Hardwood is the flooring of choice for countless homeowners and business owners thanks to its impressive durability, longevity, and luxurious appearance. However, even the most robust type of hardwood wears down after years of heavy foot traffic. At this point, you may wonder whether ripping up your existing flooring and installing new wood is the only option—it isn’t!
One solution is to buff and recoat hardwood floors, which extends their useful life surprisingly well. Authentic Hardwood Flooring discusses the details below.
What Is Buffing and Recoating for Hardwood Flooring?
Hardwood flooring is incredibly tough, but foot traffic and the pressure from heavy furniture will eventually scratch and gouge the surface. One great option is to remove the top layer of the finish, sand down these imperfections, and then reapply the protective layer. However, buffing and recoating is a far less intensive repair option that can just as easily rejuvenate your flooring.
How does it work? Professionals like Authentic Hardwood Flooring simply buff out the scratches on the top layer and apply a new layer of finish. That’s it!
Why Buff and Recoat Your Hardwood Surfaces?
The main reason that people decide to buff and recoat hardwood floors is the amount of effort it takes to sand and refinish these beautiful floors. Professional sanding and refinishing is intense and hard on the floor itself. The process not only removes the existing finish but also a thin layer of wood underneath it.
While the intensity of this task will certainly improve the appearance of your hardwood flooring, it may also be at the expense of the wood’s lifespan. By contrast, buffing and recoating hardwood floors won’t remove anything except the finish that’s right near the problem areas.
That being said, sanding and refinishing your hardwood surfaces might be a better option if there’s particularly heavy damage. Your Authentic Hardwood Flooring professional will closely assess the floor damage before recommending a way forward.
How Does Hardwood Buffing and Floor Recoating Work?
The process of buffing and recoating hardwood floors is very straightforward. Here’s what to expect:
- Cleaning. The team cleans the floor to remove any dirt or dust that can complicate the recoating.
- Buffing. A very fine sanding screen addresses visible scratches or imperfections. This light sanding only gets rid of the very top layer and won’t damage the wood.
- Recoating. After buffing away the imperfections, the team vacuums, applies a new coating, and allows the treated spots to dry completely.
Hardwood Flooring Buff and Recoat FAQs
What do people want to know about the buffing and recoating process for hardwood flooring? Here are a few common questions:
How Long Does Buffing and Recoating Take?
Typically, buffing and recoating hardwood floors takes a day and needs 24 hours of drying time before using the floor again. It depends on the floor plan, access, and floor’s condition.
How Often Should I Buff and Coat Hardwood Flooring?
You should schedule a professional to buff and recoat hardwood flooring every three years. It differs based on the specific wood and usage. Flooring that gets heavy traffic benefits from a recoating every two years.
Can I Stay In My House While the Finish Is Drying?
It’s possible if a water-based polyurethane is used because there are no off-gassing fumes, and it dries in 1 to 3 hours. Otherwise, no, you may not want to stay in your house while an oil-based polyurethane finish dries on your buffed and recoated hardwood floors. Oil-based polyurethane coatings tend to produce harmful fumes for around eight hours and can take up to 24 hours to dry.
Can I Refinish a Section of the Floor?
It is possible to refinish as long as there is a linear board separating the sections. Keep in mind the two areas may look different.
Maximize Your Authentic Hardwood Flooring in Atlanta and Beyond
Choosing to buff and recoat hardwood floors will maximize your investment. Contact Authentic Hardwood Flooring online or call (678) 985-0110 to learn more!
