Refinishing your hardwood floors make them look like new. The process can be time consuming. If you’re wondering how long before walking on refinished hardwood floors, here is what you need to know.
What to Expect When Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors
The size of the area you’re having refinished will affect the length of the process. If you’re having the floors refinished in multiple rooms, it may take more than a day to get the sanding part of the process done.
The floors will need multiple coats of a polyurethane finish to prevent future damage. If you use an oil-based polyurethane, each coat will need at least 24 hours to dry. A stain will take another 24 to 48 hours to dry. If the weather is humid, it may take longer for each coat to dry.
Once the floors have dried, you should wait at least 24 hours before walking on them, and you should wear socks (but not shoes) for the first 48 hours. You will have to wait up to four days before returning furniture to the room.
Water-based polyurethane takes less time to dry. You may be able to walk on your hardwood floors within a few hours after the last coat has dried. You should only wear socks until the floor has completely cured to prevent damage. You will have to wait longer to replace furniture and area rugs.
If you have pets, you should keep them out of any rooms where you had the hardwood floors refinished until the finish has had enough time to cure. A dog’s or cat’s nails can scratch the floor and cause damage if it hasn’t fully cured.
Get a Quote for Hardwood Floor Refinishing
If your hardwood floors have scratches, gouges, or damaged boards, the team at Barbati Hardwood Flooring can help. We can repair or replace any damaged boards, sand the floors, and apply a polyurethane finish to make your hardwood floors look as beautiful as they did when they were originally installed.
Refinishing hardwood floors is a complex process with a lot of room for error. Mistakes are easy to make and hard to correct. That’s why you should trust the professionals at Barbati. We can give you an estimate and answer any questions you may have, including how long before walking on refinished hardwood floors. Call us today at (484)354-8869.