Refinishing FAQs

           Are you considering a hardwood floor refinishing for your hardwood floors?  Or do you find yourself asking the question, “When should I refinish my hardwood floors?” Here at Chicagoland Pro we get asked questions like that quite frequently.  It may seem like the answer to this question should be simple when in actuality, it’s not.  The answer to this question can vary.  We typically see homeowners decide to get their floors refinished after some wear and tear, while some homeowners will get floors refinished that have very little defects just to achieve that perfect, flawless appearance.  The point is, there really is no golden time to get your hardwood floors refinished.  Here are a couple common refinishing questions asked frequently by homeowners accompanied by our answers:

Q-“Does refinishing hardwood floors effect the floors durability or strength?”

A- No, refinishing your hardwood floors should not affects its durability or strength.  This is dependent on what type of hardwood floor you have.  If you have an unusually thin hardwood floor, then the answer to the question is yes, it could affect the durability or strength of the floor.  It depends on how old the flooring is and how many times it has previously been refinished.  Flooring installed in the 30s was much thinner and as a result shouldn’t really be refinished more than a time or two.  Really, it all depends on the wood type or specie.  Most flooring today won’t be an issue and refinishing your floors shouldn’t cause problems in terms of durability or strength. 

Q-“How many times can a floor be refinished?”

A- This answer can depend on what type of flooring you have.  The thickness of the floor determines how many times it can be refinished, so the thicker the floor, the more times this process can be done.  The condition of the floor also determines how many times it can be refinished.  For the most part, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times, unless it’s so old that the floors are worn down to the tongue and groove, then that’s another story.  We always suggest that homeowners consider what they are trying to achieve with the refinishing process first.    

Q-“How long does the refinishing process take?”

A- The entire process, when accounting for sanding, can take anywhere from 4-6 days.  It is best to be out of your home during that time or to avoid walking on the floors during that time.  

Q-“I liked the color of my old stain.  Is there any way it can be reserved?”

A- Typically, when an older floor needs refinishing the color and original finish is completely sanded off.  It’s essentially like starting over new again.  New stain will be put onto the floors. 

Refinishing your floors, especially if they are older, can really rejuvenate them.  If you have more questions on refinishing hardwood flooring, just contact us here at Chicagoland Pro.  We’d be happy to give you a few pointers. 

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The Do's And Don'ts Of Cleaning Hardwood Floors

One of the most common questions asked by homeowners when deciding whether to get hardwood floors or not is, "How do I clean hardwood floors?" Here are a couple of the do's and dont's of hardwood floor cleaning:

DO- Sweep hardwood floors- Invest in a great broom to keep those hardwood floors clean.  A good broom can sweep away some of the little impurities.

DO/DON'T- Vacuum hardwood floors- Here's where having hardwood floors could get tricky! If you want to vacuum hardwood floors, only use a vacuum that doesn't have a beater bar. Upright vacuums with beater bars can put dents in hardwood floors, which is why they should never be used. Vacuuming can be done if you're using a vacuum without beater bars (such as a canister vacuum) with hardwood floor attachments. This type of vacuum will help clean between the floorboards without damaging the wood.

DO- Utilize rugs- Place rugs in areas that experience high foot traffic to prevent dirt, dust and dents from accumulating on hardwood floors. Also, place rugs near any areas where water could potentially splash onto hardwood floors to prevent water from seeping into the wood. Water can ruin hardwood causing it to warp or splinter.

DON'T- Use rugs with rubber or vinyl backing- In some cases, rubber or vinyl backing has damaged hardwood flooring, so check with the floors manufacturers to make sure rug backing won't be an issue.

DON'T- Use soaps or waxes- This includes any ammonia-based cleaners or oil soaps. Soaps or waxes could dull the finish and prevent future recoats from sticking to the polyurethane.

DO- Clean any sticky spots with a damp towel or sponge- Don't saturate the towel or sponge. The less water the better!

DO- Minimize water exposure- Always clean up spills immediately!

DO- Use a professional hardwood floor cleaner- Special cleaners are available and recommended for hardwood floors as a remedy to remove occasional nicks and marks on the floor. Spray some cleaner on a cloth to remove the marks. Be gentle!

For more cleaning tips and tricks, contact us or visit our webpage.

The Great Debate: Hardwood Versus Laminate

It’s the age-old debate—which is better, hardwood or laminate flooring? When deciding between whether to get hardwood or laminate flooring there are a multitude of things to consider. Price, installation, and variety are just a few things to think over before choosing flooring. Before making your selection, consider the pros and the cons of both.

Laminate- Laminate flooring is made from several materials that are pressed together at high temperatures. The photograph or image of hardwood is then placed on top of the material and is covered by a clear protective layer.

The Pros

-Durability- Since laminate floors are harder to dent and scratch, it makes a great flooring option for the kid-friendly or animal-friendly household. YES, lifestyle should be taken into consideration when choosing flooring.

-Easy installation- Laminate floors can be placed on top of almost any current flooring, except for carpeting. Flooring underneath isn’t destroyed in the process. Most laminate floors are installed easily with a tongue-and-groove system.

-Budget friendly- The flooring itself and the installation tend to be a little easier on the wallet than hardwood flooring and installation.

The Cons

-Moisture can damage laminate flooring- The materials in laminate floors are water resistant, however excessive moisture can cause laminate flooring to warp. This is something to consider depending on where you would like to put laminate floors. Thinking of placing it in the bathroom? That might not be the best choice.

-Harder to repair- Unlike hardwood floors, laminate can’t be refinished. Individual pieces can be purchased, but may not match the original flooring.

Hardwood- It’s the real deal! Hardwood is made from all types of harvested trees and depending on how exotic the trees are will depict the pricing. Hardwood is considerably pricier to buy and to install, but most homeowners will agree that the results are worth it.

The Pros

-Variety- Hardwood comes in great variations of all sorts of beautiful wood. There is no set standard wood. Homeowners can choose from woods like oak, ash, hickory, teak, etc.

-Resale appeal- Since many homeowners are looking for hardwood floors in their home, installing hardwood floors can instantly up your homes resale value.

-Long lasting- Hardwood floors are built for the long haul and hold up over long periods of time. They can be sanded and imperfections can be refinished out.

The Cons

-Price factor- Hardwood floors can get a tad pricey depending on which wood you choose and hardwood installs can cost more than laminate installs.

-Moisture- Excessive moisture can damage hardwood flooring, but (here’s a pro!) it can be repaired.

-Imperfections- Hardwood is susceptible to scratching and denting, especially in high traffic areas of the home. Lifestyle should be taken into consideration when purchasing either type of flooring.

Still having trouble deciding whether to go with hardwood or laminate? Talk to the experts here at Chicagoland Pro and we will help you choose.

Palatine Hardwood Refinishing and Sanding Services

You might be tired of seeing your hardwood floors looking damaged and dull after years of regular wear and tear. So, you take action by wanting to begin a Schaumburg hardwood floor refinishing project - taking whatever steps necessary for making your hardwoods look brand new again. But if you have limited experience with home improvement projects, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed and as if you do not know what to do first. But there's no need to feel lost! Here is a simple guide for refinishing hardwood floors and giving them that shiny and beautiful look back again. Follow these steps and guidelines, and you'll have a picture perfect hardwood floor before you know it!

First things first, you would need some materials to make this possible. The materials you will need are wide brooms, heavy and light sandpaper, gloves, rollers with long handles, floor wax, brushes, wood stain, rags, floor sanders and edger, shop vacuums and dust masks.

There are three main processes involved in wood floor refinishing. These include sanding the floor, staining the floor, and finally finishing the floor. In the first process, you should remove first all of he furniture, rugs, mats, etc. from the room with floors that you plan to refinish. Then after doing this, you must check the floor and see if there are any nails or other sharp objects protruding from the surface. Remove them right away, for they destroy the sandpaper sheet when you start to sand them.

If you need help with these issues, please give Chicagoland Pro a call today or email us directly!! We're actively accepting Hardwood Refinishing Projects Daily.

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End Block Flooring: Palatine Hardwood Installation Services

Here's something in the unique category! Doubtful if many of us have ever seen this kind of Palatine hardwood floor pattern work. Leave it to anyone's imagination, end block flooring can offer a multitude of designs.

Chicagoland Pro can install these types of products for you. Products offered vary in four different thicknesses and glued to any proper subfloor. Following installation, sanding equipment is brought in much like traditional hardwood floors.

The appearance offers a busy look, but think about using them for border work or entry ways. If they're installed with solid 3/4" floors, other preparations will have to be considered to reach the same vertical height.

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Palatine & Schaumburg Hardwood Floor Refinishing

You might be tired of seeing your hardwood floors looking damaged and dull after years of regular wear and tear. So, you take action by wanting to begin a Schaumburg hardwood floor refinishing project - taking whatever steps necessary for making your hardwoods look brand new again. But if you have limited experience with home improvement projects, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed and as if you do not know what to do first. But there's no need to feel lost! Here is a simple guide for refinishing hardwood floors and giving them that shiny and beautiful look back again. Follow these steps and guidelines, and you'll have a picture perfect hardwood floor before you know it!

First things first, you would need some materials to make this possible. The materials you will need are wide brooms, heavy and light sandpaper, gloves, rollers with long handles, floor wax, brushes, wood stain, rags, floor sanders and edger, shop vacuums and dust masks.

Best Hardwood Flooring Types for Dogs

Wood floors and dogs don't mix.

You're 100% correct. So that's why, instead of steering you to ceramic tile or a similarly scratch-proof surface, we have to seriously deal with the question of which wood floor is best for your dog. What's the problem at hand...or paw? Claws are the main issue unless you're prepared to declaw your Golden. Urine is next. Maybe that's not an issue with your dog (great), but then we have the added issues of mud, dirt, rocks.

All of those things still pale in comparison to claw-induced scratches. Put out as many runners as you like: Your dog will not remain confined to them, guaranteed.

What types of flooring can keep scratches at bay? 

Pre-finished, hardwoods. Hardwoods, not soft. Soft wood such as pine or fir are poor choices for houses with dogs. No amount of surface prep can shield against dog claws.

Solid hardwood, not engineered wood. Engineered wood flooring is a sandwich of laminated wood with a real hardwood veneer on top. Engineered wood flooring is a superior product, but it raises red flags for a dog-inhabited homes. Engineered wood can take only a limited number of light sandings. Scratch marks might be able to be sanded down hard; once. A second deep sanding poses a risk of exposing the structural wood beneath.

A few types of wood will work best are:
Brazilian Walnut or Ipe: This type of Palatine hardwood flooring is universally hard and dense. Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of personal preference. Ipe, often called Brazilian walnut, is hard enough that it's even used on exterior decks.

Hard Maple: If you're looking for flooring on the domestic front, hard maple may be the way to go. Hard maple has long been used as a surface for basketball courts, so it should stand up well to pet traffic. Hard maple can hit a Janka rating of 1,450 or higher. Don't confuse hard maple with just any old maple. It's a specific type, alternately called sugar or rock maple.

Bamboo: Strand-Woven and FossilizedBamboo is a grass, not a wood, but in the flooring industry it is often classified as wood and can be subjected to a Janka test, too.

Bamboo flooring is very durable, but only as a result of the manufacturing process that impregnates the grass with hard resins. I mention the Cali brand of bamboo flooring because its Janka rating is an astronomical 5,000. Compare this to a Janka of 2,000 to 3,000 for conventional strand-woven bamboo flooring.

If you want a quote on sanding your scratched Hardwood floors, or replacing soft wood floors with a hardwood alternative, give Chicagoland Pro a call at (630) 217-2748.

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