Service
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Full sanding down to bare wood, optional stain, and new protective finish coats. It removes surface wear and many scratches, but it uses up some of the wood that remains above the tongue.
Refinishing means sanding the existing finish and a thin layer of wood off the floor, then applying stain if you want a color change and several coats of finish. It is different from a screen and recoat, which only abrades and recoats the existing finish.
Not every older floor can be refinished. Floors that have been sanded many times, thin engineered wear layers and boards with exposed nails or tongues may need repair or replacement instead. A contractor confirms this on site.
Also known as: floor sanding, sand and refinish, hardwood restoration, dustless refinishing.
Typical scope
- Sanding to bare wood with drum or belt and edge sanders
- Filling small gaps or nail holes where the contractor recommends it
- Optional stain sample and stain application
- Sealer and finish coats (oil-modified, water-based or other products offered by the contractor)
Usually not included
- Staircase work is not part of this service. You can flag it as a separate related request.
- Structural subfloor or joist repair, moisture remediation and pest damage repair are outside a flooring quote unless the contractor says otherwise.
- Replacing badly damaged boards is quoted as repair work before sanding.
- Moving furniture and appliances is not always included. Ask the contractor.
Material and condition considerations
- Remaining wood above the tongue limits how many more sandings a floor can take.
- Wax or silicone polish contamination can prevent new finish from bonding and may require extra steps.
- Stain color changes on woods like maple can blotch, so samples on your actual floor are worth asking for.
- Dust containment systems exist, but no sanding is literally dust-free. Containment is only offered where the assigned contractor provides it.
What affects the price
No prices are published here. Independent contractors quote after seeing the floor. These factors usually drive the quote:
- Square footage and number of separate rooms or closets
- Condition of the floor and amount of repair needed first
- Stain color change versus natural finish
- Finish product type and number of coats
- Furniture moving, stairs (separate request) and access constraints
How to prepare
- Clear rooms of furniture, rugs and floor-level items, or confirm the contractor will move them.
- Plan where people and pets will stay while finish cures.
- Remove or cover items sensitive to fine dust in nearby rooms.
- Tell the contractor about any past wax, oil soap or polish products used on the floor.
Related guides
Hardwood Floor Refinishing by neighborhood
How the estimate and referral work
- You send the project details below. Nothing is shared publicly.
- We check the address is inside current coverage, then share your request with a relevant independent flooring contractor.
- The contractor contacts you, inspects the floor and gives their own quote. Any contract is directly between you and them.
We cannot promise a contractor is available for every request or date. More on how it works.
Frequently asked questions
How long until I can walk on refinished floors?
It depends on the finish product, the number of coats, temperature and humidity. Contractors give return-to-use timing for light foot traffic, furniture and rugs separately, based on the product label.
Can every hardwood floor be refinished?
No. If too little wood remains above the tongue, or an engineered wear layer is too thin, sanding can expose the tongue or core. A contractor checks this before quoting.
Is dustless refinishing really dust-free?
No sanding process is completely free of dust. Some contractors use vacuum-connected sanders that capture much of it. Ask the contractor what containment they actually use.
Related services
Request a free estimate
We are a referral service, not a contractor. Your request is shared with a relevant independent hardwood flooring contractor who quotes and performs the work. Submitting this form shares your details with a relevant independent contractor. See our privacy policy and referral disclosure. Marketing consent, if offered, is optional.