements, the good news is those old, worn hardwoods can get a new lease on life through professional sanding and refinishing services.
The skilled craftsmen at A-1 Refinish Floors & Interior Painting have spent over a decade and a half helping Bergen County area homeowners restore and protect their existing hardwood floors to appear as good as new. In this comprehensive refinishing guide for New Jersey homeowners, we tackle common questions around the sanding and refinishing process to achieve stunning results.
Overview: What Does Sanding and Refinishing Hardwood Floors Entail? Hardwood floor refinishing typically involves 3 major steps performed by trained professionals:
- Sanding: This physically removes blemishes, old finishes/stains, and top layers of wood flooring through drum sanding machines using coarse to ultra-fine sandpaper grits based on needs.
- Repairs: With sanded floors prepped, technicians will address any cracked boards, pet urine stains, along with applying treatments for issues like mold.
- Protective Finish: Multi-coat urethane finishes are rolled on to seal and protect your newly refinished wood investment for long-lasting shine and durability.
Why Choose Refinishing Over New Floors? In addition to restoring the existing character and wood species in your home (often oak, cherry, maple, etc.), refinishing also is more affordable compared to ripping out and installing brand new floors. There also are environmental benefits to avoiding landfill waste. This makes it an eco-friendly option over replacement in many cases.
What Factors Impact Costs? When quoting your project, New Jersey floor refinishing contractors consider aspects like:
- Square footage
- Type of current floor & wood species
- Amount of repairs needed
- Staining, coloring requests
- Type protective finishes used
On average though, homeowners pay $3-5 per square foot for sanding and refinishing existing wood. Ultimately an in-home evaluation gives the most accurate estimate accounting for your floor’s current state.
Sanding Techniques: What Is Involved? Floor sanding utilizes heavy-duty drum sanding machines combined with expertise of an experienced floor refinishing company. Here’s a general overview:
- Drum sander with coarse 36-40 grit sandpaper erases old finishes/stains and flattens floors.
- Edger removes remaining finish along baseboards and corners drum sander can’t reach.
- Final smooth sanding begins with 60-80 grit before finishing off with fine 100-120 grit papers.
- In some cases, final pass with buffering orbital sander ensures flawless results.
- Vacuums and tack cloths ensure dust-free surface for repairs, staining, and finishing coats.
Dust containment systems capture over 95% of wood dust at the source during drum sanding stages. Any lingering residual airborne particles get removed via industrial air scrubbers also used at job sites.
Staining, Coloring & Finish Options Beyond reviving the raw natural wood underneath, many homeowners also wish to change up colors or looks with stain, paint, whitewashing treatments or grey washing which are trendy options. Be sure to inquire about these additional services when vetting floor refinishing contractors to ensure they have expertise in modifications beyond basic sanding.
Modern water-based urethane finishes additionally allow for faster drying protective coats on floors with less odor during application compared to oil-based options. Though if matching existing trim, traditional oil-based poly may need to be used. You refinishing company will inform you on best options for your home’s unique needs.
Conclusion While worn, aged hardwood flooring may seem destined for the landfill, A-1 Refinish Floors & Interior Painting has demonstrated for over 15 years that new life can be breathed into these spaces with professional sanding techniques combined protective finishes. To learn more about refinishing your New Jersey home’s hardwood floors, contact us today for a free quote at 551-866-7503 and let us reveal their hidden beauty once again!
