Introduction If your hardwood floors in Tenafly or Englewood, New Jersey are looking worn out, a refinishing project can make them look brand new again. Refinishing hardwood floors involves sanding down the top layer of wood and applying new stain, sealant, and polyurethane coats to protect the wood and give an updated, fresh look.
Below you’ll find a homeowners guide on important considerations when having your Tenafly or Englewood hardwood floors refinished so you can achieve beautiful, long-lasting results. We’ll cover the refinishing process, what to expect cost-wise, tips for choosing a qualified contractor, and answers to common questions homeowners have about hardwood floor refinishing in Northern New Jersey.
Overview of the Hardwood Floor Refinishing Process Having hardwood floors professionally refinished in your Tenafly or Englewood home involves several important steps performed by experienced flooring contractors:
- Move Out Furniture: The contractor will move all movable furniture, decor, and items out of the rooms getting refinished. Things that can’t be moved will be protected with drop cloths.
- Deep Clean: A thorough deep cleaning removes built-up dirt, debris, grime, and old coatings from the wood floors in preparation for refinishing.
- Sand Away Old Finish: Using specialized floor sanding equipment, the old urethane finish is sanded off the wood. Multiple grit sandpapers are used, becoming finer with each pass to smooth and even out the surface.
- Stain (Optional): A wood stain that matches your preferences can be applied for color. Test samples are done to get the right custom color match if desired.
- Seal and Protect: After staining (if chosen), new protective urethane coats are applied by trowel method. 2-3 coats seals the wood grain and leaves a smooth, shiny finished look.
- Install Flooring Protections: The contractor will install felt pads on furniture legs, thresholds, and transitions between rooms to protect your newly refinished investment.
What Does Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost in Tenafly and Englewood? The total cost to have your hardwood floors refinished in Tenafly or Englewood generally costs between $3-7 per square foot. For the average size home this can mean a total investment between $3,000-7,000 depending on these key cost factors:
- Square footage of floors being refinished
- Choice of stain colors
- Amount of surface scratches and wear
- Need for subfloor or structural repairs prior to refinishing
- Type of protective finish coatings used
- Amount of furniture moving/storage required
Of course exact floor refinishing costs can vary house-to-house even in the same neighborhood. Reputable Tenafly and Englewood floor refinishing contractors offer free in-home estimates so homeowners know what to budget for their specific project.
Tips for Choosing a Hardwood Floor Refinishing Contractor With the big investment refinishing hardwood floors in your Tenafly or Englewood home comes, it’s crucial to vet and choose qualified floor refinishing contractors in Northern New Jersey. Keep these tips in mind:
- Ask to see licenses, insurance information, and examples of past refinishing work
- Choose EPA Lead-Safe Certified refinishers when working in homes built before 1978 due to potential lead exposure risks
- Get at least 3 over-the-phone or in-person estimates before deciding on a contractor
- Read through online customer reviews on Google, Facebook, and elsewhere to gauge quality of work and service
- Find out what brands of equipment, sandpapers, stains, and urethane coatings they use
- Ask plenty of questions on process, products, timelines, and costs
- Get warranties for workmanship defects in writing
By carefully vetting several pro refinishing contractors, Tenafly and Englewood homeowners can feel at ease selecting the right team for flawlessly revitalized hardwood floors.
FAQs About Refinishing Hardwood Floors in Tenafly and Englewood, NJ Many homeowners in Tenafly and Englewood considering refinishing their hardwood floors are curious about the process, results, and costs. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
How long does it take to refinish hardwood floors in a home? The refinishing process usually takes 2-5 days from start to finish. The contractor will give you a detailed timeline so you can make arrangements during the project.
Can existing hardwood floors with scratches and damage be saved?
In most cases, yes! Even floors that look beyond saving can be successfully brought back to a like-new, beautiful condition through skilled sanding and refinishing.
What about pet stains, urine damage, or water stains? Reputable hardwood floor refinishing contractors have experience remediating even difficult stains like these during sanding and prep using pet odor sealers and bleach.
Will the house be dusty during refinishing? Modern dust-containment systems are used to capture 95%+ of dust at the source during sanding. Any residual airborne dust is minimized via air scrubbers and containment barriers.
Can furniture like kitchen cabinets or built-in shelves be refinished too?
Yes! Many Tenafly and Englewood floor refinishing companies also provide expert refinishing of cabinets, doors, trim, and wood paneling to match your floors.
Will I need to stay elsewhere during the refinishing process? Odor, noise, and dust are kept very minimal so you can comfortably remain home. Pet boarding can be arranged if you prefer though.
Is there a way to get cost estimates without scheduling an in-home visit? While an exact quote requires seeing your floors’ condition in person, phone estimates based on square footage can give you a reasonable ballpark range to expect.
Get Flawless Floor Refinishing Results! Hardwood floors with worn finishes can make the beautiful wood underneath look permanently dull and damaged. But in the hands of skilled hardwood floor refinishing professionals, they can be revitalized to showcase their warmth, wood grain patterns, and character that perhaps you’ve never seen before throughout your home.
By following the guidance above on what to expect from the floor refinishing process, costs, contractor tips, and commonly asked questions, Tenafly and Englewood homeowners can feel confident as they research getting a fresh, renewed look added back to their existing hardwood floors.www.a1refinishfloorspaintings.com
