Hardwood floors are cherished for their timeless, natural, and classic elegance. They also add warmth to any interior and increase your home’s value. However, over time, all wood surfaces start showing their age. They can develop worn-out spots, scratches, and become dull. The good thing about hardwood floors is that you can restore their looks and integrity with refinishing.
If you have a hardwood floor in your home, you will want to know how often it should be refinished. The following guide will answer that question for you.
How Often to Refinish Hardwood Floor?
Hardwood floors should usually be refinished every 7 to 10 years. However, the following factors can affect these numbers:
- Room usage
- Frequency and quality of maintenance
- Foot traffic
High-quality wood floors can undergo more refinishing jobs during their lifespan. Based on the wood’s thickness and maintenance history, you can expect 4 to 6 refinishes. It is recommended to ensure a professional inspection once every 3 years. It is important to detect signs of wear and avoid damage that may require a costly floor replacement.
Refinishing Vs Sanding-Refinishing
A thorough refinishing job will include sanding as part of the process before a new coat of finish is applied. While it is recommended to apply a fresh coat of finish every 3 to 5 years, a hardwood floor should get a combination of sanding and refinishing at least once every 10 years.
However, these numbers should only be used as guiding figures. Your wooden floor should be refinished based on how worn it looks, not just the number of years. When you follow the signs, you also add to your floor’s longevity by avoiding sanding too often.
Signs Your Floor Needs Refinishing
You should look for the following signs to determine when it is the right time to refinish your hardwood floor:
- Deep Scratches or Dents: that have formed beyond the finish layer in the wood
- Dull Finish: If the floor’s finish looks dull even after cleaning, it is time for a refinish.
- Grey Patches: When your wooden floor turns grey, it means the protective finish has worn away and the underlying wood has been exposed to moisture. If the problem is not fixed in time, black stains can form that can be difficult to fix.
- Splinters: If you start feeling rough patches or splinters underfoot, the floor may be in need of a refinish.
- Stains: If stains and water damage do not go away with regular cleaning, it may be time for a refinish.
Factors Affecting Refinishing Schedule
Here are the main factors that affect your hardwood floor’s refinishing schedule:
- Foot Traffic: If you have a high-traffic home with kids and pets, your floor may need a refinish every 5 to 7 years. While medium-traffic homes need refinishing every 7 to 10 years, low-traffic areas in your home may require the treatment even later.
- Finish Type: Oil-based finishes can last 7 to 10 years, while water-based counterparts may require refinishing as early as 5 years. On the other hand, wax and shellac finishes need to be refinished more often.
- Hardwood Thickness: While solid hardwood can withstand 10 or more refinishes during its service life, engineered hardwood can undergo no more than a couple of refinishes.
While you keep the above-mentioned points in mind, it is important not to delay refinishing. Any delay can increase the chances of permanent damage to the surface and the need for costly repair or replacement. A delay can also increase the risk of moisture penetration. So, instead of allowing your floor’s condition to worsen, it is important to schedule an inspection based on the above-mentioned schedule or at the first sign of trouble.
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