Hardwood Refinishing FAQs

1. Is Refinishing Hardwood Floors Worth the Investment?

Refinishing hardwood floors is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, offering you the opportunity to extend their lifespan rather than opting for a full replacement. If you want a fresh new look for your floors, refinishing them requires minimal effort and disruption to achieve.

2. Is it Possible to Restore Hardwood Floors?

Flooring professionals report that hardwood floors can typically be sanded for refinishing up to 10 times, depending on how thoroughly you sand and the level of wear and tear. However, the exact number of times you can refinish your hardwood floor may vary.

3. Which is more cost-effective, refinishing or replacing hardwood floors?

Refinishing hardwood floors is usually more cost-effective than replacing them. The cost of installing new hardwood, labor costs, and the removal and disposal of existing flooring all add up over time.

4. What is the best method for cleaning wood floors?

For most homes, a simple soap and water solution is the most efficient way to clean wood floors. All that's necessary is a broom, vacuum and mop; the most effective mop for wood floors is either a microfiber flat-head or string mop that can easily be wrung out.

5. What Should Not Be Used to Clean Hardwood Floors?

Avoid using straight ammonia, alkaline products and abrasive cleaners on hardwood floors as these can scratch or dull the finish. Lemon juice or vinegar-and-water solutions should never be relied upon to clean hardwood floors.

6. How can you clean heavily stained hardwood floors?

Begin by clearing away loose dust and debris with a soft-bristle broom, dust mop, or vacuum cleaner with hardwood floor attachment. Then select an appropriate cleaning solution according to the manufacturer's guidelines for your floor type. Lastly, mop in the direction of the grain using a well-wrung and slightly damp mop.

7. What is the average cost for sanding and refinishing hardwood floors?

Flooring professionals typically charge between $3-$8 per square foot. A single bedroom could range in cost from $300-$800, while an entire home could range anywhere from $2,400-$6,000 depending on how much square footage needs refinishing.

8. When is the ideal time of year to refinish hardwood floors?

Hardwood floor installations carried out during spring or fall can help avoid cupping, where swollen floorboards may split if moisture was trapped during winter and then dried out.

9. Can I Renovate Hardwood Floors in My Home? 9. Do I Have the Option of Staying Put After Refinishing Hardwood Floors?

We suggest a minimum of two days for socks-only traffic on floors finished with oil polyurethane. After the job is finished, the house should not be habitable for at least two days and it is best to stay away for at least five days as inhaling fumes or off-gassing is not advised, even if other rooms are available to sleep in.

10. Can hardwood floors be refinished in one day?

Depending on the product used and weather conditions, each coat can take anywhere from two to seven days. A "sand and poly" job might take at least two days while a full refinishing project could take anywhere from three to seven days; an additional day is required if adding color is desired.

11. What sets resurfacing apart from refinishing hardwood floors?

Resurfacing a floor requires taking out and replacing planks, grinding them to make them even, and reinforcing with new nails. Once this is done, the floor can be sanded down, stained, varnished, and sealed for protection.

12. Does Refinishing Hardwood Floors Increase the Value of a Home?

Refinishing hardwood floors can help sell homes faster and for a higher price, as hardwood is the preferred flooring type.