Hardwood is a very versatile and durable material which is why it’s so commonly used for flooring. With a little TLC, wood can last for decades and you can even treat it so it’s resistant to scratches and stains. Not only will it last ages before it starts to look worn, but you can then restore it to its former glory and enjoy it even longer. Hardwood may just need a little sanding and refinishing and you’ve got yourself a brand new floor!
Investing in your hardwood floors is a great idea because they can last a lifetime. If you’ve found yourself wondering what to do with your current hardwood floors because they don’t look as great as they used to, you need to decide whether to restore them or start fresh and completely replace them.
Here’s a guide to help you decide what to do with your hardwood floor and make your house look great.
The first step is to find out if your hardwood floor is really in need of replacement or if you can look into options of restoration. It’s usually obvious when something we use needs replacing because it breaks or gets lost. But with hardwood flooring, it’s not always clear if the wood can be saved or if you need to get rid of it.
If your flooring has been restored too many times, then the flooring won’t be able to withstand much more sanding. If you notice grooves in the planks or nails then it’s time to take it out.
If the damage concerned is more than superficial wear and tear like termites, mould or water damage then the hardwood is past its prime. If you have creaky floorboards, soft spots, sagging or unevenness, it’s best not to ignore these signs as the hardwood is telling you something is wrong. If your floorboards move, then refinishing them could cause more damage and create a bigger problem
This kind of damage is common when buying older homes and you may find that you’ll have to lift some floorboards to see the true extent of the problem. Sometimes when there is structural damage it may only be focussed on one area of your flooring. For example, if there is only a small amount of water damage affecting a few planks, then you can usually get away with just replacing those damaged boards.
If your floorboards aren’t in desperate need of a spruce but you’re still not sure what to do with them, here are some factors to consider when thinking about restoring vs replacing.
If you’re a first-time buyer on a budget, then you’re probably going to be looking at restoring your floors. It’s a much cheaper option than replacing because you only need to buy the product used to treat the wood rather than an entire new floor. However, if you’re looking to splurge there are many options and you can be sure that your hardwood floors are going to last when you invest the money into a completely new floor.
Hardwood is capable of withstanding a lot of abuse from day-to-day living so it’s quite possible that your hardwood floors just need a little bit of attention and they’ll look great. You can find a flooring company that specialises in hardwood flooring and they’ll provide a service to restore your floors to their former glory. All it takes is floor sanding and the right choice of treatment and finishes. You can choose a brand new finish to completely transform a room. So if your floor is looking a bit drab, it won’t necessarily take much time or money to completely revamp the space.
You may think that replacing the floor will take longer than refinishing, however, this isn’t always the case. While the actual process of installation may be faster, you also need to consider the time it takes for the wood to be delivered and acclimation so that the wood can adjust to the temperature and humidity in your house.
Wood floor refinishing can often take more time due to the lengthy process of sanding and adding multiple treatments, combined with long drying times. Refinishing or replacing your floors can be quite inconvenient as you may have to leave the house for the time it takes to complete the job.
Either decision will leave you with amazing looking floors, but it’s important to consider how long it will take if you’re in a time crunch or just want the job done quickly. The process of replacing your hardwood floor involves a simple installation process which could be done in a couple of days.
If you have decided what you want to do with your flooring, whether restoring or replacing, you’ll need to consider who will do a good job. While finding a professional can be more expensive, you can trust that they will do a great job.
If you’re not particularly skilled as a handyman, it will be money well spent to invest in getting a professional to finish your flooring. Spend some time finding the right company to hire, compare prices and check reviews. Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. If you decide to do it yourself, make use of the multitude of resources available for DIY tasks such as youtube videos, instructional kits and guidance from hardwood flooring retailers.
There are some circumstances where you would benefit from restoring your hardwood floors instead of replacing them. If you’re pulling up carpets then you may find there is great wood flooring already underneath which just needs a little bit of attention to bring it back to life.
If you choose to restore, you’ll be doing yourself a favour in the long run, as treating your wood properly will ensure it lasts a lot longer than it would have if you just left it alone.
Old wood that’s full of dents, grooves and scratches will be difficult to clean and create a build-up of dust and dirt. So if you spend some time sanding your wood flooring, it’ll be a lot easier to keep clean and make your house look brighter.
It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to replace your floor to get a new look. Sanding it down will remove the stain and allow you to pick an exciting new colour. Grey, dark and white washed wood are contemporary twists on the classic darker wood floors.
If you’re looking for a more dramatic change to your home then replacing your floors might be a better option because you’ll have a lot more choice on styles and colours, and you can change the interior style of your home. Renovation jobs like replacing your hardwood floors is a great way to update your home but also increase the property value, meaning you’re much more likely to sell your home at a higher price in the future. Houses with hardwood floors sell twice as easily compared to houses with other floor installations.
Another benefit is that good quality wooden floors will last for decades so it’s likely you’ll never have to replace them again or at least not before you choose to sell your house. Replacing carpet with hardwood floors is a great decision because it is much easier to clean than carpet and much more hygienic. Carpets are also much more costly than sanding and refinishing your hardwood floors, so you will save money in the long run.
If you are looking for hardwood flooring specialists to revamp your space, Just Wood has decades of experience restoring and replacing beautiful hardwood floors with a skilled team and comprehensive service. Offering different types of wood such as cherry, oak and more exotic options like Jarrah and jatoba, to name a few, you have an incredible array of choices to renovate your home with hardwood flooring. A southern-based company and one of the leading companies in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, we can provide a professional and personal service to tailor to your specific needs. Contact us today to discover our options.