Sanding and refinishing are important parts of hardwood floor maintenance, helping sustain its beauty and resilience. Both these processes serve different sets of purposes that can complement each other. If you have hardwood flooring in your home, it is important to know the differences between these two processes and which one you should choose.
What is Involved in Sanding?
Sanding generally involves buffing out the imperfections present in a hardwood floor. Such imperfections are caused by years of usage and wear and tear and can include scuffs, blemishes, and scrapes. While different types of sanding techniques are prevalent, their main purpose is to prepare the surface for staining or resealing.
A 3/4-inch thick hardwood floor can be sanded 4 to 5 times during its lifespan.
Using Sanding to Prepare the Floor
Floor sanding has both functional and aesthetic benefits. It helps lay the foundation for floor maintenance. It is required because wood floors will develop wear marks, dents, and scratches over time that can interfere with its functioning and elegance. The process basically involves removing the wood’s top layer to overcome the imperfections and create a smooth surface.
Hardwood floor sanding will expose the underlying fresh wood which can then be worked upon to give a new look and feel to the floor. While sanding can be performed individually to restore the look and functions of a hardwood floor, it is an essential step in the refinishing process.
What is Involved in Refinishing?
Refinishing involves the application of a new finish to the hardwood floor for protection and improved appearance. As mentioned above, sanding needs to be performed before refinishing your flooring. Refinishing takes your floor’s looks and functionality to the next level.
This is where you will be choosing the finishes you require. Some of the common options include:
- Glossy
- Satin
- Matte
You can also choose from various stains to determine the floor’s color and tone. As with sanding, refinishing helps the floor from damage. It can further make it easier to clean and maintain the floor. It is during this process that the wood is sealed. Sanding doesn’t involve sealing. This is essential to shield the wood from being exposed to moisture, dirt, and other elements that can cause deterioration.
Refinishing as a More Comprehensive Restoration Process
While sanding is a part of refinishing, the latter is usually a much more extensive process. The main steps involved in this process include:
- Sanding to remove the topcoat, any stains, or damages
- Patching the floor wherever required
- Re-staining
- Reapplication of topcoat
While it takes more time and costs more money compared to sanding, refinishing is required for floors that have more extensive damage. If you maintain your floor well and apply a fresh topcoat once every 3 to 5 years, the chances of requiring a refinish can be significantly reduced.
Sanding & Refinishing Working Together
The purpose of sanding is to prepare the hardwood floor and refinishing is required to achieve a complete transformation. Both these processes work together to revamp your floor, giving it a new look and feel. These processes also contribute to your floor’s lifespan. They can add more years to the floor’s life, enabling it to last for decades or even centuries.
Coming to the question of whether you should sand or refinish your hardwood floor, the answer lies in the level of damage involved, your goals, and your budget. Sanding and refinishing also contribute to creating a healthier indoor living environment. Hardwood is already known for its hypoallergenic properties, sanding and refinishing can help eliminate any allergens trapped within old cracks and finishes. Among other benefits, these processes can also help increase your home’s value. They can give your home a more appealing look without actually having to carry out an expensive floor replacement.