What refinishing does
Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times over its life. Refinishing removes the old finish, scratches and worn color, takes the wood back to fresh, bare boards, then applies new stain and protective coats. It's how a 20-year-old floor ends up looking like it was just installed, without replacing it.
Full refinish or a recoat?
Search for refinishing and you'll see a lot of "sand-free" options. Here's the honest difference:
- Full sand and refinish: sanded to bare wood, then stained and sealed. Removes scratches, changes the color and fixes uneven wear. The right choice for most worn or dated floors.
- Screen and recoat: the top coat is lightly buffed and a fresh coat goes on. Restores shine on a floor that's dull but not damaged. It doesn't remove scratches or change color.
We'll tell you which your floor needs after we see it.
Stain and finish options
- Stain colors tested on your floor before anything is committed
- Water-based polyurethane in matte, satin or semi-gloss. Oil-based on request.
- Sanders connected to vacuum systems to limit dust
Repairs and matching
Many refinishing jobs start with a problem: a water-damaged section, holes left from a remodel, or a room being opened up. We replace damaged boards, weave new wood into the existing floor, and refinish everything together so old and new blend into one floor.
Stairs
Hardwood treads and rails can be sanded and refinished to match your floors, so the staircase and the rooms around it read as one. Carpeted stairs can also be converted to hardwood; see site-finished hardwood floor installation.
How a refinish works
- 1In-home estimate. We check the wood, its thickness and any damage, and talk through color.
- 2Plan. You get a written estimate with repairs, stain and finish spelled out.
- 3Prep. We move the furniture and protect the rooms.
- 4Repair and sand. Damaged boards replaced, then the floor sanded to bare wood.
- 5Stain. Samples go down on your floor; you pick the color.
- 6Finish. Sealed with a protective top coat, with drying time between coats.
- 7Walkthrough. We walk the floor with you before we call it done.
What goes into the price
Every floor is different, so we price after an in-home visit. What moves the number:
- Square footage and how many rooms
- How worn or damaged the floor is, and how many boards need replacing
- Stain color changes and the finish system
- Stairs and rails
- Moving furniture and protecting the house
You get a written estimate with the scope spelled out, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
A recent refinish, in progress
Reviews
“[The Rise Reno team] sanded and re-stained our floors, and the result is AMAZING. … Not a scratch in sight and with one swipe, muddy paw prints disappear. It’s been the most amazing transformation … I completely love my house again.”
“[The Rise Reno team] did a beautiful job of repairing, sanding, and refinishing our entire home's oak floors. They were able to make the red oak floors on the 2nd story match the white oak floors on the 1st level. … We are so happy with the results.”
“We did a small remodel project in our living room that left 3 holes in the floor that had to be patched and matched to the existing wood and color. … not even the most trained eye can tell where those holes once were.”
Frequently asked questions
How long does refinishing take?
Small repairs or areas take about 2 days. Full homes can take 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the size and how much furniture and contents need to be moved.
Can we stay in the house during refinishing?
Yes, but the rooms being refinished are off-limits until the finish cures: about a day before light foot traffic, 3 to 4 days before furniture, and 2 weeks before rugs.
How many times can hardwood be refinished?
Solid hardwood can usually be refinished many times. Engineered hardwood depends on how thick its real-wood top layer is. We check before we quote.
Can you match my floor color after a repair?
We match the stain color and the finish, and many clients don't even notice where the repair was made. Wood is natural, though, so we can't promise an identical match.
How much does hardwood floor refinishing cost?
It depends on the size of the floor, its condition, repairs and the finish you choose. We give a written estimate after a free in-home visit, so the price reflects your floor, not an average.
Is there a lot of dust?
Sanding does make some dust. We limit it by connecting our sanders to vacuum systems that capture dust as we work.