refinishing BAD hardwood floors

we just ripped up some slate in our condo (what were the prior owners thinking?????) and found wood floors, but they don't look very pretty. Is it possible for them to be too bad to refinish? It would be great to not put in new ones, but how do I know?

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

How bad are they? Are there scratches? how deep?

Usually a couple of sandings and some polyurethane does wonders.

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

Unless the wood is damaged by water or termites they should be fine to refinish. It is amazing what sanding and restaining will do.

Even if there are spots that are damaged they can usually fill them with other wood if they are not too big.

Also, if you go for a darker stain it will cover more imperfections than a lighter stain will. Have someone come in to look at them.

Message edited 3/2/2007 9:24:11 AM.

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

what type of wood is it under there. Depending on the type of wood and the initial quality, that will determine your options.

We had pine under a carpet, and because pine isn't a hearty wood, it could not be fixed.

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

when we first moved into our house the floors were horrible. they were really worn down in spots and pieces were missing. we got them sanded and several coats of poly. now they look amazing, when i saw them for the first time i was so surprised. we also had to have them replace some new wood where pieces were missing and now you can't even tell. i have pics if you are interested.

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

I agree on all counts. Oak is easily replaced and once they sand and refinish you'd never know where the old pieces end and the new pieces begin.

The floors in my house were almost black in spots from three boys and a St. Bernard living here for years. Oh, and from what I heard from the neighbors... a lot of huge house parties Just sanding and refinishing, they look new.

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

I'd say yes! We had a very old linoleum floor in our kitchen with layers of black tar underneath. Under the tar was a beautiful floor that they were able to resurface and it looks great!

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

Posted by Anniegrl

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

I agree on all counts. Oak is easily replaced and once they sand and refinish you'd never know where the old pieces end and the new pieces begin.

The floors in my house were almost black in spots from three boys and a St. Bernard living here for years. Oh, and from what I heard from the neighbors... a lot of huge house parties Just sanding and refinishing, they look new.

Can I ask how much it cost? We have oak floors that are pretty scratched up from the previous owners. Almost our entire first floor is hard wood and it's looking pretty shabby.

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Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

Well, we had them done before we moved in so the house was empty.

I just found the paperwork for you. (I am a home improvement geek so I have everything )

1130 sq' feet of oak and 12 oak treads (stairs)
Refinish natural
sand, scrap, screen apply 3 coats "MoistureCure" (Brand) poly (not all polys are the same).... $2.40 a square foot including tax and stairs (stairs are always extra, usually $20 a tread)

***Price included bullnose installation between diningroom/kitchen

*** 4th coat of poly $450. plus tax

We went with the 4th coat but we negotiated for cash so we paid less than the original quote.

We also used the same company to install a matching harwood floor in the livingroom...

190 sq. feet
Install plywood subfloor w/ vapor barrier (LR is on a slab and most companies won't do this) $525.
Install #2 Red Oak to match DR and finish natural w/ 4 coas "Moisture Cure" poly. $1275.

Again, we negotiated for cash so we paid a bit less.

Here are some before and after pics. First set is of the upstairs landing. You can see the black spots and worn away wood

Second is a before and after of the livingroom. Yes, that carpet was supposed to be white...

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

Posted by Anniegrl

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

Well, we had them done before we moved in so the house was empty.

I just found the paperwork for you. (I am a home improvement geek so I have everything )

1130 sq' feet of oak and 12 oak treads (stairs)
Refinish natural
sand, scrap, screen apply 3 coats "MoistureCure" (Brand) poly (not all polys are the same).... $2.40 a square foot including tax and stairs (stairs are always extra, usually $20 a tread)

***Price included bullnose installation between diningroom/kitchen

*** 4th coat of poly $450. plus tax

We went with the 4th coat but we negotiated for cash so we paid less than the original quote.

We also used the same company to install a matching harwood floor in the livingroom...

190 sq. feet
Install plywood subfloor w/ vapor barrier (LR is on a slab and most companies won't do this) $525.
Install #2 Red Oak to match DR and finish natural w/ 4 coas "Moisture Cure" poly. $1275.

Again, we negotiated for cash so we paid a bit less.

Here are some before and after pics. First set is of the upstairs landing. You can see the black spots and worn away wood

Second is a before and after of the livingroom. Yes, that carpet was supposed to be white...

Thanks! We'll have to get it done next year maybe (and then we'll have to train the dog to stop dropping his ginormous bones on the floor!)
Your floors look great!

Re: refinishing BAD hardwood floors

wow - thanks so much for all of your responses! we're going to give it a try! hopefully it won't be too bad when we rip up the rest of the slate.