Floor Restoration and Refinishing
When floors are in disrepair, they can make a room look dull and drab. A good handyman company in Memphis can bring beauty back to the floors throughout a home or business and make them more functional. A finished floor is not just attractive; it also protects the surface from water, dust, dirt and stains.
The most common flooring materials are hardwoods and carpet. Hardwood floors come in a variety of species and finishes including oak, maple, cherry, birch, hickory and pine. They can be either sanded and stained or a harder, more durable finish such as lacquer or varnish can be applied.
Most floors can be restored or refinished, but some floors have so much damage that replacement may be necessary. Replacing floors is more expensive and disruptive than refinishing, but it can be done in many cases.
A professional handyman will first assess the condition of a floor to determine the extent of repair and refinishing required. Often, just sanding the old finish and applying a new stain is sufficient. In other cases, the damaged boards will need to be replaced with new planks. This is called a “lace-in” repair and requires a great deal of skill to do properly.
A flooring repair professional will clean your flooring, sand it, stain it and then apply several coats of polyurethane to protect it from further damage. A hardwood floor can last for generations if it is properly cared for. In some cases, a flooring professional will even be able to bring wood back to its original state that has been covered with carpet for decades.
Once the sanding process is complete, the surface of the wood should be sealed to protect it from moisture and dirt. There are several options available, including polyurethane and oil-based varnishes. The decision depends on the style of the house and the client’s preference. Water-based polyurethanes are easier to use and dry quickly, but they tend to show scuffs more than oil-based finishes.
After the wood is sealed, it’s a good idea to wait at least 24 hours before walking on it. It can take up to three days for the finish to fully cure. During this time, the floors can be protected with tarps or plastic sheets. It’s also a good idea to remove or protect baseboards from the sanding machine by covering them with foam held down with masking tape.
Once the stain is dried, it’s usually a good idea to let the floor rest again before bringing in rugs and furniture. A final touch is to apply a light coat of oil or wax over the top of the stain, providing extra protection and adding an elegant sheen. There are a wide variety of oils and waxes available, some offering a natural matte look that enhances the grain of the wood and others adding a tint or imparting a gloss.