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Restoring Wooden Floors in Your Church

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Many churches are valued for their historic status, and restoration can help to give a new lease of life to churches that have been neglected over the years. Flooring is one area that's commonly in need of some attention. With so many people passing in and out, it's no surprise that wooden floors inside your church might start to lose their original appearance.

Luckily, wooden floors are fairly easy to restore to their former glory through sanding and polishing. There are some extra considerations to take into account when restoring church buildings, and following the tips below will ensure the whole process runs as smoothly as possible.

Raising funds

With so many good causes to raise money for at church, collecting the funds for another project might be challenging. You'll be more successful in persuading churchgoers to donate if you're clear about the benefits that will come from restored flooring. You might put up before and after pictures from a similar project at another church to show how much better new floors will look. You should emphasize the fact that the church will be made to look as it was originally intended to and will appear more welcoming to newcomers.

Choosing the right contractor

It's important to choose the right contractor to ensure that the restoration process runs smoothly. Choosing a contractor who is experienced in restoring large areas and in dealing with the type of wood that your floor is made of is a good idea. You can ask to see examples of previous work that has been carried out in similar buildings. Ask about the type of equipment that will be used and how much mess it is likely to create. Drum sanders can create large amounts of dust, while continuous belt sanders generate very little. Less dust means that less time will be spent cleaning up after the restoration, saving you money and minimizing inconvenience.

Keeping the congregation informed

Any restoration work will result in some level of disruption, so it's important to keep churchgoers informed throughout the process. Creating a timeline of the restoration process can help visitors to feel involved and reassured, as a change of schedule can be upsetting and inconvenient for some. You should set aside time to clear the area to be sanded ahead of time, time for the work to be carried out, and then a day or so for the floor to be left unused after being sanded and coated. Try to pick days when the church is usually quietest to minimize disruption. If you have several areas to be sanded, you could spread the work out over several days so that the entire building isn't out of commission all at once.

For more information about tackling a project like this, contact a floor sanding professional.


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