What Are the Steps in Hardwood Refinishing?

Refinishing your hardwood can be a relatively quick way to give your home a much-needed makeover.  If you consider yourself a handy homeowner, you can try hardwood refinishing on your own.  If you do not fall into this category, don’t worry.  Local hardwood refinishing professionals can restore your floor in no time, giving your home an impressive and effective new look.

1. Preparation – Whether you hire a company or choose to do it yourself, there is some preparation required when you are going to tackle a hardwood refinishing project.  All furniture will need to be removed from the area, as well as all the molding.  There will be a significant amount of dust from the sanding process, so be sure to cover any permanent fixtures you do not want exposed.
2. Sanding – The sanding process removes the top coat, the stain, and most imperfections that have formed in the wood.  This step will give your wood a new surface to be stained and sealed. Sanding is done in several steps, with varying grits.  Your hardwood refinishing company will use a large standing sander.  If you are doing this on your own, you can rent these sanders from many local hardware supply stores.  Begin with a low grit sandpaper, usually 40, or whatever is recommended with your sander.  You will then move through varying grits until you get to a high grit, usually 100 grit, to create a smooth, even surface that is ready for staining.
3. Staining – After the surface has been swept and dusted, you are ready to stain.  You can use a variety of staining products on your refinished floor, and your local hardware store will help you choose the best one to fit your needs.  There are many stain color choices to choose from, and varying brands will offer varying colors. Each stain comes with directions for application.  Always test a small area to ensure the stain will be a good fit before a full application.
4. Sealing – A polyurethane sealant will give your floor a hard, protective coating.  These clear coats are available in several finishes, from matte to high-gloss.  Directions for application will come with your product, or you can look online for many helpful guides.