Wood floors add warmth and charm, making any home feel welcoming. However, over time, their shine can fade. Scratches, worn finishes, and color changes can diminish their beauty. But don’t worry! Refinishing your hardwood floors can restore their appeal without costing a fortune. Want to know how much does it cost to refinish wood floors? This guide will share all the details.
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What Is Wood Floor Refinishing?
Refinishing wood flooring begins by sanding the old finish. Once you have eliminated the flaws, you add a new coat of stain and sealant. This method allows you to pick up old floors and give them a new appearance without extra charge. Finishing and resurfacing are different. The latter method requires the replacement of the damaged planks.
Yet, the former process involves renovating the real planks. The main factors, wood type, floor condition, and refinishing method, determine the total cost. We should discuss the cost drivers more.
Cost to Refinish Wood Floors
Refinishing hardwood floors typically costs $3 to $8 per square foot. This fee includes sanding, dyeing, and sealing. However, if repairs or extensive prep work are needed, the price can increase.
For a 1,000-square-foot space, expect to spend $3,000 to $8,000 on professional refinishing.
Cost Breakdown Per Square Foot
- Basic Refinishing: $3 – $5 per sq. ft. (light sanding and sealant)
- Staining & Darkening Wood Floors: $4 – $6 per sq. ft.
- Buff and Recoat Hardwood Floors: $1 – $3 per sq. ft. (light refinishing)
- Professional Refinishing with Repairs: $6 – $8 per sq. ft.
Factors That Affect Refinishing Costs
1.Floor Condition
If your floors have deep scratches, warping, or tough stains, they need extra care. You might need sanding or repairs, which can raise the cost of fixing your hardwood. Invest a little now to transform your floors. Worn wood can become stunning again.
2.Type of Hardwood
Refinishing engineered hardwood flooring can cost more than solid hardwood. Why is that? The thin veneer layer is to blame. Some engineered floors can withstand only a few sandings before wearing out.
3.Stain and Finish Choice
Darker stains can be tricky. They need extra prep work, which raises the cost to stain wood floors. High-gloss finishes also require more coats to keep their shine and durability.
4.Labor Costs
Labor costs vary based on location and the floor refinishing companies you choose. Professional services ensure quality results but may cost more than DIY methods.
5.Additional Services
- Buff and recoat hardwood floors for a minor refresh ($1 – $3 per sq. ft.)
- Hardwood floor polishing companies offer waxing and polishing for added protection
- Resurfacing engineered hardwood floors may involve plank replacements, adding to costs
Can Prefinished Wood Floors Be Refinished?
Yes! Prefinished wood floors can be refinished, but the process is more complex. Hardwood sanding and refinishing costs can be higher. This is because it takes extra labor to remove the original factory finish.
DIY vs. Professional Refinishing
Homeowners often think about the cost of professional refinishing. DIY may seem budget-friendly, but it can lead to problems. Poor sanding or uneven staining can ruin your floors. Choosing experienced floor refinishing services ensures lasting results. Invest wisely, and enjoy beautiful floors.
DIY Cost Estimates
- Rental Equipment: $200 – $400 for a floor sander
- Materials: $100 – $300 for stain, sealant, and supplies
- Total DIY Cost: Around $500 – $1,000, but with a higher risk of mistakes
Professional Refinishing Cost
- Higher upfront cost but guarantees a perfect finish
- Faster turnaround time
- No risk of damaging the wood with improper sanding
For best results, hiring experts from floor refinishing companies is the safest choice.
How Many Times Can You Sand a Wood Floor?
Solid hardwood floors last a long time. They can be sanded 3 to 5 times during their life. In contrast, engineered hardwood flooring refinishing has challenges. The thin veneer layers can only handle sanding once or twice before they weaken.
Final Thoughts: Is Refinishing Your Floors Worth It?
Revamping your hardwood floors is a lucrative venture, which is rational as well as trendy. It adds to the aesthetic appeal, extends the life span, and also raises home value. Refinishing is a cost-efficient solution compared to installing the new ones. The prices are determined by the kind of stain you want, essential repairs, and the level of labor intensity.
FAQs About Wood Floor Refinishing
Can prefinished wood floors be refinished?
Yes, the refinishing of prefinished wood floors is possible. Nonetheless, such a job could cost a lot more, and the process is more complex as a factory finish is already there.
What is the difference between wood floor resurfacing vs. refinishing?
Categories of wood floor repair are resurfacing and refinishing. Resurfacing is the replacement or repair of planks. Refinishing, on the other hand, means sanding and staining the floors you already have. In a word, refinishing is less expensive and mainly updates the floor’s appearance.
How often should hardwood floors be refinished?
Over time, refinishing should be repeated every 7-10 years if the floor is heavily used and gets lots of traffic. With the light finish of the engineered hardwoods, you have two refinishing options. In this case, just two applications might be enough. The veneer is thin, so it can’t hold the floor’s color well.
How long does it take to refinish hardwood floors?
This project will take about 3-5 days. It includes sanding, staining, and drying. If you use (non-)oil-based finishes, drying time will be shorter or longer.