Hardwood floors are becoming more desirable and are more common in residential homes today. Hardwood floors bring an elegant look combined with a long lasting durable floor. However exposure to moisture, UV rays, and high traffic calls for even hardwood floors to receive maintenance from time to time. Good maintenance will extend the life of the hardwood floors in your home. Steam Green Carpet Cleaning will explain why it’s important to refinish your hardwood floors and how to protect it from the elements.
 
What is Hardwood Floor Refinishing?
Wood has grain and it is porous. This makes it vulnerable to moisture, dirt, and UV damage. Additionally the wear from traffic and abrasions from furniture and use will make a wood floor look old and dirty all the time. Refinishing hardwood floors help to remove all the build up of time by sanding then placing a protective coat that gives the wood a shiny gloss and protection from the elements.
How Often Should You Refinish Hardwood Floors?
Many will ask how often you should refinish a hardwood floor. There is no straight answer as it will depend on the amount of exposure the floor has had and to what. Some floors should be refinished as often as every 3 to 5 years. Others can last up to 10 to 20 years before they need refinishing. Some will even refinish the wood just to change the look of the floor and home if they choose to change the color scheme of the room. When it comes to refinishing the floor, you can do it in two basic steps: one sanding, and two refinishing or coating the wood.
Sanding of Wood Floors
Over time the wooden surface of the floor may have taken a beating and have some marks, abrasions, or even UV or water damage. By sanding the surface of the wood floor you remove the top coating of the old sealer and then smooth the top of the wood removing the marks, scratches and abrasions. Water and UV damage cause the wood to discolor and warp. Sanding of the wood surface can help erase minor water damage and UV damage as well. However if the wood has been exposed too long to moisture, the affected areas will need to be replaced.
Polyurethane Based Sealer for Hardwood Floors
After the wood has been sanded then it will need to be buffed with a machine to help give the wood an even smoother surface before refinishing. After the floor has been sanded and buffed, it will then need to be vacuumed to remove all of the sawdust. This step will prevent it from getting stuck in the protective coating. Occasionally, if the wood is dried out, it may need an oil coat before the finish is put on. In some cases the oil itself can be the last finish that is sometimes used. However using polyurethane provides a thick and better protective coat that helps improve the life span of a hardwood floor. It is recommended by many professionals to use a polyurethane-base sealer for hardwood floors.
Hardwood Floor Refinishing & More in Valley Village, Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Simi Valley, Burbank, Calabasas, Beverly Hills, Thousand Oaks & Los Angeles California
For homes with old or newer hardwood floors, Steam Green Carpet Cleaning can help refinish and refresh the look of your hardwood floor. If your wood is in need of repair or refinishing, or you simply want to change the overall look of your home, contact Steam Green Carpet Cleaning to schedule your hardwood floor makeover today.
