Beneath worn finishes, scuffs and dull patches, many older homes hide beautiful hardwood floors waiting to be revived. Refurbishing existing hardwood can be a wonderful alternative to replacement. It preserves character, uses materials already in place and often reveals warmth and grain that new floors struggle to match.
Here's how hardwood refurbishment works, how to tell whether your floors are good candidates, and what to expect from the process.
Worth Knowing
- Many solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished more than once.
- A screen and recoat can refresh floors with light wear and an intact finish.
- Damaged boards can often be repaired or replaced to match.
- The right stain and finish protect your floors and suit your lifestyle.
Is your floor a good candidate?
Most solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times because the wood is thick enough to remove a thin top layer. Engineered hardwood can sometimes be refinished too, depending on the thickness of its top wood layer. A professional will examine your floor, check board thickness at a floor vent or threshold and look for issues such as:
- Deep gouges, stains or pet damage.
- Loose, squeaky or cupped boards.
- Gaps between boards.
- Water damage or soft spots.
- Previous refinishing that has left boards thin.
Refresh or full refinish?
Screen and recoat
If your floor has light surface scratches and a dull finish, but no wear through to bare wood, a screen and recoat may be enough. The existing finish is lightly abraded and a fresh topcoat is applied. It's quicker and less disruptive than a full refinish and can restore shine and protection.
Full sand and refinish
When finishes are worn through, boards are stained or you want to change the color, a full sand and refinish is the answer. The floor is sanded down to bare wood, imperfections are repaired, then stain and finish are applied.
Old floors carry the story of a home. Refurbishing them lets that story continue, beautifully.
Repairs before refinishing
Before sanding, damaged areas are addressed. Loose boards are secured, squeaks are reduced, and badly damaged boards can be replaced with matching wood, sometimes salvaged from closets or other hidden areas for the best color and grain match. Gaps may be filled where appropriate.
The sanding process
Professionals use a series of progressively finer sandpaper grits to remove the old finish and smooth the wood. Edges and corners are sanded with specialized equipment. Dust containment systems help keep the rest of the home cleaner. Between stages, the floor is vacuumed and inspected.
Choosing a stain
Stain color dramatically affects the look of your floors and the whole room:
- Natural or clear: highlights the wood's original color and grain.
- Light and Scandinavian tones: brighten rooms and suit modern interiors.
- Warm mid-tones: classic and forgiving of dust and wear.
- Dark espresso or walnut: rich and dramatic, but show dust and scratches more easily.
Always test stains on a sanded section of your own floor, because each wood species absorbs stain differently.
Selecting a finish
- Water-based polyurethane: clear, low odor and quick drying, with a natural look.
- Oil-based polyurethane: durable with a warm amber tone that deepens over time.
- Hardwax oils: penetrate the wood for a natural, matte look and allow spot repairs.
Sheen levels range from matte to glossy. Lower sheens hide scratches better and suit most modern homes.
What to expect during the project
- Furniture is removed from the rooms being refinished.
- The area is sealed off to contain dust.
- Sanding, repairs, staining and finishing are completed in stages.
- Drying and curing time is required before light foot traffic and furniture return.
- Rugs should wait until the finish has fully cured.
Caring for refurbished floors
- Use felt pads under furniture.
- Place mats at entrances to trap grit.
- Sweep or vacuum regularly.
- Clean with products made for your floor's finish.
- Wipe spills promptly and avoid wet mopping.
- Consider a screen and recoat periodically to extend the life of the finish.
When replacement makes more sense
If boards are too thin to sand, water damage is extensive or the subfloor has problems, replacement may be the better option. Engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl can offer a similar look with added durability for busy or moisture-prone areas.
Questions We Hear Often
Curious whether your floors can be refurbished? Our flooring team will assess them and recommend the best way to bring them back to life.