Changing Colors, Keeping the Floor
It can be very easy to become attached to the floor you already have. Due to the fact that the weather does not change as much in Nashville and the mid-Tennessee area as it does in other parts of the country, hardwoods do not undergo that added stress, meaning they last a lot longer. However, that does not mean you are never going to want to change the flooring in your home or business. If you have hardwoods, then you might think there is nothing you can do, like if you have a pine floor with a golden shine, and you would prefer something a lot darker and more elegant. It’s true, the most direct way to solve that situation would be to tear up the old flooring and lay down a rich oak hardwood flooring, something the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey would be happy to do, as they are the best when it comes to hardwood flooring installation. However, there are other options, especially if you have fallen in love with the way the floor feels under your feet or the character it displays. The easiest way to change this situation is to sand down the old surface, and finish it with new hardwood floor colors.
What are the Extremes?
As might be expected, it is always going to be easier to go from light to dark. You will not be able to go from a darker tone to a brighter one unless you employ bleaching techniques, which are not recommended because they can damage the wood. The lightest you will possibly achieve is the base, natural color of the wood, which might be different from the color you are used to seeing, depending on the number of times the wood has been resurfaced already. But after you have accounted for that limitation, the only thing stopping you from getting as dark as you want is your own limitations. However, keep in mind that if one of the things you like about your current flooring is the character, and all of the nicks and dents that entails, you run the risk of losing that with a muddy, too-dark finish.
How Long Will it Take?
The length of the process really depends on a couple of things. The first, of course, is the amount of time you are willing to put into the project. For example, if you have a lot of time to devote, then you can knock the whole thing off your list in about a week. If this is something you will be able to work on only during the weekends, then it could take as long as a month. The other thing that will determine the length of the project is the type of polyurethane used. There are two types, one that is water-based and one that is oil-based. The oil-based polyurethane is the one that looks better and lasts longer, but on the flipside, it takes longer for the finish to set.
Just remember, regardless of what kind of surface you decide to put down, the first thing to do is sand down the hardwood until you have a fresh, smooth new layer. After that, you are free to apply the polyurethane of your choice. Of course, if this all seems like a whole bunch of work, the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey are happy to install something new, perhaps a nice commercial carpet, with the right amount of care.