Your hardwood refinishing appointment is on the calendar. Now comes the practical part: figuring out what needs to happen in your home before the sanding equipment arrives.
Refinishing involves several stages, and the rooms being worked on won't be available for normal use throughout the process. A little preparation can make the project easier to navigate, especially when you know ahead of time what needs to be moved, how you'll access other parts of the house, and what to expect after the final coat is applied.
If you're wondering how to prepare for hardwood floor refinishing, start by discussing the specifics of your project with Floor Coverings International of Bloomfield Hills, MI®. Your Design Associate can explain what should be done before work begins and how the timeline may vary based on your floors and the refinishing process being used.
Schedule An In-Home Consultation
A Few Days Before: Clear the Rooms
Furniture will need to be out of the areas being refinished, but don't stop at the obvious pieces. Look around the room for smaller items that could get overlooked.
When preparing a house for floor sanding, your project-specific instructions may include taking care of details such as:
- Removing furniture, floor lamps, plants, baskets, and other freestanding items from the room.
- Clearing closets if the hardwood inside them will also be refinished.
- Removing curtains or other nearby items if recommended by the refinishing team.
- Making plans for pets to stay safely away from the work area.
- Clearing a path so the crew can bring equipment and materials into the house.
- Planning how you'll reach rooms that aren't part of the project if refinished flooring normally provides access to them.
This is also a good time to ask about appliances or particularly heavy furniture. Don't assume you need to move everything yourself. Find out what's included in your project and what you're responsible for handling beforehand.
Think Beyond the Room Being Refinished
Knowing how to prepare a room for hardwood refinishing also means looking at what's immediately around it. Sanding equipment, hoses, tools, and other materials need to move through the home, and adjoining rooms may need some preparation even if their floors aren't being refinished.
Ask which entrances the crew will use and whether nearby furnishings or wall décor should be moved. If the project includes several connected rooms, think through how that will affect your normal routes through the house.
You'll also want to plan around children and pets. Keeping them away from the work area protects both the newly finished floor and curious paws or feet.
Be Realistic About Sanding Dust
Modern sanding equipment and containment methods can help control dust, but hardwood refinishing shouldn't be treated as a completely dust-free process.
When preparing for dust from sanding hardwood floors, ask the refinishing team what dust-control measures they'll use and whether they recommend closing doors, covering belongings in nearby spaces, or taking other precautions. The right preparation can depend on your home's layout and the extent of the work.
You may also want to temporarily move especially delicate or difficult-to-clean items away from adjoining areas. Taking a few precautions before sanding starts can save you from having to clean or protect those belongings later.
How Much Time Should You Set Aside?
One of the biggest logistical questions is: how long does it take to refinish hardwood floors? There isn't one timeline that applies to every project.
The schedule can be affected by the amount of flooring being refinished, its existing condition, repairs that need to be completed, whether you're changing the stain color, the finishing products being used, and required drying time between steps.
If you're scheduling hardwood floor sanding and refinishing in Bloomfield Hills, ask for an anticipated project timeline before making plans around the work. Your refinishing team can give you a much more useful estimate after seeing the floors and understanding the scope of the project.
Remember that the crew finishing the work and the floor being ready for normal household use aren't necessarily the same thing.
Don't Rush Back Onto a Newly Finished Floor
Homeowners often want to know how long to stay off hardwood floors after refinishing, but the answer depends on the finish and process used for the particular project.
A floor may be ready for light foot traffic before it's ready for furniture, area rugs, pets, or normal daily use. Finishes can also continue curing after the surface initially feels dry.
Follow the instructions your refinishing team provides rather than relying on a general timeline you find online.
Before the project begins, ask specifically when you can:
- Walk on the floor.
- Allow pets back into the space.
- Replace furniture.
- Put area rugs back down.
- Resume normal use of the room.
Having those answers in advance makes it much easier to plan where your household will spend time while the floors are unavailable.
Make Sure Refinishing Is the Right Restoration Approach
If you're still preparing for refinishing hardwood floors, the condition of the existing wood should be evaluated before the project begins. Scratches, worn finish, discoloration, gaps, damaged boards, and previous refinishing can all affect what work is appropriate.
Homeowners considering hardwood floor restoration in Bloomfield Hills may need repairs in addition to refinishing, depending on the condition of the floor. An in-home evaluation gives your Design Associate an opportunity to assess its condition before recommending the next step.
Know What to Expect Before the Sanding Starts
Floor Coverings International of Bloomfield Hills, MI® can assess your existing hardwood, discuss the result you're hoping for, and explain the preparation and anticipated timing for your project.
During your free in-home consultation, your Design Associate can answer questions about the work and help you understand the process before, during, and after refinishing. You'll also receive a free, down-to-the-penny quote so you know what to expect before moving forward.
Call (248) 469-4264 or schedule your free in-home consultation to discuss your hardwood refinishing project in Bloomfield Hills.
