Few options have as high an aesthetic impact for your property as hardwood floors. The floors will, however, start losing their luster more so when exposed to high foot traffics or if you have pets running around regularly. Some property owners, in this case, will resort to carpeting their floors to hide the flaws and loss of the wood’s glow. but this is a shame since it also covers the floor’s natural beauty.
Businesses that offer hardwood refinishing like Armstrong-Citywide say that refinishing is the best choice to restore the gleam of the wooden floors in your Kansas City property. Hardwood floors will not look gorgeous without a finishing coat to protect them from damage. Refinishing involves the removal of this coating product usually using a sanding device to expose the floor then reapplying the finishing coat. If for any reason, your hardwood floor has no finishing coat, it will still be sanded before the application of the finishing product. The following are some of the products that will suffice for refinishing your floors.
Wax
This is the tried and tested option for hardwood finishing and has been used since the 1970s. There are two types of wax for wood finishing; these include liquids and pastes. This is the ideal pick if you want the low-sheen soft look of an antique home with low toxicity and VOCs. Wax has a mild odor and generously penetrates the wood. Unfortunately, it is not as durable as other finishes, is prone to staining and will need regular refinishing.
Water-Based Polyurethane
Polyurethanes mark the standard hardwood floor finishes nowadays. The water-based variety is eco-friendly, has a low odor and VOC content, takes about 2-4 hours to dry and will not yellow over time. You will need 3-4 coats of water-based polyurethane to get an optimal look. It is, however, more costly and less durable compared to its oil-based variant.
Oil-Based Polyurethane
This is the mainstay floor refinishing these days. Oil-based polyurethane is inexpensive and durable. But it has a high VOC content and strong odor, yellows over time and takes about 8 to10 hours to sufficiently dry.
Acid-Cured Finish
This is generally the most durable hardwood floor finish but is unfortunately very expensive. Acid-cured finishes are at times known as conversion varnish sealers. Though they dry in two hours, it takes at least 60 days for the product to cure completely. You should keep rugs and furniture from your floors until the finish is fully cured. Acid-cured finishes are generally used for floors made of exotic woods and featuring elaborate inlay designs. When re-finishing these floors in future, you should only use the same finish unlike in other products where you can use a different finishing product.
These products are often used for two finishing processes: a touch-up and an overhaul. A touch-up is also called screening and works for floors which have normal wear and tear and minor scratches. The floors are sanded lightly then the finishing product is applied. An overhaul is meant for extensively damaged floors. The old finish is completely sanded off then a finish applied. A professional refinish is the ideal alternative to get the best look for your floors.
