Should You Refinish or Replace Your Hardwood Floors?
If your hardwood floors look tired, you may be wondering whether to refinish them or tear them out. In most homes around Kansas City, refinishing is the better choice. But not always. Here is how we decide.
When refinishing is the right call
Refinishing means sanding the floor down to bare wood, then applying new stain and finish. It works well when:
- The boards are solid and not loose or soft
- The damage is on the surface: scratches, dull spots, fading, old stain you no longer like
- The wood has enough thickness left to sand. Solid hardwood can usually be sanded several times over its life
Refinishing also lets you change the color. Many homeowners go from an orange or yellow oak to a natural, light or darker modern tone. See our sand and refinish service.
When replacement makes more sense
- Boards are cupped, buckled or soft from water damage over a large area
- The floor has already been sanded so many times that there is little wood left
- You want a different wood species or plank width
- You are changing the layout of the house
Even then, you may not need to replace everything. Damaged areas can often be cut out and new boards woven in, then the whole room refinished so it looks like one floor. If you do need new floors, see our installation service.
What about recoating?
If your floor is dull but has no deep scratches or bare spots, a recoat may be enough. We lightly abrade the existing finish and apply a fresh coat. It is faster and costs less than a full refinish.
How to know for sure
The easiest way is to have someone look at it. We check board thickness, moisture and damage, then tell you honestly which option fits your floor and budget.
Natural Flooring offers free estimates across Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee and the Kansas City area. Call (913) 368-8417 or request a free quote online.
