sand hardwood floorRefinishing your hardwood floor will refresh a space like no other home improvement project. Refinishing removes years of scratches, scuff marks, gouges and stains, so your floor looks as good as new. However, what is the cost to refinish your hardwood flooring?

The cost to refinish hardwood flooring ranges anywhere between $2.75 and $3.50 a square foot. However, it depends on how rough of shape the current hardwood is in for an oiled-based finish. Water-based is typically $1.00 to $1.50 more per square foot because you need at least three layers of finish and a light sanding between finishes.

Some other things to take into account: cost to refinish hardwood fooring

  • All wood species take stains differently, especially during a sand and refinish. Keep an open mind and not expect perfection!
  • You would not think that a floor could produce that much dust. But I can assure you, it does. You will find dust in areas of the house that we did not even get close to sanding, so expect the clean-up.
  • Depending on the time of year, we need the HVAC and/or AC running to make sure the finish dries.
  • You cannot walk on your floors for at least twenty-four hours after the second coat of polyurethane goes down.
  • In addition, you should not put any area rugs down on the newly finished floor for about two weeks after installation. I always say it is like nail polish - it seems dry on top but takes time for the center layers to cure.  

Important: Use felt pads and cups under furniture. Do not drag your furniture across your floor. Pick it up and place it where you want it to go. Preventative maintenance is the best kind of maintenance!

I recommend that you refinish hardwood floors once every ten years or every two to five if they get significant traffic from kids or pets. Call us at Creative Carpet & Flooring for any questions you have about hardwood floor refinishing costs. You schedule your hardwood refinishing online here.