Many Ottawa homeowners are faced with the challenge of what to do when their hardwood floors start to show wear and tear. Should you rip out all the old boards and replace them with new wood, or is hardwood floor refinishing the way to go?
Although replacing the floors may seem like the obvious solution, it’s not always the best option. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It depends on a number of factors, including:
- The type of wood,
- The extent of the damage and,
- Your budget.
Refinishing Hardwood Floors
Refinishing hardwood floors is a less expensive way to achieve the same result as a new floor, but still gives you lots of flexibility in terms of colour and finish. Refinishing your floors can easily change their colour, texture, and overall appearance. If the wood is structurally sound and the damage is limited to surface scratches and stains, then refinishing may be the best option. If you have a few warped or damaged boards, they can simply be replaced and finished with the rest of the floor for a seamless look.
Refinishing an old hardwood floor can be a very rewarding experience. Refinishing your floors is an excellent way to freshen up your home, without hurting your wallet. Plus, the very nature of hardwood floors means they can be refinished many times — usually up to ten times — which means your floors can truly last a lifetime. You’ll likely see stunning results that can breathe new life into any home and make it look like new again.
Refinishing can be a messy, time-consuming process. Preparing your floor will require lots of sanding to remove the previous finish, and all scratches and stains. If you’re not prepared to deal with that, it might not be the right option for you. But, professional refinishers know how to minimize the dust and can leave your home in the same condition as when they got there — only with much nicer floors!
However, if there is extensive damage and too many boards are warped or cracked — or you simply want to completely change the look with a different species or pattern — then replacement will be necessary.
Replacing Hardwood Floors
There are a few situations where new hardwood flooring is your only choice. If your floors are so old that they are decaying or are soft and bouncy, then replacement is likely your only option. If you’re looking to change the layout or pattern of your floor, or change the species of wood entirely, then replacement is the only way to go.
Replacing your old hardwood floor with a new one is generally quicker and less messy than refinishing. Of course, the old flooring will have to be ripped out first and your subflooring will need to be inspected and prepped, but a professional crew will make quick work of that.
Replacing the wood will obviously give you a completely new floor, but it’s also a more costly process. Refinishing the existing wood will certainly cost less, but it may not achieve the same level of results as a new hardwood flooring installation.
The best way to make a decision is to consult with a professional flooring contractor who can assess the condition of your floors and advise you on the best course of action.
The Xpression Flooring team can ensure that your floors are beautifully refinished, with our time-tested process that ensures that you get gorgeous new floors and stay informed every step of the way. Or, our team of professional experts will provide full-service flooring installation if you choose to invest in a new floor for your home.
Our flooring experts are here to help
If you’re looking to refinish your existing hardwood or want to install something new, we can help you transform your home into something you’ll love for years to come. Our flooring experts can do complimentary on-site consultations and estimates in your home.
Simply drop by our showroom or give us a call at 613-688-2080.
