One of the things we deeply take pride in is our structural properties, which is why most homeowners and business entrepreneurs spend a relative amount of financial resources on improvements and beautification. Investing in such services is indeed a practical approach in prolonging its useful life and curb appeal enhancement. In return, visitors, guests, and clients will experience the warmth and welcoming vibe that makes them feel valued and will certainly keep them coming back for more. However, homes and commercial spaces deteriorate in due time, and floors aren’t secluded from the damages.
As experts being over 30 years in the industry, Floor Refinishing Seattle suggests that understanding the fundamentals must be above everything else. Floor refinishing isn’t just a minor repair or upgrade for houses or buildings that should be taken lightly, especially if you crave for elegance and high-end durability. Whether if it is hardwood or concrete, flooring projects are delicate and require solid craftsmanship, thus entail careful planning, wise decision making, and flawless execution.
Several things must be considered before even starting your floor refinishing project. Surely you wouldn’t want to settle for less and waste funds, then regret it for the years to come. So to further guide you, here are some pointers to help you make sensible decisions.
Not a DIY: Floor Refinishing Is Not As Manageable As You Think
As experts, we strongly discourage trying to deal with any floor refinishing operations on your own, except if you have far-reaching knowledge in operating heavy-duty equipment, extensive professional background, and a back-up labor force. Undertaking on a project of this degree is dubious about costing you less money and effort in the first place, and that’s IF the overall process goes without a hitch – which most likely won’t because of several reasons.
Hardwood floors, for instance. Controlling and maneuvering different kinds of equipment like floor sanders are proven to be complicated, thus requiring skilled personnel to utilize it properly. If your hands are shaky as you move forward through the process, expect an uneven or unleveled floor surface. You might even get to the circumstance where there is no more enough wood left to refinish due to over-sanding.
Assuming that your sanding went smooth and sound, there will still be a possibility for errors as to the actual finishing procedure. Staining or applying a seal coat on the floor surface is not as easy as it seems, especially for a novice DIYer. Inconsistent brushstrokes can turn your floor into an abstract or even unsightly variation of colors instead of a throbbing, consistent finish. Not to mention the fact that the process needs to be done thrice separately, the risk of erroneousness is higher. And to give you heads up, you can’t expect that these mishaps will give you a silver lining.
Choose Wisely: Find a Suitable and Well-Equipped Contractor
If you have opted to avail of professional help, you just made a gigantic leap towards achieving your desired floor refinishing project outcome. Nevertheless, it would be best to conduct thorough research to find the perfect contractor to handle the job. Expect the most high-grade quality results from skilled professionals who specialize in hardwood and concrete refinishing.
Visiting various construction-service related websites is one excellent way. Check the different services the company offers and see if they are licensed and insured or not. You might also want to scan testimonies and read several client reviews to assess the contractor’s credibility. Once you’ve gathered a good list of a potential contractor, start reaching out to request quotes. Three should be enough to get an accurate vision of what your project would resemble.
Be attentive of how accommodating each company is to your requests, and how receptive they are in answering your queries. If they can’t be relied upon to provide superior customer service from day one, you presumably don’t want to entrust them to handle your floors. So before hiring a contractor, also make sure to inquire about the duration of the project, payment terms, and the things that you must do before the operation takes place.
Decide: Replace, Refinish, or Recoat
Before the actual operation takes place, the contractors will need to make sure that your flooring is suitable for refinishing. In some cases, like for concrete, salvaging the floor itself may not be even reasonable. If the surface is severely cracked or thoroughly worn-out, a simple refinishing won’t do much help. Replacements or significant restorations might be set on the table as an alternative.
On the bright side, if it’s possible that your floor may be too flawed or deteriorated to employ refinishing, a possibility of simple refinishing may also arise to restore its aesthetic look. If your constructor only detects minimal splintering and minor damages, resealing might be your best option. By applying the best treatment on your concrete pavements, pool decks, patios, and floors periodically, you can better safeguard them from severe and progressive damages while increasing their useful life and save you from the lavish expenditure.
Appropriate and practical solutions are guaranteed provided in detail with consideration to your budget, preferences, without compromising your desired outcome. Furthermore, whatever suggestions your contractors will offer, the final decision will still depend on you.
Expect the Unexpected: Conduct Outdoor Activities or Setup Backup Plans
Staying in your homes or commercial spaces while the floor refinishing process takes place may not be advisable since it is boisterous, dusty, and untidy ergo provides inconvenience and annoyance. Fresh cement, concrete coatings, and sealers can cause harm to your kids, pets, and unaware people when stepped on. Your pavements, patios, pool decks, garages, and floorings may not be passable or accessible in the meantime, depending on what flooring method is employed.
Rather than putting your family, your clients and employees, or your floor’s wellness at risk, make productive plans ahead of the refinishing project. Maybe a family outing, company teambuilding, and whatnots. The entire process usually takes anywhere from two to seven days, depending on the scope of the plan. A quick retreat or getaway would be excellent!