Are you planning a makeover for your hardwood floors? While refinishing hardwood floors through popular techniques like sanding can restore the original sheen, not all floors can endure the process.
Before sanding your floor, it’s imperative to determine whether or not it can be sanded. The first stage of your restoration project involves a comprehensive evaluation process. On consulting professional floor installers, homeowners need to evaluate the condition of their floor and whether it can be sanded.
Here’s a comprehensive guide for you to assess if you can sand your hardwood floor.
5 Things To Check Before Refinishing Hardwood Floors
The Thickness Of The Floor
Typically, solid hardwood floors that are 0.75 inches thick can endure at least six refinishing sessions. However, engineered wood floors come with a wear layer between 4 mm to 6 mm. These floors can withstand around 3 sanding sessions.
Thinner layers, those below 2 mm, can withstand only light scuff-sanding. So, before refinishing hardwood floors through sanding, consult a professional to determine the thickness of the wood. In case the floor has undergone several sanding sessions in the past, it may not be ready for another session.
In these conditions, professional installers recommend alternative restoration techniques.
Condition Of The Floor
Does your hardwood floor have surface imperfections? Before refinishing, it’s wise to check the current state of the floor. Refinishing can fix minor issues like stains and scratches. However, if your floor has extensive damage like severe warping, professionals may recommend more extensive repairs. Under certain conditions, you may have to get your wooden floor replaced.
Evaluating the condition of your floor helps in determining the feasibility of refinishing.
Consider Wood Species
Before refinishing hardwood floors, it’s crucial to consider the species of wood on the floor. Each species has its level of hardness, which affects its resilience to sanding.
For instance, hardwoods like maple, oak, and cherry are highly durable materials. They can endure multiple sanding sessions.
On the other hand, softer species like pine or fir may not withstand so many sessions. Considering the species, it’s essential to determine whether sanding will be the right technique to refinish your floor.
Check Out Water Damage
Did your wooden floor suffer water damage recently? Water damage largely determines the condition of these floors. Floors and water leaks often weaken the material and lead to bucking and warping. Extensively damaged floors may not be suitable for refinishing and sanding due to underlying structural issues.
Before refinishing, professionals recommend necessary repairs to prevent further deterioration. This prolongs the life span of the restored floor.
Assess Previous Refinishing
Are you relocating to a house with an old wooden floor? It’s crucial to know the record of previous refinishes it has undergone. The number of times a wooden floor got sanded in the past determines its suitability for further restoration.
If the floor has undergone multiple sanding sessions before, it may have reached its limits. Over-refinishing can affect the structural integrity of the wood, causing weakening or thinning.
Conclusion
If you are not sure whether or not sanding will be the right restoration process for your wooden floor, don’t hesitate to seek professional consultation. Remember, refinishing hardwood floors is a delicate and complex process. It’s wise to entrust professionals with adequate experience and expertise to identify underlying issues. The right team of floor installation experts can recommend appropriate restoration solutions for your hardwood floor.
With professional insights from experts, you can undertake effective refinishing projects. This will maximize the benefits of sanding and prolong the durability of your wooden floor.
