Do I need to move out of my Calgary home during hardwood floor refinishing?

You don't necessarily need to move out, but you will need to plan around the disruption — and whether staying is practical depends on the scope of the project, the finish type being used, and who's in the household. Many Calgary families successfully stay in their homes during refinishing by tackling the project in phases, room by room, while others find it more comfortable to stay with family or in a hotel for 3 to 5 days.

If water-based polyurethane is used (the most common choice in Calgary), staying in the home is quite manageable. Water-based finishes produce significantly lower VOC fumes than oil-based products, and the odour dissipates within hours of application. You'll need to stay out of the rooms being refinished for 24 to 48 hours, but you can use other areas of the home — sleep upstairs while the main floor is being done, then reverse. Most refinishing crews in Calgary are experienced at phasing work to accommodate homeowners who stay in the home.

If oil-based polyurethane is used, moving out for 3 to 5 days is strongly recommended. Oil-based finishes produce heavy fumes that permeate the entire home, not just the rooms being finished. The odour can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation, and it lingers for 48 to 72 hours after the final coat. In Calgary's winter months, when you can't open windows to ventilate, oil-based fumes in a sealed house are particularly unpleasant and potentially harmful.

Household members who should definitely vacate during refinishing regardless of finish type include infants and young children, pregnant women, elderly family members with respiratory conditions, anyone with asthma or chemical sensitivities, and pets — particularly birds, which are extremely sensitive to airborne chemicals, and dogs and cats who walk on the floors and lick their paws.

Practical logistics for staying in your Calgary home during refinishing: Move furniture from the rooms being refinished to a garage, basement, or rooms that aren't being done. Set up a temporary sleeping area in a room that won't be touched for the first few days. Use plastic sheeting to seal doorways between the work area and living areas — this also helps contain dust during the sanding phase. Stock up on groceries beforehand if the kitchen floor is being refinished, or plan to eat out. Keep HVAC running for air circulation but close or cover vents in the work area during sanding to prevent dust from circulating through the ductwork.

Dustless sanding systems make staying in the home significantly more comfortable during the sanding phase. The 95+ percent dust capture means the rest of your home stays relatively clean, which is a major quality-of-life improvement over conventional sanding where fine wood dust infiltrates every room.

Timeline for a typical whole-home refinish in a Calgary home: Day 1 is sanding, Day 2 is staining (if applicable), Days 2-4 are three coats of finish with drying time between coats. Light sock-foot traffic is usually possible after 24 hours from the final coat, with furniture going back at 72 hours. Calgary Floor Installers can connect you with refinishing professionals who will work around your schedule and living situation.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Calgary Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• PLATINUM Pool & Spa Services Ltd
• Calgary Garage Builders Ltd
• Home Style Supplies
• Allure Residential & Commercial inc
• Turnbull masonry