Hardwood floors: restoration vs. replacement

Whether you're considering restoring a hardwood floor to bring it back to life, or simply looking to install a new one, we're here to provide you with clear and useful information. You'll discover all the reasons why buying a new floor can be much more beneficial than you might think.

The difficulties of restoring a wood floor

It's essential to note that there are many hurdles to overcome in restoration, and trying to do it yourself can prove much more difficult than expected.

When time is of the essence, for example during a move or renovation, replacement is the optimal solution. This is a quick, odorless operation, unlike restoration involving sanding, staining and varnishing. What's more, if you decide to call in the professionals to restore your floor, you'll have to leave the premises for some time, and take rigorous measures to protect your furniture due to the large amount of dust generated by the sanding process.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the margin of error associated with human versus machine work. When opting for floor restoration, it's important to bear in mind that even professionals can encounter challenges related to the consistency and precision of the process. Human variations can lead to uneven results, which can affect the overall appearance of your floor. In contrast, when a floor is manufactured in a factory using ultra-precision machinery, quality and consistency are guaranteed, greatly reducing the margin for error and ensuring impeccable results.

In addition, an element often overlooked when restoring a floor is the loss of the V-joint. When restoring a floor, it's common practice to remove the V-joint between the boards. This means that if the floor shrinks in winter as humidity drops, the gap between two boards will become more apparent. This loss of V-joint can alter the aesthetics of your floor and make seasonal variations more visible. By opting to replace your floor, you have the option of choosing planks with integrated V-joints, which will maintain a uniform, elegant appearance all year round, regardless of climate changes.

A more modern design

If you have a specific decorating project in mind, with a precise design and a consistent ambience across several rooms, especially with a trendy hardwood floor, floor replacement is the best option for achieving the desired look. You can then customize your flooring to suit your preferences. When restoring a floor, the choice is more limited, as you have to stick with the wood essence that's already in place. On the other hand, when you choose to change your floor, the possibilities are much wider. You have the freedom to select from a wide range of wood essence, colors and even plank widths. Opting for wider planks, for example, can bring a modern touch to your space, creating a very contemporary, streamlined look. This flexibility in flooring choice allows you to truly personalize your interior and transform your home into a space that reflects your personality.

Superior quality

One of the main reasons for changing your floor is to benefit from superior quality. It's essential to note that opting for cheap products available in big-box stores can be a regrettable decision. Low-quality flooring has a limited lifespan. Since wood flooring is a long-term investment, it's wise to choose a quality product that will stand the test of time with elegance and durability.

For example, the quality of Mirage varnish is incomparable to that of a varnish applied on site. When you choose a Mirage floor, you're choosing the excellence and precision that come from an in-plant manufacturing process using state-of-the-art machinery. Unlike a varnish applied to an old floor, where variations and imperfections are inevitable, Mirage guarantees a perfectly uniform finish of exceptional quality. If you aspire to a superior quality floor that will enhance your living space, choosing Mirage is the right decision for incomparable results.

For quality flooring, Barwood Pilon can guide you to the best choice of flooring to match the style of your home, ensuring long-term satisfaction with your investment.