Hardwood is probably the most practical of all flooring materials. It is a natural fabric so it qualifies as a top ranker in home décor.  Because of its marriage to the environment and earth we live on, it is the green way to go on flooring.  But what happens over time, the protective finish may wear off especially in heavy traffic areas.
 
          You will know when the time is approaching to get yourself prepared to refinish your floors when you start to see dull warn out areas most noticeably where the traffic in your home is heaviest. You'll also start to feel like no matter how much you clean them or try to gloss them with polish, the wood just eats it up neglecting to give that lustrous appearance as when newly installed. 
          Another reason you might want to refinish your hardwood flooring is if you have had them covered with carpet or area rugs for several years. This also will dull the finish on your hardwood floors. and be good cause to refinish them. If this sounds very much like your situation, and your beginning to wonder what would be the ideal solution to beautify your home or room ,this is the perfect time to start thinking about refinishing your hardwood flooring.
  
        There are several ways to attempt this home improvement project. You can either purchase books at your local home improvement center, or even borrow them along with some videos at your local library. You can also hire a hardwood floor installer and refinisher contractor.
         I strongly recommend hiring someone who specializes in this type of work for several reasons. They have experience that comes from working with hundreds of jobs that involve every type of hardwood floor, so yours will not be their first. Also there are so many details involved like the use of many chemicals that take total caution, not to mention the unforeseen reactions that may result. The use of very heavy equipment that has to have the right amount of pressure, otherwise you can end up with more damage from these machines. 
       
          If you have taken all these steps into consideration and think you still want to take on this job yourself, I’ll help you with some homework tips.
           Start out by giving the floors a simple floor assessment test to see if the floors need a complete refinish or just a good thorough cleaning and polishing. Go to the spot or area where the floor is most visible and will be used the most for traffic. Pour about a tablespoon of water onto the floor. If the water seems to bead up and and stay above the floor,  chances are your floors have a good sealant and just could use a cleaning and buff to shine. If the water seeps into the wood and darkens it because of penetration, then the floors have not been properly finished and will need to be completely refinished.

          Once you have arrived at your decision to refinish the floors you can begin the process by  followings these simple steps to get you on your way.
       Add up the costs of renting and buying all the products ,tools ,material, and special equipment you will need. Include some protective gear such as: (masks ,ear plugs, protective eyewear). You might want to try contacting two or three  contractors specializing in this work and try to get an estimate on the entire job. You may want to see if you can hire them just for the sanding portion which involves the most dangerous and difficult part of the job, then do your cost comparisons. Finally ask yourself how important is this room? If it doesn’t turn out right how much would it bother you?  If it is your main living room or entire first/second floor you probably should hire someone you really feel confident will do the job right.  
 

           The next thing you need to start thinking about is stains. There are many different stain shades available. They are printed on paper for your color choice and variations of finish.  Keep in mind what you see on paper will be slightly different once applied to wood.  The most popular stain options include: Natural, (looks like bare wood), Light (slightly darkens wood), Medium (medium brown hue tone), and Dark (dark brown , deep rich feel). Once you think you are sure of the color, you can buy a small can to try at home. Look for an inconspicuous place such as a corner or hidden area. Be sure to wait until stain is completely dry before you make any decisions.