Are you trying to decide between hardwood floor refinishing or replacing? Many people feel stuck in the middle when it comes to justifying the cost of replacing floors versus dealing with the hassle of refurbishing them. It can be hard to know which option is the right one for your home. Of course, having the right information can help to make your decision a lot easier. It starts with knowing the differences between replacing floors and refinishing them. Take a look at everything you need to know about refinishing your floors versus replacing them.
What You Should Know About Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Refinishing allows you to preserve the wood flooring that you already have inside your home. However, you won’t exactly be getting a total fresh start when you go with this option. How will you know if refinishing is the best option for your home? The first thing you’ll need to do is give your floors a proper and honest assessment. Floors that are in need of major repairs can be difficult to refinish properly. Take some time to look at the scratches, dings, indentations and other signs of wear and tear that are visible on your floors. Signs of trouble like rotting or structural issues probably mean that attempting to refinish your floors won’t result in a successful project. The cost required to repair major damage could end up being as much as you would spend to install new wood floors. However, minor damage like stained floor planks won’t necessarily stop you from pulling off a successful refinishing project. Taking care of minor damage can be done relatively easily.
It is important to resist the temptation of thinking that refurbishing floors is easier than replacing them. The truth is that the task of refinishing floors is a pretty big job. This is not a task that should be done hastily in an afternoon. It will be necessary to completely clear all furniture from a room and thoroughly clean the floors. A lengthy process of stripping and refinishing the floors then follows. It will be necessary to close the area off during the project. You may find that this is far too disruptive for your family.
What You Should Know About Replacing Your Wood Floors
Replacing hardwood floors is a project that will require some time and attention. The good thing about going with this option is that you will truly have a clean slate. That means you can update your floors using any color or size you choose. Many people take the opportunity to upgrade to popular looks when replacing wood floors. Of course, replacing wood floors generally is more expensive than hardwood floor refinishing. There are definitely exceptions to that rule.
Making Your Decision
There are some key factors to consider when deciding whether to refurbish your floors or replace them. The first big thing to consider is your budget. It’s important to create a realistic budget for what you can spend on your floor project. You may find that your budget allows you to spring for beautiful new floors that enhance the look of your home and bring value to your property.
Another key factor to look at is the age of your floors. It may simply be time to get new floors if yours have been around for a long time. Do you know how many times your flooring has been refinished in the past? Older floors may not look good if they are stripped down and refinished too many times. The truth is that older floors are more likely to look outdated and reduce the appeal of a home’s interior. What’s more, older floors can often clash with the modern style that you are trying to achieve inside your home.
Deciding Between Hardwood Floor Refinishing or Replacing
There really isn’t a right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing whether to refinish or replace your floors. It all comes down to what your expectations are and what your budget will allow. You should be realistic about whether or not your existing flooring is really in good enough shape to be refinished properly. It makes sense that most people prefer to simply start with a clean state and have new floors installed. This option breathes new life into a home of any age. In addition, new floors can certainly help to increase the value of a home. The bottom line is that both options offer plenty of benefits. Either option will allow you to enjoy the pleasure of having fresher floors that elevate the entire look of your home.
