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Answers · 15 questions

Sanding and refinishing

Refinishing is the cheapest dramatic improvement available to anyone with a wood floor — and the most commonly over-specified. Half the floors people want sanded only need a recoat.

What is the difference between screening and full sanding?

Screening, also called buffing, lightly abrades only the top finish layer and adds a fresh coat, while full sanding removes wood down to bare grain to fix deep scratches, stains, or unevenness.

How many times can a hardwood floor be sanded before it is too thin?

Most solid hardwood can be sanded 4 to 6 times over its lifetime, since each sanding removes roughly 1/16 inch of wood. Engineered floors have a much thinner wear layer and often allow only 1 to 3 sandings.

Can engineered hardwood be refinished?

Yes, as long as the wear layer is at least 2mm thick. Thinner wear layers, common in budget engineered products, usually cannot be sanded without exposing the plywood core.

How long does it take to sand and refinish a floor?

A typical room takes 3 to 5 days including sanding, staining if applicable, and multiple coats of finish with drying time between coats. Whole-house jobs can take a week or more.

Do I need to leave my house during refinishing?

It is strongly recommended, especially with oil-based finishes, due to fumes and dust. Water-based finishes have lower odor and faster dry times, but staying elsewhere for 24 to 48 hours is still ideal.

What is the difference between oil-based and water-based polyurethane?

Oil-based polyurethane ambers over time and is very durable but has strong fumes and longer dry times. Water-based polyurethane dries clear and fast with lower odor, and modern formulas are nearly as scratch-resistant.

Can I change the stain color when refinishing?

Yes, refinishing is the ideal time to change color since the floor is sanded to bare wood, allowing any new stain shade to be applied evenly.

How much dust does sanding create?

Modern sanding equipment with dust containment systems captures the vast majority of dust, but some fine dust still settles nearby. Sealing off rooms and removing soft furnishings beforehand helps minimize cleanup.

Should I refinish before or after other renovations?

Refinish floors after major work like painting, drywall repair, or cabinet installation is complete, since those tasks create dust and potential for scratches or spills that could damage a fresh finish.

What is a recoat and when is it enough?

A recoat applies a new topcoat of finish over the existing one without sanding to bare wood. It works when the finish is worn but the wood itself is not deeply scratched, gouged, or discolored.

Can water damage be fixed by sanding?

Light water staining or slight cupping can often be sanded out once the wood has fully dried and returned to its normal moisture level. Severe warping or black stains from mold may require board replacement.

How many coats of finish are applied after sanding?

Most professional jobs apply 2 to 3 coats of polyurethane or oil finish, with light sanding between coats to ensure proper adhesion and a smooth final surface.

Is it worth refinishing versus replacing an old floor?

If at least a few millimeters of solid wood remain and the subfloor is sound, refinishing is almost always more cost-effective than replacement and produces a like-new result.

Can you refinish only part of a floor?

It is possible, but color and sheen matching between the old and new sections can be tricky, especially with sunlight fading in the untouched area. Full-room refinishing gives the most seamless result.

What is a matte, satin, or gloss finish, and which lasts longest?

These refer to sheen level, not durability. Satin is the most popular for hiding scratches and footprints, while high-gloss shows imperfections more. Durability depends more on the finish product and coat count than sheen.

Have a floor that does not match any of the above? Call (848) 352-7337 and describe it. We would rather answer a question than sell the wrong floor.

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