Sunday, June 22, 2014

Professional Hardwood Floor Refinishing Is Best Left To The Professionals

By Sherry Gross


There is something timeless about wooden flooring that simply cannot be matched by other materials. It is elegant and it bespoke class and style. Yet it is rather easy to clean and as an added plus, hardwood floor refinishing is a definite option when it becomes damaged or scarred. Most other materials will have to be replaced when they reach the end of their lives.

When the time comes to pay attention to wooden flooring, the big question is whether to do it personally or whether to rather hire the services of a professional. Many do it yourself enthusiasts defer this kind of job and get the experts in to do it for them. It requires special equipment and there are a number of things that can go wrong.

Anyone of a mind to do the job themselves should keep in mind that mistakes are not easy to correct. Streaking and staining can easily occur and unprofessional sanding can most certainly cause permanent damage to the surface. Stains are notoriously difficult to apply evenly and it is necessary to keep going once started. Yet many DIY enthusiasts love this type of challenge and it is certainly possible to save about half the cost by doing it personally.

If hiring a professional sub contractor seems to be the most feasible option it is important to hire someone that has experience in this field. Consumers should never be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for references and to actually follow them up. Care should be taken to obtain a written quotation and the contractor should provide a warranty on the work that will be done.

It is also important to remember that this type of work is disrupting and that it may cause a lot of dust. The contractor should be able to provide a time frame within which the job will be finished and he should be kept to it. House owners should also make sure that the responsibility for cleaning the property is contained within the quotation.

Those that want to tackle the job themselves should seriously consider hiring professional sanding machines to do the job. These sanding machines are normally equipped with powerful vacuum cleaners that limit the amount of dust residue. Once the sanding is done, the sealing and staining must be completed as quickly as possible, preferably the same day. If this is not done the exposed floor can absorb moisture.

It is also important to choose the finish carefully. Many people use varnish because it is versatile and it is available in different lusters. Varnish also offers the advantage that it is easy to repair small nicks and marks. Most professionals use polyurethane, either water or oil based. Penetrating sealer can also be used, but it is important to remember that it is not as durable.

Wooden flooring is certainly not only attractive but it adds value to any home. It is important, however, to maintain it regularly. In most cases it is well worth it to rather hire professionals to perform refurbishing jobs. DIY enthusiasts without experience can cause damage that will be very difficult to correct.




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