Flooring can be a great way to improve the look of your home. Flooring is a permanent part of your home and maintaining it properly is crucial to keeping it functional and beautiful. Wood flooring can go years without major maintenance but eventually it will be time to decide if your floors need to be refinished or replaced. We can help you determine if it’s time to replace or refinish your floors.
Benefits of Refinishing a floor
Refinishing hardwood flooring is a great way to change the look of your floor including the texture and color of the floor. If there are damaged or warped areas in the floor you may opt to replace the heavily damaged boards and refinish the rest of the flooring.
Refinishing floors is a more affordable option over replacing the floors entirely. Working with a flooring professional is an important part of the refinishing process and they can advise you on the need to replace versus refinish the existing flooring.
Drawbacks of Refinishing Floors
Refinishing hardwood flooring can be a time-consuming process. The sanding process can be messy and if your contractor does not have good dust containment your home can turn into a snowglobe. Trained professionals know how to handle the chemicals used in the refinishing process. When these flammable chemicals are put in the wrong hands the results can be catastrophic. Additionally these chemicals can be finicky and if used by an amature the results can be less than ideal.
If you are looking for a budget friendly option for refreshing your flooring, refinishing may be the ticket. The refinishing process can be intrusive into your space but often takes less time than a full install. Our team is happy to help inspect your floor and advise if refinishing is an option for your flooring.
Benefits of New Hardwood Floors
There are many advantages to having hardwood flooring installed in your home, wood flooring is a timeless flooring option and can be incredibly elegant. Wood works in any design style including contemporary, rustic and even modern designs. There are so many different wood types you can choose from including oak, hickory, cherry, beech and even exotic wood species. Some homeowners choose softer species like pine or bamboo, these floors need to be cared for properly to ensure they can last a lifetime.
Hardwood flooring is durable and when properly maintained can go years without being refinished. Many experts recommend having your floors refinished every 10 years to ensure they look beautiful and are well protected. When hardwood floors are cared for and properly maintained they can last well over 100 years.
One of the big advantages of wood flooring is the reduction in allergens. If anyone in your family has respiratory issues or allergies you may want to consider wood flooring, hardwood doesn’t collect dust and allergens the way carpet does. Hardwood is versatile and can lend itself to any design style. Hardwood is a great option to add value to your home. If you are planning to sell your home you will find that hardwood floors add to the value of your home.
Drawbacks of New Hardwood Floors
While the beauty of hardwood floors is undeniable the cost is not in everyone’s budget. Hardwood flooring can be expensive to install. Additionally hardwood is susceptible to scratching and if you have pets you may find that your floor scratches more quickly than you would like. Refinishing can remove these scratches but that adds to the cost of the floor.
Another disadvantage of hardwood is the susceptibility to moisture damage. Hardwood can cup or crown if moisture is allowed to soak into the floor. Spills should be wiped up quickly to prevent damage. Creaks are another issue some people find with hardwood flooring. Gaps can be filled and joists can be shimmed to reduce creaks but they may not be entirely eliminated.
When considering the options of installing hardwood floors it can be easy to get caught up in the cons but it’s important to remember all flooring options have drawbacks. When hardwood is cared for properly it can last years to come.
We would love to chat with you about the options for your existing floor or a new floor. Many homeowners are unaware that a refinish allows them to change the color and sheen of the floor making refinishing even more appealing. Contact Colorado Hardwood today for your free in-home estimate.