Hardwood floors are highly absorbent of moisture and will expand and contract according to how much of it they take in from spills, steam from showers or even boiling water.
Homeowners concerned with their hardwood floors’ appearance can quickly rejuvenate them without the hassle of sanding.
Chemical abrasion
If your wood floors have lost their shine and look dull, a fresh coat of finish might just do the trick to bring them back to life. Unfortunately, traditional hardwoods typically need to be sanded before recoating can take place; however, there are options that can help restore them without having to undergo extensive renovation.
Before vacuuming, first use a neutral-pH wood floor cleaning product to thoroughly clean your floor surface. Next, vacuum off any dust particles that have settled into the grain of the wood surface to ensure maximum removal.
Once the testing phase is complete, take care to test a small area of floor with your chosen finish to make sure that it adheres. Doing this step will prevent time and money being spent on projects that won’t adhere to their surfaces; mineral spirits tests can help in this regard. Once this step has been taken care of, you are ready to start the refinishing process!
Buffer
Buffing is another non-sanding method of hardwood floor refinishing that’s suitable for minor wear-and-tear or scuff marks on flooring surfaces, and is known as “screen and recoat.” To use it effectively you’ll need a buffer equipped with an abrasive screen which you use to run over the surface to gently strip away finish and dirt deposits from your surface.
Before beginning buffing, clear out the room of any furniture and use a vacuum or cleaning wipes to eliminate dust, dirt and debris that already lies on the surface of your floor. Vacuuming also helps eliminate microscopic particles that might get trapped under new finishes as it hardens, potentially creating issues as time goes on.
If you don’t already own one, wood floor refinishing kits typically include rental buffers. Carefully read through their directions so as to use it properly; its abrasive pad will lightly roughen existing finishes so as to help bond new coats of finish together more securely.
Wood stain or paint
An alternative way of revitalizing wood floors without full-scale sanding is refinishing them with stain or paint. Be sure that all wax, oils, or other residues have been removed prior to applying new stain or paint; applying an additional coat will help hide deeper scratches or any blemishes on their surface.
This method may not be appropriate for wood floors with noticeable dents or cupping as these require a more in-depth process, however for hardwood floors that just need minor touch ups this solution can be cost-effective and quick.
As with all methods, the key to successful tile floor restoration is making sure the floor is dry before walking on or replacing furniture. Depending on the finish used and humidity levels in the room, this process could take anywhere from several hours to an entire day; having experience and knowledge to successfully complete this DIY project will save you time, money, and hassle.
Revitalizer
If your hardwood floors have become worn and scratched over time, sanding might not be necessary; there are other solutions available to refresh and revitalize them without resorting to such drastic measures.
One option for refurbishment is buff and recoat. This process uses a floor buffer with an attached fine abrasive screen to rough up existing finishes and bond them better with new coatings. Although somewhat messy, this method offers a cost-effective and less labor intensive alternative than sanding.
Before applying a new coating to your hardwoods, ensure they are free of wax, grease and residue from cleaning products such as detergent. Such contaminants may prevent a new coat of polish or lacquer from adhering properly to its surface; mineral spirits testing is one way to help determine whether they’re ready. Do-it-yourself friendly options like this one make mineral spirits testing popular with commercial property owners as the results resemble sanding but with reduced hassle and expense.