Wood Floor Refurbishing: It Worked!
The floors are DONE and the house is ours again. We still haven't moved all the furniture back, nor did we have time to install a new water heater before Greg left, so it's on the to-do list for his return.
The floors turned out pretty good except for one deep scratch that you can only see if you stand over it. (I'm still upset about that.) We bought runners that cover the heavy dog-traffic areas. First, to keep their sandpaper paws from rubbing off the finish, and secondly because the floors are slick now. They feel more sure-footed on the carpet.
I don't know if the pictures will do it justice, but I'll post before and after photos. But first, a photo of one area that seems to have acquired a couple of spots when I was taking pictures. Pests? Troublemakers? Floor rats? Yes. The only way to remove them was to bribe them with cookies.
I can recommend this process of refurbishing wood floors as long as it's just lost its color or is rough-looking. It disguises or removes light scratches, but it can't remove deep scratches. The company we used is called NHance.
This process was cheaper than sanding floors to bare wood and refinishing. Had we gone with traditional refinishing, it would've taken weeks instead of days, and I'd have to live with fumes until the finish cured. All in all, a better option for us.
Notice the traffic wear marks--all DOG-made. The guy told me that dog pads are the worst things for wood floor. Not their nails, but their pads. All that trotting back and forth slowly sandpapers away the finish.
The same floor but from the opposite angle. Everything is smooth and even-colored.
My front living area and library. It's the most serene room in the house. Excellent for reading.
I am glad this renovation is over. Now to work on the water heater and then prepare for family descending upon us in June.
UPDATE: I have to say that after several months (this is December 2013) I wish now I had spent the money to strip the floor to bare wood and refinish them from scratch instead of refurbishing them.
Even though I've placed runners and taken a lot of care in keeping the floors clean, the color is beginning to come up in spots. I can no longer recommend this process.
***
Can you believe May is half over?
We were hit with supercell thunderstorms last night, and a town where we once house-hunted got flattened by a tornado. There were several tornadoes spotted, one a mile wide, but thankfully, they missed us. I was ready to herd the dogs to the laundry room and spend the night there. Very scary night.
The floors turned out pretty good except for one deep scratch that you can only see if you stand over it. (I'm still upset about that.) We bought runners that cover the heavy dog-traffic areas. First, to keep their sandpaper paws from rubbing off the finish, and secondly because the floors are slick now. They feel more sure-footed on the carpet.
I don't know if the pictures will do it justice, but I'll post before and after photos. But first, a photo of one area that seems to have acquired a couple of spots when I was taking pictures. Pests? Troublemakers? Floor rats? Yes. The only way to remove them was to bribe them with cookies.I can recommend this process of refurbishing wood floors as long as it's just lost its color or is rough-looking. It disguises or removes light scratches, but it can't remove deep scratches. The company we used is called NHance.
This process was cheaper than sanding floors to bare wood and refinishing. Had we gone with traditional refinishing, it would've taken weeks instead of days, and I'd have to live with fumes until the finish cured. All in all, a better option for us.
Notice the traffic wear marks--all DOG-made. The guy told me that dog pads are the worst things for wood floor. Not their nails, but their pads. All that trotting back and forth slowly sandpapers away the finish.
The same floor but from the opposite angle. Everything is smooth and even-colored.
My front living area and library. It's the most serene room in the house. Excellent for reading.
I am glad this renovation is over. Now to work on the water heater and then prepare for family descending upon us in June.
UPDATE: I have to say that after several months (this is December 2013) I wish now I had spent the money to strip the floor to bare wood and refinish them from scratch instead of refurbishing them.
Even though I've placed runners and taken a lot of care in keeping the floors clean, the color is beginning to come up in spots. I can no longer recommend this process.
***
Can you believe May is half over?
We were hit with supercell thunderstorms last night, and a town where we once house-hunted got flattened by a tornado. There were several tornadoes spotted, one a mile wide, but thankfully, they missed us. I was ready to herd the dogs to the laundry room and spend the night there. Very scary night.
Comments
The floors look gorgeous. If we had any real wood floors in this house, I'd definitely consider the refurbish thing. Right now, though, it's all fake wood laminate.
And CUTE PUPPIES!
The floors look great!
I checked with one of my friends who was in one of the areas hit, but he happened to be vacationing in Florida. Thank goodness.
I'm glad the storms missed you. Always scary when they get close like that.
Are you without hot water until the heater gets installed?
Re: water heater
We have two water heaters so half of the house (including the kitchen) is covered. It doesn't bother me in the least, but if we have company, we'll need both to accommodate everyone.
I've noted the comment about worn areas and dog's pads like sandpaper. I'm sure that will come in useful some day ref writing. I love picking up arcane scraps like that.
And I'm glad you escaped the twister. Fort Worth area had some sad experiences.
Tornadoes in the north texas area really rocked you guys world, so glad we only had thunderstorms here!
I didn't know dog paws were so damaging. Interesting.
Me too! My house has floor to ceiling windows all around it. Had I known we'd see this many tornadoes, I might've gone another way. :)
The floors look fabulous! I'd love to put hardwood in here, though the dog pad comment has me second guessing that now.
And Nana's sitting so pretty for mummy to take her picture! How can you call her a pest? LOL
-Jimmy