How long does hardwood flooring last?

Author: Jimmy Vandervort  |  Last update: Thursday, June 9, 2022

On average, a hardwood flooring finish lasts approximately ten years. But with proper care and maintenance, it can last much longer.

How long do original hardwood floors last?

Under normal circumstances of daily wear-and-tear and no extreme events, most wood flooring lasts an average of 100 years. Engineered hardwood flooring can last as long as 50 years. Significant damage to untreated wood flooring, using softer woods, and a lack of maintenance can shorten the lifespan of wood floors.

How often do hardwood floors need to be refinished?

A solid hardwood plank at least 3/4 inches thick will likely need to be refinished four to six times during its total lifespan. It's commonly accepted that you refinish every seven to ten years. Important note: some hardwood is only 1/4 inches thick. In this case, a refinish could strip away all traces of the floor.

When should you replace hardwood floors?

Keep an eye out for these eight signs it's time to replace your hardwood floors.
  1. You've already refinished them—a lot. ...
  2. Large scratches and marks. ...
  3. Water damage. ...
  4. Nails are peeking through. ...
  5. Wood discoloration. ...
  6. Excessive wear and tear. ...
  7. Creaking or moving floorboards. ...
  8. It's just time for something new.

Are hardwood floors worth it?

As CNN reported, hardwood floors can also increase home value by 3-5%. This makes them a very attractive prospect for anyone looking to sell their house in the near future. However, even if you don't plan on moving any time soon, hardwood floors may still be a good investment.

Installing HARDWOOD FLOORING for the FIRST TIME ? How To Install Wood Floors

How much does it cost to install 1000 square feet of hardwood floors?

Installing hardwood flooring averages between $6 and $12 per square foot. On average, wood flooring costs between $3 and $7 per square foot for materials and $3 to $5 per square foot for labor. An estimate for installation of 1000 square feet of hardwood flooring runs between $6,000 and $12,000.

Is it better to refinish or replace hardwood floors?

In most scenarios, refinishing rather than replacing your hardwood floor is the ideal outcome. While refinishing hardwood can be a long and tedious process, it is much more cost-effective than a total replacement. During the refinishing process, all furniture will have to be removed from the room.

Should I keep original hardwood floors?

Unless your floors are very old and thin or have structural or water damage, chances are they can be saved. If you want a new or exotic type of wood or are unhappy with the current pattern or thickness of your floorboards, you may want to consider replacing them.

Can you replace one plank of hardwood floors?

Your beloved hardwood floors' aesthetic can be easily upended by a rogue board with water damage, cracks, or grooves. But try not to fret—you can replace individual wood planks on your own without having to replace the entire floor.

How do I know if my hardwood floors need refinishing?

Big scratches and dents, gray floorboards and splinters are all signs that your hardwood floors need refinishing.
...
  1. Major scratches and dents. ...
  2. Cupping. ...
  3. Splinters. ...
  4. Gray floorboards. ...
  5. Water stains. ...
  6. Fading and discoloration.

How do I make my hardwood floors look new without refinishing?

To make hardwood floors look like new without refinishing:
  1. Try buffing and polishing with a commercial-grade buffer.
  2. Use a hardwood floor polishing sealant.
  3. Clean markers with toothpaste and a clean cloth.
  4. Apply a wood floor cleaner or oil soap for a high-gloss clean.

How many times can you sand and refinish hardwood floors?

Hardwood flooring can be re-sanded up to 10 times, depending on how bad the floor is and how skilled the person doing the sanding is. It costs about $2.50 per square foot to refinish a floor, plus $50 an hour for patching and thresholds.

Which is cheaper refinish hardwood floors or replace with laminate?

The truth is, it is almost always cheaper to refinish your floor than to replace it. When replacing, you must consider the cost of the new wood as well as the installation, plus the cost to haul your old wood floors away.

Can I stay in my house while floors are refinished?

If your hardwood floors have been sanded and finished with Bona Mega Clear HD, it is safe to sleep in the home about 2-3 hours after the project is finished, but again, only if there are other rooms that have not been robbed of their furniture – furniture should stay off floors for at least 24 hours after ANY project ...

Why are original hardwood floors good?

Historic hardwood floors are prime candidates for hardwood floor refinishing and restoration. The wood is typically very durable, and with some simple sanding, staining, and sealing, you'll have fresh, beautiful floors that will continue to stand the test of time.

Can you put hardwood over old hardwood?

Yes, you can install over an existing wood floor, provided it meets some important conditions. First, make sure doing so won't create problems with height differences at areas such as transitions with other rooms and stairs.

Should I remove old hardwood before installing vinyl plank?

LVT planks have an incredibly realistic wood look, and vinyl flooring care and maintenance is a breeze. Here's something even better. If you've been graced with authentic hardwood flooring, it isn't even necessary for you to remove it before installing LVT!

What can you do with old hardwood floors?

7 Leftover Hardwood Flooring Projects
  1. Bench Tops. Hardwood flooring scraps make a perfect hardwood benchtop. ...
  2. Table Tops. Another great way to repurpose hardwood flooring is to use it as a table top. ...
  3. DIY Wall Shelf. ...
  4. Laundry Room Counter Top. ...
  5. Christmas Ornaments. ...
  6. Wall Sign. ...
  7. Turn Old Frames into Costal Wall Art. ...
  8. BONUS!

Do hardwood floors increase home value?

Hardwood floors are one of the best flooring options for homeowners looking to increase the resale value of their home, with hardwood typically yielding around a 75% return on investment.

Are hardwood floors more expensive right now?

Prices for hardwood floors have increased anywhere from 15 to 70 percent. The increased lumber costs are due to species scarcity, fuel inflation and a lack of truck delivery. But even if you're not getting all-natural hardwood floors, you may still see a price increase.

What is wrong with Lumber Liquidators flooring?

Lumber Liquidators shares were slammed in March 2015 after a “60 Minutes” report alleged that Chinese-made laminate flooring from Lumber Liquidators installed in many American homes contained far higher than accepted levels of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

How often should you replace your flooring?

Carpet generally lasts about 10 years, while flooring types like tile, wood and laminate can last as long as 25-30 years. It all depends on how much damage they face over the years.

How much does it cost to remove carpet and install hardwood?

Replace a Carpet with Hardwood Flooring

Labor rates total $4.25 to $9.25 per square foot to remove the old carpet and replace it with hardwood flooring. Adding on to your cost to install hardwood flooring is another $3 to $14 per square foot for the wood too.

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