Hardwood floor refinishing is an excellent method for restoring its original sheen and extending the lifespan of the floors. However there is a limit to the number of times that you can refinish them before the wood becomes too thin or damaged to sustain another round of refinishing. In this article we will discuss the elements that determine how many times can you refinish hardwood floors.
Refinishing Frequency and the Factors That Affect It
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The Type of Wood
There is a connection between the type of wood and the number of times it may be refinished and this connection is significant:
- Planks made of solid hardwood: They are normally about three quarters of an inch thick and may be refinished anywhere from four to six times over the course of their lifetime.
- Floors made with engineered wood often have a top layer of hardwood that is thinner which means that they can be refinished no more than once or twice at most.
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The Thickness of the Wood?
The thickness of the hardwood is an important consideration:
- Floors that have a regular thickness, which is around three quarters of an inch are able to withstand many hardwood flooring refinishing procedures, often between four and six times.
- Thinnest possible layer – if the thickness of the wood is greater than one sixteenth of an inch it is possible that you will be able to refinish it. If it is thinner, hardwood floor refinishing is not possible. On the other hand this is a less typical occurrence and is contingent upon the particular characteristics of the floor.
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The Use and Wear of the Floor
The frequency of hardwood floor refinishing can be affected by factors such as the quantity of foot traffic and the amount of exposure to sunlight:
- Highly trafficked Areas – hardwood floors that are exposed to a great deal of sunlight or that are located in high-traffic areas may require refinishing more regularly – maybe every five to seven years.
- Floors in locations with little traffic can last longer between hardwood flooring refinishing procedures – generally up to ten years before displaying major symptoms of wear. This is because less traffic means the floors are used less frequently.
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Damage that Was Already Present
Refinishing hardwood floors will also be affected by any damage that is already present on the floor:
- Minor surface scratches can typically be removed by buffing and they do not require a complete hardwood floor refinishing.
- Gouges or warping that are deep – if the damage is significant it may be necessary to do thorough refinishing more often or even replace the planks that have been damaged.
Analyzing Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost
It is dependent on a number of aspects that the hardwood floor refinishing prices might vary:
- Costs of labor: It is necessary to have skilled workers for refinishing hardwood floors and the difficulty of the task finding such specialists might vary according on the locality.
- Materials: The expense of sanding materials, stain and sealer may mount up over time.
- The condition of the floor: Floors that have sustained considerable damage may require additional preparation and repair which may push up the total cost.
- Hardwood floor refinishing cost can range anywhere from at lest $3 to $8 per square foot to God knows how much, depending on all the factors listed above.
It is necessary to take into consideration the kind and thickness of the wood, the amount of wear and tear, and any damage that was already there in order to determine how many times can you refinish hardwood floors. You will be able to make educated decisions regarding the upkeep and extension of the life of your lovely hardwood floors if you keep these considerations in mind.