Transform your home by elevating its aesthetic appeal and adding more value to it by refinishing your hardwood flooring. Flooring can indeed experience wear and tear over time, and it requires refinishing for maintenance purposes. At Affordable Hardwood Floor Refinishing, we restore the natural elegance and durability of your home through our professional hardwood floor refinishing services. This article examines the average cost of hardwood flooring and the factors that influence these costs.
What exactly is Hardwood Floor Refinishing?
Hardwood floor refinishing is the process of removing an existing damaged finish and applying a new protective finish layer to the hardwood flooring, thereby enhancing its durability and restoring its aesthetic appeal. Hardwood floor refinishing is done to improve the value and appeal of your home.
The steps involved in the hardwood floor refinishing are as follows:
- Inspection: The desired area is inspected for the renewal of the old floor.
- Preparation: The flooring is isolated and prepared for working.
- Sanding: The wood floor is sanded to remove the old finish, and a new one is applied.
- Filling: Fill the remaining gaps using a filler of the same color.
- Cleaning: The flooring is cleaned to remove any debris or dust.
- Finishing: Materials such as polyurethane, wax, and varnishes are applied to the floor to enhance both durability and appearance.
- Final Touches: After applying the new finish, avoid using the area for 24 hours and allow the refinishing to settle.
The Average Costs of Refinishing Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a substantial investment in your home, as it ensures durability and adds value to your home. However, it requires regular maintenance over time to maintain its good condition, ensuring it lasts longer. The average cost of floor restoration ranges between $300 and $800, as the flooring professionals charge $3 to $8 per square foot. However, it’s a generic idea; hardwood flooring costs depend on a variety of factors, which are discussed below.
Read more to learn how various factors influence the costs of hardwood floor refinishing.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Hardwood Flooring
The average cost of hardwood floor refinishing cannot be determined without considering various factors.
Let’s explore various factors that are involved in determining the costs of hardwood floor refinishing.
Material Costs
The overall cost of hardwood flooring depends on the type of wood material used for the floor refinishing, and the price of floor refinishing fluctuates with the variety of materials. Solid wood floors are the most widely used flooring option, and they can be refinished up to 20 times, making them a popular choice among homeowners.
However, vinyl, laminate, and porcelain tile floors are used abundantly, but they cannot be refinished.
| Type of Wood | Costs per square Foot |
| Bamboo | $3 to $6 |
| Cherry | $3 to $5 |
| Engineered Wood | $3 to $5 |
| Oak | $3 to $5 |
| Pine | $4 to $7 |
Labour Costs
Labor costs make up a significant part of the overall floor finishing costs, as a large sum, up to 80 percent, goes to labor. Most of the professional contractors charge based on the area to be refinished, while others charge on an hourly basis. On an hourly basis, the rate ranges from $60 to $160 per hour for refinishing wood floors.
Coating or Finishing Costs
The refinishing process encompasses a range of additional elements, including sanding, finishing, buffing, staining, and recoating. The cost of refinishing depends on the type of coating you opt for in your floor resurfacing.
Let’s examine the cost-determining elements below.
| Process | Explanation | Average Cost |
| Sanding | It removes the existing finish and eliminates dents, discoloration, and scratches. | $3- $3.50 per sq ft |
| Staining | It involves applying stains after sanding to change the appearance of the wood. | $1-$3 per sq ft |
| Recoating | Recoating is applied to add a thin layer of finish; it’s used over surfaces with minimal wear and tear. | $1-$2.5 per sq ft |
| Buffing | It slightly polishes your existing finish for a floor touch-up. | $35-$55 $55 per gallon |
| Wax-Finish | It offers a softer, matte floor polishing to your floor, typically with polyurethane. | $35-$55 per gallon |
Conclusion
Naturally, hardwood flooring gets damaged with time in the form of discoloration, scratches, and wear, so that’s the time you need to consider refinishing options for your hardwood flooring. The refinished floor looks visually appealing and adds significant value to your home. All you need to do is hire a professional contractor and get started.
FAQs
1: How often do hardwood floors need to be refinished?
It depends on the wear and tear on the flooring. If your flooring is in good condition, you can have it refinished every few years. However, if it’s frequently used and has scratches, then consider having it oiled annually.
2: How do I do a DIY hardwood floor refinishing project?
You can DIY your hardwood floor refinishing by following the same steps and instructions as professionals.
3: Can hardwood floor refinishing extract deep scratches?
Yes, hardwood flooring can be restored to remove stains and scratches by getting the flooring refinished.
4: Why should one get a hardwood floor refinishing?
A hardwood floor refinishing project restores your flooring to its original shape, making it visually appealing and as good as new.
5: How can I keep my hardwood floor safe after it has been refinished?
You can keep it safe by ensuring its proper cleaning from time to time and eliminating dust factors.