If you have solid oak, maple or pine floors, they can almost always be refinished instead of replaced. Refinishing removes the old finish and the top layer of worn wood, so scratches, wear paths, pet marks and that 1990s orange tint go with it.
What's included
- Moving furniture out of the work area and sealing off doorways
- Three-stage sanding (drum, edge, buffer) down to bare wood, with dust containment
- Filling gaps and nail holes, minor board repairs
- Stain samples applied on your floor if you want a color change
- Two or three coats of finish, matte, satin or gloss
- Cleanup and a walk-through with you before we leave
Refinish or replace?
Solid 3/4" hardwood has enough wood on top to be sanded several times over its life. We check the thickness at a floor vent or threshold during the estimate. If there's enough, refinishing is the better deal by a wide margin. If the floor has been sanded too many times, has rot or serious water damage, we'll say so and quote a repair or a new installation instead.
Engineered hardwood with a thick wear layer can often be refinished once. Thin-veneer engineered floors and laminate cannot.
How long it takes and what to expect
- Day 1: sanding. The loudest, dustiest day, kept in check with containment equipment.
- Day 2: stain samples, then stain if you chose a color. Natural floors skip straight to finish.
- Days 3–5: finish coats with drying time between each. You can walk in socks after the last coat dries; furniture goes back in a few days, rugs in about two weeks.
You can usually stay in the house. Upstairs bedrooms are fine while we work on the main floor. If the whole house is being done at once, we'll plan the order with you.
Finish options
We'll recommend a finish based on how the room is used. Water-based finishes dry fast and stay clear over light or white-washed floors. Oil-modified polyurethane gives the classic amber warmth. Sheen can be matte, satin, semi-gloss or gloss; satin hides small scratches best.
Common questions
Does refinishing get rid of pet stains?
Surface stains, yes. Deep black urine stains that have soaked into the wood usually need the boards replaced, which we can do as part of the job.
Will the new floor match the old color?
If you want the same look, we stain to match. If you want a change, this is the moment to do it. See floor staining.
Can you do just one room?
Yes. One room, a hallway, a whole floor or the whole house.