Many homeowners wonder how long the process of hardwood floor refinishing will take. It’s a good question for homeowners to ask because it allows them to plan ahead. Mike’s Custom Flooring present a helpful guide below.
What Kind of Polyurethane Should I Use on Hardwood Floors?
The first thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the type of polyurethane you use. Either oil-based polyurethane or water-based polyurethane. Oil-based polyurethane takes longer but the results last longer. Many homeowners prefer oil-based polyurethane because it lasts longer, and they prefer the look of over water-based. Best of all, it’s less expensive too. These reasons all make it very important to allow enough time to do oil-based polyurethane
How Long Does it Take to Refinish Hardwood Floors?
It typically takes two to five days to refinish hardwood floors. This does not include drying time. Factors that will affect the process time include how dark the stain is if you choose to use stain, the humidity level and how many coats of polyurethane you’re planning to apply. Humidity increases dry time. If no staining is involved, several coats of polyurethane will be used over three days with drying time between coats when weather conditions are dry and not humid. If the stain is darker or needs an extra layer it can take longer for the stain to dry completely. Some wood requires a conditioner that can add to drying time.
How Long After Refinishing Floors Can You Walk on Them?
There is drying time after your floors have been refinished. You will need to wait at least 24 hours before you can start walking on them or moving any furniture around. The longer you wait to move furniture back the better. Aim for 4 days if you can. This is plenty of time to ensure the floors have dried and cured. It’s also a good idea to wear socks for 24-48 hours-no shoes or bare feet. If you have dogs, as hard as it might be, it’s recommended to keep them off the floors for 2 weeks. You can also try using doggie socks if you just can’t bear to keep them out of the house for that long or locked off in another area of the house. It’s also advisable to keep area rugs off the floors for 30 days to allow the floors to “breathe” as they dry and cure.
Hardwood Floor Installation, Repairs, Refinishing & More in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Berryville & Clarke County | Herndon & Fairfax County VA
The refinishing process takes time and can be an inconvenience but it is definitely worth it as you will feel you have brand new hardwood floors at a fraction of the cost of replacing them. It can also be smelly but when you choose Mike’s Custom Flooring, it won’t be dusty as we use a dustless sanding system. A great time to go through the refinishing process when you know you’ll be away on vacation for at least a week. Understanding the process allows you to plan ahead, be prepared and get the best results. Contact Mike’s Custom Flooring to schedule hardwood floor refinishing today!
