Refinishing hardwood flooring can go a long way in maintaining it and also improving its overall appearance. Nevertheless, there are times when refinishing cannot help your hardwood floors. In such a case, replacement is the best option to go for. But how can you know it is time to replace or refinish your hardwood floors?
Below, we will show you how to decide whether you need to refinish or replace your hardwood flooring.
-
Take a look at the condition of the floor
The condition of your hardwood floors can help you to decide whether you need to replace or refinish them. Generally, you need to take a look at the level of damage on the floors. If it is only superficial without any sort of water damage or rot, you can refinish the floors and continue enjoying them. However, if your hardwood flooring has been already damaged by water or is rotting, it is important to replace it.
-
Consider your budget
Your budget is another vital factor that cannot be overlooked when it comes to replacing or refinishing your hardwood flooring. To replace your hardwood floors, you have to buy new hardwood and pay for contractors that will remove the existing floors and replace them with new ones. However, refinishing doesn’t require such actions. Therefore, replacing hardwood floors is significantly more expensive than refinishing them.
So, if budget is a major concern for you, you should refinish your hardwood floors.
-
Think about the floor style
Is your hardwood floor out of style? If yes, refinishing cannot suddenly change the style and make it look like trendy ones. So, in such a situation, it is recommended that you hire a flooring expert. The expert will assist you to replace your hardwood flooring with a newer and more modern type.
-
Consider the age of your floor
How long have you been using your hardwood floors? Have you been using them for several decades? Have they been sanded numerous times? If yes, your hardwood flooring must have taken lots of beating and, consequently, should be replaced.
It should be noted that hardwood floors can last for several decades. However, this doesn’t mean that the floors will be suitable for you throughout the period. So, if you are convinced that your hardwood flooring is too old, it is time you replaced it.
-
Think about your schedule
Typically, replacing your hardwood requires lots of works. Therefore, it is not strange that it will take lots of time to replace the floors. Depending on the size of the floors you want to replace, the process may take some days.
Refinishing, on the other hand, usually takes a few hours. But if you are refinishing a large area with lots of scratches and stains, you may need some days to accomplish the task.
Therefore, you should carefully think about your schedule. Afterward, note whether replacing or refinishing your hardwood flooring is suitable for you or not.
In a nutshell, consider these 5 factors carefully and decide whether you need to replace or refinish your hardwood floors.
