Nearly every home we clean has some amount of hardwood installed. A hardwood is a beautiful choice for high traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens, and entryways. Hardwood floors stand up well to dirt, grime, and animals. The urethane finish on wood floors protects the wood while giving the wood a beautiful shine. It is also generally easy to clean on a day-to-day basis, requiring only vacuuming and a light mopping.
Until fairly recently, the only way to repair scratches in the finish was to have the floor completely resanded and refinished. This process is not only costly but also inconvenient because it usually takes 3 to 4 days to complete, depending on the size of the job. Most companies charge between $5 to $7 per square foot for this service, which is close to the initial price of installation.
We offer two services of professional hardwood floor care. The first is hardwood floor cleaning, the second is hardwood floor refinishing. Professional cleaning will surface marks and imbedded soil. Resurfacing will repair pits and all scratches in the finish. Unless the floor has been severely abused, or is sun-discolored, resurfacing is the best choice to bring back the original luster.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning
We use a mildly alkaline cleaning solution specifically made for hardwood floors. We agitate the surface using a low-speed buffer machine with a polishing pad to remove soil, paint, and scuffs from the surface. We finish the process using cotton bonnets to This is an excellent way to maintain the floor's shine. We recommend that this process be done on an annual basis. We offer this service for only $0.50 per sq foot.
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
We offer a process in which the floor is refinished without sanding. We prepare the floor by removing all furniture, pulling back carpet around the floor, and masking all the baseboards. Then we thoroughly vacuum and clean the floor to completely remove all debris. We then apply a cleaning formula that chemically removes the top coat of the existing finish, preparing it for the adhesion of additional coats. We use wood filler that matches the color of the floor to fill any cracks or gouges. We then apply a water-based urethane finish. The finish we use produces no hazardous fumes, so there is no need for ventilation during application. After the first coat dries, we apply a second coat of finish.
We prefer water-based finish over oil-based because of the lack of fumes as well as its ability to dry very quickly. The finish is expected to last from two to five years, depending on use.
Customers can choose between three types of finish: satin, semi-gloss, or gloss. Some prefer the high shine of the gloss, while others prefer the toned-down look of the satin. Semi-gloss, the happy medium is the most popular finish.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. We offer the complete resurfacing service for $2 per square foot. Compare this to the $5 to $7 per square foot cost of resanding and refinishing, and you can see why this is truly a great service.
Q. How long does the job take? When can we use the floors?
A. The entire process usually takes two to three hours per room. Because the finish dries so quickly, you will be able to walk on the floors the same day.
Q. Can you wax the floors as well?
A. While some people do wax their floors, we do not offer the service because it is not recommended for hardwood floors. Once the floor is waxed, it will always need to be waxed. Removal of accumulated wax may be impossible since it may cause damage to the wood.