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Home Decorating

Moving: Hardwood floor question

11 years ago

I know there is a forum for this, but I wanted to get your input!

HOPEFULLY we will be closing on our house late next week. There is carpet only in one room-- the living room, and I'd like to get it removed and the hardwood floors refinished.

If you did this, how soon did you move in after your floors were done? Based on what I read, I think we'll have to get something water-based because of the fumes of oil . . .water-based is supposed to dry faster, too?

There will be no practical way for the movers to get into the house w/o going through the living room.

Any thoughts about this?

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Comments (8)

Olychick
11 years ago
Here is a great website that might answer your questions...

Here is a link that might be useful: floor finish choices
chispa
11 years ago
Just watch the moving boxes. Who would think that cardboard can really scratch up the floors. My oldest son draged a box across his room to block the door against his younger brother!! Most people will push boxes around on the floor and not even think that they can do some damage.
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Do the floors run UNDERNEATH the cabinets? Or are the floors run upto the cabs and then are cut at the face of the cabs? I'm wondering if your old floors were installed underneath the cabs and were nicely anchored by the cabinets. I'm just guessing. Until you show room shots, we won't be able to do anything but guess. Since your subfloors are exposed from underneath, you can use the 'screw from below' option. This is one of the best ways to anchor loose planks. Because your house is older (those planked subfloors indicate a build from the 50's or 60's) I'm wondering about your humidity control and/or the ACCLIMATION of the wood. An easy way to gauge the acclimation period: The time from the DELIVERY of the floor to the time of INSTALLATION...that will give you a rough idea. The other issue: was the wood 'on site' in the living space (like the living room) or was it delivered to a garage/storage shed? Where were you while the renovation was going on?
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CaroleOH
11 years ago
Our floor guy told me floors will be dry after 24-48 hours - depending on the humidity, but need a week or so to cure.

i would look at putting some type of runner down through the walkway in your living room so that for the majority of the traffic pattern the floor is protected during move in day.

You just need to make sure the floor underneath the runner/paper etc. is clean and grit free so there's no abrasion underneath the protective covering!
judiegal6
11 years ago
We put hardwood in all of our rentals and always use oil based poly, but that's my DH. Either way whether you use water or poly, put down something like Rosin paper over the entire floor (after the last coat is dry) while moving to prevent scratching.
stinky-gardener
11 years ago
I can't help you with your question, Anele...I'm just so tickled for you! You're getting a new house...a more spacious one too! (Your plans for wood floors sound wonderful. You'll get the answers you need here, I am sure. ) Best of luck with the move and with your new place...I'm really delighted for you!
polly929
11 years ago
Good luck with your move!

I must have missed that in my absence from GW. This is the exact reason we have never had our floors refinished. They were in pretty good shape, but would look beautiful redone. But we moved in sooner than expected, that was 5 years ago! It's on the "to-do" list.

I recommend doing them and maybe staying in a hotel for a few nights, or you may end up like me and never get around to it.
deeinohio
11 years ago
We are currently living in one side of the house because of new hardwood and the finishing of the new and the old. Luckily, our house is configured to make it workable.

It is very disruptive: all furniture out, including stove and refrigerator, no cooking, dogs in daycare, cat locked in sunroom, dust everywhere (even though it's not excessive), and there is a smell with water-based, though not like with oil.

Do it now and save yourself major inconvenience.

Dee
stinky-gardener
11 years ago
Gosh, Deeinohio, that does sound disruptive! Had to laugh when I got to "cat locked in sunroom." Cat was locked in sunroom during our master bath remodel! Ugh...dust(dust & more dust!) seems never-ending during any sort of re-do. It will be so worth it, though, DIO. Your floors will be gorgeous! I hope you (& Anele) post pics!

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