Home Renovation Blog

Redoing Hardwood in Your Home

In a survey by the National Wood Flooring Association, a majority of real estate agents reported that houses with hardwood floors sell faster and for more money than houses without them. Hardwood floors add elegance, are easy to clean, and are very long-lasting. While a carpet may need to be replaced every 7-10 years, many old homes in the Philadelphia area still have original hardwood floors.

Hardwood floors do need to be maintained, of course. Dirt can build up in crevices, tiny scratches can dull the surface, and over time the finish can deteriorate and discolor. Regular care can extend the life of your finish, but eventually, the floor will need to be refinished.

How to extend the life of your hardwood floor

Everyday traffic, rough-and-tumble kids, and the pitter-patter of pet feet take a toll on hardwood floors. With regular maintenance, you can protect the finish longer so that you can delay refinishing. Here’s a suggested care regimen: 

• Sweep daily with a microfiber dust mop to collect dirt and dust and prevent mini scratches. Avoid bristle brooms unless they are soft and you brush with the grain of the wood.
• Clean weekly with a special cleaner designed for hardwood floors, but avoid anything with vinegar or other harsh additives. Again, a microfiber pad would be gentle, but keep it damp, not too wet.
• Polish your floors quarterly with a good floor polish or floor wax (after it has been cleaned). Simple repair kits are available with scratch concealers.
• Area rugs with rubber backing in high-traffic areas can protect your floor longer.
• Always clean up spills promptly.

When your floor needs refinishing

Areas that get little traffic may not need to be refinished for many years, but high-traffic areas may need it done every 3-5 years, depending on wear and tear and your upkeep routine. 

Some homeowners are tempted to refinish their floors themselves. Unfortunately, it’s not until they’ve already started the project that they realize that they don’t have the right equipment to get into the cracks, crevices, and corners with the sander they rented, nor the skill to sand evenly and smoothly or fill in the gashes, gaps, and dings that floors inevitably collect. 

It takes years of experience to apply stain and finish smoothly without leaving streaks, blotches, drips, or waves. Most homeowners don’t have this unique skill set. It is not uncommon for homeowners to turn to a professional for help after having tried to finish their floors themselves and been unhappy with the results. 

We recommend you find an experienced professional to refinish your floors in order to protect your investment. Be sure to ask for references. 

At M&K Renovations, our contractors are highly qualified and vetted. We protect your home while we work and clean up thoroughly when done. We take pride in what we do and we make sure you’re satisfied with our work. Contact us today at (610) 353-2895 for a free estimate so that we can help you beautify your home and protect your investment.

Jeff Schiller

Jeff’s experience in Operations Management and Organizational Leadership in the mortgage, manufacturing, and finance industries allows him to bring 15+ years of corporate expertise to the M&K team. His motto is: “Quality is paramount – Process should be simple.