How can I revive the dull finish on my hardwood floor?

You may be able to renew a dull finish yourself, without completely refinishing the floor. Still, some hardwood floor manufacturers recommend that only professional refinishers tackle the job. If you decide to do it yourself, begin by sweeping with a good broom and then vacuuming the surface. Next, use a buffer with an abrasive pad and/or fine-grit sandpaper until the finish feels smooth.

Another option would be to use a rectangular oscillating sanding machine. Hand-sand any areas that remain rough or irregular. Keep in mind that you want to only lightly sand the top coat of the finish, not sand through it. Remove dust by sweeping, vacuuming, and wiping the floor with a lint-free towel slightly dampened with water. (Make sure the towel has not been treated with fabric softener or anything else.) Allow the floor to dry completely before applying a single coat of polyurethane finish. Check with the manufacturer of the new finish if you're not sure it's compatible with the finish already on the floor. For a waxed floor, apply a mineral-spirit based renovating product and buff with a No. 1 steel wool pad. Allow the floor to dry completely. Next, wax and buff. Keep in mind, these steps will brighten the appearance of the finish, not lighten the wood itself.

What should I consider when shopping for a floor?

The look, feel, and even the sound of a floor are important. So are these practical considerations:
• Health Effects: Doctors often recommend hardwood floors when their patients are allergic to dust and pet dander.
• Longevity: Can the floor be refinished? How many times?
• Durability: Will the floor stand up to the demands of everyday life? Hardwood floors certainly will. It's no coincidence that professional basketball courts have maple floors.
• Installation and Maintenance: Will laying the floors pose any particular challenges? Is maintenance simple?
• Cost: How much does an inexpensive floor really cost if it only lasts several years? A good hardwood floor will last a lifetime.
• Sustainability: American hardwoods are sustainable, renewable and environmentally friendly. Every year, this country's hardwood forests grow twice as much wood as we harvest from them.

Can I stain a new hardwood floor to match the old wood floors already in my home?

No one can match finishes exactly, but an experienced professional with a good eye can get very close. For best results, consider refinishing the old floor with the same finish and sheen as the new one. Although wax finishes are easier to match, polyurethane finishes provide more protection than wax in kitchens.

How can I remove carpet laid over hardwood floors?

First, determine the type of adhesive that was used. A dark or tan color adhesive are usually tar-based, and mineral spirits can be used. Light or clear adhesives (usually carpet tape) can be removed with an all-purpose adhesive remover. Yellow-looking substances are generally carpet adhesives. These can be lightly scraped or chipped off easily, and an all-purpose adhesive remover will work.

Once the adhesive is removed, the floor can be sanded with a coarse paper and then re-sanded with finer paper. In some cases, carpeting over a hardwood floor is installed with wooden tack strips. After the carpet has been removed and the tack strips are pulled up, wood putty can then be used to fill the holes. Extra sanding is usually needed before finishing.

Does sunlight lighten or darken a floor's color? Does it depend on the species, the stain or the finish?

The ultraviolet rays that can burn and age our skin will affect any organic material, including wood. That's why the finest art collections are kept in rooms without windows. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will change the color of virtually any wood floor, regardless of the stain or finish. Some woods lighten when exposed to sunlight. Others, like cherry and oak, tend to darken. The newest water-based urethane finishes seem to slow color changes more effectively than oil-based urethane finishes, which tend to turn a brownish-yellow color, like amber. Some finishes also feature sunscreens to help block the penetration of ultraviolet rays, extending the time it will take for the wood to change.

If you're especially concerned about your floor changing color, consider installing curtains or blinds that will limit exposure to sunlight. Windows can also be fitted with thin films of plastic that block ultraviolet rays. This type of screen, similar to those on used on some car windows, will not only protect your floor, but you furniture, drapes, upholstery and artwork as well.

Is a hardwood floor a good choice for someone with allergies or asthma?

You bet. Allergists often recommend bare floors, because they reduce the chance for animal dander, dust, pollen or molds to accumulate. Respiratory experts say as much as one-fifth of the U.S. population suffers breathing difficulties caused by allergies and asthma that are often triggered by microscopic dust mites that colonize in bedding, curtains, and carpets. Bedding and curtains can be laundered, but because frequent vacuuming is ineffective against dust mites in floor coverings, many immunologists and allergists suggest bringing hardwood floors out into the open.

If I have a urethane finish on my hardwood floor, can I use oil-based paint for stencils?

You can, but it may not be the best choice. Many professionals avoid working with oil-based paints because they are harder to clean up and take longer to dry. With water-based paints, smudges and spills can easily be wiped away with a damp cloth. Water-based paint can be applied over oil-or water-based urethane finishes. For best results with opaque paints, consider first applying a white primer. Let the paint dry thoroughly, then apply at least two protective top coats that are the same type of urethane as the base coats.

Oil-based paints that are just the slightest bit wet will smear when you apply an oil-based urethane topcoat. If you aren't sure whether your paint and urethanes are compatible, contact the manufacturers of your materials. Also, always test for compatibility by applying a little paint and finish on scrap board or in an inconspicuous spot, such as a closet corner.

Are steam cleaners an effective way to keep wood floors clean?

Some models are designed for use on hardwood floors. Others are not. Check with the manufacturer to find out if your cleaner is appropriate for use on your wood floor. Remember, water is wood's No. 1 enemy. If the finish is worn or scratched, steam could seep into your wood floors, and eventually cause damage. Experts say that the best way to clean a wood floor is to wipe up any spills immediately with a soft, dry cloth. Also, sweep floors regularly with a broom, dust mop or canister vacuum with special hardwood floor attachments. Do not use a vacuum with "beater bars." If you use this type of vacuum, you risk putting dents in your floor's finish.

If I buy a home with hardwood floors, how can I tell if they have a wax or urethane finish?

Urethane is one of the most popular finishes used today. An easy way to determine if your floor has this type of finish is by applying a small amount of paint remover to the floor surface. If the finish bubbles up, it is most likely a urethane. You can also try scraping up a bit of the finish with a sharp blade (in an area hidden from view.) If you can scrape up a clear material, it's likely urethane.

The finish is probably wax if you can feel the wood grain when you run your hand over the floor surface. Another test is to select an inconspicuous area and try to smudge the floor surface with a fingertip, or scrape the surface with a fingernail or sharp instrument. If the floor smudges, but no clear material is scraped up, the finish is probably wax.

If you're not certain after trying these tests, contact us! We'll be glad to help!

What are mineral spirits and boiled linseed oil? How about rottenstone and pumice?

Mineral spirits are used to thin or clean up oil-based paints, stains, and finishes. They can also be used to remove wax buildup on furniture and floors. Boiled linseed oil is a yellowish drying oil that serves as a lubricant. (Do not boil linseed oil; it has already been boiled!) Both of these materials can be found in the paint section at Lowe's, Home Depot, and other home centers.

Rottenstone is a fine, abrasive limestone powder. Pumice is an abrasive (harder than rottenstone) derived from volcanic glass. Either one of these abrasives can be mixed with linseed oil and rubbed on furniture to remove stains and marks caused by moisture or heat. Woodworking suppliers sell these products in stores and on the Internet. Some paint and hardware stores also carry them.

What about inlays?

There is nothing quite like the look and feel of a hardwood floor. But what if you also like the look of ceramic, marble, or even stone? Why not combine the richness of hardwoods, inlaid with other materials, to give that favorite room a true one-of-a-kind look?

In a trend inspired by the Renaissance Period, a growing number of floor designers are combining the artistry of old-world floor design with new laser-cutting techniques to produce intricate yet affordable designs. Hardwoods combined with other contrasting hardwoods, ceramic, stone, marble, or even leather and metals like brass and aluminum, offer an endless variety of choices for inlays and borders for any room in the house.