Matching Reins

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October 10th, 2009 admin

Matching Reins

Hardwood Floors Refinished

Considering having your hardwood floors refinished? If they look worn, have scratches, water stains, and other marks, or, if you want to change the stain color, you might be ready. And it’s good to know that one very great advantage of solid hardwood flooring is that it can be refinished a number of times.

Hardwood refinishing involves special equipment and many stages. And there are some other things you have to keep in mind if you plan on having your hardwood flooring redone. If you choose a urethane finish, you and your family will need to vacate your home for three or more days during the process not only because of the dust that is generated from sanding but because these finishes, applied during the hardwood refinishing process, give off chemical fumes that are toxic. You will also need to remove any pets, including fish, food in your pantry, indoor plants, and, possibly, your clothes.

Refinishing will take three days or more depending on the square footage being done. A hardwood flooring company will first sand the floor using a heavy drum sander to remove the old finish and stain, and level the floor. This type of sander does a fast job and is less likely to leave sanding marks than the more lightweight, slower orbital sanders. But the operator must be experienced because a drum sander can create a groove in the wood if it’s not kept moving. Usually the sanding machine collects much (but not all) of the dust in an attached bag.

The corners are done by hand using an edge sander and sandpaper that matches the grit grade of the upright sander. Cracks, holes, and gaps are filled in with a tinted wood filler. The floor is sanded at least two more times, thoroughly vacuumed between sandings, and also gone over with a tack cloth or a rag dipped in mineral spirits to pick up the fine dust that might have stuck in the wood grain. Then the finish is applied in two or three coats. Between coats the floor is again lightly sanded and wiped down.

There are a number of what are called surface finishes that don’t penetrate into the wood like waxes do. That’s a great advantage because they protect the surface of the wood to a greater degree. Oil-modified urethane dries in about eight hours and ambers with age. Moisture-cure urethane is the most durable and moisture-resistant finish but it is very difficult to put on and gives off strong odors. Acid-cure or Swedish urethane is a clear, non-yellowing, durable, fast-drying finish that gives off very strong fumes. Water-based urethane is clear, non-yellowing, dries in two-three hours, and has less odor than other urethanes but is not as durable and its quick drying time makes it more difficult to apply. An aluminum oxide finish can only be applied in a factory.

The finish needs to cure for at least three weeks and won’t reach its final hardness for four weeks, depending on the type, the humidity in the home, and the temperature. Water should be avoided on the floor until the finish cures. Of course, if water is left on the floor even after the finish cures, it can cause discoloration. You won’t want to put your area rugs back for about six weeks.

The above process also applies to a new floor installation on unfinished flooring. There is one difference, however. With a new hardwood floor installation, the floor will need to adjust to your home’s temperatures which should be kept to about 65-75 degrees. This will take about a week before the finish can be applied. With either new hardwood floor installation or hardwood refinishing the wood may darken over time. The amount of color change depends on the wood specie and the exposure to daylight.

About the Author

Blair & Son Floor will help you with the perfect floor design and color choice that will make your home unique and truly you! Almost anything you can imagine can be created: borders, inlays & insets, patterns, parquet, and medallions.

Maia; basic dressage on loose reins and in lightness; 6-2-11