You may ask yourself this question as you peer down at your old and possibly damaged hardwood floors. When do I refinish or replace the hardwood floors? Refinishing will be the easier and cheaper way out in almost all cases. However, how do you know if you should, and how do I know if It’s time for a fresh start? Learn more about when to replace or refinish your hardwood floors.
When to Refinish or Replace Hardwood Floors
Refinishing Your Floors
When it comes to refinishing your hardwood flooring, you have the freedom to:
- Change the color: A new stain has the potential to make a floor appear brand new.
- Replace water-damaged or stained planks
- Fix squeaky boards
- Fill in gaps
- Erase scratches and dents
This may be your best bet if you haven’t refinished it several times and the damage appears only superficial. Or, maybe you sense that your floors have reached the end of their “refinishing” rope.
When You Shouldn’t Refinish Flooring
Structural Damage
First and foremost, does it have structural damage? If the frame of your floor is damaged, do not refinish it. Refinishing the flooring only addresses surface-level issues, not structural issues.
Floorboards that Move
If you’re dealing with floorboards that have any kind of movement, refinishing is only going to exacerbate that.
Grooves in Planks
If you’re seeing grooves in the planks, it means you’ve refinished one too many times. Again, refinishing will only make matters worse.
Are there nails peeking through the pieces of wood? Not only is this not aesthetically pleasing, but it’s a safety hazard (especially for kids and pets). It may be time to consider a new floor.
Complete Replacement of Your Hardwood Floors
Maybe you can still refinish your floors if you’re not dealing with the issues mentioned above. If you do fall under the category, here are the benefits if you replace your hardwood floors altogether:
Quick and Easy
If you have a busy schedule and you’re looking for a quick project, replacing your floors will take significantly less time. Refinishing is messy and incredibly time-consuming. Replacing your floors will be a much faster and cleaner process overall.
Change the Look
If you want to change the species of your wood entirely, you may want to replace them. Also, if you change the width or the direction of the wood, there will be no other option than to replace it.
Floor Replacement Options
Wider planks look more modern and, importantly, make the room look larger. Another design trick to make the rooms look larger is to lay the planks on a diagonal. This carries your eye along the most extended length of the room.
You can even get fancy and add borders or do a herringbone pattern. Pre-finished engineered hardwood is an excellent option for chevron and herringbone flooring. Quick and easy installation makes it popular with professionals.
Additionally, you may feel out of the loop if you have parquet floors. This style is no longer desirable and makes the room appear smaller. Having longer strips will make the room seem more spacious.
Like many other renovations and home remodeling practices, designs and patterns evolve. If your floors are outdated and unsalvageable, it’s probably time to rip them out and start over.
Additional Reading: 4 Hardwood Flooring Trends You Should Know About
What’s The Verdict?
As you can see, choosing between refinishing or replacing depends entirely on your specific situation.
- Do you want to get it over with as quickly as possible? You’ll most likely want to replace it.
- Do you want to sand and refinish your floors to save money?
If you’re still not entirely sure about the condition of your floors, you may want to consult with an Omaha wood floor professional. They should get you on your way to some shiny new floors in no time. Call and schedule your flooring installation today!
Shop hardwood flooring products or learn more about flooring installation in Omaha, Lincoln, and Sioux Falls at Carpet Land.
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