{"id":17341,"date":"2019-06-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-06-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mymove-resources.lndo.site\/uncategorized\/\/restore-wood-floors\/"},"modified":"2022-11-09T23:20:27","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T23:20:27","slug":"restore-wood-floors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mymove.com\/home-inspiration\/flooring\/restore-wood-floors\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Restoring Your Wood Floors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hardwood floors have an incomparable beauty and they can add warmth and style to any room. Whether you have a traditional home with architectural details<\/a>\u00a0or a modern, industrial space, hardwoods fit right in. That\u2019s why many homeowners even use hardwood floors in kitchens and bathrooms<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re fortunate enough to have original hardwood floors, consider restoring their original beauty. Below are tips from two hardwood flooring experts to help.<\/p>\n

Recoat or Refinish?<\/h2>\n

If your wood floors start to look dull, they can be renewed through recoating. \u201cA maintenance coat involves cleaning the existing floor\u2019s finish, then lightly sanding it,\u201d explains Brett Miller, VP of Education & Certification for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)<\/a>. \u201cAfter that, you just need an application of a fresh new coat of wood floor finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller recommends applying a new coat to your floors every three to five years. However, he says your maintenance schedule may depend on wear and tear, as well as your lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, a complete sand and refinish is recommended when there are deep scratches, dents and other flooring damage,\u201d Miller explains. He also recommends this process if the finish is worn away and the bare wood is exposed. This may be the case if you purchase a fixer-upper home<\/a>. And there\u2019s another benefit to doing a complete sand and refinish. \u201cSanding a floor back to raw wood is the perfect opportunity to change the color of the floor,\u201d Miller says.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Use the Wrong Equipment<\/h2>\n

\u201cWood floor restoration starts with sanding the floor,\u201d Kate Gailunas, Interior Designer and Owner of N-Hance Wood Refinishing<\/a>, explains. \u201cThis strips away the previous finish and removes surface-level scuffs and scratches.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, if you try to sand the floor with home power tools, she says you might sand the floors unevenly. And that\u2019s the best-case scenario. Gailunas warns that you could also severely damage the wood. \u201cDo it right \u2014 use a drum sander,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n

Avoid Uneven Sanding<\/h2>\n

But even if you use a drum sander, there\u2019s no guarantee that you won\u2019t make mistakes if you\u2019re not careful. \u201cUnder-sanding can leave spots of old stains or finish,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd then these areas are unsuitable for refinishing.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, there\u2019s something even worse than under-sanding. \u201cOver-sanding can lead to divots or scratches that only a professional can fix,\u201d Gailunas says.<\/p>\n

\"even

Rodenburg-Photography-Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

Be Aware of Improper Edging<\/h2>\n

Also, be advised that a drum sander cannot get close enough to your walls and baseboards to sand them. \u201cTo get these areas, you\u2019ll need an edger,\u201d Gailunas says. You\u2019ll also need to be patient when using the edger. \u201cDon\u2019t rush these areas, because it results in a noticeable color\/texture difference around the edge of the room with a higher risk of degradation,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Notice Lingering Wood Dust<\/h2>\n

The sanding process will create a lot of wood dust. \u201cKeep this in mind when you\u2019re applying the stain\/finish to your floors,\u201d Gailunas says. Thoroughly clean the floors first. \u201cIf you don\u2019t, these particles will become embedded in the stain\/finish,\u201d she warns. \u201cVacuum up as much dust as possible, then give your entire room a detailed cleaning before applying any kind of stain\/finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Use the Wrong Products & Materials<\/h2>\n

A lot of products claim to help restore the beauty of your wood floors. \u201cOnly certain types of stains\/finishes are suitable for certain types of woods,\u201d Gailunas says. \u201cOthers are specially formulated for specific uses.\u201d She warns that choosing the wrong stain\/finish could give your floors an unappealing appearance. And if that\u2019s not bad enough, Gailunas says the wrong product could cause accelerated wear or discoloration.<\/p>\n

Miller agrees. \u201cOnly use professional products recommended by your contractor, flooring manufacturer or finish manufacturer,\u201d he advises. \u201cDon\u2019t use steam mops and never use anything from the store that claims to restore luster or add shine.\u201d In fact, if you use the wrong type of cleaning product, Miller says you might not be able to apply a new coat of finish on the floor. \u201cOr you could damage the finish and possibly damage the wood.\u201d<\/p>\n

To be on the safe side, he recommends using a wood flooring professional.<\/p>\n

\"avoid

pics721-Shutterstock-2<\/p><\/div>\n

Maintaining Your Wood Floors<\/h2>\n

Since wood is an organic material, Miller says that it will react to its environment. \u201cIn humid environments, wood gains moisture and can swell,\u201d he explains. \u201cIn dry environments, wood loses moisture and can shrink.\u201d If the environment changes, Miller says there will be changes in the floors themselves and how they perform.<\/p>\n

For example, moisture can cause the floors to cup. This causes raised edges and lowered centers. \u201cOn the other hand, if your floors lose moisture, they can gap or split,\u201d Miller says. \u201cThis can occur between floorboards or on the face of the boards.\u201d<\/p>\n

If these gaps and splits occur but then go away during seasonal changes, he says there\u2019s no reason for concern. \u201cHowever, if the gaps in your floors are large or do not close during more humid months, it\u2019s time to call a professional.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there is a way to minimize these issues. “Keep your home between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and between 30 and 50 percent humidity year-round,\u201d Miller advises. To do this, you\u2019ll need to be sure your thermostat isn\u2019t producing ghost readings and false numbers<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hardwood floors have an incomparable beauty and they can add warmth and style to any room. Whether you have a traditional home with architectural details\u00a0or a modern, industrial space, hardwoods fit right in. That\u2019s why many homeowners even use hardwood floors in kitchens and bathrooms. If you\u2019re fortunate enough to have original hardwood floors, consider […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":{"name":"MYMOVE","image":"https:\/\/www.mymove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/e5db2460-52e6-11e8-872d-654d71b263a3-MYMOVE-Logo-Small.jpg","description":"MYMOVE is here to help make moving easier. We\u2019re an authorized affiliate of the USPS\u00ae that connects more than 5 million movers per year to exclusive savings and valuable resources before, during, and after their move."},"featured_media":16735,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"page-templates\/updated-content.php","format":"standard","meta":{"meta_title":["Tips for Restoring Your Wood Floors","Tips for Restoring Your Wood Floors"],"meta_description":["Are you thinking of restoring your wood floors? Keep reading for some practical advice for making them look beautiful again","Are you thinking of restoring your wood floors? Keep reading for some practical advice for making them look beautiful again"],"guest_author":["11523"],"_thumbnail_id":["16735"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["Are you thinking of restoring your wood floors? 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