Hardwood Floor Refinishing: Turning Drab into Fab
Hardwood floors are both stylish and durable but can lose their protective finish over time due to high traffic or age. Refinishing your hardwood floor is an easy way to bring back its original beauty. With regular wear and tear, however, the protective finish may begin to fade in high-traffic areas or become dulled over years of being tucked under carpeting. Refinishing your hardwoods is an easy way to restore them back to showroom condition.
Tackling a hardwood refinishing job yourself can be a nightmare. Think dust, back-breaking sanding, and harsh chemical smells. This is a job better left to the professionals. Flowers Flooring has the knowledge and experience to bring your dull wood floors back to life with a quality new finish. We also have the needed equipment to get the job done efficiently and with as little mess as possible, including dustless sanders that work to remove existing hardwood finish and prepare the wood to accept new stain.
How to Tell When It’s Time to Refinish Hardwood Floors
If you think your hardwood floors might need a new finish, it’s best to do the hardwood floor refinish test before bringing in the professionals. All you need is a tablespoon of water and an undamaged hardwood floor surface in an area that gets high foot traffic. Pour the tablespoon of water onto the hardwood floor and watch for what happens – if the water beads up into little droplets, it means your hardwood floors are sealed properly and only need a good cleaning or stain removal. On the other hand, if the water soaks right into the hardwood, it could mean it’s time to consider refinishing your hardwood floors! Take note of your results and decide what step to take next.
Selecting the Right Hardwood Stain
Wood stains help accentuate the grains and hues of different types of wood. From penetrating stains that soak deep into the wood’s pores to those that dry on top of surfaces for a lighter sheen, the range of available options can be overwhelming. Make sure that you are aware of the type of finish best suited for your project before embarking on it.
The Species of Wood on Your Hardwood Floors
The species of wood you have will make a difference in your stain choices. Oak is the easiest wood to stain and provides the most color options. Hardwood floors made of birch, maple and coniferous woods like pine or fir are more difficult to stain evenly and look best when left with a natural look. Maple and birch wood species have tight grains and tiny pores, making it harder to absorb stain pigment.
How to Select a Stain Color for Refinishing Hardwoods
It’s important to select the right stain color when refinishing hardwood floors. Not all stains are created equal, and it can be tricky to find one that works with your space and your design aesthetic. Here are a few tips for selecting the perfect stain:
1. Consider how much natural light is available in the room. If you have plenty of natural light, you can go with a darker stain. If not, stick to a lighter color to keep the space feeling bright and airy.
2. Think about the existing furniture in the room – is it more traditional or modern? If your furniture has a modern feel, go with a more contemporary stain color like grey or even a white wash. If you have more traditional furniture, something like walnut or mahogany would be a better choice.
3. Take into account your personal style and preferences. If you’re someone who loves bold colors, go with something dramatic like cherrywood or espresso. And if neutrals are more your thing, opt for a subtle shade like light oak or maple.
At the end of the day, refinishing your hardwood floors is an investment that can really make a difference in the look and feel of your home. So take some time to find a stain color that you love and one that works with the rest of your décor.
The Amount of Light and Foot Traffic in the Room
If you’re looking to bring out the natural charm of your wood furnishings, sticking with lighter stain colors is a great way to go. Not only will it showcase gorgeous whorls and knots in the grain for all its beauty, but also does an excellent job at concealing dents and pet hair—especially if light isn’t abundant! For those who prefer something more subtle or have higher traffic areas prone to scratches, deeper stains offer better camouflage without compromising style.
Stain Match the Color and Style Of Furniture in the Room
With so many wood stain colors on market shelves today you can find the perfect color to fit any décor. Flowers Flooring will provide stain samples so you can be certain the stain you choose is the right one for your home. We will even use a plank of your wood flooring to create a few samples with varying finishes. This will give you a good idea of how each color will look in your home.
About Flowers Flooring
Flowers Flooring is your family flooring specialist with two locations – Cornelius, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC. Both locations service a 100-mile radius from the showroom. Both locations specialize in flooring sales and installation, including carpet, laminate, hardwood, sand & finish, hardwood restoration, vinyl plank, vinyl tile, rubber flooring, tile floors, tile showers, tile backsplash, area rugs, interior painting, and more. To reach the Cornelius, NC location please call (704) 445-7750 and to reach our Winston-Salem location, please call (336) 660-0977. Please be sure to inquire about our current promotion and financing offers.
