Hardwood Floor Refinishing vs. Replacement: Which Is Right for You?
Take a good look at your hardwood floors. Have they seen better days? Deciding to refinish or replace your hardwood floors is a big (and tricky) decision. But in the end, the results can last decades. Read on to learn more about hardwood floors and how you can determine whether or not your floors need a total replacement.
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What Does Hardwood Floor Refinishing Entail?
For those wanting a change without breaking the bank, refinishing is the way to go. Because refinishing essentially sands away layers of scratches, stains, and dents, you’re left with a new surface. Hardwood floors can be refinished 4-5 times before they need to be replaced.
Always Choose Dust-Free Refinishing
Dust-free refinishing is exactly how it sounds. Without the need to cover rooms with plastic, dust-free refinishing can help cut costs and reduce the amount of dust particles by over 95%. That’s a significant difference compared to traditional refinishing methods. Dust can carry contaminants and can harm your respiratory system, so make sure you always go with dust-free refinishing.
Wood Floor Condition
This is the first thing our team will examine. If the majority of imperfections are surface-level, we’ll recommend refinishing. If it seems like these imperfections are irreparable, they could be moisture-related and require replacement. If a panel is more damaged than others, we’ll simply remove it and refinish the rest for a complete look.
Age of Floor
Solid hardwood floors can last as long as 100 years when taken care of. But unfortunately, it’ll still age. Consider the age of your hardwood flooring when thinking about refinishing. Sometimes, panels are just too old to refinish. If this is the case, call PureClean for hardwood floor replacement. We’ll work with you to pick a style that fits your needs.
Style of Floor
Small, achievable differences can be made with refinishing. However, replacement may be necessary if issues go beyond cosmetic repair. Maybe the flooring style you chose doesn’t suit you anymore, or maybe you’re just looking to switch things up. Refinishing creates a clean slate for painting or staining. Large-scale changes will have to be done through replacement.
Timing
You know what they say—timing is everything. It’s important to note that refinishing is a faster process than replacement, even if floors require more work. Installing prefinished panels can also save ample time. While replacements can take up to three weeks, refinishing can be completed in three to five days.
Budget
It’s more budget-friendly to refinish your floors than it is to replace them. Replacements, however, have a more costly process. Labor costs for replacements can get pricy, as you need both removal and installation of the new hardwood material.
Scenarios That Require Hardwood Replacement
As mentioned, a hardwood floor should be replaced if it’s old or damaged beyond repair. Below are a few different scenarios that warrant a hardwood floor replacement.
Structural Damage
Water damage usually leads to structural damage. And as you may know, water and wood are two things that do not mix. Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and releases water—but if it absorbs too much, it can swell and warp. Squeaking, unusual wet spots, or lifting panels may be signaling structural issues.
Floor Movement
Your floors should not move when you walk on them. While older floors may be creaky in some areas, they should not shift. When seasons change, you may experience widening panels. This is normal since wood expands and contracts in harsh temperatures.
Severe Flooring Damage
Rotten or warped floors are common examples of severe damage. This kind of damage will not fix itself and ultimately require replacement. If damage has affected over 30% of your hardwood floor, it’s time to call a professional for replacement services. Leaving a severely damaged floor alone can lead to serious consequences, such as injury from a concaved area.
Extreme Wear
It’s hard to refinish over extreme wear. Trying to refinish over deep grooves and cracks can lead to uneven surfaces. Refinishing isn’t an option for this level of damage. In extreme cases, contact a local flooring replacement service like us at PureClean.
Hardwood Replacement Options
Decided on a replacement? You have options. Don’t think you have to sacrifice style for durability. Solid, softwood, or laminated floors make it easy for you to retain your unique needs.
Here are some popular style-forward hardwood replacement options:
Solid Hardwood
If you’re looking for a traditional, low-cost flooring option, solid hardwood floors may be for you. Solid hardwood floors require minimal maintenance and can last as long as a century when taken care of properly. Hickory, cherry, or walnut, there are plenty of styles to choose from.
Softwood Flooring
Softwood flooring may not be ideal for areas of high foot traffic. However, quieter rooms like offices are suitable for softwood flooring. Softwood flooring isn’t actually soft, but rather the wood itself is made from structurally soft trees (cedar or pine, for example).
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is a combination of traditional plywood and a thin wood veneer. Wood veneer is still real wood; it’s just been shaved down to be pliable for hardwood. Together, these two woods yield durable benefits like moisture resistance.
Laminate
Laminate keeps the appearance of traditional hardwood without the bulk. Easy and customizable, you can change laminate to any color or texture you want. For those wanting a stylized flooring option, consider laminate.
Contact Your Local Flooring Experts Today: Refinish or Replace Your Hardwood Floors
Decided what to go with? Contact PureClean for local flooring service. Whether refinishing or replacing, we’ll expertly revive the current condition of your wood floors. We understand that you have specific tastes, and we intend to keep your stylistic preferences in mind. From start to finish, your floors remain uniquely you.
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