If you’re wondering whether you need to refinish, repair, or replace your hardwood floors, you should consider the damage in question.
Managing issues with hardwood floors isn’t always easy, especially since it can difficult to know whether you should refinish, repair, or replace them. Ultimately, the best option depends on the damage as well as what is causing that damage. It is generally recommended to try refinishing or repairing first before opting for a full replacement of your hardwood floors.
Improper Installation
Installation that is done via DIY or by inexperienced installers will almost certainly lead to problems. These issues are typically noticed within the first year. Poor installation can lead to cupping, crowning, and severe gapping between planks—all of which are unsightly and provide evidence of a significant problem happening. If these issues are only affecting part of your floor, repair should be possible. If it’s affecting most or all of your floor, replacement will likely be your only option. If the entire floor was done incorrectly, it’s best to do a full replacement because the issues will continue and proceed to get worse. One of the most common causes of these problems is moisture and water damage.
Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most frustrating things to plague hardwood floors. It causes significant warping and can create unattractive areas on your floor when the damage is severe enough. If a small portion of your hardwood floor has been affected, try to repair it first. If your home has suffered from flooding or another incident that has left your hardwood floors waterlogged, a full replacement will likely be the only option.
Surface Blemishes
Dents, scratches, scuffs, fading, and other surface blemishes can typically be dealt with through refinishing. While this is a great option for solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood flooring only has a single layer of actual hardwood on top, and you could end up sanding right through it if you’re not careful. In some cases, however, engineered hardwood will tolerate one refinish. If you do choose to have your engineered hardwood refinished, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional with experience so that you have the best chance of a good result. It also helps to know the manufacturer of your floors and the thickness of the veneer, which can give a lot more insight into how likely it is that you’ll be able to refinish your floor.
Hardwood Flooring from Jason Brown Wood Floors
At Jason Brown Wood Floors, our commitment to quality installation is clear in all that we do, which is why our customers consistently rate us as one of the top contractors in the region. We have been awarded Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore Award 4 times and have been proudly serving the Baltimore Area for over 16 years. If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 410-668-9131 or send us a message here.
Jason Brown Wood Floors is also your convenient dealer of high-quality, professional-grade power tools. We offer brands that tradespeople trust most for the job. Come check out our Abingdon showroom to browse the in-stock selection of products and tools by Festool, Freud, Diablo, Shaper, Mirka, Makita, Saw Stop, and Grex.
Keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Houzz, and YouTube, and check out our blog for more news and information!