Refinishing Hardwood Floors: Step-by-Step Guide

Wondering what’s the best way to redo hardwood floors? In this guide by the Floors Are Us experts, you’ll learn how to refinish your hardwood from scratch—starting from the tools you’ll need to professional refinishing tips and safety guidelines. Keep reading to learn when to refinish your hardwood and move forward to the following steps.

When to Refinish Hardwood Floors

Though there’s no exact timeframe for when you should redo wood floor, flooring experts recommend refinishing the entire floor every 7-10 years. However, such high-traffic areas as hallways as well as zones prone to water damage, might require more frequent refinishing. Among the most obvious signs of wear indicating it’s time to refinish your flooring are excessive/deep scratches, fading color and dullness, warping, and deep gouges.

Check your flooring against the following signs to determine whether it’s time to refurbish hardwood floors: 

• Your flooring has deep scratches and dents. This issue goes beyond a solely aesthetic concern, as deep scratches can expose your flooring to moisture damage. 

• Dullness and fading color mean the finish of your flooring is wearing out. It may also happen due to prolonged sunlight exposure or spilled chemicals.

• Cupping and warping are structural changes of hardwood boards. If you’ve noticed that the edges and corners of the planks are curled upward, this is a clear sign it’s high time to consult with a flooring expert in your area.

Tools and Materials for Refinishing

While considering refinishing hardwood floors, choosing the right tools and materials is your first crucial step. Professional tools will ensure the repair and refinishing process go smoothly and you reach the expected result. The Floors Are Us professionals collected the steps in refinishing wood floors, as well as the tools you’ll need at each refinishing stage, in the table below:

Read the points below to get a structured plan for your hardwood refinishing:

Step 1. Prep Work

Preparation is the key step while refinishing wood floor. First, clean the floor and relocate the furniture. Unplug all appliances, and if it’s impossible to move any of your gadgets to another room, cover them with a cloth for protection from dust and chemicals. Next, sweep the refinishing area and vacuum it carefully to remove even the smallest dust and dirt particles. If you want to leave some parts of the surface untouched, cover it with painter’s tape. From now on, keep a tack cloth near you to wipe off any spills promptly.

Step 2. Repair

Repairing hardwood is one of the most important steps in the refinishing process. At this point, you’ll have to examine the hardwood surface attentively. Once you’ve identified all of the cracks, holes, and damaged planks, get down to repairing them. Use a wood filler and putty knife to fill the holes in your hardwood. Then, allow the filler to dry completely. If you’ve encountered loose boards, use nails or wood adhesive to re-secure them. Don’t hesitate to replace severely damaged planks. Pay special attention to this step, as it ensures your flooring is structurally sound and ready to sand.

Step 3: Sanding

Hardwood sanding is another step on your path to resurface hardwood floors. Basically, you’ll have to remove the old finish and fix scratches and dents. Take the coarse-grit sandpaper and remove the old wood finish layers carefully. Using medium to fine-grit sandpaper, smooth out the surface. The Floors Are Us experts advise using a drum sander for larger areas and utilizing an edge sander for the edges/corners. Proper sanding lays a foundation for an even stain and finish application.

Step 4. Buff

Buffing is another stage of restoration of hardwood floors. Attach a pad to your floor buffer and move it evenly across the sanded area. This way, you’ll remove all the remaining dust from the previous step and prepare the flooring surface for smooth stain application. Next, vacuum your hardwood flooring and wipe the surface with a tack cloth for quality removal of all the dust particles. The buffed hardwood surface is perfect for even stain adherence.

Step 5: Staining

Now, it’s time to restain hardwood floor. Use a brush to apply stain evenly, following the wood grain pattern. The Floors Are Us experts recommend applying the stain in small sections to make sure it absorbs evenly. Avoiding blotches is crucial during this step. For this, wipe off any excessive stain with a clean cloth. Read the wood stain manufacturer’s instructions carefully and let the stain dry completely during the specified time.

Step 6: Finishing

After the stain has dried, you can move forward to applying the protective floor finish. It’s crucial to apply thin and even coats of finish with a brush or finish applicator pad. After each layer dries, use a light grit sandpaper and sand the flooring to get rid of imperfections. Then, wipe the flooring surface. Flooring experts usually apply from 2 to 3 coats of protective finish for enhanced durability and resistance to scratches, liquids, and wear.

Step 7: Curing and Final Steps

It usually takes between 24 and 72 hours for hardwood flooring to completely cure after refinishing. Over this timespan, avoid heavy foot traffic. Also, delay moving back your furniture until the finish hardens fully. After the hardwood has cured, you can place furniture using furniture pads for surface protection and get back to the usual flooring use. Remember, regular cleaning and maintenance will prolong the lifespan of your flooring and postpone the next refinishing.

After studying each tool and step of hardwood floor refinishing, you now have a better understanding of how to refinish a hardwood floor. If you still have questions concerning the process, contact a reliable flooring contractor in your area, like Floors Are Us.

DIY vs. Professional

If you’re currently thinking of how to restore hardwood floors yourself, you’re in the right place. The Floors Are Us experts provide a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of managing the refinishing project on your own vs hiring flooring professionals. While choosing the DIY approach can save you money and provide you with a sense of accomplishment, it requires commitment and the ability to handle unexpected situations. Hiring flooring experts on the other hand ensures a high-quality and long-lasting result. 

If you’re still hesitant, keep reading the points below.

Cost Comparison

Check out the table below to compare the two different approaches—refinish floors DIY or hiring flooring professionals:

Though DIY refinishing is less expensive upfront, the chance of making costly mistakes isn’t worth the risk unless you have solid experience with hardwood flooring.

When to Hire Professionals?

How hard is it to refinish wood floors when the wood is severely damaged? Many homeowners underestimate the condition of their flooring and realize the severity of the situation somewhere in the middle of the refinishing process.

To make sure you don’t get into this trap, our flooring experts compiled a list of situations when hiring a professional is a must: 

• Deep scratches 

If your hardwood has deep scratches or signs of severe water damage, it’s better to consult with a hardwood flooring consultant before taking any action. Your floors may need advanced sanding and repair techniques only seasoned flooring experts can handle. 

• Several previous restorations 

Tracking the record of your floor refinishing is critical. In case of multiple previous repairs, the bare wood may get thinner, putting its health at risk.

• Tight timeframes 

If you’re looking for quick hardwood floor refinishing, hiring flooring professionals is your perfect option. This way, you’ll receive top-quality results quickly and with minimal mess. 

• Secure investment 

If you expect to enhance your property value with quality hardwood flooring, getting professional help is your risk-free option. 

Tips on Redoing Wood Floors

Are you up for some professional tips to ensure easy hardwood floor refinishing? Though there’s no secret formula that will ensure trouble-free refinishing, the Floors Are Us experts collected their tried and true insights that will help you manage the process more confidently. 

Check out the list below: 

1. Inspect the flooring surface carefully 

Examine your hardwood for scratches, dents, and water damage before getting down to your refinishing project. You need to know for sure whether there are planks that require replacement, which areas need special attention, and what the extent of repairs will be.

2. Choose the right grit for sanding 

To remove the top layers of the old finish, start with rough sandpaper. Then, proceed with a fine grit to smooth out the surface.

3. Mind the grain of the wood 

Improper sanding and staining can lead to unwanted marks and streaks on the surface. Thus, always make sure you follow the wood grain direction. 

4. Control dust throughout the process 

Clean dust between sanding steps to ensure smooth application of stain and finish. Using a dustless floor sander is another way to reduce the amount of dust. 

5. Test stain in advance 

To confirm the chosen stain color fits you, test it on a small hidden area first. 

6. Allow proper stain and finish dry time

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions strictly to ensure complete drying of each coat of stain and finish. 

Floor Refinishing Safety

To refinish and stain hardwood floors correctly, you need to keep in mind refinishing safety rules. The Floors Are Us professionals collected safety guidelines that always help them ensure a risk-free setting while refinishing our customers’ flooring. 

Check out the points below for more insights: 

• Use protective gear

Don’t forget to wear a protective mask and goggles, use a dust mask/respirator, gloves, and ear protection throughout the refinishing process.

• Establish optimal ventilation

It’s crucial to ensure proper ventilation, especially during coating steps. For this, open windows and use fans. 

• Avoid sparks/flames

As the majority of coatings are flammable, smoking and using open fire near the flooring is strictly prohibited. 

• Utilize equipment carefully

Never leave the refinishing equipment running. Read the operational manual before using any kind of professional refinishing equipment. 

• Control dust levels

Prevent dust from spreading and settling on the flooring surface. 

• Keep materials safe

Store such materials as stains and finishes sealed in a cool, dry place before using. 

• Follow drying and curing instructions strictly 

Allow complete curing and drying of your refinished flooring to prevent damage. 

Summing Up

If you’re still wondering how to redo hardwood floors, contact a reliable hardwood flooring contractor and get a free consultation on your specific situation. Floors Are Us professionals are always ready to help you, so don’t hesitate to drop a line.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does the refinishing process take?

The exact refinishing duration depends on the size of your space and the condition of the flooring. For example, a worn wooden floor may take longer to refinish, typically 3-5 days, while refinishing a small area may take 1-3 days. 

• Should I choose oil-based or water-based polyurethane?

Many homeowners wonder which works better to renew hardwood floors—oil-based or water-based polyurethane? There’s no fixed answer to these questions, as it depends on your priorities. Oil-based finishes provide a wide color selection and greater durability, while water-based polyurethane keeps your wooden floor looking light and more natural. 

• Can I stay in my home during refinishing?

The best way to refinish wood floors is to delegate it to hire professionals and move out for a few days. The sanding process produces dust, which can be uncomfortable for those suffering from allergies. Besides, coatings release strong fumes, which can also cause discomfort. 

• Can all hardwood floors be refinished?

No, in some situations, refinishing is impossible. For example, if your hardwood has already undergone several refinishings and the wood structure got too thin. Also, engineered hardwood cannot be refinished due to the thin layer of wood. 

• How long before I can walk on refinished floors?

Usually, you can walk on the refinished flooring after 24 hours. However, wait until 48-72 hours before bringing back the furniture. 

• How can I tell if my flooring is solid hardwood or engineered wood?

Solid hardwood is made of one piece of wood without any layers. Engineered hardwood has visible layers—hardwood veneer, plywood, and a stabilizing layer.